How to Use Your Phone while Traveling Internationally

Personal safety is a critical part of traveling, especially traveling abroad where you may not know the local language.  Having an accessible phone is the easiest way to stay safe abroad. This post will guide you on how to use your phone while traveling internationally.

Some of the links in this post contain affiliate links. What does that mean you ask? I may earn a small commission, but you won’t pay any extra. These links also help fund and support my page.

How to Use Your Phone while Traveling Internationally

Use your home service provider

One of the easiest ways to use your phone while traveling internationally is through your existing cell phone provider.  All major providers will offer an international data plan, however the cost varies based on your carrier and your existing plan.  

If you are in the US, many unlimited plans include free calls and data while visiting Canada and Mexico. Once you travel further outside of North America you’ll need to verify that the country (or countries) you plan to visit will have available service and confirm if there is a flat fee or a variable cost. 

I previous had AT&T (in the US) and there is a flat daily fee no matter the country.  However, a traveler that I met while in Cambodia said that his UK plan cost 60 pounds per day in Cambodia compared to 5 pounds in Thailand. Always confirm costs with your local cell phone provider.  

If you go through your local provider you don’t have to do anything other than make sure that data roaming is turned “on” in your phone settings.  Once you arrive in your country it will automatically connect to a local network. 

Purchase an e-sim

Newer cell phones include a secondary e-sim that you can use while traveling. Using an e-sim is an easy and cheap way to connect your phone abroad. There are different plans based on what data usage you need. 

A popular site among travelers is Airalo.  This site allows you to purchase based on country or region.  If you plan to be traveling in a specific region through multiple countries this is an easy way to use your phone in each country without activating it every time you move destinations.

Another great e-sim to try is GigSky. They have been behind the scenes in the e-sim world for a long time. They are one of the only e-sims that work on cruise ships as well.

Live in the US or Canada (or a handful of other select countries) and have a Visa card? Your card may be eligible to try Gigsky completely free.

Purchase a local sim card

If your phone is too old to have an e-sim you may be able to purchase a data plan through a local cell phone provider once you arrive.  Some countries and providers even have specific prepaid tourist data plans.  For example, in Vietnam, a weeklong e-sim data plan would was $7-8 USD. 

In Southeast Asia, you will usually see stands for sim cards outside the airport when you leave the baggage area.  The airport prices tend to be higher than if you go into a store directly.  Whether you purchase a plan at the airport, or later at a physical store, they can assist with swapping out your physical sim card.  Just make sure to safely store your original to swap back before you get home. 

READ THIS BEFORE YOU GET AN ESIM OR LOCAL SIM

If your phone is locked with your phone carrier (Verizon, AT&T, Rodgers, Telus, etc.) you cannot use an e-sim or a local sim card. 

I REPEAT YOU CANNOT GET A LOCAL OR E-SIM CARD. 

This was a fun lesson I learned in Vietnam when my data only worked for basic internet search but not location services or any big apps. Then I proceeded to spend almost 2 hours of my day trying to get an online e-sim and local e-sim card, just to find out I couldn’t do it. 

If you encounter this issue, follow the steps below to troubleshoot.

Your phone is locked if you have bought a new phone through your cell phone provider on a payment plan and you are still making payments. 

How do you know if your phone is locked? Use this site to confirm whether or not your phone is locked by your carrier.

What to do if you are Unable to use your Phone while Traveling Internationally

I have used my phone with the AT&T international plan with no issues throughout Europe, Morocco, North America, Australia and parts of Asia.  The only time I have ever encountered an issue was in Vietnam.  If your phone works for basic internet, but does not work for any location services (maps, Uber, Grab, Airbnb map) then there is an issue with your local service provider.  

However if you have T-Mobile, I recently learned after switching carriers, that if you don’t have the right “unlimited” plan, they basically withhold internet so that you have to purchase their upgraded international plan.

To fix this, go into your cellular settings then click on your network selection.  If it your settings are on “automatic”, turn off that dial.  Google “best cell phone service in ____” country.  Next, in your setting select that network.  You should not have to restart your phone, the change in service should happen immediately.  If that doesn’t work, you may need to look up the international phone number for your home service provider for additional assistance. 

Additional travel tips and resources