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How to cut costs when using your phone on holiday

Whether you’re an international traveler or simply enjoy the occasional getaway, this guide will help you maximize your mobile phone usage abroad while keeping costs down. With recent changes in how some companies handle ‘roaming’ charges in Europe, it’s crucial to know how to avoid hefty bills and stay within budget.

Going on holiday? Using your phone is a little different…

Using your phone overseas can be costly and perplexing. Before you travel, make sure you understand your mobile plan and your provider’s roaming policies. Most UK mobile network providers offer coverage solely within the UK, meaning your phone will switch to ‘roaming’ when you are abroad.

What is roaming?

‘Roaming’ refers to the process by which your phone connects to a mobile network while you’re in a foreign country. In the UK, mobile network operators have arrangements with international providers to ensure you maintain connectivity while traveling abroad.

In the past, roaming within Europe allowed you to use your regular call, text, and data allowances without incurring extra fees. However, since Brexit, major providers such as EE, Vodafone, and Three have reintroduced roaming charges.

If your provider imposes roaming fees for the destination you’re visiting, there’s no need to stress. We have a range of tips to help you minimize expenses, whether you’re traveling across Europe or exploring more distant locations.

Simple tips to keep roaming costs down

Whether you’re traveling to Europe or venturing even farther, here are some straightforward tips to help you reduce your mobile expenses and steer clear of any unpleasant surprises on your post-vacation bill.

1 – Play it safe and turn roaming off

Nearly all major networks, except O2, have reinstated roaming fees for European travel. To steer clear of these charges, the simplest solution is to disable roaming on your device.

Additionally, if you exceed your data allowance or are traveling beyond the European Union, the costs can be exorbitant.

Our phones often attempt to connect automatically to the strongest available signal, which can be problematic if automatic updates are enabled. This could lead to unexpectedly high bills before you even notice.

How to turn off data roaming

You’ll find the option to turn off data roaming (but not calls and texts) in your mobile phone settings.

• If you use an iPhone, you’ll find the option under ‘mobile data’ in your settings menu. You should be able to simply toggle the button to turn roaming off.
• If you use an Android, head to the settings menu, click ‘connections’, then ‘mobile networks’. You can then tap the switch to turn data roaming on or off.

If you’re unsure, the easiest way to avoid roaming charges is to put your phone into airplane mode. This stops you being able to send or receive texts, calls, or access the internet.

2 – Most providers have automatic spending caps for roaming, but for safety you can also set your own

Most mobile carriers automatically set a data usage limit to prevent users from accumulating excessively high charges. This limit is triggered once you reach a specific amount of data usage, effectively stopping further usage until you manage your data consumption.

The exact threshold differs between providers and specifically applies to data usage (internet access without Wi-Fi). Consequently, you might still incur substantial charges for calls and texts while overseas. For detailed information on each provider’s data roaming limits, check our comprehensive guide on provider-specific caps.

Under the previous EU regulations, service providers had to enforce an automatic monthly spending cap of €50 (around £45) for data usage, even when customers were roaming outside Europe. Following Brexit, this rule was incorporated into UK law, setting a monthly spending limit of £45. Although these regulations are no longer in effect, most service providers continue to offer similar safeguards (though this could potentially change).

For additional peace of mind, you can establish your own spending limit, which will prevent you from exceeding this threshold and help you avoid unexpected charges. This self-imposed cap will apply to costs related to data roaming, calls, and texts. You can set this limit through your network’s website or app, but if you’re unsure, it’s always a good idea to contact customer service for assistance.

Important: If you buy a roaming add-on it may opt you out of any spending cap you set yourself, or your provider’s default cap. If you’re unsure, check with your provider directly, as each will have slightly different terms and conditions.

3 – Be aware of your provider’s ‘fair use’ policy – going over the limit could cost you dear

Avoid unexpected issues with your network’s ‘fair use’ policy when traveling. Although many providers permit you to use your data allowance across Europe, they often impose restrictions on how much you can use while overseas through their fair use policy. This means you might exhaust your data faster than you anticipate.

