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How To Use Verizon Travel Pass In Japan

International journeys – especially to a foreign country – can be an exciting yet daunting experience. The need to carefully plan every detail can leave travelers feeling overwhelmed. Mobile phone and data coverage should be one of the major considerations when planning ahead. Verizon offers travelers a great tool to address this issue by offering a TravelPass service. TravelPass allows its customers to take their Verizon plans with them to Japan and use it without incurring hefty roaming fees.

This service allows a user to use their domestic service plan across the world, and can be used in Japan as well. Since each user’s data plan is different, plans can be tailored to each customer.

For example, the TravelPass service is available for areas within the greater metropolitan Tokyo region and is significantly cheaper than the exorbitant roaming fees that would otherwise have to be incurred. Prices vary depending on the device used but are mostly a flat rate of $5/day for smartphones and $2/day for tablets and hotspots when used in Japan. This means that customers need not worry about being charged more fees for their usage in Japan as their domestic service plan will be updated to include the TravelPass option.

The TravelPass service is easy to activate: a customer can simply log into their Verizon account via its website, go to the ‘My Verizon’ tab and then scroll down to the ‘International Travel’ section. There, the ‘TravelPass’ option should be selected, and upon entering their travel destination – Japan – customers can then select the desired plan, which should be adjusted to fit their needs. Customers can choose to either immediately activate a TravelPass plan or wait until they actually arrive in the country to do so.

Once the TravelPass plan has been selected, the customer should ensure to use only US numbers to make calls and to use only US email addresses to send messages. This will guarantee that their data usage in Japan will be recorded accurately and that Verizon will bill them for only that. Moreover, a customer could also take advantage of the TravelPass’ voice and messaging options – which allows one to make an unlimited number of calls to US numbers – in order to stay in touch with family and friends back home.

The bottom line is that Verizon’s TravelPass service is a convenient way for customers to stay connected while traveling in Japan. Through it, customers can access their domestic service plans in a foreign country and be charged only for the days that they actually use their device, which helps avoid the hefty roaming fees that can otherwise be incurred.

Data Coverage in Japan: a Prior Consideration

The need for data coverage when traveling to a foreign country should not be overlooked – especially when traveling to Japan. Japan has a world-renowned efficient public transportation service with trains and buses often available 24 hours a day. Knowing how to access this public transportation can be essential for getting around the country in an easy and efficient way.

Moreover, foreign travelers will often find themselves wanting to visit iconic tourist spots throughout Japan, and having access to various travel-related apps, such as Google Maps, will greatly facilitate this. Google Maps provides directions, takes into account estimated travel time and can advise the user of the best and least expensive routes to take. Additionally, travelers would also have access to various tour guides which can provide further helpful information for their journey.

For those traveling in groups, communication with one another is also important. Since the majority of the population does not speak English, being able to call and send texts will be crucial to staying connected and organized. In this case, having a TravelPass plan will be essential to allow group members to stay updated and in contact.

Differences Between TravelPass Plans

Verizon offers a range of different TravelPass plans with different data caps to choose from. Some plans allow for an unlimited data cap whereas others offer slightly lower caps at 10GB or 8GB. Under these plans, customers will be able to make use of their devices in Japan without having to worry about hefty roaming fees and can still stay connected and up to date with current international news and events.

Calls can also be customized under TravelPass plans. Calls to Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other US international countries such as Guam, are included in respective data-cap plans. Rates for each country vary, so customers should ensure to check their domestic plans.

Moreover, if customers are planning to visit several international destinations, they are able to conveniently purchase a single TravelPass plan for all countries. This helps customers avoid having to purchase separate plans for each country, thus saving time and avoiding confusion.

Importance of Reading TravelPass Guidelines

Before activating a TravelPass plan, customers should ensure to properly read the guidelines that come with it. Verizon provides customers a 30-day grace period, during which customers can switch between multiple TravelPass countries without having to activate each one individually.

Using a device in areas of Japan outside the main metropolitan Tokyo is expensive, so customers should ensure they are using their device only within the main metropolitan region. Furthermore, if customers no longer require their TravelPass plan after activation, they will need to ensure to deactivate it with Verizon in case their journey ends before the 30-day grace period is up.

It’s also important to consider that TravelPass plans only provide coverage of data usage and calls when customers are outside the United States. Verizon customers are able to top-up their TravelPass plans online by entering their billing address and credit card details, thereafter being granted a receipt.

Things to Consider on the Trip

One of the major considerations for customers is to ensure that TravelPass is complementing their current data plan. Once a TravelPass plan is activated, the data allowance from the customer’s domestic plan is used. If the customer exhausts their domestic plan’s data allowance before the TravelPass plan ends, they may be required to purchase additional data allowance from Verizon.

Additionally, customers should consider that they will be charged for their device even when not in use. This means that customers should disable their device when not in use or in the airplane cabin, in order to save costs. Careful study of the contract is essential to understand the fine print of each data plan.

