International roaming: How to save when you travel

Here’s how to avoid bill shock when you head on your next overseas adventure.

Key takeaways

  • Vodafone has the best roaming rates on a regular plan, especially when it comes to data.
  • Purchasing a foreign SIM card is usually the cheapest option, but you won't be able to receive calls on your normal number.
  • If your provider charges pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates, make sure international roaming is switched off to avoid massive bill shock.

Once you've locked in your flights, hotels and itinerary, it's time to sort out how you'll use your phone while overseas.

Most Aussie mobile plans let you roam, but without the right setup, you could be slugged up to $5 a minute for calls and $3 for every megabyte of data you use.

This can quickly cause your mobile bill to balloon into the hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

In this guide, we break down how international roaming works and how to avoid bill shock on your next trip.

What are my roaming options?

Before you head overseas, it's important to choose the right roaming setup to stay connected without blowing your budget.

The best SIM card for international travel depends on your specific travel needs.

You have 4 main options:

  1. Activate international roaming on your existing plan (not recommended): If your provider charges pay-as-you-go (PAYG) rates, make sure international roaming is switched off to avoid massive bill shock.
  2. Purchase a travel add-on pack from your mobile provider: If you need to be contactable on your existing phone number, this is the best option.
  3. Buy a travel SIM card in Australia: If you're going to a few different countries, a dedicated travel SIM eliminates the hassle of buying multiple SIM cards.
  4. Buy a local SIM card at your destination: If you're holidaying in one destination and don't need your existing number, a foreign prepaid SIM card is usually the cheapest solution.
Graham Cooke's headshot
Our expert says

"The best way to save on international roaming is to use Wi-Fi whenever possible and disable data, so you're never charged fees. Consider purchasing a local SIM card for cheaper rates and use messaging apps like WhatsApp instead of text messages to avoid unexpected charges."

Head of Consumer Research

Option 1: Use international roaming

This is the most expensive option, and one we would only recommend under dire circumstances, or if someone else (like your boss) is paying.

If you're not with a major carrier like Telstra or Optus, you'll need to double-check they offer roaming, and you'll also need to confirm if the country you're travelling to is covered.

Checklist for international roaming:

  • Does your plan support roaming? Not all mobile plans support international roaming, especially lower-cost plans from budget telcos.
  • Is the country you're visiting supported? You can find the list of supported destinations on your provider's website.
  • Check call and data rates. This can vary wildly, with some carriers charging up to $3 per MB for data and $5 per minute for calls.

The big 3 telcos have sliced the world up into "zones" of countries that dictate how much you'll spend on roaming while you're there. The zone your destination is in makes a huge difference in price.

You can see on the map below how the roaming costs break down from the major providers: Telstra, Optus and Vodafone. (Note: All Australian telcos use one of these networks and charge similar rates.)


Best plan for international roaming

Vodafone Small SIM-only Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text
60GB
Data
$53.00
per month
Vodafone Small SIM-only Plan logo

Vodafone is our pick for the best plan with international roaming.

For $5 extra a day on top of the normal plan cost, you get to use your plan like you would back in Australia. Crucially, this includes your entire existing data cap.

The $5 roaming fee is automatically triggered when you use your phone in an overseas destination, so there's no need to purchase add-ons.

The one small caveat is the number of available destinations. It works in 120 countries, which is around 30 less than equivalent plans from Optus. If you're travelling somewhere a bit obscure, be sure to check Vodafone's list of supported destinations (see below).

The $49 Small SIM-only plan strikes the right balance between data and value. Just be mindful not to go over your monthly data allowance or you will start being slugged $5 per gigabyte.

At $5 per day, this option is really only worthwhile for very short trips. (The same goes for all plans with international roaming.)


Option 2: Travel add-on packs

If you're going on a short trip and want to keep your Aussie phone number, a travel add-on is your best bet. These packs come with a set amount of call and data inclusions for selected countries.

Any usage outside of these countries will be charged at standard roaming rates, so make sure your destinations are covered.

The big 3 Australian telcos have roaming packs with varying generosity:

Telstra customers on postpaid/upfront plans need to add an International Day Pass before travelling abroad. There are 3 options split into different zones.