Mobile providers’ data roaming limits

Table correct as of July 2024. (1) Assumes occasional travel (holidays or short breaks) and not long stays abroad. Data allowance is based on countries included within each provider’s ‘Home from Home’ policy. (2) No automatic spending cap, you’ll need to set one yourself. (3) No extra costs, but you won’t be able to use any data once you hit the cap, without buying an add-on. (4) If you run out of data while you’re away you can use data from your Sky Piggybank, add more data to your plan (Mix), or buy a 1GB data Add On. (5) Vodafone has a £250 data spend cap on its ‘Rest of World’ roaming. (6) Subject to a daily fee.

Will I get my full UK data allowance when roaming?

Many mobile carriers implement a ‘fair use’ policy that restricts the amount of data you can use while roaming abroad, so you might not receive your full data allowance when traveling. Some carriers provide complete access to your data, while others limit it to a certain percentage.

However, some carriers, such as Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile, and Virgin Mobile, offer more flexibility and allow you to use a ‘reasonable’ amount of data while overseas, regardless of your data plan in the UK.

Typically, mobile providers will send you a text message when you approach 80% of your data limit and another when you reach 100%. This notification will include information about any additional charges for data usage beyond your UK allowance.

4 – Use Wi-Fi wherever possible – plus use free apps to ‘call home’

For the most cost-effective communication, leverage Wi-Fi whenever possible, which is commonly available at no charge in many hotels, restaurants, and bars. Not only does this method provide a budget-friendly way to browse the internet, but it also supports making calls.

If you have a smartphone and access to free internet, consider downloading an app for internet-to-phone calls like Skype, WhatsApp, or Facebook Messenger prior to your trip. Alternatively, you can use Apple’s FaceTime. As long as the person you wish to call also uses the same service, you can make calls for free as long as you are connected to a free Wi-Fi network.

5 – Turn off voicemail

It’s astonishing, but if you’re outside Europe, you might end up paying just for receiving a voicemail message—even if you never actually listen to it.

The cost varies depending on your network and location. For instance, if you’re using EE, receiving a voicemail can cost up to £3.11 per minute, and listening to it incurs the same rate. Thus, retrieving a single-minute voicemail could set you back over five pounds.

Ouch… so what can I do about it?

Begin by verifying if your network imposes charges for the country you’re traveling to. If charges do apply, the most effective solution is to disable your voicemail to prevent anyone from leaving messages. Instructions for deactivating voicemail vary by network, but typically, you need to place a call to complete the process. To avoid issues, make sure to turn off your voicemail before you travel, and definitely before you depart from the UK.

6 – Get ‘beach mobile ready’ – download music, films & boarding passes before you go

While it’s convenient to find free Wi-Fi on the go for browsing, it’s not ideal for downloading large files like music or movies. To prepare your phone for travel, download your favorite songs, movies, essential apps, and boarding passes before you leave.

Download maps on Wi-Fi before you go

Google Maps, available on iOS and Android, allows you to store maps for offline use. Since data isn’t required for the GPS function on a smartphone, you can navigate around the place you’re visiting without paying roaming charges, as long as you have downloaded the offline maps.

For additional details, learn how to download Google Maps for offline use*. This method is common among many travel apps. Explore how to transform your phone into a free global navigation device in our 65+ Travel Tips guide.

Another option is to capture screenshots or take regular photos of maps to save on your device.

7 – Be extra careful if you’re on a cruise or at sea

Here, the usual data rules are different. Even if you’re traveling in Europe, exercise caution when using your phone at sea. It’s easy to accidentally connect to a ‘maritime’ network or a network from a nearby country, which might be considered outside of Europe and therefore incur higher charges.

There are many stories of travelers racking up enormous bills by making this mistake. To avoid this, use any available free Wi-Fi on the ship, limit phone use to when you’re on land, and always verify the network your phone is connected to.

Travelling within Europe? Roaming charges are back for many, but there are ways to beat ’em…

Before Brexit, individuals could utilize their UK allowances for minutes, texts, and data without incurring additional charges across 30 countries, thanks to the EU’s ‘Roam Like At Home’ regulations (subject to ‘fair usage’ limits).