For further information, customers should reach out to Verizon’s customer service team which is available 24/7 to provide access to customer service agents.

TravelPass Plans in Comparison to Other Service Providers

When considering other service providers, customers should research and compare different packages to determine if TravelPass is the best option. Other service providers may provide a wider range of offers, such as various discounts or data plans depending on the length of stay.

Moreover, some other service providers may even offer alternative and simpler plans that are specific to Japan. Depending on the service provider, the customer could be granted a SIM card or a dedicated device which would provide them with data access for a fixed price. Customers should ensure to weigh out all options before settling on any service provider and to consider the cost and quality of each.

Advice for New Travelers

New travelers are often quite confused with regards to what to consider prior to traveling. One of the essential tips for new international travelers is to thoroughly research the currency exchange rate before departing for Japan. Furthermore, getting a sufficient amount of cash before the trip is recommended as Japan has low levels of cashless-payment transactions.

Another major advice is to ensure to be prepared for emergencies when traveling. Getting travel insurance is highly advised in order to be prepared for any unforeseen events. Medical coverage is generally included in some travel insurance packages and can thus be useful to have when traveling to Japan.

New travelers should also ensure to familiarize themselves with the country’s general customs and etiquette. Japan is strongly rooted in its cultural heritage, and demonstrating respect is expected in all environments.

Local Services for Data Access

New travelers may also be interested in learning about different options in Japan that can provide them with data access. Many companies offer dedicated cellular plans, as well as prepaid sim cards and pocket WiFi. Generally, these plans are offered on a month-by-month basis and travelers are given the liberty to terminate the contract when their trip ends.

Overall, such plans can be especially convenient for those wanting to stay in Japan longer-term. Public WiFi services are also available across the country, and can prove to be a great option for travelers wanting to save on data charges.

In general, Japan is equipped with a range of different data access options, from dedicated cellular plans to WiFi hotspots. Customers should weigh the pros and cons of different services before deciding on the best option.

Nancy Weiner

Nancy A. Weiner is an experienced journalist and author specializing in Japan. She is a published author of several books and articles about Japanese culture, history and politics. She has also been a featured guest speaker at many international conferences on Japanese culture, politics and education.

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Guide to Verizon’s International Plans in Japan

Published on 2022-09-29 by Sakura Mobile

There are three types of international plans offered by Verizon that you can use in Japan.

• International Monthly Plan
• Pay As You Go

Unfortunately, the fact of the matter is that all of these options are quite expensive and difficult to recommend.

In this article, we will be breaking down each of Verizon’s international plans as well as introducing a more cost-effective and better-performance option: prepaid SIM cards for Japan. Let’s get started.

Table of Contents

• Verizon’s International Plans in Japan
• Who should use Verizon’s International Plans?
• If you need unlimited data at a cheap price, we recommend …
• Things to make sure of
• Enjoy your trip to Japan!

1. Verizon’s International Plans in Japan

Scroll right for more →→

(tax excl.)

*Data speeds are reduced after the first 0.5GB used starting from the beginning of the day. You can purchase additional high-speed data for the remainder of your session. The additional 0.5 GB of data is $10. **Overages: $0.25/min, $0.05/message, $20/GB

What do you think? The way the fees are calculated is quite complicated, so you might have some questions.

Below is a more detailed table that should make the plans a bit easier to understand. The breakdown is based on the amount of time that you are planning to spend in Japan and includes the amount of data you can use and how much you can expect to pay for it.

Below is more information on each point shown in the table.

Is 0.5GB/day enough?

If you refer to the table, you will notice that for Verizon International Plans, the average amount of data available per day is 0.5GB.

(*The amount of data is even less for the International Monthly Plan)

The question then becomes, “Exactly how much data will I need during my trip to Japan?”

For your reference, the following is about how much data you will need to complete different activities on your phone.

• Using Google MAP and sending texts: 500MB ~ 800MB/day
• Browsing the internet and using social media: 800MB ~ 1.5GB/day
• Watching videos: 1GB ~ 3GB/day

If you are only expecting to use Google MAP and send texts during your trip, then 0.5GB a day should definitely be enough.

Conversely, if you are hoping to use your phone for other reasons (researching restaurants and tourist areas, posting pictures on Instagram, etc.), there is a good chance that Verizon’s international roaming plans will not provide enough data.

Are these good prices?

Unfortunately, the international plans that Verizon offers would not be considered cheap.

There are various providers that sell prepaid SIM cards for traveling in Japan for about half the price of Verizon; some even have options for unlimited data.

Verizon’s International Plans are convenient because you are able to use your phone without having to take out and switch the SIM card. However, note that this convenience also comes at a steep price.

