The Best Cell Phone Plans for International Travel
These wireless plans let you travel abroad without changing your wireless usage (or your number)
Oscar Hartzog
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November 5, 2026
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Between flights, lodgings, activities, and packing lists, there’s a lot to consider — and pay for— when it comes to planning a trip abroad. Your cell phone plan shouldn’t be one of them.
Many travelers have learned the hard way that certain cell phone plans can kill your wallet with roaming charges come the end of a trip. This is because your home carrier essentially rents network access from foreign providers if you switch on your data, make a call, or send a text in another country.
However, if you travel often, you don’t need to deal with massive roaming charges at the end of every trip abroad. Certain carriers offer wireless plans with large international data packages included, which means you won’t need to worry about purchasing an international pass or an eSIM while planning your trip. Just touch down and continue using your phone (and your own number) like you would at home.
The Best Cell Phone Plans for International Travelers
Ahead are three of the best wireless plans for traveling abroad, including options from T-Mobile, Google Fi, and Verizon.
T-Mobile Experience Beyond 2.0
One of the best cell phone plans for international travel is T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond 2.0 plan. The premium cell package offers unlimited text and 15 gigabytes of high-speed data in more than 215 countries and destinations — all without requiring a separate pass or payment. If you’re traveling to Mexico or Canada, you’ll get 30 gigabytes of data. Once you hit that data cap, you’ll still be able to access the internet, but speeds will slow down a bit. The Experience Beyond plan also comes with other travel perks like hotel and rental car discounts, cruise credits, and even a complimentary drink on Delta flights. If you’re flying on Delta, Alaska, Hawaiian, or Southwest airlines, you’ll also get free in-flight Wi-Fi.
T-Mobile’s Experience More package is also good for travelers, offering 5 gigabytes of high-speed data in more than 215 countries and destinations and 15 in Mexico and Canada.
Google Fi Wireless Unlimited Premium
Google Fi Unlimited Premium is also a great choice for any travelers going abroad. You get 50 gigabytes of data in 200+ destinations before speeds slow down. All roaming data is included in your plan, so you don’t need a pass and won’t get slapped with a surprise bill after returning home. You’ll also get unlimited texting, and calls cost about 20 cents a minute.
Another thing we like about the Google Fi plan is that you get 500 gigabytes of hotspot tethering. This is great for any travel (domestic or international) where you need to use your laptop or tablet where there’s no WiFi available.
Verizon Unlimited Ultimate
Verizon’s Unlimited Ultimate package is another cell plan worth considering for staying connected while abroad. While traveling internationally in more than 210 countries, you get unlimited talk (which the packages above don’t offer) and text, and 15 gigabytes of data before speeds are reduced.
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