Smart Tips for Using Your Cell Phone Internationally
Whether you’re headed abroad for business, adventure, or a bit of both, your smartphone can be your greatest asset—if you play your cards right. International roaming charges and tricky network issues can sneak up on even the savviest traveler, but a little prep goes a long way. Here’s how to stay connected without burning through your travel budget.
- Know Your Carrier’s International Plan
Before anything else, check what your carrier offers:
- Daily passes: Some carriers (like Verizon or AT&T) offer flat-fee daily roaming rates.
- Global plans: Monthly options are ideal for longer stays.
- Pay-as-you-go: Be wary—these often come with high per-minute and per-MB charges.
Pro Tip: Call customer service before your trip to clarify the plan and confirm it’s activated on your account.
- Unlock Your Phone
Want the freedom to use a local SIM card? Make sure your phone is unlocked:
- Contact your provider to request an unlock.
- Most phones bought outright are already unlocked.
- Using a local SIM saves money and gives you a local number.
- Get a Local SIM or eSIM
In many countries, prepaid SIM cards are cheap and easy to find:
- Choose a plan with data, calls, and texts.
- Look for tourist SIMs with short-term packages.
- If your phone supports eSIM, you can download a plan before you even leave home (apps like Airalo or Holafly make it simple).
- Use Wi-Fi Whenever You Can
Free Wi-Fi is your best friend:
- Hotels, cafés, airports, libraries—log on instead of using data.
- Use messaging apps (like WhatsApp or Signal) instead of calling or texting.
- Consider a VPN to stay secure on public networks.
- Turn Off Data Roaming—Unless You Need It
Data roaming can be pricey without a solid plan:
- Turn it off in your settings to avoid accidental charges.
- Download offline maps, translation tools, and entertainment before you go.
- Consider an International Roaming SIM or Travel Hotspot
If you’re hopping between countries or traveling with a group:
- International SIMs (like OneSimCard or KnowRoaming) work across borders.
- Portable Wi-Fi hotspots let multiple devices share one affordable connection.
- Set Up Travel-Friendly Apps Before You Fly
A few apps can save you frustration—and money:
- WhatsApp or Telegram for communication
- Google Maps (offline maps feature)
- Google Translate (download languages in advance)
- Currency converters, transit apps, and offline guides
Using your phone abroad doesn’t have to be a high-stakes guessing game. With a bit of planning, you’ll have the tools to navigate a new world—without worrying about your next bill.
The tomato behind The Three Tomatoes.
Cheryl Benton, aka the “head tomato” is founder and publisher of The Three Tomatoes, a digital lifestyle magazine for “women who aren’t kids”. Having lived and worked for many years in New York City, the land of size zero twenty-somethings, she was truly starting to feel like an invisible woman. She created The Three Tomatoes just for the fun of it as the antidote for invisibility and sent it to 60 friends. Today she has thousands of friends and is chief cheerleader for smart, savvy women who want to live their lives fully at every age and every stage. She is the author of the novel, "Can You See Us Now?" and co-author of a humorous books of quips, "Martini Wisdom." Because she's lived a long time, her full bio won't fit here. If you want the "blah, blah, blah", read more. www.thethreetomatoes.com/about-the-head-tomato