Zone 1 Day Pass Zone 2 Day Pass Zone 3 Day Pass (Upfront plans only)
CallsUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
SMSUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Data2GB per day 2GB per day Not included
Price$5 per day$10 per day$10 per day

If you go over your allocated data amount, you have the option to pay $10 for an extra 2 GB.

Telstra also sells the following travel add-ons for prepaid customers:

PackPriceDataCallsSMS/MMS
3-Day Pack$10400MB15 minutes15
7-Day Pack$152GB25 minutes25
14-Day Pack$254GB50 minutes50

Telstra roaming supported countries

  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus*
  • Belgium
  • Brazil
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • East Timor (Leste)
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • Estonia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Guatemala
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mexico
  • Monaco
  • Moldova
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Myanmar
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Nigeria
  • Norway
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Uruguay
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Vietnam

Optus postpaid customers can purchase a 24-hour Roaming Pass for $10. It comes with 1 GB data and unlimited national talk and text in over 150 destinations. (On plans with roaming inclusions, the $10 pass will be automatically triggered when your plan's inclusions have finished.)

Prepaid customers on an Optus Flex Plus plan can choose between a $5 one-day pack or a 7-day $35 pack. Here's what's included with each add-on:

CallsSMSDataPrice
100 texts100 minutes5GB per day$5 per day
UnlimitedUnlimited35GB for 7 days (equivalent to 5GB per day)$35 for 7 days (equivalent to $5 per day)

Once you use up your data or the time period passes you'll need to pay for another add-on.

Optus also offers a $20 Data Roaming pack which comes with 10GB data and $10 Travel Credit that can be used for international talk, text and data roaming (excluding MMS). Both add-ons last for 14 days.

Optus roaming supported countries

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Anguilla
  • Antigua & Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Aruba
  • Austria
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bahrain
  • Bangladesh
  • Barbados
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bermuda
  • Bolivia
  • Bonaire
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Botswana
  • Brazil
  • British Virgin Islands
  • Brunei
  • Bulgaria
  • Burkina Faso
  • Cambodia
  • Cameroon
  • Canada
  • Cayman Islands
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Cook Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Curacao
  • Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Denmark
  • Dominica
  • Dominican Republic
  • Ecuador
  • Egypt
  • El Salvador
  • Estonia
  • Faroe Islands
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • French Guiana
  • French Polynesia
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Greece
  • Greenland
  • Grenada
  • Guadeloupe
  • Guam
  • Guatemala
  • Guernsey
  • Haiti
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Ireland
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Jamaica
  • Japan
  • Jersey
  • Jordan
  • Kazakhstan
  • South Korea
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Laos
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Martinique
  • Mexico
  • Moldova
  • Monserrat
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Myanmar
  • Nauru
  • Nepal
  • Netherlands
  • New Caledonia
  • New Zealand
  • Nicaragua
  • Nigeria
  • Northern Marianas
  • Norway
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Panama
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Puerto Rico
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Russian Federation
  • Saint Barthelemy
  • Saint Martin
  • Samoa (Western)
  • San Marino
  • Saudia Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • St Kitts and Nevis
  • St Lucia
  • St Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan, Province of China
  • Tajikistan
  • Thailand
  • Timor
  • Tonga
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Turkey
  • Turks and Caicos
  • Uganda
  • Ukraine
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Uruguay
  • US Virgin Islands
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Vietnam

Optus' Prepaid Roaming add-ons, on the other hand, are more or less the same price with fewer calls and text included. You have options for calls, texts and data as well as data only.

Add-onCallsSMSDataPrice
1-day Roaming (Talk, text and data)100 minutes100 texts1GB/1 day$5/1 day
7-day Roaming (Talk, text and data)700 minutes700 texts7GB/7 days$35/7 days (equivalent $5 per day)
14-day Roaming (Data only)0010GB/14days (equivalent to 0.71GB/day)$20/14 days (equivalent to $1.43/day)

The catch is that while the talk, text and data plans include Zone 1 destinations the data-only add-on only works in 10 destinations: Mainland China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, UK and USA.

Vodafone has arguably the best postpaid roaming offer available across all its plans, and works quite differently to Telstra and Optus.

Instead of buying an add-on with a set amount of inclusions, you'll just need to pay an extra $5 a day. You can then use your mobile plan as though you were in Australia, with all the same data and call inclusions.

That means if you're on a 50GB $49 plan, you'll be able to use 50GB overseas for just $54 (your usual plan price, plus an additional $5 for roaming).

Just bear in mind you'll be charged $5 for every day you use your phone, not once per month.

Vodafone roaming supported countries

  • Aland Islands
  • Albania
  • Argentina
  • Armenia
  • Austria
  • Bangladesh
  • Belarus
  • Belgium
  • Bolivia
  • Brazil
  • Bulgaria
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • Chile
  • China
  • Colombia
  • Costa Rica
  • Croatia
  • Cyprus
  • Czechia
  • Denmark
  • Dominican Republic
  • East Timor
  • Ecuador
  • Estonia
  • Fiji
  • Finland
  • France
  • Georgia
  • Germany
  • Ghana
  • Gibraltar
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Hong Kong
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • India
  • Indonesia (includes Bali)
  • Ireland
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man
  • Kazakhstan
  • Kuwait
  • Kyrgyzstan
  • Latvia
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macau
  • Macedonia
  • Malaysia
  • Malta
  • Mongolia
  • Montenegro
  • Mozambique
  • Myanmar (exludes Data)
  • Nauru
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Norway
  • Pakistan
  • Papua New Guinea
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Moldova
  • Romania
  • Russia
  • Samoa
  • San Marino
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Solomon Islands
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain
  • Sri Lanka
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • Tonga
  • Türkiye
  • Ukraine
  • UK (England)
  • United Republic of Tanzania
  • Uruguay
  • USA (America)
  • Uzbekistan
  • Vanuatu
  • Vatican City
  • Vietnam
  • Virgin Islands, U.S.
  • Wales
  • Scotland
  • Northern Ireland
  • Monaco
  • Republic of Moldova
  • San Marino
  • Solomon Islands
  • Slovenia
  • South Africa
  • South Korea
  • Spain

If you're on Vodafone prepaid, you can pay $5 a day to get 200MB of data per day, though there are incentives when you buy days in bulk – $35 gets you 2GB to use over 7 days.


International roaming on other networks

We've broken down your options on Telstra, Vodafone and Optus, but what about other, cheaper telcos such as amaysim, Boost Mobile and Belong? (AKA Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs).)

Not all MVNOs offer international roaming and those that do often have limited coverage compared to the major carriers.

Here's a quick snapshot of what some of the most popular providers offer.

amaysim international roaming

All amaysim international roaming packs are valid for 365 days after activation. The packs work in 120 destinations.

Pack NamePriceInclusions
Small Talk$20100 mins, 100 SMS
The Works $2550 mins, 30 SMS, 2GB data
Just Gigs $506GB data
The Epic$70100 mins, 60 SMS, 9GB data

Boost international roaming

These packs are available in 42 countries.

Pack NamePrice Inclusions
International Roaming Small (3 days)$201GB data, 15 mins, 15 SMS
International Roaming Medium (7 days)$303GB data, 30 mins, 30 SMS
International Roaming Large (14 days)$405GB data, 60 mins, 60 SMS

ALDI Mobile international roaming

ALDI Mobile does not offer travel add-on packs. Instead, you need to pay as you go (PAYG). Plans work in 62 destinations.

Country TierCallsSMSData
Standard Countries (e.g. NZ, UK, USA, Japan)$1.00 per minute$0.50 per SMS$0.50 per MB
Premium Countries (e.g. Brazil, Egypt, UAE)$2.00 per minute$1.00 per SMS$1.00 per MB

Belong international roaming

Belong keeps things simple with a single travel add-on. It lasts for 15 days from activation and works in 48 destinations.

Pack NamePriceInclusions
International Roaming Pack$303GB data, 150 mins calls, unlimited SMS

TPG international roaming

TPG does now offer international roaming packs. Instead, roaming is charged from your prepaid balance. Data is billed in 10kB increments, and calls are charged per 60 seconds.

ZoneCallSMS Data
Zone 1$1.00 per minute$0.50 per SMS$0.50 per MB (charged per 10KB)
Zone 2$2.00 per minute$1.00 per SMS$1.00 per MB (charged per 10KB)
Zone 3$4.00 per minute$1.00 per SMS$15.50 per MB (charged per 10KB)

Kogan international roaming

Kogan Mobile offers a range of travel packs for prepaid customers. These work in 30 destinations.

Pack NamePriceInclusions
1-Day Roaming Pack$101GB data, 50 mins voice, 50 SMS
3-Day Roaming Pack$252GB data, 100 mins voice, 100 SMS
7-Day Roaming Pack$455GB data, 150 mins voice, 150 SMS

Woolworths Everyday Mobile international roaming

Woolworths' international roaming packs are mainly geared towards data. They cover up to 69 destinations, depending on the pack you choose.

Pack NamePrice InclusionsCoverage
1-Day Global Roaming$121GB data, 20 mins voice, 20 SMS32 countries
7-Day Global Roaming - Data Only$202GB data69 countries
7-Day Pacific Roaming - Data Only$61GB data7 countries
7-Day Asia Roaming - Data Only$91GB data15 countries
7-Day North America Roaming - Data Only$62GB data3 countries

Moose Mobile international roaming

Moose Mobile's international roaming service supports 104 destinations.

Pack NamePriceService windowInclusions
Zone 1 Roaming Pack$1524 hours or 1GB (whichever comes first)1GB data, unlimited calls & SMS

For Zone 2 countries, a $200 prepayment is required to activate PAYG roaming (unused credit is refundable 30 days after return.)

DataCalls Text
$1.06 per MB$1.59 per minute$0.53 per SMS

Best plan for travel add-ons

amaysim 42GB Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text
60GB
Data
$12
per 28 days
amaysim 42GB Plan logo

Get this plan with 60GB for $12 for the first recharge, then 42GB for $35/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 17.7.25

amaysim is our top pick for MVNOs international roaming packs. The generous 365-day expiry means you can stretch your usage out for the entirety of your trip (provided you don't go over your allotment.) By contrast, many travel packs only last between 1 and 7 days, regardless of how much you use.


Option 3: Use a specific travel SIM

Whether you travel a lot or just want a SIM that will work in multiple countries, there are several retailers in Australia that can sell you just the thing you need.

A single travel SIM can cover more than 200 destinations around the world. Credit lasts 7–60 days with prices starting at $14.50. These products usually work out to be cheaper than paying as you go on your regular mobile plan.

Compare Travel SIMs in Australia

Product Number of countries Data Range Shipment Time
Airalo logo
airalo Yes Go
200+
1GB-20GB
Instant (eSIM)
Go to siteMore info
Compare product selection
GigSky logo
GigSky
200+
1GB-Unlimited
Instant (eSIM)
Go to siteMore info
Compare product selection
JETPAC logo
JETPAC
100+
1GB-40GB
Instant (eSIM)
Go to siteMore info
Compare product selection
Flexiroam logo
FlexiRoam
200+
Unlimited
Instant
More info
Compare product selection
SimCorner logo
SimCorner Travel Sim Cards
80+
1GB-Unlimited
1-12 business days
More info
Compare product selection
Australia Post logo
Australia Post $5 International Roaming Plan
90+
50MB
2+ business days
More info
Compare product selection
loading
Showing 6 of 6 results

Most travel SIMs allow you to use an eSIM instead of installing a physical card.


Option 4: Buy a local SIM card at your destination

This is usually the cheapest option if you're visiting one country for more than a few days.

You might not be able to call home as readily, but you will have access to much cheaper data, and a local mobile number you can use to call hotels and taxis.