Post-Brexit, however, numerous companies, including major providers like EE, Vodafone, and Three, have reinstated roaming fees in Europe. Here’s a comprehensive overview of each provider’s current policies:

Roaming charges in Europe

Correct as of July 2024. (1) Most firms limit the amount of data you can use abroad – see all providers’ fair use policies for full info. (2) The lower limit applies to customers who joined on or after 14 March 2023. (3) All Tesco pay-monthly and pay-as-you-go customers, including new customers, will be able to use their call, text and data allowances in 48 European destinations at no extra cost until 2025. (4) You must buy a roaming pass to use your allowance in Europe with Voxi. (5) If you joined or upgraded on or after 21 June 2023. Otherwise there’s no set limit.

– What counts as a day? It varies by firm

Time periods passes are valid for can vary

(1) For some on the old O2 system, it will be from midnight to 11.59pm based on the capital of the country you’re in. We’re trying to find out who specifically is affected by this. (2) ‘First use’ means making a call, sending a text or using mobile data.

How to beat roaming charges in Europe

While roaming fees aren’t huge, if your provider has brought them back, there are a few ways you can get around it.

• Don’t want a new number? Try an international eSim. An eSIM (“embedded SIM”) is a digital counterpart to the traditional plastic SIM cards that manage our call and data allowances. If you own a recent model of iPhone, Google, or Samsung smartphone, it is likely compatible with an eSIM.

Opting for an eSIM plan for multiple destinations can be significantly cheaper than using your home network and purchasing roaming add-ons while abroad. eSIMs function as if you were a local, and you can purchase and activate one on your phone before leaving the UK.

However, it’s important to note that international eSIMs generally provide data only, so you won’t be able to make traditional calls or send texts. You can still use internet-based apps like WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime for communication.

Being a digital SIM, an eSIM can coexist with your UK SIM (whether physical or digital) on your phone. This allows you to retain your usual mobile number and continue receiving calls and texts as normal, though you may incur high international rates for these. Meanwhile, you can use the prepaid eSIM for data.

Many online providers offer eSIMs for nearly every country, with options that cover multiple countries for those embarking on a world tour. For a cost estimate, we reviewed prices for at least 10GB of data in the US and India. Refer to our comprehensive eSIM guide for more information.

• Switch to a provider that still offers free roaming in Europe. Though three of the major four telecom companies have reinstated roaming fees in Europe, O2 and several smaller networks have not. If you sign a new contract now, you’ll probably retain the roaming advantages for the duration of the contract, even if the company imposes charges in the future.

To discover the most affordable options, try our Cheap Mobile Finder tool. Additionally, you can enjoy the same coverage offered by Three, Vodafone, or EE by opting for a provider that uses their network.

• Don’t want to switch? Ensure you’re on your provider’s cheapest plan. If you’re satisfied with your current provider and are willing to pay a little extra to use your plan in Europe, verify the charges applicable in Europe.

Many providers charge about £2 daily, but if you’re planning an extended stay, purchasing a bundle might be more economical. For instance, Vodafone offers an 8-day bundle for £12 or a 15-day bundle for £17. Refer to our comprehensive roaming charges list for details on each provider.

• Grab a separate Sim (with no contract) that allows roaming in Europe at no extra cost for less than a £2 a month. Certain companies provide rolling one-month SIM contracts that include free European roaming. You can sign up for one of these contracts before traveling, use it for a month while abroad, and then cancel it afterward (make sure to set a reminder to cancel it when you return home).

There are also SIM-only deals available for less than a pound a month. For instance, you can currently get a SIM card with 5GB of data from Lebara for £1.55 a month for the first six months, which then increases to £4.90 monthly.

It’s important to note that this is about getting an additional SIM with a new number for use while roaming abroad, not replacing your existing one. However, if you’re currently paying more than £8 a month for a SIM-only plan, you might save money by switching to one of these more affordable options.

