CELL PHONE MASTER GUIDE: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT USING YOUR CELL PHONE, SIM CARDS, AND ESIM CARDS WHILE TRAVELING INTERNATIONALLY
If you are traveling out of the country, one of things to consider before your trip is using your cell phone service internationally and staying connected. Sometimes we enjoy being disconnected and simply taking in the surroundings of a place without the stress of emails, phone calls, and notifications. However, cell phone service is important to consider for a number of reasons. Safety, directions, and useful travel apps come to mind. We recommend researching your options prior to your trip so that you have a plan.
When we started traveling internationally, we found it confusing of what we needed to do in each country for phone service. In this post, we will EASILY explain options for staying connected and our personal experiences.
There are 4 main options for cell phone service while traveling. These are using your carrier’s international plan, buying a local SIM card, buying an eSIM card, or using only wi-fi.
USING YOUR CARRIER’S INTERNATIONAL PLAN
Most major phone carriers offer international plans. This is usually a straightforward way to use your cell phone service while traveling internationally, but it does involve a little research. These plans can vary in cost and are typically $5-15 per day. We recommend contacting your carrier or checking online to confirm your plan has this and the cost, as well as any instructions for activation. Some carriers post a lot of information online. Be sure to check your carrier’s website. Verizon Wireless has a page for International Travel FAQ’s with information on what to do before you travel, while traveling, and once you return home. If you choose this option, you can typically take your phone off airplane mode once you arrive and use your phone as normal.
We personally do not use this option since it is expensive. It is an easy option though if you want no hassle.
OUR ADVICE: We recommend this option if you don’t have a tight budget, are on a short trip, or don’t want to be bothered with getting a local SIM card or eSIM card.
BUYING A LOCAL SIM CARD
There are local cell companies that you can buy a SIM card from in almost every country. You can usually purchase SIM cards in the airport and from company stores. The specific company will vary based on the region and country you are in. Local SIM cards usually cost anywhere from $10-50 depending on the plan and data. For reference, we purchased a local SIM in Cambodia that was $8 for 40GB for 2 weeks, in Laos for $7 that was unlimited data for 2 weeks, and in Thailand for $20 for 30GB for 30 days.
Keep in mind:
- Your cell phone must be unlocked. (Check with your carrier if you aren’t sure)
- You will temporarily be connected to a different phone number while the local SIM card is in your phone.
- Keep track of your US SIM card (We usually tape or inside of our phone cases).
- You often have to have your passport when purchasing, so make sure to bring this.
This is the option we choose 90% of the time. It can be more time consuming since it involves going to a store and purchasing a physical SIM card. We still prefer this option because it is almost always the lowest cost option for the highest amount of data.
OUR ADVICE: This option is recommended if you are on a tighter budget, are on a longer trip, and don’t mind visiting a physical store to purchase.
BUYING AN ESIM CARD
There are companies that you can buy an electronic SIM card from. This means that you can purchase data from your phone and do not have to visit a store to purchase a physical SIM card. This option will usually only give you data. You can use the internet, social media, WhatsApp, and other apps through the data.
We use the Airalo app to purchase. Airalo has data packages that differ depending on the region and country. For example, in Portugal the packages range from 1 GB ($4.50) to 30 GB ($19.00). These can be a bit tricky to install. Pay close attention to the directions if you choose this option.
We use this option when we are on short trips and just need a small amount of data.
OUR ADVICE: This option is recommended if you only need data or if you need data quickly and don’t have time to visit a physical store for a local SIM card.
If you use HALEY8398 you can purchase an eSIM for $3 off
USING WI-FI
If you aren’t interested in purchasing anything for service, you can use only wi-fi while traveling. You won’t have access to regular phone calls and SMS messages. However, you can still use the internet, social media, WhatsApp, and other apps, etc., but only when connected to wi-fi. Just make sure to keep your phone on airplane mode the whole time!
Keep in mind you will only have data when connected to wi-fi. You will not be able to text, make calls, use the internet, etc. until you connect to wi-fi. Most Airbnbs, hotels, restaurants, cafes, etc. have wi-fi. This can vary based on where you are traveling though.
We use this option occasionally when we don’t need phone service. It isn’t our favorite option as it can be more difficult to plan our day and stay in contact with others if needed.
OUR ADVICE: This option is recommended if you don’t plan to use your phone often and if you already have Google Maps, Google Translate, etc. downloaded to help navigate while traveling.
THE BOTTOM LINE
There are a lot of options for staying connected during your travels. Everyone has different preferences of what works best for them and their specific trip. We hope this helps you decide which option works best for you!
What is your favorite way to using your cell phone service while traveling internationally?
