What Is International Roaming & Should You Use It?

International roaming lets you use your phone abroad by connecting to a local network through your carrier, but it often leads to high international roaming charges. This blog explains how international roaming works, what affects costs, and practical tips to avoid roaming charges while traveling. It compares traditional roaming plans, local SIMs, and eSIMs for international travel, showing why digital SIM cards like Jetpac’s eSIM offer instant activation, global coverage, and upfront pricing - up to 70% cheaper than standard roaming. Whether you’re planning USA travel, Europe travel, or multi-country trips, this guide helps you stay connected anywhere without bill shocks.

If you’ve ever traveled abroad and used your phone for calls, texts, or maps, you’ve probably wondered why your bill skyrocketed when you got home. That’s because of international roaming charges, extra fees your carrier applies when your phone connects to a foreign network. Understanding what international roaming is helps you avoid those costly surprises.

In this blog, you’ll learn exactly how international roaming works, what affects the cost, and how to choose smart international roaming plans or embedded SIM (eSIM)alternatives that keep you connected anywhere without breaking the bank.

What Is International Roaming?

When you travel abroad and use your phone to call, text, or browse the internet, your device connects to a foreign carrier’s network. That’s international roaming: your home carrier partners with a local provider to keep you online while you’re outside your home country.

In simple terms, what is international roaming means your carrier “borrows” another network so you can stay connected. It’s convenient, but it can get expensive if you don’t plan.

There are three main types of roaming:

Voice roaming: Making or receiving calls.

SMS roaming: Sending and receiving text messages.

Data roaming: Using mobile data for apps, navigation, or browsing.

How Does International Roaming Work?

When you turn on your phone abroad, it automatically searches for partner networks. Once connected, your carrier charges you based on the foreign network’s usage fees; this is where international roaming charges come in.

For example, if you’re a US Mobile customer traveling to Europe, your US Mobile international roaming plan connects through partner carriers in each country. The experience feels seamless, but every megabyte, message, or minute used abroad is billed at roaming rates.

Types of International Roaming Options

When you’re preparing to travel abroad, staying connected is one of the biggest concerns. Whether it’s checking in with family, using maps, or managing work emails, you’ll need a reliable mobile connection. Luckily, travelers today have several ways to stay online without relying solely on expensive international roaming plans.

Here are the main options available for managing international roaming charges while traveling:

1. Carrier International Roaming Plans

Most mobile operators offer dedicated international roaming plans or add-ons that allow you to use your existing number overseas. These plans provide limited data, calls, or texts at discounted daily or weekly rates. They’re convenient if you don’t want to switch SIM cards, but they can still be costly if you use a lot of data.

2. Travel SIM Cards

A travel SIM is a prepaid SIM designed for global use. You can buy one at airports or online before your trip. It’s often cheaper than traditional roaming, but setup can vary depending on your phone and destination.

3. Local SIM Cards

Buying a local SIM at your destination is usually the most affordable option. You get local network rates, but you’ll need to swap out your primary SIM card, which can be inconvenient if you need to receive calls or messages on your usual number.

4. eSIMs

An eSIM is a digital SIM that lets you activate a mobile plan instantly through an app, no physical card required. It’s the most flexible solution for frequent travelers because you can install multiple plans and switch between them effortlessly. If you use an eSIM, you can set it up in minutes and enjoy local rates without worrying about international roaming charges.

Jetpac is one of the most recommended eSIMs by travelers across the globe.

Advantages and Disadvantages of International Roaming

When deciding whether to rely on international roaming or explore other connectivity options, it helps to understand both sides. While roaming is the most effortless way to stay connected abroad, it’s not always the most economical choice.

The table below compares the key advantages and disadvantages of using international roaming plans, so you can decide what works best for your travel style and budget.

Even though international roaming plans provide convenience, frequent travelers or long-term visitors might find them expensive in the long run. Alternatives like eSIM or local SIM cards can offer the same connectivity at a fraction of the cost.

Understanding International Roaming Costs

Before you switch on roaming abroad, it’s important to understand how international roaming charges actually work. These costs vary widely depending on your carrier, destination, and data usage habits.

Your mobile provider partners with foreign networks to provide service overseas, and you’re billed based on the rates those networks charge your carrier. The result? Even simple tasks like checking emails or using Google Maps can quickly eat into your budget.

To make things easier, here’s a quick breakdown comparing typical international roaming plans, local SIMs, and eSIM options.

How to Enable International Roaming

Before you pack your bags, it’s important to make sure your phone is ready for travel. Activating international roaming ensures you stay connected the moment you land, no need to hunt for Wi-Fi or local SIMs right away. However, enabling it incorrectly or too early can lead to unexpected international roaming charges, so timing and setup matter.

Start by checking with your carrier that international roaming plans are active on your account. Some carriers require you to enable them manually or confirm activation through their app or website. Once confirmed, you can turn on roaming directly from your device settings.

The process is slightly different depending on whether you use an iPhone or an Android device. Here’s how to do it safely and effectively:

On iPhone

Open Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options.

Turn on Data Roaming.

If using eSIM, go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM to manage plans.

Many people ask how to switch on international roaming on an iPhone; it’s as simple as toggling the setting above. Just remember to disable it when you don’t need it to avoid accidental charges.

On Android

Open Settings → Network & Internet → Mobile Network.

Enable Data Roaming.

Choose a preferred carrier if you have multiple SIMs.

How to Avoid High Roaming Charges

One of the biggest travel shocks is receiving a sky-high phone bill after a trip abroad. Most of the time, these costs come from background app activity, automatic updates, or simply forgetting to switch off data roaming. The good news? You can easily prevent this with a few smart steps.

