Travel topic · Money
Roaming charges by carrier: US, UK, Canada, Australia, NZ and Ireland
If your plan includes roaming (T-Mobile, Three, Vodafone UK, most EU plans), use it. If it does not, buy an eSIM or a local SIM before you fly — pay-per-use roaming can cost 10–15x more per day.
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- Plan calculated
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What each major carrier charges when you use your home SIM abroad, which plans already include roaming, and the cheaper routes: an eSIM, a local SIM or a travel add-on. Covers AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, EE, Vodafone, Three, O2, Rogers, Bell, Telus, Optus, Telstra, Vodafone NZ, One NZ and the Irish networks.
Key facts
- Cheapest route in most cases
- Travel eSIM (US$5–30 per trip) or a local prepaid SIM at the airport
- Second cheapest
- A carrier travel add-on bought before departure, not the pay-per-use rate
- Most expensive
- Pay-per-use data abroad: commonly US$10–15 per day, or per-MB rates
- Plans that already roam
- T-Mobile (US), Three and Vodafone (UK), most EU plans, some Optus and Telstra plans
- EU rule
- Roam Like At Home: UK and EU numbers pay domestic rates inside the EU/EEA, with fair-use limits
- What to do before flying
- Check your plan's roaming terms, turn off data roaming, buy an eSIM or add-on
- Emergency calls
- 112 and 911 work on any network, even without a SIM or credit
Your checklist
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The short answer
Roaming charges depend on three things: your carrier, your plan and where you are going. A US T-Mobile customer on a Go5G Plus plan can use their phone in most of Europe and Asia at no extra cost. An AT&T customer on an older plan pays per day. A UK Three customer roams free across 70+ destinations. A Canadian Rogers customer pays a flat daily fee in the US and more elsewhere.
The pattern is the same everywhere: postpaid plans that include roaming are the cheapest option, travel add-ons are the middle option, and pay-per-use is the trap. If your plan does not include roaming, do not rely on it — buy an eSIM or a local SIM before you fly.
| Route | Typical cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Plan already includes roaming | US$0 extra | Short trips, one country, light data |
| Carrier travel add-on | US$5–15 per day or US$30–60 per trip | Trips where you want your own number |
| Travel eSIM | US$5–30 per trip | Most trips; cheapest for 1–4 weeks |
| Local prepaid SIM | US$5–25 with data bundle | Stays over 2 weeks, unlocked phone |
| Pay-per-use roaming | US$10–15 per day, or per-MB | Emergencies only |
All figures are 2026 estimates; carriers change rates often. Check your own plan.
Do
- Check your plan's roaming page on the carrier's own website, not a comparison site.
- Turn off data roaming in your phone settings before you board, then turn it on only if you decide to use your home SIM.
- Screenshot your carrier's roaming terms; you may not have data to look them up on arrival.
Who this applies to
This page is for travellers holding a phone number from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland. It covers the major carriers in each country and the main options for using your phone abroad.
It does not cover satellite phones, maritime or aviation roaming, or business contracts negotiated with a corporate account. Those have their own terms.
| Country | Main carriers | Roaming included? |
|---|---|---|
| United States | AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile | T-Mobile on most postpaid plans; AT&T and Verizon on some |
| United Kingdom | EE, Vodafone, Three, O2 | Three and Vodafone include many destinations; EE and O2 vary |
| Canada | Rogers, Bell, Telus | Rarely included; daily fees common |
| Australia | Telstra, Optus, Vodafone | Some plans include selected countries |
| New Zealand | One NZ, Spark, 2degrees | Rarely included; add-ons common |
| Ireland | Vodafone, Three, Eir | EU roaming included; rest of world varies |
Plan names and inclusions change frequently. Verify on the carrier's site before you travel.
Show 12 sectionsHideHow to check your own charges in five steps, United States carriers, UK carriers, Canadian carriers, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, Cheaper options: eSIM, local SIM, add-on, Exceptions and traps, Comparison: which route to pick, FAQ, Sources and last check, Questions people ask, Related
How to check your own charges in five steps
Do this a week before you fly, not at the airport.
| Step | What to do | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Find your plan name and whether roaming is included | Carrier app or account page |
| 2 | Check the destination list — some plans cover 50+ countries, others only the EU | Carrier roaming page |
| 3 | Note the daily fee, the data cap and the speed after the cap | Carrier terms |
| 4 | Decide: use the plan, buy an add-on, or buy an eSIM | Carrier app or eSIM provider |
| 5 | Turn off data roaming and set a data limit before you board | Phone settings |
If you cannot find the answer on the carrier's site, call or chat with them and ask for it in writing.
Do
- Ask specifically about the daily fee, the high-speed data allowance, and what happens after you hit it.
- Check whether tethering (hotspot) is allowed on the roaming plan; some carriers block it.