↑ Go back to the table of contents

2. Who should use Verizon’s International Plans?

To summarize, we can recommend Verizon’s International Plans to individuals who fit the following criteria:

• You are content with just using Google MAP and sending texts during your trip
• You want to go to Japan and use your phone without having to deal with the hassle of switching out the SIM card
• You do not mind the expensive prices

On the other hand, these are the people to whom we cannot recommend Verizon’s International Plans:

• You want to do research on places to visit during your trip while on the go
• You are planning on sharing pictures of your trip on social media
• You want to lower costs as much as possible

If you are feeling that Verizon’s plans do not have enough data or you want to use more for less money, buying a prepaid SIM card would be the best choice.

If you place an order online in advance, you can even pick up your SIM card at the airport. This is a convenient option that will give you connection as soon as you arrive in Japan.

Out of all the carriers that sell SIM cards to travelers, we recommend Sakura Mobile.

3. Sakura Mobile is recommended if you need unlimited data at a cheap price

Key features

• Unlimited data plan starting from 4,500 JPY
• Stable, fast docomo 4G network
• 99% of populated area is covered
• Reliable, year-round English customer support
• Pickup at any international airport in Japan
• Order online, pick up as early as the next day
• Delivery to the hotels across Japan is also available for free

Sakura Mobile is the provider that we would recommend for your SIM card needs. Over the years, Sakura Mobile has served thousands of visitors to Japan. With over 3,000 customer reviews and an average rating of 4.7/5, Sakura Mobile has gained a reputation among travelers for having reliable service.

Aside from airport pickup, Sakura Mobile can also deliver to your hotel in Japan, or you can pick up your product directly from the Tokyo office.

Currently, Sakura Mobile is offering a campaign on travel SIM cards that will get you free shipping. Be sure to take advantage of it while it is still available!

4. Things to make sure of

Is your phone compatible with japanese frequency bands.

Before leaving for Japan, you must ensure your phone is compatible with Japan’s frequency bands. This is something that you need to check regardless of whether you are using Verizon or Sakura Mobile.

The devices that will work with Sakura Mobile SIM cards can be found here .

• Sakura Mobile SIM card device compatibility

If you cannot find your device on the above page, please feel free to contact us with any questions. Our customer support team will get back to you by the next day.

5. Enjoy your trip to Japan!

Eating traditional Japanese foods, staying at Japanese-style inns, and visiting shrines and temples might just be a few of the exciting things that you are planning to do while traveling to Japan.

However, if you are unable to use your phone for even a little bit, there is a large chance that things might go wrong.

The people in Japan are kind and will help you if you need anything, but a good percentage of the population does not speak English well. If you are unable to navigate yourself around using your phone, it might be difficult just to find your hotel.

In order to be as safe as possible, we recommend that you get Sakura Mobile’s unlimited data SIM card.

Thank you for reading and best of luck!

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Verizon International Phone Plans — Countries, Coverage, Rates, and More

Andrew Kunesh

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Pay As You Go

Travelpass℠, monthly travel plan, free north american roaming, which verizon data package is right for you, how to sign up for an international data package, verizon’s supported countries, pros of verizon’s international data plans:, cons of verizon’s international data plans:, final thoughts.

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Being at the forefront of the move to 5G connectivity, Verizon is often referred to as one of the best carriers in the U.S. But how does the carrier compare to competitors like AT&T , T-Mobile , and newcomer Google Fi when traveling abroad?

That’s a good question, and it’s an important one to ask if you find yourself out of the country often. So in this article, we’re going to dive deep and take a look at how Verizon’s U.S. phone plans work abroad. We’ll start out by looking at the company’s international plans and their respective pricing. Then, we’ll look at the supported countries and compare the pros and cons of using Verizon abroad.

Spoiler alert: like AT&T, the international options are pretty limited on Verizon. You’ll want to study this article if you’re a current Verizon customer who’s about to travel abroad, or if you’re a traveler that’s considering a switch to Verizon.

Breaking Down Verizon’s International Data Plans

As teased in the intro, Verizon has a limited (and expensive) set of international plans. There are 3 different plans available, ranging from a monthly international data allowance to a plan that lets you use your U.S. data plan while traveling abroad.

Here’s a look at all of the available options:

All Verizon customers are automatically enrolled in pay as you go international data, texting, and calling. If you don’t enroll in another plan on this list and take your phone out of airplane mode when abroad, you’ll automatically be charged at the following rates:

• Talk: $0.99-$2.99 per minute, depending on the country
• Text: $0.50 to send, $0.05 to receive
• MMS: $0.25 to send or receive
• Data: $2.05 per megabyte

There’s no doubt that these prices are absolutely astronomical, hence why we don’t recommend relying on pay as you go international data — it can get very expensive very quickly.

For example, sending a 3 MB picture message on Facebook Messenger would cost a whopping $6.15! And since modern smartphones use data in the background to fetch email, notifications, and more, you may end up being charged just for taking your phone out of airplane mode.

