Best Travel Deals for International Phone Plans

Heading out of the country? We’ve rounded up all the best international phone plans for traveling abroad.

Introduction

When traveling abroad, having a reliable and affordable phone plan is essential to stay connected without incurring huge roaming charges. In this article, we will discuss the best international phone plans for travelers. We have evaluated these plans based on price, value, high-speed data, coverage, network reliability, and plan extras and perks.

Best Overall Travel Phone Plans

The following cell phone plans are considered the best for international travel due to their roaming privileges and affordability:

1. Google Fi’s Unlimited Data for 1: Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus plan is the top choice for international travel. For $65/month, it offers unlimited 4G LTE data and texts in over 200 countries. Calls are available for $0.20/minute. Additionally, the plan includes free calls to 50 countries while in the U.S. Google Fi runs on T-Mobile’s network, ensuring reliable coverage. Other perks include unlimited mobile hotspot, 100GB of Google Cloud storage, and 5G access.

2. AT&T’s Unlimited Premium: AT&T’s Unlimited Premium plan is ideal for travelers visiting Mexico, Canada, and Latin America. For $85/month, it offers unlimited talk, text, and data in these countries, as well as 19 other countries in Latin America. Unlike other carriers, AT&T does not throttle data speeds after a certain limit. The plan also includes unlimited texting to 120+ countries, a 50GB mobile hotspot allowance, and 5G access.

3. US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium: US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium plan is a budget-friendly option for international travelers. Starting at $50/month, it includes 10GB of international data per month. The plan runs on both T-Mobile and Verizon networks, ensuring reliable coverage. Additionally, it offers 100GB of premium high-speed data, 50GB of hotspot data, and access to entertainment perks like Spotify and HBO Max.

4. Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan with UpRoam: Mint Mobile offers an affordable option for students and budget-conscious travelers. The 5GB plan with UpRoam allows users to add international data to their plan in increments of $5, $10, or $20. The initial 5GB plan costs $15/month, making it an affordable choice for short-term travel. Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network, ensuring reliable coverage.

Best Travel Plan for Mexico and Canada

If you are traveling to Mexico or Canada, consider the following plan:

• AT&T’s Unlimited Premium: For $85/month, AT&T’s Unlimited Premium plan offers unlimited talk, text, and data in Mexico, Canada, and 19 other countries in Latin America. Unlike other carriers, AT&T does not throttle data speeds after a certain limit. The plan also includes unlimited texting to 120+ countries, a 50GB mobile hotspot allowance, and 5G access.

Cheapest Travel Phone Plans

For travelers on a budget, these cheap travel phone plans offer affordability without compromising on quality:

1. US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium: Starting at $50/month, US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium plan includes 10GB of international data per month. The plan runs on both T-Mobile and Verizon networks, ensuring reliable coverage. It also offers 100GB of premium high-speed data, 50GB of hotspot data, and access to entertainment perks.

2. Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan with UpRoam: Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan with UpRoam allows users to add international data in increments of $5, $10, or $20. The initial 5GB plan costs $15/month, making it a budget-friendly choice for short-term travel. Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network, ensuring reliable coverage.

Best Short-Term International Travel Add-Ons

If you are a short-term traveler or infrequent traveler, consider these international travel add-ons:

• AT&T’s International Day Pass: For $10/day, the AT&T International Day Pass allows you to use your domestic AT&T plan abroad in over 200 countries. This add-on provides unlimited talk, text, and data, without limiting your daily 4G LTE data usage. The fees are capped at 10 days per month, ensuring you won’t be charged more than $100/month during an extended vacation.

Best Travel Plans for Students

Students studying abroad can benefit from the following travel phone plan:

• Mint Mobile’s 3-month plan with UpRoam: Mint Mobile offers affordable plans for students, starting at $15/month for the initial 5GB of data. Students can add UpRoam credits to their account to use data abroad, paying only for what they use. Mint Mobile operates on T-Mobile’s network, ensuring reliable coverage.

International and Travel SIM Cards

In addition to domestic plans with international roaming perks, some companies sell SIM cards designed specifically for international travel. These include OneSimCard, GigSky, WorldSIM, and KnowRoaming. These SIM cards can be a cost-effective option, especially for extended stays abroad. However, if you already have a plan with international coverage, it is recommended to stick with that plan.

If your phone is eSIM-compatible, you can activate a virtual SIM without physically swapping out SIM cards. This can be a convenient option for travelers.

Conclusion

Having the right phone plan is crucial for staying connected while traveling abroad. The best international phone plans for travel include Google Fi’s Unlimited Plus, AT&T’s Unlimited Premium, US Mobile’s Unlimited Premium, and Mint Mobile’s 5GB plan with UpRoam. These plans offer various roaming privileges at affordable prices. Additionally, consider international travel add-ons or purchasing an international SIM card for extended stays abroad.