• Use a Three pay-as-you-go Sim for roaming at no extra cost. Although Three has discontinued free roaming for its pay-monthly customers, it continues to provide this benefit for its pay-as-you-go SIMs. Although it might not surpass the value of an inexpensive rolling one-month SIM, it can still be more cost-effective compared to the daily rates some companies charge for using your allowance. Check out our advice on how to roam without any extra cost with Three in Europe and beyond.
• Pick up a local prepaid Sim card at your destination for cheap data, local calls and texts. This is often an affordable method for using your phone in another country. You can obtain an inexpensive prepaid SIM card from a local mobile network at your destination. While getting a local SIM card could save you some money, you’ll end up with a local number, making calls home potentially expensive, and you’ll have to replace your current SIM card.

Does having a Sim-only deal stop me from roaming?

Your ability to use your mobile phone while traveling abroad depends on your network provider and the type of phone plan you have, whether it’s a Sim-only plan, pay-as-you-go, or a pay-monthly contract.

In general, Sim-only plans function similarly to handset deals when it comes to roaming. The primary difference lies in the cost of data and calls while you’re overseas, which can vary based on your location.

To find out the roaming charges for different mobile networks within Europe and beyond, you should review their specific rates.

Travelling outside of Europe? You’ll usually pay MUCH more

Outside the EU, roaming costs can be steep, with some providers charging an eye-watering £7 per megabyte for data and nearly £4 per minute for calls. Without careful management, your mobile bill could become quite hefty.

For those on pay-monthly plans, it might be worth exploring whether your network offers an overseas data bundle. These bundles can often be more economical compared to standard roaming rates. We’ve compiled details on major providers’ options below. However, even with these add-on bundles, costs can still add up quickly (a two-week trip might cost over £80), so it might be more cost-effective to turn off your phone or use available free Wi-Fi.

Be aware that many of these add-ons are billed on a recurring basis, so you’ll keep incurring charges until you cancel them. If your trip is brief, make sure to cancel the add-on as soon as you return home.

How much does it cost to use my phone outside of Europe?

Table correct as of July 2024. (1) Go Roam is available for free if you signed up before 1 October 2021 or are on one of its pay-as-you-go plans. (2) If you bought your phone before 11 August 2021 roaming costs £6/day.

How to beat roaming charges outside of Europe

Roaming charges outside of Europe can quickly rack up. Here’s how to beat ’em.

• Trick to beat the roaming charges charges outside of Europe – roam in in 41 countries (plus Europe) for no extra charge. While Three has scrapped free roaming for pay-monthly customers, it still offers free roaming on its pay-as-you-go Sims. This means, even if you’re not a Three customer, you can buy a pay-as-you-go Sim that lets you make calls and texts back home (or to other UK numbers), and use data in 71 destinations – 41 additional locations outside of Europe – including Australia and the USA.Grab one of its free pay-as-you-go Sims, top it up (you can get with 10GB, with unlimited calls and texts for £10, for example) and then pop it into your handset while you’re away. You’ll have to use the new number (and have an unlocked phone), and you need to activate it, top it up, and use it in the UK at least once first. You’ll also need to use it once every six months to keep it active. Be aware, there’s little point in paying for more than 12GB if it’s solely for using abroad, as Three has a fair use policy which caps data roaming to 12GB a month.And to be clear, this is about getting an additional Sim just to use for roaming, not replacing your current one.
• Don’t want a new number? Try an international eSim. An eSim (short for “embedded SIM”) is a digital replacement for the traditional plastic SIM cards that manage your call and data limits. If you’re using a recent iPhone, Google, or Samsung smartphone, it probably supports eSims.Opting for an eSim plan can be significantly more cost-effective than relying on your home network and purchasing roaming add-ons when traveling abroad, as eSims function like a local SIM. You can purchase and install one on your phone before you leave the UK.However, it’s important to note that international eSims usually provide only data services—voice calls and text messages aren’t supported. Instead, you can use internet-based apps such as WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime to make calls and send messages.Since an eSim is digital, it can be used alongside your UK SIM (whether physical or digital). This means you can retain your existing mobile number for calls and texts, although receiving them might incur high international charges. Meanwhile, you can use the prepaid eSim specifically for data.