Hot Tip: Thankfully, you can call Verizon to have pay as you go international data disabled on your account. We highly recommend doing this so that you can protect yourself from an astronomical bill on your next trip.

Verizon’s TravelPass plan is nearly identical to AT&T’s International Day Pass plan. This plan lets you use your U.S. data, talk, and text plan abroad for a daily fee.

This plan costs $10 per day per line, and — once enrolled — you’ll only be charged for the days you actually use your phone abroad. This means you can set the plan and forget it. Then, instead of worrying about pay as you go data, you’ll be charged a flat-rate fee for your international phone usage.

Note that you’re billed in 24-hour increments, so if you fly to Brazil and connect to data at 5 p.m. on a Monday, your single $10 fee will be valid until 5 p.m. on Tuesday. You’ll be billed for another 24-hour increment if you continue using your phone after this initial period.

Further, this plan still pulls from your U.S. data, text, and calling allowance, so make sure to keep an eye on how much you use your phone. Otherwise, you might come back home with overage fees.

You can use this plan in any of Verizon’s 185+ supported countries and if needed, you can roam in multiple countries on the same day without paying extra. Don’t worry — we’ll discuss supported countries later in the article.

Finally, you can enroll in a Verizon Monthly Travel Plan. This gives you a set amount of data, calls, and texts to use when you travel abroad. However, the amount of data, calls, and texts included with each plan is limited at best.

Here’s a look at what’s included with Verizon’s 2 Monthly Travel Plans:

If you exceed your data, talk, or text allowance, you’ll be charged at the following rates:

• $0.35 per minute of talk
• $0.05 per text message sent
• $25 per 0.5 GB of data used

Like the TravelPass, this plan works in 185+ countries and can be used across multiple countries if needed. Note that — also like TravelPass — this plan is billed per line, so multiple lines can’t share the same Monthly Travel Plan.

A handful of Verizon plans come with free data, call, and text roaming within North America. This means that when traveling within Canada or Mexico you can continue to use your phone as you would as if you were in the U.S. The plans that include this type of roaming are:

• All Unlimited plans

If you’re subscribed to one of Verizon’s other plans, you can add North American roaming for $5 per day. This works the same as the TravelPass plan we mentioned earlier — you’re charged per day, but only when you actually use your phone in Canada or Mexico.

So, there are 3 different options for international mobile data on Verizon, but which is the best for you? Here’s why you might pick 1 plan over another.

Stick With Pay as You Go Data If You

• Don’t plan on using your smartphone or will purchase a local SIM card upon arrival. In our opinion, this option is just too risky to be justified.

Subscribe to TravelPass If You

• Are only traveling for a few days at a time — $10 per day can add up quickly!
• Need access to your full data plan and U.S. phone number when traveling abroad.
• Have a data plan with a high (or unlimited) data limit.

Buy a Monthly Travel Plan If You

• Plan to travel for an extended period of time.
• Don’t need to use your phone constantly — unfortunately, the data, text, and call limits are low.

Bottom Line:  Think about how much you need to use your phone when traveling and pick a plan based on that info. Note that you may be better off buying a local SIM card if you need to use your phone extensively for multiple days — this will save you money in the long-run.

Thankfully, enrolling in both the TravelPass and Monthly Travel Plan is simple.

You can enroll in TravelPass by texting “Travel” to 4004 from the phone whose line you’d like to enroll in TravelPass. Then, a new TravelPass will be added every time you use your phone abroad. We recommend doing this before your trip to avoid possible pay as you go charges. Alternatively, you can enroll using this page on the Verizon website.

Further, you can enroll in a Monthly Data Plan by going here . After you log in, you’ll be prompted to choose between the 0.5 GB or 2 GB plan. You can cancel this plan at any time by navigating to the same web page.

Like many carriers, Verizon has international coverage in most parts of Europe, Asia, and South America. However, it’s always wise to check that the country you’re visiting is covered by your carrier before you depart — otherwise, you could have a hard time finding a ride out of the airport once you land.

Verizon posts its full list of supported countries on its website. The carrier boasts that it supports “185+ countries” and while this is less than T-Mobile’s “210+ countries,” we’re unable to find any notable exclusions on the Verizon website. Every tourist destination we could think of was listed on the Verizon website, so you likely won’t have any issue connecting during your travels.

However, this could cause pose problems for those who partake in adventure travel by visiting off-the-beaten-path locations.

Pros and Cons of Verizon’s International Data Plans

There’s no doubting that Verizon isn’t the best plan for most travelers. For the most part, it offers a very limited set of expensive international plans, and none of its plans offer free international roaming like T-Mobile or Google Fi.

However, it’s still important that we run through the carrier’s international data pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision on if Verizon is right for your travel needs.

