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As already mentioned T-Mobile has a great international plan including data and cheap prices for calls. I stopped buying local sim cards when traveling internationally for that reason.
If you have ATT, you can use their International Day Pass plan. Currently only $10 per day, and only charges for the days data and voice is used internationally. Works in many countries.
This is what I do. There may be cheaper ways to accomplish your goal, but this is certainly easy and convenient.
I've always bought sim cards upon arrival. Usually several kiosks at the airport to choose from. You'll need a phone that will work internationally, though.
I've never seen those kiosks. I'll have to look harder next time. What does a SIM card cost there?
I guess the difference in our case is we are coming TO the U.S. so we don't already have a U.S. plan like you guys are suggesting. Our Ecuadorian plan is useless but we have to have a phone number to use WhatsApp.
We've had to sit down at an AT&T store with an employee and go through an hour-long process. Seems ridiculous. Our phones work internationally---we just need a temp plan when we visit CA for a few months.
Location: Miami (prev. NY, Atlanta, SF, OC and San Diego)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Star691
If you have ATT, you can use their International Day Pass plan. Currently only $10 per day, and only charges for the days data and voice is used internationally. Works in many countries.
To add, if you’re away for an extended time the most you will be charged per month by ATT is $120.00 (equivalent of being capped at 12 days).
I typically keep my phone in airplane mode and rely upon WiFi most of the time when possible; you won’t get charged (though you also won’t get texts). There might be 2-4 days where I’m forced to use roaming and turn airplane mode off when WiFi is not available (usually to use Google Maps to navigate a city I’m not familiar with).
Last edited by elchevere; 05-16-2024 at 06:31 PM..
I have a T-Mobile plan that has free data/text privileges in most countries in the world. Calling is usually at an additional fee, but depending on the country it can be quite reasonable (but WiFi calling works all the same for free if connected to a network somewhere). Before this, I was relegated to purchasing a SIM card in country, which--while not difficult--was more hassle than I wanted.
Frankly, I think most overthink this. Many locations in Europe and elsewhere use WhatsApp for calls and text, and Wifi data access that's all you need. Actually I can't recall the last time I bought a location specific SIM.
If you have ATT, you can use their International Day Pass plan. Currently only $10 per day, and only charges for the days data and voice is used internationally. Works in many countries.
I'm curious to know how many people find this to be a cost-effective alternative. I ask only because, depending on how many days you spend overseas each year, it may very well be more cost effective to just get a more expensive plan that includes "free" texting/data. Many frequent travelers can find themselves around WiFi at important times of the day to enable WiFi calling, which is why I only bring up texting/data only.
It's relatively seamless too. Usually while we're still on the plane heading to the gate we get a text from T-Mobile notifying us that we have coverage in that country.
That was definitely a nice bonus.. The only place my phone didn't get coverage was Amsterdam of all places...lol.. I still can't figure that one out..
I'm curious to know how many people find this to be a cost-effective alternative. I ask only because, depending on how many days you spend overseas each year, it may very well be more cost effective to just get a more expensive plan that includes "free" texting/data. Many frequent travelers can find themselves around WiFi at important times of the day to enable WiFi calling, which is why I only bring up texting/data only.
I found it very cost-effective, when it was used on a recent trip to Europe. For someone who spends most of their time in the US, and occasionally travels international this is probably the best avenue.
I found it very cost-effective, when it was used on a recent trip to Europe. For someone who spends most of their time in the US, and occasionally travels international this is probably the best avenue.
Thanks for that. Makes sense. I probably spend a minimum of 3-4 weeks overseas every year for work/vacation, so in my case it's probably cheaper to get a more expensive plan that has the other perks. But your case definitely makes sense. One thing that I'm not a fan of is buying the physical SIM cards when traveling. With some of the newer phones, though, e-SIM cards are the only option in that regard as there is no way to load a physical card.
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