United States carriers
T-Mobile is the outlier: most current plans include data and texting in a long list of countries, usually at 5G or 4G speeds up to a monthly cap, then slower. Calls may cost extra. Older or basic plans may not include it.
AT&T and Verizon sell international day passes and monthly add-ons. Without one, pay-per-use rates apply and they are high. Verizon's TravelPass and AT&T's International Day Pass are the usual choices; both are per-day fees that only apply on days you use the phone abroad.
If you are on a US prepaid plan, roaming abroad is often not available at all. Check before assuming.
| Carrier | Typical option | Rough cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile | Included in most postpaid plans | US$0 extra, with data cap |
| AT&T | International Day Pass | About US$10 per day |
| Verizon | TravelPass | About US$10 per day |
| US Mobile, Mint and other MVNOs | Varies; often no roaming | Check your plan |
Day passes usually only charge on days you actually use the phone abroad.
Watch out
- Prepaid US plans often have no international roaming. A phone that works at home may be dead on arrival abroad.
UK carriers
Three and Vodafone include roaming in many destinations on their current plans, though the list and the fair-use data cap change. EE and O2 sell daily or monthly add-ons, and their EU roaming terms have changed since Brexit.
Inside the EU, UK numbers still benefit from Roam Like At Home rules in most cases, but UK carriers can and do charge for EU roaming on some plans. Check your specific plan.
Outside the EU, UK carriers typically charge a daily fee or require an add-on. The fee is usually £5–£7 per day (2026 estimate).
| Carrier | EU roaming | Rest of world |
|---|---|---|
| Three | Included on most plans | Included in 70+ destinations on some plans |
| Vodafone | Included on most plans | Included in many destinations |
| EE | Add-on or daily fee | Daily fee or add-on |
| O2 | Add-on or daily fee | Daily fee or add-on |
Fair-use caps apply: usually 20–30 GB per month before speeds drop or surcharges apply.
Canadian carriers
Canadian roaming is among the most expensive in this group. Rogers, Bell and Telus all sell daily travel passes for the US and for other countries, and the per-day fee outside North America is higher than the US fee.
Without a pass, pay-per-use rates apply and they are steep. If you travel often, a plan with a built-in roaming feature or a separate travel eSIM is usually cheaper than a Canadian carrier pass.
Canadian prepaid plans generally do not roam abroad.
| Carrier | US pass | International pass |
|---|---|---|
| Rogers | About C$12 per day | About C$15–16 per day |
| Bell | About C$12 per day | About C$15–16 per day |
| Telus | About C$12 per day | About C$15–16 per day |
Passes usually charge only on days you use the phone abroad, and cap high-speed data.
Australia, New Zealand and Ireland
Australian carriers sell international roaming add-ons, and some plans include selected countries. Telstra, Optus and Vodafone all have travel add-ons; the price and destination list vary by plan. A local prepaid SIM or eSIM is usually cheaper for anything longer than a week.
New Zealand carriers (One NZ, Spark, 2degrees) mostly sell daily or weekly add-ons rather than including roaming. Costs are similar to Australia's.
Irish carriers (Vodafone, Three, Eir) include EU roaming under Roam Like At Home, with fair-use limits. Outside the EU, they charge daily fees or require add-ons, similar to UK carriers.
| Country | Typical option | Rough cost (2026 estimate) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Travel add-on | A$5–10 per day or A$20–50 per trip |
| New Zealand | Travel add-on | NZ$5–10 per day |
| Ireland | EU roaming included; add-on outside EU | €0 in EU; daily fee outside |
EU fair-use rules cap how long you can roam at domestic rates; long stays may trigger surcharges.
Cheaper options: eSIM, local SIM, add-on
A travel eSIM is a data-only or data-plus-calls plan you buy online and install on your phone before you fly. It works alongside your home SIM, so you keep your number for calls and messages while using the eSIM for data. Prices are typically US$5–30 for a trip, depending on data and duration.
A local prepaid SIM is bought on arrival and gives you a local number and data. It is usually the cheapest option for stays over two weeks, but it requires an unlocked phone and a shop visit, and you lose your home number while it is active.
A carrier travel add-on is the middle option. It keeps your own number and is simple, but it costs more than an eSIM for most trips.
| Option | Setup | Cost (2026 estimate) | Keeps your number? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM | Buy online, install before flying | US$5–30 per trip | Yes, for calls and SMS |
| Local prepaid SIM | Buy on arrival, swap SIM | US$5–25 with data | No |
| Carrier add-on | Buy from carrier app | US$5–15 per day or US$30–60 per trip | Yes |
| Pay-per-use | Nothing to set up | US$10–15 per day or per-MB | Yes |
Prices vary by destination and data amount. Compare at least two eSIM providers before buying.
Do
- Install and test the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi before you fly.
- Keep your home SIM active for bank and airline verification codes, but turn off its data roaming.