• Free international roaming within North America on most plans
• Monthly international plans include calling
• TravelPass is automatically enabled once you enroll
• Expensive monthly international plans with small data allowances
• TravelPass can get expensive on long trips
• Likewise, TravelPass pulls data from your domestic data, call, and text allowance
• Less supported countries than T-Mobile, Google Fi, and others

Being frank, we recommend that people who travel often steer clear of Verizon.

Its international data plans are too expensive to be deemed practical, so if you have the choice, we recommend checking out T-Mobile or Google Fi instead. Both of these plans offer free international roaming and more supported countries, giving you a smaller bill and more places to bring your connection.

However, we do understand why one would pick Verizon when traveling within the U.S. The carrier has industry-leading coverage at home and has been shown to offer some of the best speeds. It’s unfortunate that these perks don’t carry over to the carrier’s international coverage.

But now we want to hear from you. Do you use Verizon when traveling abroad? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my smartphone work abroad.

Most modern smartphones are properly equipped to work internationally. However, you should refer to your smartphone’s manual or call Verizon to check if your smartphone is properly configured.

Do any Verizon plans come with free international data roaming?

The Start, Play, Do, and all Unlimited plans come with complimentary international roaming within North America. However, none of Verizon’s international plans come with free data roaming outside of this region.

Where can I see the full list of Verizon's supported countries?

You can view a full list of supported countries on Verizon’s website .

Can I bring my phone if I switch to Verizon?

You may be able to bring your device to Verizon — use this tool on Verizon’s website to check if your phone, tablet, or smartwatch is compatible with the Verizon network.

Where can I find more info on buying a local SIM card?

You can use the Prepaid SIM Card Wiki to find more info on buying a local SIM card in most countries. Buying local SIM cards is often cheaper than roaming on U.S. carriers like Verizon.

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About Andrew Kunesh

Andrew was born and raised in the Chicago suburbs and now splits his time between Chicago and New York City.

He’s a lifelong traveler and took his first solo trip to San Francisco at the age of 16. Fast forward a few years, and Andrew now travels just over 100,000 miles a year, with over 25 countries, 10 business class products, and 2 airline statuses (United and Alaska) under his belt. Andrew formerly worked for The Points Guy and is now Senior Money Editor at CNN Underscored.

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Has anyone used this that can tell me if it is a good way to go for cell service? $10 a day seems to be cheap for phone service and data including calls to and from US.

I've used it in other countries. Works fine.

I am curious,as well since that is what we are considering versus the $25.00 travel plan which has limitations

But we have used the Travel Pass on other countries before.

Interesting. I activated the Verizon $10 a day too for our upcoming trip. Are the wifi rentals that much cheaper? Maybe I need to reconsider those as primary.

The price used to be $20 per day if you actually used it or not from what I recall. Just looked at it again, and it might actually be worth it now in some cases. It does seem to avoid the hassle and cost of getting a pocket WiFi and/or SIM card. Going to check into it a little more.

kmcd - WiFi seems to be all in the $4-$7 per day range, and some at the low end seem to have data restrictions.

For US it is $10 per day with 0.5GB of data. After the 0.5GB of data is reached the speed decreases to 2G. You re not billed until you use it and not billed if you do not use it.

For me its seems to be more of a hassle to deal with a mobile hot spot which I found to be as much if not more in price.

Can someone please post a link of a mobile hotspot for less than $10 that will deliver to the hotel? The one I looked up was $55 for 5 days and not available for the next two weeks. I need it next week.

I ordered with Ninja for pick up at the airport. 20% discount with link here...

https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2279.html

I tried to order via Global Advanced and they were sold out. We land this Saturday.

Ninja is unlimited data but gets throttled after maybe 2G? A day which you won't reach unless you stream videos.

We used the Travel Pass in Mexico since it was only $5 a day.

JPY 7,084 or $67 for 8 days with an extra battery with the 20% discount.

I looked at this for comparison...

https://prepaidsim.visitjapanplaces.com/wifi

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Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know

Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone

• T-Mobile phone plans
• Verizon phone plans
• AT&T phone plans
• Google Fi plans
• Other options
• Device compatibility and eSims
• 5G coverage when traveling

Before your summer travels overseas, you should look into whether you've got one of the best international phone plans for staying connected during your upcoming adventures. In the U.S., all the major wireless carriers offer some kind of travel benefit with their best cell phone plans , but they also have supplementary packages for travelers to augment the data plan you already have in place. The trick is to make sure those options keep you covered around the globe.

1. T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers 2. Verizon : TravelPass options 3. AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America 4. Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion 5. Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

The best international phone plans will let you make calls and browse the web when you're in another country (though there might be a fee on top of your normal monthly rate, depending on which carrier you use). Different plans might cover different countries, and how long you plan on traveling could also impact your choice of plans. Your method of travel — be it by plane or cruise ship — also affects which plan is best for you.

