How to avoid roaming charges when you are traveling

Roaming charges are one of those travel expenses that catch people off guard. I’ve heard countless stories – and experienced it myself – where a quick getaway ended with a surprisingly steep phone bill. It’s easy to forget that your phone may accidentally connect to foreign networks, silently collecting fees.

So, no matter if you're trying to figure out how to avoid roaming charges on iPhone or Android, on a cruise, or overseas, the risk is real.

To help you prepare for summer travels, I’ll walk you through clear, practical steps that have helped me avoid international roaming charges, highlight the best data options for travel, and share how using an eSIM (embedded SIM) like Nomad changed the game.

What is data roaming?

Data roaming is when your phone connects to a mobile network outside of the network you use at home, and this typically happens when you’re traveling abroad, though it can also happen domestically, such as in rural areas of the US. Instead of losing service, your phone automatically latches onto a foreign network for internet access, phone calls, and texts.

Although data roaming is very convenient, it’s usually expensive. Your home carrier might charge extra fees for accessing these foreign networks, even for light activities like checking email or loading a map in a few minutes. This can easily consume pricey data in the background, which may lead to a bill that is more than you thought.

Also, roaming costs fluctuate based on where you go. For example, roaming charges in Europe might differ from what you’d pay on another continent and also depend on your specific mobile plan and your carrier’s policies.

So if you’re still using a physical SIM card, I highly recommend checking the roaming rates and policies with your provider before you travel and use mobile data abroad. Understanding these details before heading off will save you from unexpected fees and a stressful phone bill later.

How much does data roaming cost?

The cost of data roaming is usually split between mobile data, calls, and texts. For US travelers, here’s what you can expect:

• Data: $10-$12 per day for international passes or $2-$15/MB without one
• Calls: $1-$2/minute outside the EU
• Texts: $0.25-$0.75 per message

In the EU, roaming is often charged at domestic rates, with small added fees if you exceed fair use limits. In 2025, caps are about €1.30 per GB (~$1.40/GB) for data, and only a few cents for calls and texts.

Meanwhile, outside of the EU, costs rise fast (e.g., streaming a brief video or using Google Maps can easily cost you $50). This is exactly why so many travelers prefer eSIM.

Nomad is one example of a high-quality eSIM provider. It provides data plans starting around $1.10/GB – much cheaper than typical roaming fees. Although these are data-only plans (no calls or SMSes), you can still use WhatsApp to call and text as usual.

Ways to avoid roaming charges while traveling

You’re already ahead of many others by thinking about how to avoid roaming charges when traveling abroad. It’s not complicated when you combine smart habits with the right tools. Here’s my simple, practical list of the best ways to minimize roaming fees, no matter where you’re off to.

1. Turn off data roaming before departure

While it may be obvious to many, you’re already ahead if you’re wondering how to avoid international roaming charges. Whether you’re researching how to avoid roaming charges on Android or iPhone, turning off roaming is step one. Always do it before you go into airplane mode.

Here’s how to disable data roaming on iPhone and Android:

• iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > turn off Data Roaming
• Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > turn off Data Roaming

Even if you haven’t opened any apps, your device might immediately start pulling expensive roaming data for background app refresh, email syncing, or location services. That’s why it’s important to switch the toggle off.

2. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible

Wi-Fi is essential when traveling abroad. It’s the cheapest way to stay connected abroad, and free Wi-Fi is widely available in many places, such as hotels, airports, libraries, and cafes.

However, don’t just join any network. Remember these critical cybersecurity best practices: never use open (unlocked and unsecured) Wi-Fi networks, and use a VPN if you need to type in your financial or sensitive information.

3. Get a local SIM card

If you’re going on a longer trip – or visiting several countries in Europe – a local prepaid SIM card can provide you a local number and domestic rates (often much cheaper than data roaming).

You can buy local SIM cards at airports, convenience stores, or a local phone shop, which usually have queues or are harder to locate. But you need to make sure your phone is unlocked (not purchased under a contract) to swap in any SIM card. And of course, while the local SIM is in your device, ensure your primary SIM card is stored safely so you can swap it back later when on the way back home.

4. Get an eSIM

A traditional SIM card is no longer your only choice. These days, many people are using eSIMs. These aren’t physical SIM cards. If you have a newer phone or device, it will most likely support eSIM technology, where the SIM circuit is built into the phone itself. Apple and Samsung have launched eSIM-compatible phones in 2025.

The benefits of an eSIM are no roaming fees or bill shocks, instant activation (even before you leave home), and support by most newer devices.

Note: Most devices manufactured from 2018-2019 onward are compatible, but always check your specific model for compatibility.

I highly recommend Nomad eSIM for international travel in this case. Having used it myself, I know that it has affordable plans starting around $1.10/GB, and a super-easy setup. Simply set it up before your trip (if you’ve purchased a plan with Nomad) and it’ll automatically activate once in a foreign country. Nomad is compatible with both iPhone and Android.

5. Turn on airplane mode

If you want to know how to avoid roaming charges overseas, another super-easy way is to simply turn on Airplane mode on your iOS or Android. This mode cuts off all cellular activity, meaning that it’s impossible for any accidental roaming charges to occur while traveling abroad.

Pro tip: You can still manually enable Wi-Fi while in airplane mode to stay connected while blocking any roaming charges.

6. Download content and maps to use offline

If you’re wondering how to avoid roaming charges on a cruise where you want to explore the different places you visit, prepare the content and maps you need ahead of time. You can download your maps, playlists, movies, and other essentials before you leave for your trip.

Top apps:

• Google Maps: Offline areas
• Spotify: Offline playlists
• Netflix: Download shows
• Google Translate: Offline language packs

This is generally a good thing to do anyway, even if you use something as reliable for traveling abroad as an eSIM. This way, in the rare occurrence that your eSIM cuts out, you’re still good to go with all these backups until you find a solution.

7. Turn off background app activity

Something many people aren’t aware of is that apps use data quietly in the background for syncing, updates, or location tracking (even if you aren’t using them). Here’s how to disable this on iPhone and Android:

• iPhone: Settings > General > Background App Refresh > Toggle to off
• Android: Settings > Apps & Notifications > [App Name] > Data Usage > Turn off Background Data

Pro tip: Turn off auto-updates as well. This also saves battery life!

8. Review your mobile plan before you leave

Finally, before your trip, pro travelers insist that it’s important to review your mobile plan. Ask your mobile carrier about the following:

• Special packages or bundles for international travel
• Hidden fees or automatic roaming activation
• How to opt out of roaming if you aren’t going to use it

This step is crucial if you want to avoid data roaming charges or unexpected fees while traveling abroad.

Note for EU travelers: If you’re traveling within the EU or EEA, the Roam Like at Home policy means you can use your phone at domestic rates across member countries without extra roaming charges. However, fair use limits may apply, so check your provider’s policy before you embark on your journey.

Conclusion

Roaming charges are one of those phrases we all hear and instantly think: “expensive phone bills.” I’ve been there myself, coming home from a trip and feeling that shock when the bill arrives. But as you’ve seen in my guide above, avoiding those charges is a lot easier than it seems.

You have several options on how to avoid data roaming charges. You can turn off data roaming on your phone, use Wi-Fi, buy a local SIM, or set up an eSIM from an established provider like Nomad. If I know I’m going somewhere remote, or if I simply can’t risk being disconnected while abroad, I’ll purchase an eSIM plan.

So, take a few minutes before your next trip to get everything sorted. You’ll thank yourself later when you’re exploring and not worrying about your phone bill.

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