Exceptions and traps
Cruise ships and planes have their own networks. A cruise ship at sea can charge several dollars per MB, and a plane's in-flight network is separate from your roaming plan. Turn off data roaming on a ship unless you have bought the ship's Wi-Fi package.
Some countries are excluded from otherwise generous roaming plans. Turkey, Morocco and parts of the Middle East and Africa are common exclusions. Check the destination list, not the headline number.
Fair-use rules apply to EU roaming. If you live outside the EU or roam for months, your carrier can apply surcharges. The cap is usually around 20–30 GB per month and a few months of presence.
Tethering may be blocked or counted separately on some roaming plans. If you plan to work from a laptop, check this before you go.
Watch out
- Cruise ship and in-flight roaming can cost far more than land roaming. Turn data roaming off before boarding.
- A phone bought on a carrier instalment plan may be locked to that carrier, so a local SIM will not work until it is paid off or unlocked.
Comparison: which route to pick
Use this table to pick a route based on trip length and destination.
| Trip | Best route | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend in the EU, UK or Irish number | Your own plan | Roam Like At Home covers it at no extra cost |
| 1–2 weeks, any destination | Travel eSIM | Cheapest per trip, keeps your number for calls |
| 2+ weeks, unlocked phone | Local prepaid SIM | Lowest cost per GB, local number |
| Business trip, need your number | Carrier travel add-on | Keeps your number, simple billing |
| Cruise or long-haul flight | Ship or plane Wi-Fi package | Roaming at sea or in the air is far more expensive |
| Emergency only | Pay-per-use | No setup, but expensive |
If your plan already includes roaming, that beats everything else. Check first.
FAQ
Short answers to the questions travellers ask most.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the short answer? | Use your plan if roaming is included; otherwise buy an eSIM or local SIM before you fly. |
| Who does it apply to? | Anyone with a phone number from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland travelling abroad. |
| How much does it cost? | US$0 if included; US$5–30 for an eSIM; US$5–15 per day for an add-on; US$10–15 per day for pay-per-use (2026 estimates). |
| How long does it take to set up? | An eSIM takes about 10 minutes online; a local SIM takes 15–30 minutes in a shop; an add-on takes a few minutes in the carrier app. |
| Can I keep my number? | Yes with an eSIM or add-on; no with a local SIM. |
| Does 112 or 911 work abroad? | Yes, emergency numbers work on any network, even without a SIM or credit. |
Sources and last check
Carrier terms change often. The figures on this page are 2026 estimates and are marked check where they could not be confirmed from an official source. Always verify on your carrier's own website before you travel.
This page links to official government travel advice and carrier pages for the latest terms.
SeeTravel topics: visas, money, health, transport and planning eSIM for travel Best eSIM for Europe, Asia and the US compared Power adapters and voltage
Questions people ask
Roaming charges by carrier: what is the short answer?
If your plan includes roaming, use it — it is free or near-free. If it does not, buy a travel eSIM (US$5–30 per trip) or a local SIM on arrival. Pay-per-use roaming is the most expensive route at US$10–15 per day in most cases (2026 estimates).
Who does it apply to?
Anyone with a phone number from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or Ireland who is travelling abroad and wants to use their phone. It covers the major carriers in each of those countries.
How much does it cost and how long does it take?
Costs range from US$0 if roaming is included, to US$5–30 for an eSIM, US$5–15 per day for a carrier add-on, and US$10–15 per day for pay-per-use (2026 estimates). Setup takes about 10 minutes for an eSIM online, 15–30 minutes for a local SIM in a shop, and a few minutes for a carrier add-on in the app.
Which carriers include roaming?
T-Mobile in the US includes it on most postpaid plans. In the UK, Three and Vodafone include many destinations on current plans. EU carriers, including Irish ones, include EU roaming under Roam Like At Home. Canadian, Australian and New Zealand carriers mostly sell add-ons rather than including roaming. Check your specific plan.
Can I keep my phone number while using an eSIM?
Yes. A travel eSIM works alongside your home SIM, so you keep your number for calls and SMS while using the eSIM for data. A local prepaid SIM replaces your home SIM, so you lose your number while it is active.
What about cruise ships and planes?
They have separate networks with much higher rates, often charged per MB. Turn off data roaming before boarding and buy the ship's or airline's Wi-Fi package instead if you need to be online.
Does 911 or 112 work abroad?
Yes. Emergency numbers work on any available network, even without a SIM card or credit. 112 works across the EU and many other countries; 911 works in the US, Canada and some other countries.
Deep dive
Every source; changeable facts are marked check and were last checked Sep 2026
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- officialUS Department of State – International travel
- officialGOV.UK – Foreign travel advice
- officialGovernment of Canada – Travel advice and advisories
- officialSmartraveller (Australia)
- officialSafeTravel (New Zealand)
- officialDepartment of Foreign Affairs (Ireland)
- secondaryGSMA – Roaming
- officialBody of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC)