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Using your phone overseas? 5 savvy tips to save money

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Don't come back from your holiday with a huge bill. Plan ahead and your wallet will be happy.

Sponsored by felix mobile. Get an international roaming package for $20 extra on top of your felix subscription. 4GB of data at speeds up to 20Mbps, 100 standard international minutes and 100 international texts in over 40 countries. Countries may vary. T&Cs apply.

The borders are finally well and truly open and holidays are back on. With it, thousands of Australians are heading overseas for hard-earned breaks. Hooray!

Of course, international trips don't come cheap. Many of us are looking for ways to keep costs manageable. For those of us using our phones overseas, there are plenty of opportunities to save.

👋 Hey there! We've partnered with felix to bring you these tips so we're using its plan and products as examples. However, you should always compare your options to see what's best for you.

Add international roaming

Before you go overseas, check to see if your provider offers international roaming options, how much it might cost and what the package looks like.

For example, felix mobile offers a roaming add-on to their subscription for just $20. This includes 4GB of data at speeds of up to 20Mbps, 100 standard international minutes of calls and 100 standard international texts.

The pack is available for 365 days from purchase and is available in over 40 countries including the UK, Singapore, France, USA and South Africa. You can view the full list of countries here.

Italy, Florence, happy young woman with earphones and cell phone in an alley

Turn off auto updates

The last thing you want to do is use up all your data on accidental app updates. Switch off automatic updates or change the settings so they'll only happen when you're connected to Wi-Fi.

You may also want to consider doing the same for auto uploads. However, be careful as this could put photos at risk. For example, many of us have set our phones to automatically upload photos to the cloud. This adds an extra level of security in case we lose or damage our phones, but it also drains our data.

🔥 Hot tip: For when you are back home in Australia, felix mobile offers unlimited international calls and texts for an extra $5/mth on top of their $35/mth month-to-month plan, helping you stay connected to loved ones overseas in over 40 countries. Countries may vary. T&C apply.

Get insurance

Losing, breaking or having your smartphone stolen can put a serious dampener on your holiday, not to mention make it more expensive since you'll have to shell out for a replacement.

Before you go overseas, make sure you have insurance that will cover for a replacement if the worst happens.

Cover for smartphones varies between travel insurance providers so check the product disclosure statement (PDS) carefully. Some may only offer cover in certain circumstances or up to a certain value. Some might not cover you at all.

Lost phone in sea

Embrace free Wi-Fi

Even if you do find a decent international roaming package, it still makes sense to embrace free public or guest Wi-Fi at hotels, cafes or even cultural spots such as museums or galleries.

Typically, international roaming packages offer less data at a higher price compared to domestic packages so you'll want to use it sparingly if possible.

The best way to do this is to connect to Wi-Fi when you can and be more conscious of your Internet usage. (We know it's hard!)

A sign marking the free Wi-Fi spot inside of 34th street subway station.

Download in advance

Whether it's music, films or map directions, plan ahead and download anything you know you'll definitely need.

Do this whenever you get a strong and safe Wi-Fi connection and you won't find yourself burning through data just because you want to watch a film on a long bus ride.

