International roaming: How to save when you travel

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.

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."

Graham Cooke

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

Read review

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
• Optus
• Vodafone

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.

Boost international roaming

These packs are available in 42 countries.

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.

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.

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.

Kogan international roaming

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

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.

Moose Mobile international roaming

Moose Mobile's international roaming service supports 104 destinations.

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

Best plan for travel add-ons

amaysim 42GB Plan

Unlimited
Calls & Text

60GB
Data

$12
per 28 days

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

Go to site

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

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Updated regularlyShare

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

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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).

• What is international roaming?

  International roaming lets you use your mobile phone on overseas networks when you travel outside Australia. Instead of switching SIM cards, your home provider partners with foreign carriers so you can stay connected on your existing plan.

• How do I turn data roaming on?

  iPhone: Open Settings. Tap Mobile Data, then Mobile Data Options. Toggle Data Roaming to ON. If you use Dual SIM or eSIM, select the line you want to enable roaming for before toggling.

  Android: Open Settings. Tap Network & Internet. Select SIMs and select the network. Toggle Roaming to ON.

• How do I turn data roaming off?

  Same steps as above, but toggle Roaming to the OFF position.

• Does ALDI Mobile have international roaming?

  Yes, ALDI Mobile offers international roaming, but only on a Pay As You Go (PAYG) basis - not as part of its standard mobile plans. You will therefore need PAYG credit to use the service. Here are the available countries and prices for ALDI's international roaming.

• How much is Telstra international roaming?

  Telstra's PAYG rates as follows. Data: $3 per MB. Calls: $3 per minute. Text: $0.75 per SMS.

  A Day Pass is also available which provides 2GB of data and unlimited standard calls. (See the travel add-on section in this guide for available countries and pricing.)

Written by

Chris Jager

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

Chris's expertise

Chris has written 43 Finder guides across topics including:

• Consumer technology
• Home entertainment
• Online shopping
• Video games
• Seasonal sales events
• Money saving hacks

Co-written by

Alice Clarke

Writer

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