Are you still relying on roaming to stay connected while traveling? It's time to say goodbye to roaming charges and choose an easier, more affordable way to stay connected. Keep reading to learn all about roaming, how roaming charges apply, and how to avoid them with eSIM.
What is roaming?
Roaming is a way to stay connected when you travel abroad. It allows you to make calls, send texts, and access data when you move outside of your mobile provider's coverage area. When this happens, your phone disconnects from your home network and connects to the foreign provider's network to maintain your service. The problem: Relying on roaming can be expensive.
What are roaming charges?
When roaming, you operate as a guest of a foreign provider's network and pay to access their service. Here, let's take a closer look at how roaming charges are broken down:
- Data roaming charges apply when you use your data to browse the internet, use apps on your phone, and/or stream music and videos (calculated per megabyte or gigabyte).
- Text roaming charges apply when you send or receive text messages (per message).
- Roaming charges apply when you make or receive phone calls (calculated per minute plus connection fees).
If you have a local coverage plan, you'll be charged roaming fees when you travel to a new area (e.g., a different state or province). If you have a national coverage plan, roaming will apply when you travel internationally (e.g., to a different country).
*These fees will vary depending on your specific provider and where you are traveling.
Why are roaming charges so expensive?
If you've ever received a roaming bill, you know roaming charges can add up quickly . But why? It all depends on your mobile service provider's agreements with foreign providers to maintain your service overseas.
Foreign providers set a price for your domestic provider to "borrow" their infrastructure and services when you're within their coverage area. That rate includes additional fees for international tariffs, currency conversion, etc. That amount is paid by your mobile service provider and passed on to you as roaming charges.
How to avoid roaming charges when you travel
If you want to avoid roaming charges while traveling, you have a few options to consider:
- Based on Wi-Fi
- Buy a daily roaming plan.
- Turn off roaming completely.
- Buy a local SIM card.
- Get eSIM
Based on Wi-Fi
One way to avoid roaming charges is to use Wi-Fi hotspots when you travel. Most urban areas have hotels, restaurants, and public spaces that offer free Wi-Fi. You can connect to their network and make calls, send texts, and use data without incurring roaming fees.
However, you need to be within Wi-Fi coverage to maintain service, and you may not be sure you're connected to a secure network. Additionally, you're unlikely to have much luck moving between hotspots.
Daily roaming plan or add-on
Another option is to purchase a daily roaming plan or add-on from your mobile service provider. Add-ons typically offer data, minutes, and text messages at a fixed price, while roaming plans allow you to continue using your domestic plan for a daily fee (for most North American companies, this ranges from $12 to $15 per day).
If you go this way, remember to review your roaming plan details so you know what services you can use and how much they cost. Consider the amount of data you need while traveling to determine if you're likely to exceed your daily limit.
Turn off data roaming.
You can also turn off data roaming when traveling. This will prevent your phone from connecting to foreign networks when you're abroad. But you'll have to use Wi-Fi when you're away.
Here's how to turn off data roaming on your iPhone:
- Go to Settings > Cellular or Cellular Data .
- Turn on Mobile Data , then tap Mobile Data Options .
- Turn off Data Roaming .
And here's how to turn off data roaming on your Android device:
- Go to Settings > Connections .
- Tap on Mobile Network .
- Turn off Data Roaming .
Buy a local SIM card.
Another way to avoid roaming charges is to buy a local SIM card at your destination. A local SIM card gives you a phone number and access to data, calls, and texts at local rates. If you have an unlocked phone, you can open the SIM tray and swap your regular SIM for a local SIM.
This is a reasonable way to stay connected while you travel — but physical SIM cards can be tedious. You'll need to find a reputable SIM provider, have a SIM removal tool available, and keep track of multiple SIM cards while traveling.
Get eSIM
Fortunately, there's an even better option: eSIM. eSIM is the easiest and most affordable way to avoid roaming charges and stay connected while you travel.
An eSIM is an embedded SIM — it's integrated into your device during manufacturing. Like a physical SIM, it identifies you as a mobile subscriber and connects you to your provider's network. But it operates 100% digitally. It's not complicated at all: You can buy an eSIM package for your destination , install the eSIM on your device, and connect to a mobile network as soon as you arrive.
These are just some of the benefits of using eSIM when traveling:
- Buy and install eSIM from anywhere.
- There are no unexpected roaming charges (most eSIM plans are prepaid).
- Store up to eight eSIM profiles on your device.
- Manage your eSIM 100% digitally.
- Connect instantly to the mobile network at your destination.
- Use it alongside your regular SIM (useful for two-factor authentication notifications).
Start with eSIM
Airalo is the world's first eSIM store. We give you access to eSIMs from over 200 countries and regions worldwide, keeping you connected wherever you travel. If your device is unlocked and compatible with eSIM , then you're ready to get started.
Setting up eSIM from Airalo is easy — here's how!
- Download the Airalo app (iOS | Android) or visit the Airalo website.
- Buy an eSIM for your destination. You can choose from local , regional , and global eSIMs.
- Follow the step-by-step installation instructions.
- Turn on your eSIM when you arrive.
- Connect instantly to the local network.
Are you ready to avoid roaming charges and stay connected with eSIM? Visit an egoViet store to find the perfect eSIM plan for your next trip.