How to save phone bills when traveling abroad

I didn’t expect too much every day cell phone Used during A holiday Arrive in Paris in May.

But by the end of the five-day trip, I’ve collected nearly $50 for extras – for fairly regular tasks like checking restaurants and menus, or studying neighborhood attractions after a long and stroll.

While not a small sum of money, it’s high enough to thwart this personal finance journalist and let me rethink the phone use (and the value of better pre-planning).

Fortunately, there are many ways to potentially reduce or eliminate additional cell phone costs Traveling outside the United StatesExperts say.

“When you’re overseas, there’s no way to save money with your smartphone,” said John Breyault, vice president of public policy, telecommunications and fraud at the National Consumer League.

The best strategy, he said, depends on how travelers plan to use their phones while on the road.

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He said, therefore, it may make sense for those who travel abroad frequently, especially those who do not rely on their phones instead of occasional text or data usage.

“If this is your plan, it’s awesome,” Leffre said. “You’re ready to travel the world without missing any rhythm.”

However, there are limitations.

Not all T-Mobile programs cover international roaming charges. A long-term T-Mobile customer It is said that Due to international data roaming, a $143,000 fee was charged on a trip to Switzerland in 2023. (The company reportedly later withdrew the fees.)

Although its international plan is generally include Unlimited text and high-speed data allocations may come with additional price tags when calling overseas. (A solution: According to the instructions of T-Mobile Place)

Experts say the T-Mobile program also does not work in every country, so customers should be alert to avoid additional expenses in such places.

Additionally, Leffel said such programs may not be suitable for digital nomads (they are not intended to be extended abroad according to T-Mobile) or may not be suitable for large data users.

Before making any changes, check what your phone plan already offers and compare costs and services, Breyault said.

Replace the current SIM of your phone with an international phone according to To the Federal Communications Commission.

Experts say that many people can use digital ESIM services today instead of replacing their phones’ physical SIM cards.

Experts say this is usually a cheap option compared to the international phone packages of many carriers. They say the prepaid Sims make it easier for travelers to manage their budgets.

“Now, you can download an app and buy as much data as you want, usually a week or month of use for $1 or less per day,” Leffel said. “If you run out of data, you just need to buy it now.”

He recommends sticking to more established providers like Saily, Gigsky or Airalo to ensure safety. He said they usually work anywhere in the world.

He said many people choose to simulate the plan only in data and save any phone or text on Wi-Fi.

A warning: Brell said travelers may need to “unlock” their phones to work. This will ensure that the phone is not locked to a specific carrier. In this case, customers should contact their provider before traveling to ask if they can unlock the phone.

Also, please note that your phone number may temporarily switch to your local number when using a new SIM card.

The most important tips: Download offline map On Google Maps before traveling. This will allow you to navigate through GPS even without the internet. There are some drawbacks: For example, it is difficult to find details such as the nearest museum or restaurant and their respective hours without the internet.

Leffel says, please download any useful article PDFs or guides in advance to limit your internet needs while on the go.

Connect to a public Wi-Fi network Possible posture Digital security threats, so avoid sensitive transactions, such as financing Wi-Fi, Breyault says. In this case, consider sticking to a safer cellular network, he said.

I returned to Namibia and Botswana on another trip last week, during which I adopted a strict policy of putting my phone in airplane mode and occasionally using public Wi-Fi if necessary.

My extra cell fee? $0.