Using your cell phone overseas can really cost you. Even if you avoid roaming charges with an international daypass, you could still pay up to $360 on a monthlong trip to Norway and other parts of Europe! I paid $33 on my monthlong trip — and if I’d conserved data, I could have paid $13.
If you’re traveling internationally for the first time, you might be wondering how to use your phone overseas. In this post, we’ll cover why you shouldn’t buy a day pass from AT&T or Verizon, and cover the options to save money using your cell phone overseas: buying a SIM card, downloading an eSIM or using wi-fi only.
How to use your phone overseas affordably
I don’t believe in paying for those day passes that AT&T, Verizon and other US carriers offer. At $12 a day, that could add up to over $100 or more by the end of even a short trip!
But going without the day pass can be even worse. Even if you don’t think you’re using cell coverage, your phone might connect to a local network and hit you with roaming charges. When I went to Iceland and Norway with my parents, they decided not to use their cell phones at all. They made sure to only use their phones on wi-fi. Yet they still came home to an extra $30 on their bill! AT&T claimed she sent a text on three separate days — she didn’t — and charged her for three day passes.
Fortunately, there are ways to use your phone overseas for a lot less money.
The old solution: Buy a SIM card locally
You can still do this if you have an older phone. Physical SIM cards are sold at airports, as well as at convenience stores like 7Eleven and at cell phone shops.
You can buy one, then pop out your regular SIM card, put it somewhere safe, and replace it with the local SIM for the duration of your trip. Apple has instructions on how to pop out the SIM cards in iPhones that still use one.
But if you have an iPhone 14 or later, purchased in the United States, do not buy a physical SIM card. It won’t go in your phone.
Best way to use your cell phone internationally: Buy an eSIM
If your phone came out in 2018 or later, it’s probably eSIM compatible.
What does that mean? It means you can buy a temporary cellular plan online when you go to a new country.
That’s right.
No searching for a SIM kiosk.
No waiting in line.
No wondering if you’re accidentally buying something that won’t actually fit in your phone.
Just a quick download, follow a few instructions, and you’re good.
First, make sure your phone is unlocked
This is the only “catch” to the wonder of eSIMS: If you’re on a contract with Verizon, AT&T or another carrier, your phone probably won’t be considered “unlocked.” In that case, you’re forced to either pay your carrier high rates for international service, or give up using cellular service during your trip. That’s one of the reasons why I personally always buy my phone outright instead of signing a contract to get a “free” phone.
If you’re not sure how to check your phone’s settings to see if it’s unlocked, call your carrier. Tell them you’re trying to use an eSIM and you want to make sure it’s unlocked first. They’ll let you know.
Then purchase an eSIM plan
There are multiple reputable companies selling eSIM coverage online. I have been using Airalo for years now with no complaints. It’s so easy to buy Airalo cell coverage before a trip:
- First, go to the Airalo website or download the app on your phone.
- Type in your destination.
- Airalo will display what service providers are available in that country, and a list of packages.
- Choose how long you need coverage for. (Important: Make sure that coverage does not end right before you leave the country. You might need your phone to book an Uber to the airport, for example!)
- Choose whether you want data only, or if you also need texts and calling. Texts and calling are only available in some countries. (Note: If you choose calling and texting, you’ll likely be assigned a new number. You won’t be able to call and text with your usual phone number.)
- You can also buy a plan for a whole region if needed.
- Airalo will show you the total price.
- Hit “Buy now.”
- You’re done!
Install your eSIM
You can do this while you’re still in your home country. The Airalo app should show you a button that says “Install eSIM.” Touch that button and follow the instructions.
Important: Turn off your carrier service before arrival
Sometimes people come home from trips to huge surprise phone bills, even if they never used their phone overseas. That’s because cellular carriers are tricky! They’re always trying to connect to the local cell network unless you stop them.
Fortunately, you can take a few steps while on the plane, or in the airport waiting for your flight, to prevent charges from your carrier:
- Put the phone in airplane mode.
- On an iPhone, go to Settings and select Cellular. Then select the word Primary.
- Select the word “Off” to turn off your primary cellular service.
- On an Android phone, go to Settings, then Network & internet, then SIM cards, and deactivate your primary SIM.
- Turn on the eSIM line.
- If your plan includes calls and texts, also tap “Default voice line” and select the eSim instead of your Primary number there as well.
- When you arrive at your destination, turn off airplane mode. Your phone should now connect to a local network!
Troubleshooting your eSIM
Your phone should automatically connect to the new network. If it doesn’t, try:
- toggling Airplane Mode off and on again
- restarting your phone
- waiting until you get outside (sometimes there’s no cell service in immigration areas
- getting on wifi and checking Airalo’s troubleshooting tips
eSIM alternative: Wi-fi only
If you don’t want to pay for data on your phone, you could instead rely on wi-fi for your whole trip. You could save all your calling, social media, etc., for when you’re in your lodging or on another wi-fi network. This tactic used to work OK, but in recent years, it’s become more difficult.
That’s because it’s getting harder to get around cities without using phone apps. In Paris, I had to go to a Metro station to buy paper bus tickets, because my parents didn’t have data and couldn’t use the transit app. And you definitely need cell data to hail an Uber.
One option that doesn’t limit you to only using the internet at your lodging: Rent a mobile hotspot.
A mobile hotspot is a device you can carry around with you that provides wi-fi. If you have one, your phone can connect to wifi even if you’re not near an open wifi network. You won’t be able to make calls or send texts normally, but you should be able use Google Maps and the other handy things you would normally use your phone data for.
A few companies rent out hotspots for international use. The downside is that, for one person, hotspot service may cost more than an eSIM. The upside is that multiple devices can connect to one. So if your whole family wants to connect, but they’re each only going to use a little data, a mobile hotspot might work.
Mobile hotspots can also be handy if your lodging doesn’t have reliable wi-fi.
My tips for saving money using your phone overseas
While an eSIM isn’t a big expense, you can still save a few bucks by minimizing your data use and skipping calling/texting packages.
For example, on my Europe trip last summer, I bought a 30-day Europe plan with 3 GB of data for $13. If I had followed my own tips, that might have lasted me the whole trip! Unfortunately, I didn’t pay attention to my data use. I ended up having to top up my data twice, paying an extra $20 for an additional 5 GB. Not a huge expense in the context of a monthlong voyage, but I could have done better!
- Connect to wi-fi whenever your can. At airports, cafes, your lodging, etc. — if wi-fi is there, log on to save data. Save your data-intensive activities, like uploading a video to social media, for wi-fi.
- Download the map to your area on Google maps in advance. Not only can this help you use less data, but it can save you if you lose connection and still need directions.
- Consider turning off your data until you need it. I have even found I can set up directions on Google Maps, start the trip, then turn off my data. My phone will still keep track of where I am and help my navigate.
- If you’re traveling in a group, share the data load. In Paris and Norway this summer with my parents, I was always the person using my phone to navigate. This is the main reason I needed to top up. My son also had an eSIM plan with 3GB, but he didn’t use it all. I should have asked him to use his phone to navigate sometimes.
- Use FaceTime, WhatsApp or other apps for calls — while on wi-fi.
- If you like to listen to music on your phone, download it on wi-fi — don’t stream.
- Cut off data for apps you don’t need. Apps have a nasty habit of using your data to do background updates and such, without your overt permission. To prevent this, go into your iPhone settings, select Cellular, then scroll down. You should see a list of all the apps on your phone. You can toggle each one on and off. The default is to list the most data-thirsty apps first. (Warning: If you’re struggling to use an app on data, don’t forget to check if you might have turned it off! I made my poor family stand on an Oslo street for about 45 minutes while I waited to hear back from our Airbnb host — only to realize that I had turned cellular off for Airbnb at the beginning of the trip.)
- If you’re buying multiple eSIMs for family, you can refer your family members from your account. I’ve gotten a few credits this way!
Ready to save money on your next trip? Buy an Airalo eSIM now!
eSIM FAQs
Q: Can I use my regular phone number with an eSIM?
A: Yes and no. If you have an iPhone, you can still send and receive iMessages using your regular number. But you won’t have access to SMS messaging, which means that if someone texts you from an Android phone, you won’t receive it. If you sign up for a plan that includes calling and texting, you will get a different phone number for that.
Q: What if I run out of data on the plan I buy?
A: You can pay a little more money to add data to your plan.
Q: Can you buy an eSIM after you’ve already left the US?
A: Yep! You just need to get on a wi-fi connection so you can visit Airalo or another provider to buy the plan.
Q: What if I need people to be able to reach me on my regular number?
A: Personally, I tell folks at home to email, Facetime or WhatsApp me. But if you urgently need people to be able to reach you on your regular number throughout your trip, you might want to consider buying a day pass from your regular carrier.
Why I got an eSIM for my last 10 trips
Scrolling through my Airalo orders is like a walk down memory lane. Europe, 2021. Mexico and the Bahamas, 2024. Europe and Costa Rica, 2025.
Why haven’t I changed my international cell phone routine in years? Because eSIMS work! I’ve never had one not work the way I expected it to. For most travelers, downloading an eSIM is the most affordable and simple way to use your cell phone overseas.
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