All of these are things for globetrotters to consider when shopping for wireless coverage. You're going to want one of the best unlimited data plans since they tend to offer the most travel-related perks. If you haven't travelled internationally in a while, it's smart to double-check what options are out there since the best phone carriers have overhauled their plans and packages available to travelers.

Here’s a look at the travel policies and perks for the three top U.S carriers along with information on Google Fi, which offers a plan that definitely appeals to frequent travelers.

T-Mobile international phone plans

T-Mobile offers an expanded array of plans, though most of its unlimited data plan options have some benefits for overseas travel. Subscribe to Magenta, Magenta Max, Go5G, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next, and you enjoy unlimited data and texting in more than 215 countries around the world. If you want to place or receive calls, you’ll be subject to the local rate depending on where you want to go. You don’t need to notify T-Mobile of your travel for your overseas benefits to kick in.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus Plan | Unlimited Data | $90/month T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan has the edge over Magenta Max for world travelers, even if the latter plan is $5 cheaper for a single line. That's because Go5G Plus customers get more data when traveling in Mexico and Canada (15GB vs. 10GB for Magenta Max) and 10GB more hotspot data. Otherwise, the two plans are identical: You can use your data in 215-plus countries at no extra cost. The first 5GB of data you use use will be high-speed data (with 5G speeds supported where available). The cheaper Go5G and Magenta plans ($75/month and $70/month, respectively) also feature travel benefits, including high-speed data in 11 European countries. Otherwise, data speeds are capped at 256 kbps.

Travel perks in current plans: As part of T-Mobile's Beyond Connected program, data speeds now reach 256 kbps when you're overseas. If you subscribe to either the standard Magenta or Go5G plans and you're in one of 11 European countries, you can enjoy 5GB of high-speed data every month, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telecom.

The perk gets better when you upgrade to either Magenta Max or Go5G Plus, both of which cost $15 more a month than their respective base plans. In that case, you can benefit from 5GB of high-speed data in 215 countries.

Go5G Next, T-Mobile's most expensive plan at $100/month for a single line, has the same travel benefits as Go5G Plus, but adds the ability to upgrade your phone every year. If that's not important to you, stick with Go5G Plus and pay $10 less each month on your wireless bill.

T-Mobile customers can take advantage of free Wi-Fi on American, Delta, Alaska Airlines and United flights. Magenta Max and Go5G Plus subscribers get full texting and Wi-Fi with streaming during flights, where wireless is available. If you go with the standard Magenta or Go5G option, you're covered on four flights per year with full streaming, plus unlimited texting; after those four flights, you can stream one hour of video. Delta SkyMiles members also get free Wi-Fi on domestic U.S. flights courtesy of T-Mobile — even if they get their wireless service from another carrier.

In Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile allows you to use up to 5GB of data whether you've got Magenta or Magenta Max; speeds are slowed to 2G after that. Go5G customers get 10GB of data in those two countries, while Go5G Plus members enjoy 15GB.

T-Mobile includes travel benefits in two of its remaining senior plans, with identical travel perks between the $100 Go5G Plus 55 option and the $120 Go5G Next 55 plan. (Note that those monthly prices cover two lines of data; one line of either Plus or Next cost $70 and $80, respectively.) Travel perks include high-speed data and text when you travel abroad, plus unlimited in-flight connectivity. When you travel to Canada or Mexico, you get 15GB of high-speed data. Both plans also include a year's membership to AAA for road travel in the U.S.

If you opt for T-Mobile's lower cost Essentials unlimited plan, you'll get 2G roaming in Canada and Mexico, but have to pay for data elsewhere.

Trip-specific passes: T-Mobile offers International Pass options for travelers who want high-speed data during lengthier stays overseas. A 5GB International Pass gives you that much high-speed data along with unlimited calling for 10 days. It costs $35. T-Mobile's $50 International Pass increases high-speed data to 15GB and extends the length of the pass to 30 days. The carrier also offers a $5 daily pass that gives you 512MB of high-speed data, and unlimited calling between the 215 or so Simple Global destinations. 

Cruise rates: Pricing on cruises will vary according to which cruise you’re taking. You can check T-Mobile’s site to see what your pricing will be.

Verizon international phone plans

Verizon phones generally work all over the world, especially if you've got a phone built in the last few years. But where you travel significantly influences how much you’ll have to pay. As for which is the best Verizon phone plan for travelers, that all depends on how frequently you go overseas. There's a clear choice for regular globetrotters, but Verizon's less expensive offerings allow you to tack on travel benefits, too.

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited Data | $90/month Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most benefits for world travelers. Verizon promises "full international connectivity," meaning you'll be able to use talk and text for free when overseas; you also get 10GB of high-speed data every month that you can use in other countries. Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, so unless you take frequent trips, you may be better served by Unlimited Plus ($80/month for one line) or Unlimited Welcome ($65/month). Those two plans can add on a $10/month Travel Pass options that provides three days of talk, text and data when you're overseas. You can drop the Travel Pass add-on from your plan in months were you don't need it. Verizon lets family plans mix and match lines so one person can get Unlimited Ultimate, while the others subscribe to the cheaper options.

Travel perks in current plans: Of Verizon's three unlimited plans, the best for frequent travelers is the Unlimited Ultimate option, which lets you use talk and text in other countries just like you would in the U.S. You also get 10GB of high-speed data to use overseas every month.

Unfortunately, Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, costing $90 a month for one line. (And that's after a discount for enrolling autopay.) There are cheaper options — Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus — that include travel perks. Both plans let you text internationally to 200-plus countries. You can also use LTE data when traveling in Mexico and Canada. You're limited to 0.5GB of data consumption per day in those two countries before your speeds are slowed to 2G, and you can't use more than half of your talk, text and data in those countries over a 60-day period.

In addition to the base Welcome Unlimited and Unlimited Plus packages, you can opt for $10 monthly add-ons for your Verizon plan — some covering streaming services, another providing hotspot data and so on. The relevant package is Verizon's $10/month 3 TravelPass Days add-on, which saves you $20 a month on travel benefits as you pick up three passes during monthly billing cycles. You can accrue up to 36 passes for using talk, text and data when traveling overseas.

Unlimited Welcome starts at $65/month for one line, while Unlimited Plus is $80. If you have a family plan, you can mix and match so that different lines of data subscribe to different plans — helpful if there's one person in the family who travels a lot and would benefit from the Unlimited Ultimate perks.

Trip-specific passes: Let's talk a little bit more about the TravelPass . It's Verizon's daily option for international coverage, and it’ll cost you $5 per day per device for each day you’re out of the country if you travel to Mexico or Canada and don't have an unlimited plan. In 185 other countries — including China, France and Germany — Verizon charges $10 per device per day. TravelPass gets you 2GB of 5G data, and unlimited data at 3G speeds after that; the passes also come with unlimited talk and text.

If you know you’ll be traveling for a bit more time, consider Verizon’s monthly option, which the carrier recommends for trips lasting at least 10 days. International Monthly Plans at Verizon cost $100/month, but in exchange, you get 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and 20GB of high-speed data. (Use that, and you get unlimited data at 3G speeds.)

Verizon also offers pay-as-you-go pricing for international travel. You’ll pay 99 cents per minute in Canada and Mexico, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Rates go up to $1.79 in 130-plus countries and $2.99 in 80 other places. Each text message you send will cost you 50 cents, and each received text will set you back 5 cents. Your data will be charged at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte no matter where you are.

Cruise rates: Pay-as-you go rates on cruise ships cost $1.99 for each minute of talk and 50 cents for every sent text message. You’ll pay 5 cents per message received. Verizon has a data plan for cruise passengers, too, with $30/day giving you 500MB of data plus unlimited texting and 50 minutes of talk time. For in-flight connectivity, you can opt for the same pay-as-you-go rates for cruise trips or you can pay $20 per day for unlimited data.

AT&T international phone plans

AT&T also comes with varied international pricing depending on where you want to go. Canada and Mexico travel is covered in many top AT&T plans, and if you pay up for the Unlimited Premium option, you can use your plan in many Central and South American countries. Traveling elsewhere? Then you had best look into AT&T's travel passes.

AT&T Unlimited Premium| Unlimited Data | $85.99/month It's AT&T's most expensive unlimited plan, but Unlimited Premium has the best perk for travelers — you can use your talk, text and data at no extra cost in 20 Latin American countries.  As with other AT&T unlimited options, you also enjoy talk, text and data coverage when traveling in Canada and Mexico.

Travel perks in current plans: If you’re heading to Mexico or Canada, AT&T already covers all of your voice, data and text with its four different unlimited plans — Starter, Extra, Premium and the entry-level Value Plus option. AT&T offers a lone tiered data plan with 4GB of data that you can use in Canada and Mexico (though roaming may be at 2G speeds). Both unlimited and tiered data plans feature unlimited texting to 120-plus countries.

The Unlimited Premium plan is the best option for travelers headed to the Americas, as you'll be able to enjoy unlimited text, talk and data at no additional cost in 20 Central and South American countries. 

If you do a lot of international calling from home, AT&T offers unlimited calling to 85-plus countries from the U.S. for $15 per month for each line. Calls to another 140-plus countries get discounted rates under this plan.

Trip-specific passes: For anyone off to Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America or the Asia Pacific region on a short jaunt, AT&T recommends its $10-a-day International Day Pass, which comes with unlimited talk and text and data governed by your plan. (Note that each device you take overseas will need its own Day Pass.) That service is available in 210-plus countries, and you can add extra phones for just $5 a day.

You'll never have to pay for more than 10 days of day passes on any one bill, even if your trip lasts longer. International Day Passes also kick in automatically when you use your phone abroad — you get a text message letting you know you're covered.