Understanding how to avoid roaming charges before and during your trip can save you hundreds of dollars and keep your travel budget intact. It’s not about turning off your phone completely; it’s about using smarter connectivity options and managing data efficiently.

Here’s how you can stay connected without overspending:

Before You Travel

Turn off data roaming until you’ve confirmed your international rates or installed a travel eSIM.

Check your carrier’s roaming plans so you know exactly what you’ll be charged abroad and compare them to eSIM plans for international travel, which are often much cheaper.

Download offline maps, playlists, and travel apps before boarding. This way, you won’t burn data navigating or streaming on the go.

Tell friends and family you’ll use Wi-Fi apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Telegram for calls and messages instead of cellular data.

Install a travel eSIM in advance for instant activation the moment you land, no searching for SIM kiosks or swapping cards.

While Abroad

Connect to free Wi-Fi at hotels, cafés, or airports whenever possible to reduce mobile data usage.

Enable Low Data Mode or Data Saver to stop apps from updating or syncing in the background.

Restrict background data for apps like social media or email that quietly consume data.

Keep an eye on your data usage in your phone’s settings so you don’t exceed your plan’s limit.

Use an eSIM instead of carrier roaming for transparent pricing and local rates. With an eSIM from Jetpac, you get upfront costs, no hidden fees, and connectivity that’s up to 70% cheaper than traditional roaming.

By planning and using these strategies, you can confidently travel without worrying about roaming shocks waiting back home.

Smarter Alternatives to Traditional Roaming

Even when you know how to avoid roaming charges, relying solely on carrier-based international roaming plans isn’t always the smartest or most flexible choice. Traditional roaming works well for short trips, but for frequent travelers, it can be limiting; high daily rates, limited data, and unpredictable coverage make it less appealing over time.

Thankfully, today’s travelers have access to smarter, more affordable options that keep them connected worldwide without the surprise of high international roaming charges. Below are the most popular ones:

1. eSIMs

2. Local SIMs

3. Pocket Wifi

How to Monitor and Reduce Data Usage Abroad

Even the best international roaming plans can get expensive if you don’t keep an eye on your data consumption. Many apps use background data for updates, location tracking, and notifications, all of which contribute to unexpected international roaming charges while traveling.

By actively monitoring your usage and adjusting a few settings, you can make your data last longer and avoid unnecessary costs. Here’s how to do it:

On iPhone:

Go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Usage to check real-time data consumption and see which apps are using the most data.

On Android:

Go to Settings → Network & Internet → Data Usage to track daily or monthly data usage.

Turn off background refresh for non-essential apps like social media or email syncing.

Use a VPN with data compression when browsing on public Wi-Fi for safer, more efficient connections.

Even if you’re using US Mobile international roaming, monitoring your data closely ensures you stay within limits and avoid paying more than you planned.

Popular Roaming Destinations

Some regions, like the EU, Australia, and parts of Asia, have better roaming agreements, meaning lower international roaming charges.

If you’re frequently hopping between countries, consider regional international roaming plans or global eSIMs that cover multiple destinations at once.

The Smarter Choice: Travel eSIM Apps

If you’ve ever struggled with swapping SIM cards, unexpected roaming bills, or unreliable data abroad, there’s a smarter solution: a travel eSIM. It’s quick to set up, works across multiple countries, and gives you full control over your connectivity wherever you go.

Among the available options, Jetpac stands out as one of the best eSIMs for travel & international eSIM plans, designed specifically for travelers who value simplicity, transparency, and constant connectivity.

Here’s why thousands of travelers are switching to Jetpac:

1 eSIM for 200+ destinations: Set it up once, and you’re ready for every trip. Just top up before your next journey, no reinstalling, no switching SIMs.

Always-on with multiple networks: Jetpac connects you automatically to the strongest available network wherever you are, keeping you online 24/7.

No bill shocks: You pay upfront, with no hidden fees or surprise costs - up to 70% cheaper than international roaming plans.

Unlimited hotspot sharing: Share your connection freely with your laptop, tablet, or travel companions without speed throttles or data restrictions.

Free Uber, WhatsApp, and Google Maps access: Stay connected to essential services even when your main data runs out.

24/7 premium support: Jetpac’s team is always available via WhatsApp and email, no matter what time zone you’re in.

Unlike traditional carrier-based international roaming plans, Jetpac gives you complete control, flexibility, and peace of mind. Whether you’re traveling solo, working remotely, or exploring with family, it’s the easiest way to stay connected worldwide, without roaming shocks.

FAQs

Will I be charged if I accidentally leave roaming on?

Yes. If roaming is enabled and your phone uses data abroad, you’ll incur international roaming charges automatically.

Can I use data abroad without turning on roaming?

Yes, with an eSIM or a local SIM, you can stay online without activating roaming.

Is eSIM cheaper than carrier roaming?

Absolutely. Most eSIMs for travel & international eSIM plans are up to 80% cheaper than standard carrier roaming.

How do I switch on roaming on my iPhone?

Go to Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → Data Roaming, and toggle it on; that’s how to switch on international roaming on iPhone.

Can I use my phone abroad if it’s locked to one carrier?

You’ll need to unlock it or check with your carrier before using any global SIM or eSIM.

Disclaimer:

Prices and international roaming plans mentioned in this blog are for reference only. Actual rates may vary by carrier, region, exchange rates, or time of travel. Please verify current pricing and terms directly with your mobile provider before purchasing.