  Numerous online providers offer eSims for nearly every destination, including options that cover multiple countries if you’re traveling extensively. For an example of costs, we examined purchasing at least 10GB of data in the US and India. For more details, check out our comprehensive eSims guide.

  Note: We’ve little feedback on these firms, so can’t vouch for how good the coverage or data speeds are.

eSim costs for the US and India

With the exception of Easysim, these providers offer connectivity via a single provider. Easysim offers a choice of multiple networks. (1) Currently, you can get 25% off if you use code and an additional £2 off. (2) Holafly only offers unlimited data eSims for USA and India. For the USA, you can choose the specific number of days you require.

• Get yourself a local prepaid Sim when you arrive for cheap data, local calls and texts. Upon arriving at your destination, you typically have the option to purchase an inexpensive prepaid SIM card for the local mobile network. Unlike an eSIM, this will be a physical SIM card that you’ll need to replace with your UK SIM while you’re abroad. Opting for a local SIM can be advantageous, especially if you’re staying for an extended duration.

How to use an eSim

Using eSIMs is straightforward and convenient. First, purchase one online from a trusted provider and select your travel destination. Next, decide on the data package and duration that best suit your needs. After completing the purchase, you’ll receive a QR code to scan, which will install the data plan onto your smartphone, allowing you to start using data right away.

Ensure that you set the eSIM as your primary data source and disable data roaming on your existing SIM card to avoid incurring roaming charges from your UK network. Additionally, you can still make calls and send messages through data-based apps like WhatsApp, and you won’t lose your chat history or contacts in the process.

What about global Sims? Are they worth it?

A global SIM card is a specialized multi-country SIM that enables you to make calls, send texts, and access the internet across various countries without the inconvenience of changing SIM cards or phone numbers repeatedly. These cards operate on prepaid bundles or pay-as-you-go credit, though they can be quite costly.

For a more budget-friendly option, consider a global or regional eSIM. Ideal for frequent travelers, eSIMs eliminate the need for swapping out local SIM cards with each new destination. You can purchase an eSIM online, and it’s advisable to buy it before your trip.

Spend a long time abroad? You could consider a local Sim

A local SIM card is a physical SIM you purchase at your travel destination to connect with a regional mobile network. You can usually obtain one at the airport upon arrival or at a local shop. By swapping it with your UK SIM, you’ll receive a local phone number, which allows you to make inexpensive local calls and use data at rates often lower than the roaming fees charged by most UK providers.

However, there are some downsides. Acquiring a local international number may lead to high costs for calls back home, and your friends and family might incur charges when reaching out to you. If you’re traveling outside Europe, receiving calls from a UK number can be particularly costly, sometimes up to £3 per minute.

Are local Sims worth it?

When traveling within Europe and facing potential roaming charges, opting for a local SIM card could be a wise choice, especially for extended trips, as roaming fees can accumulate rapidly. Nonetheless, it might be more advantageous to switch to a provider with no roaming fees or to purchase an inexpensive one-month plan with inclusive roaming features.

For journeys outside Europe or extended stays abroad, a local SIM card may be more effective for staying connected, though it’s generally better suited for data usage or local communication rather than contacting people back home.

Keep in mind that finding the ideal local SIM card can be a bit tricky, and there is no straightforward method for securing the best deal.

How to find cheap local Sims

Wikipedia lists the mobile networks available in every country, which you can use as a starting point for comparing deals:

Australia | France | Germany | Greece | Poland | Spain | USA

Once you know which providers operate in the country you’re travelling to, it’s possible to compare deals on their sites before you go, and buy a pay-as-you-go Sim card when you get there. You’ll also usually need an unlocked mobile (or mobile device).

How do local Sims compare?

Below, you’ll find a table comparing the costs of local SIM cards to give you an idea of their pricing. Keep in mind that the rates will differ from those of your UK plan, which can be inconvenient. Additionally, the minutes and texts provided are typically restricted to the country you’re in, so it’s advisable to use apps like WhatsApp for messaging or calling home. As always, the most cost-effective solution is to rely on Wi-Fi available in hotels or cafes when possible.

Cost and allowances for local sims

Available from SimCorner (1)