If you do choose this route, here are some tips for a smoother process:

  • Check your phone: Make sure your Australian phone isn't locked to your carrier and is compatible with the technology available in that country.
  • Keep your regular SIM card with you: Take out your SIM card before you leave and keep it somewhere safe in your suitcase so you don't lose it, but have it with you in case something goes wrong. This way you won't accidentally rack up charges, but can still activate international roaming if your new SIM doesn't work.
  • Know where you're covered: If you're traveling through different countries on the same continent, ask which countries the SIM card will work in. Not all SIMs cover every destination on a continent (e.g. Europe).
  • Bring a SIM ejector tool or a paperclip: This is so you can actually change the physical SIM card.
  • Do your research ahead of time: For the really organised, look to see which local providers are popular and good value before you arrive. That way, you'll know which brand to look out for rather than buying the first one you see at the airport. These could cost you more than getting one in the local shopping centre.

Bonus option: Travel from Wi-Fi hotspot to Wi-Fi hotspot

If you're travelling for fun, why not just stay in the moment and save some money? You can have your phone in Airplane Mode and use it to take photos, and then just upload over Wi-Fi at the hotel or a café.

If you need to call for help, your phone might still be capable of making an emergency call to 000, 111, 911, etc., depending on your country and phone.

Some extra tips for international roaming

Once you've decided which type of roaming option you want, consider the following to really keep your usage low and avoid any hidden costs:

  • Turn off automatic downloads: This can easily eat through your data allocation without you even realising it. You can also go through your phone's settings and turn off data access for every app you don't strictly need.
  • Download instead of stream: If you have a premium subscription to a music streaming app, download your favourite playlists over Wi-Fi and then turn off data access to the app so you don't accidentally blow through your savings on excess data charges.
  • Set a data limit: Android phones allow you to set a data limit in settings so you don't go over your allotment.
  • Track your daily data consumption: Remember to reset data usage before your flight. This will make it easier to track how much data you use each day and which apps are consuming the most.
  • Turn off any settings you don't need: This includes voicemail (which isn't always covered) and MMS (which is almost never covered by roaming packs).

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Written by

Lead Shopping Editor

Chris Jager is a seasoned journalist with over 15 years of experience in the Australian tech industry. He has contributed his expertise to top tech publications like PC World, Gizmodo, Business Insider, and Lifehacker Australia, where he also served as editor for five years. Chris holds a Bachelor of Communications in Journalism from the University of Western Sydney and is widely regarded as a trusted voice in the tech space. See full bio

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Chris has written 43 Finder guides across topics including:
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Co-written by

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Alice Clarke is an award-winning freelance journalist, producer and presenter, as well as co-curator of the PAX Aus Together Lounge. In her 15 years as a journalist she’s appeared in The Age, Herald Sun Finder, Gizmodo, Kotaku, the ABC, Stevivor, Cracked, Curve and many other publications. See full bio

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4 Responses

    Default Gravatar
    RodAugust 19, 2017

    Traveling to France with a stop over in Doha.

    Do we purchase SIM cards in France or pre pay in Melbourne before leaving?

      Default Gravatar
      MariaAugust 19, 2017

      Hi Rod,

      As finder is a financial comparison website offering general advice, we are not permitted to provide our users with personalised financial advice or make product recommendations.

      However, we do help guide you through the process of comparing your options.

      You may find useful information on roaming with your existing mobile plan on our page for prepaid or postpaid.

      I would also want to advise that you learn more about how to use prepaid SIM cards while traveling around the European Union.

      I hope this helps.

      Cheers!
      Maria

    Default Gravatar
    AnneAugust 16, 2017

    Travelling to Dubai, Portugal, Spain, UK and Iceland from Australia from 13th September 2017. Best plan/card to use. Can I keep my own number while travelling?

      Default GravatarFinder
      RenchAugust 16, 2017Finder

      Hi Anne,

      Thanks for your inquiry.

      If you have an existing contract mobile plan, it’s always wise if you know you’re going to travel to purchase a roaming allowance from your contract provider rather than simply enabling roaming, because the associated costs can be quite high. Please feel free to read more about global roaming and see how it can help you save money in your travel.

      You can also do roaming with a prepaid plan. It minimizes the possibility of outright bill shock simply because you can’t spend more than the amount you’ve already given your telco before you travel. You can get more helpful info on this through our roaming prepaid guide.

      Hope this information helped.

      Cheers,
      Rench

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