Get international roaming with felix mobile

1 - 20 of 322
Name Product AUFMP-SIM Data Price Apply Price
iPrimus Small
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$35/mth when bundled with iPrimus Internet. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply
iPrimus Small
Postpaid
$35/mth when bundled with iPrimus Internet. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
40GB
$40
per month
View details
$35/mth when bundled with iPrimus Internet. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$40
per month
ZenSim Subscription $30
SubscriptionNo lock-in contract
70GB for $25/mth for the first 3 months, then 35GB for $30/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
ZenSim Subscription $30
Subscription
70GB for $25/mth for the first 3 months, then 35GB for $30/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
70GB
$25
per month
View details
70GB for $25/mth for the first 3 months, then 35GB for $30/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
70 GB
Data
$25
per month
ALDI $95 Family Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
ALDI $95 Family Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
100GB
$95
per 30 day recharge
Go to site
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
100GB
Data
$95
per 30 days expiry
Kogan Small Monthly Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Kogan Small Monthly Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 4G network
15GB
$20
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
15GB
Data
$20
per month
amaysim 120GB Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$24 for the first recharge, then $50/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.11.24
amaysim 120GB Plan
Prepaid
$24 for the first recharge, then $50/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.11.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
120GB
$50
per 28 day recharge
View details
$24 for the first recharge, then $50/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 14.11.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
120GB
Data
$50
per 28 days expiry
Aussie Broadband Value
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Aussie Broadband Value
Postpaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
40GB
No excess data charges
$35
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$35
per month
Better Life XL
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Better Life XL
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G network
42GB
$37
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
42GB
Data
$37
per month
Dodo $28 Online Exclusive
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 30.11.24
Dodo $28 Online Exclusive
Postpaid
$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 30.11.24
Exclusive
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
30GB
$14
per month
Go to site
View details
Exclusive
$14/mth for the first 3 months, then $28/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Order by 30.11.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
30 GB
Data
$14
per month
Optus Flex Plus $160 186 days
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
130GB for the first 3 recharges within 3 years of activation, then 80GB/recharge. Speed caps and T&Cs apply.
Optus Flex Plus $160 186 days
Prepaid
130GB for the first 3 recharges within 3 years of activation, then 80GB/recharge. Speed caps and T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 5G/4G network
130GB
$160
per 186 day recharge
Go to site
View details
130GB for the first 3 recharges within 3 years of activation, then 80GB/recharge. Speed caps and T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
130 GB
Data
$160
per 186 days expiry
Everyday $35 Prepaid Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Everyday $35 Prepaid Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
40GB
$35
per 30 day recharge
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
40GB
Data
$35
per 30 days expiry
Vodafone Large SIM-only Plan
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$64/mth for the first 12 months, then $69/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 18.11.24
Vodafone Large SIM-only Plan
Postpaid
$64/mth for the first 12 months, then $69/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 18.11.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Vodafone 5G/4G network
360GB
No excess data charges
$64
per month
View details
$64/mth for the first 12 months, then $69/mth. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 18.11.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
360 GB
Data
$64
per month
Everyday $60 SIM-only Plan
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Everyday $60 SIM-only Plan
Postpaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
150GB
$60
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
150GB
Data
$60
per month
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 30GB
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
$10 for the first recharge, then $25/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 19.11.24
Catch Connect 28 Day Plan 30GB
Prepaid
$10 for the first recharge, then $25/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 19.11.24
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Optus 4G network
30GB
$25
per 28 day recharge
Go to site
View details
$10 for the first recharge, then $25/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 19.11.24
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
30GB
Data
$25
per 28 days expiry
Telsim 120GB 5G
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
Telsim 120GB 5G
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
120GB
$55
per 28 day recharge
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
120GB
Data
$55
per 28 days expiry
Escapenet 15GB Plan
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Escapenet 15GB Plan
Postpaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G network
15GB
$30
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
15GB
Data
$30
per month
Goodtel 25GB
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
$33/mth when bundled with Goodtel NBN. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
Goodtel 25GB
Postpaid
$33/mth when bundled with Goodtel NBN. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 4G network
25GB
$38
per month
View details
$33/mth when bundled with Goodtel NBN. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply.
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
25GB
Data
$38
per month
Cmobile Red 5GB Data
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Cmobile Red 5GB Data
Postpaid
  • No calls/texts credit included (Credit purchase required)
  • Vodafone 4G network
5GB
$18
per month
$4.90 upfront fee
View details
  • No calls/texts credit included (Credit purchase required)
5GB
Data
$18
per month
+ $4.90 upfront
Boost $59 SIM
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
85GB/recharge for the first 3 recharges, then 45GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 10.3.25
Boost $59 SIM
Prepaid
85GB/recharge for the first 3 recharges, then 45GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 10.3.25
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
85GB
$59
per 28 day recharge
Go to site
View details
85GB/recharge for the first 3 recharges, then 45GB/recharge. Eligibility criteria, T&Cs apply. Ends 10.3.25
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
85 GB
Data
$59
per 28 days expiry
ALDI $39 5G Plan
PrepaidNo lock-in contract
ALDI $39 5G Plan
Prepaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Wholesale Telstra 5G/4G network
65GB
$39
per 30 day recharge
Go to site
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
65GB
Data
$39
per 30 days expiry
Telstra Upfront Premium
PostpaidNo lock-in contract
Telstra Upfront Premium
Postpaid
  • Unlimited national calls & texts
  • Telstra 5G/4G network
300GB
No excess data charges
$99
per month
View details
  • Unlimited standard national calls & texts
300GB
Data
$99
per month
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