Cruise rates: On cruises , AT&T offers a $60/month Cruise Basic plan that covers 100 minutes of talk and unlimited texting while also offering 100MB of data. Need more of everything? Then try the Cruise Plus plan ($100/month), which includes 1GB of data on top of unlimited talk and text. 

Google Fi international phone plans

If you do a lot of international traveling, don't ignore Google Fi Wireless , the wireless service set up by Google that uses cellular towers of T-Mobile and US Cellular to provide coverage. International travel is built into two of Google Fi's plans — the Unlimited Plus and Flexible options.

Google Unlimited Plus| Unlimited Data | $65/month The Unlimited Plus plan is the way to go with Google Fi, as you can use your data at no extra cost when traveling overseas. Google Fi customers who pay by the gigabyte of data used are also eligible for this perk.

Travel perks in current plans: You've got two options with Google Fi — tiered data through the company's Flexible plan or a pair of unlimited data options. Flexible coverage costs $20 a month for talk and text plus $10 for each GB of data you use. (Data usage is rounded off to the nearest megabyte so you only pay for the data you consume.) Google stops charging you after you use 6GB a month, meaning you'll never pay more than $80. 

If you find unlimited data plans more appealing, Google has you covered there, too — it also offers a $65 Unlimited Plus option that rolls in unlimited talk, text and data. Unlimited Plus subscribers now get a year of YouTube Premium as a perk. 

The real benefit to either Unlimited Plus or Flexible is that those plans cover you when you're traveling in 200-plus countries. When you're overseas, Google Fi charges the same rate for data usage, whether you're on an unlimited data plan or paying by the gigabyte. Voice calls cost 20 cents (though calls placed over Wi-Fi are free) and you get unlimited SMS messaging. 

Alas, Google's $50/month Simply Unlimited plan is not eligible for the free data perk when traveling. That said, all three of Google Fi's plans let you use talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada.

Google Fi is even more appealing now that Google has opened up service to all phones, including iPhones. Note that phones optimized for Google Fi — Google's Pixel phones (currently the Pixel 8 , Pixel 8 Pro , Pixel Fold and Pixel 7a )  along with a selection of Samsung phones and Motorola budget devices — can switch seamlessly between cellular networks and Google's Wi-Fi hotspots, while other phones cannot.

Trip-specific passes: Unlike the other carriers here, Google Fi doesn't offer travel passes for extended trips. Your only option is to get coverage through the Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans.

Cruise rates: Google Fi is not available when you're at sea — only when you're on land in one of the 200-plus countries covered by the carrier.

Other international phone plan options

Discount carriers typically don't provide much in the way of benefits for travelers, but there are some exceptions. The most noteworthy alternative is Visible , which has expanded the travel perks for subscribers to its $45/month Visible Plus plan .

Visible is owned by Verizon and uses its parent company's network for coverage. The Visible Plus plan features unlimited data, including access to Verizon's high-speed 5G network. Travelers will be particularly interested in the unlimited talk, text and 2GB of daily data available through Visible Plus when traveling in Canada and Mexico. Visible Plus customers are also eligible for one free Global Pass day per month, in which they can use talk, text and data at no charge in 140 countries. Globla Passes normally cost $10.

Best international phone plan: Device compatibility and eSims

Traveling overseas used to mean checking to see if your phone would be compatible once you set foot in another country. But those days are drawing to a close now that 3G networks are shutting down, eliminating much of the distinction between phones that work on either GSM and CDMA. If you've got a recent smartphone that connects to LTE, chances are strong it's going to work just fine in other countries. (You still might want to confirm that your phone works on the LTE bands available in the country you're heading to prior to your trip, just to avoid any unpleasant surprises.)

Many phones now support electronic SIM cards or eSIM technology, where you no longer need to swap in a local SIM card to make your smartphone work with an overseas network. (Since the iPhone 14 , Apple devices sold in the U.S. only feature eSIM support — that includes the newer iPhone 15 models.) One of our editors took an international trip using an eSIM for her phone and found it easy to setup and use with a local network — in fact, she plans to use the eSIM approach on all future travel. 

That said, not every country supports eSIM. And depending on your phone carrier in the U.S., you might already have options that cover your phone use in other countries.

International phone plans: What about 5G?

As noted above, many of the plans that offer international travel either have you connect at whatever speed is available locally or at a reduced speed in cases where you're drawing from your own data plan. But what if you've got a 5G phone that can connect to faster networks overseas?

For the most part, we'd expect your phone to operate as before, either at whatever speed the local network offers or a capped speed if that's part of your carrier's travel plans. However, in a few instances, U.S. phone carriers have started making deals with overseas wireless providers that allow their customers to access 5G speeds when roaming. You should check with your carrier for information about the country you're going to travel in.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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