The Best International Phone Plans

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If you’re planning an international trip, making sure you have the right cell phone plan can help you reduce the cost. 

In this article, I’ll share my top picks for the best and cheapest international phone plans — including options that run on each of the major carriers’ networks. I’ve researched more than 70 phone plans to find the absolute best international prices and features available. 

This article was updated in February 2024 and I review it every six months. Detailed notes on all updates can be found here.

Best Overall International Phone Plan
Google Fi Wireless Flexible
Network
T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular
Price
$20/month + $10/GB
Highlights
  • International calls to 50+ destinations
  • International data abroad in 200+ destinations with no extra roaming cost
  • Includes all the same international features as T-Mobile Magenta for a lower cost
Best International Phone Plan From a Major Carrier
T-Mobile Magenta
Network
T-Mobile
Price
$70/month for one line (taxes & fees included)
Highlights
  • Unlimited talk, text and data (100GB of premium data) in the U.S.
  • Unlimited texting and 2G data in 215+ destinations
Best International Day Pass Option
Verizon Unlimited Welcome
Network
Verizon
Price
$65/month (plus taxes & fees); includes $10 discount for using autopay and paperless billing
Highlights
  • Unlimited texting from U.S. to 120+ countries
  • Unlimited talk, text and (slowed) data in Mexico and Canada

Choosing the Best International Phone Plan

Planning an international trip can be stressful, but thankfully it’s gotten a lot easier to find an international phone plan that works for you. 

“Traveling outside the U.S. is night and day compared to what it used to be,” says money expert Clark Howard. “It’s really easy now as long as you make your plans and understand your phone plan before you go.” 

The most important thing to consider is what you’ll need with an international phone plan. If you’re simply looking to communicate with friends and family back home, you may be able to get away with downloading a free app like Viber or WhatsApp and catching up when you’re connected to Wi-Fi. If you’re looking to use international data or place traditional voice calls, you’ll need to take a closer look at your phone plan. Some plans include international perks while others offer day passes for an additional fee. 

Below, you’ll find my top picks for the best international phone plans, the best ways to travel internationally with each network and additional tips to consider when it comes to using your phone plan outside the U.S.


The Best International Phone Plans

If you’re a frequent traveler, you may want to consider getting a phone plan that works for you both domestically and internationally. That way, when it’s time to travel, your phone will be ready to go. Unfortunately, these aren’t the cheapest phone plans available, but they’re worth considering if international travel is a big part of your life.

For the most frequent travelers, Clark recommends Google Fi Wireless. For a simple international plan that’s also great in the States, he says T-Mobile is worth checking out. And if you just want the option to travel while still using your phone plan as you normally would, AT&T offers a great day pass that works with any of its unlimited plans.

Below, you’ll find more information about three of the best international phone plans available now: 


Google Fi Flexible

Best Overall International Phone Plan

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When it comes to traveling abroad, Clark says Google Fi Wireless has great international features. 

“Google Fi is great for somebody who routinely travels or spends lengthy amounts of time outside of the United States. Basically, your service works outside the U.S. very similar to how it works in the U.S.” 

Google Fi offers unlimited calls and texts beginning at $20 monthly for a single line. This plan includes data at $10 per GB and no charge after 6GB for one person with the Bill Protection feature. Unlimited international data plans begin at $65 per month for a single line with the Unlimited Plus plan. If you’re switching to this plan, you can likely bring your own phone with you to save extra money. Check your phone’s compatibility here. You can also read our full review of Google Fi Wireless before making the decision to switch. 


T-Mobile Magenta

Best International Phone Plan from a Major Carrier

If you’re looking for a phone plan from a major carrier that includes great international perks, consider T-Mobile Magenta. For one line, this plan costs $70 per month with taxes and fees included. In the United States, it includes unlimited talk, text and data (100GB of premium data). It also includes 5GB of high-speed mobile hotspot data before unlimited 3G speeds. Internationally, it includes unlimited texting and unlimited data at 2G speeds in more than 215 countries. It also includes unlimited talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada. 

“With Magenta, you’ll have very slow internet, but you’ll have unlimited free texting and $0.25 per minute for calling. If you want to use data more like you’re used to in the United States, then you’ll need Magenta Max.”

Magenta Max is available for $85 per month for one line and includes international data that’s twice as fast as Magenta. If you’re switching to this plan, you may be able to bring your own phone with you to save additional money. You can check your phone’s eligibility online.


Verizon Unlimited Welcome

Best International Day Pass Option

Verizon offers three postpaid plans: Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Ultimate.

Unlimited Welcome costs $65 for one line of service and include unlimited talk, text and data on Verizon Wireless’ 4G LTE / 5G Nationwide networks. This plan will not include any mobile hotspot data, and customers may experience slower data when the network is congested. AutoPay and paper-free billing is required for both plans. Taxes and fees are not included in the price of either plan.

Internationally, you’ll get unlimited talk, text and slowed unlimited data in Mexico and Canada as well as unlimited texting from the U.S. to more than 120 countries. However, you can add Verizon’s three-day TravelPass perk to your plan for $10/month. You can also add or remove the perk as needed. Here’s what you need to know about Verizon’s TravelPass perk:

  • It includes unlimited talk, text and data in 210+ countries and destinations.
  • After the first 2 GB high-speed data, you get unlimited 3G data to use for the remainder of the TravelPass session.
  • You can accrue up to 36 TravelPass Days with this perk.
  • TravelPass Days expire 12 months after receiving them with this perk.

Verizon also offers up to $180 via bill credit over the course of 36 months on this plan if you bring your own phone, which works out to be $5 off/month. Be sure to check your phone’s compatibility online before switching.

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The Best International Phone Plans by Network

If you already have a phone plan with a major network, you may not need to switch plans in order to use your service internationally. Instead, you can add a day pass or travel pass, or you can check to see if your plan already includes international perks for the destination to which you’re traveling. 

“With AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon, they all three have various plans available for international, and so often T-Mobile’s is the simplest to understand. You get unlimited free texting and unlimited free data overseas in most countries on T-Mobile.”

Below, you’ll find more information on how to travel internationally with each of the three major carriers as well as my top picks for the international plans they offer:


T-Mobile

T-Mobile offers three different unlimited plans; each includes some international benefits. With T-Mobile, you won’t have to buy a day pass or incur any additional charges for texting internationally. Traditional voice calls are only $0.25 per minute with each plan. If you plan to use international data, it’s included with both Magenta and Magenta Max; however, speeds will be significantly slowed with Magenta.

  • T-Mobile Essentials Saver: For $50 per month for one line (plus taxes and fees), you can get unlimited talk, text and data (50GB of premium data) in the United States. Internationally, Essentials includes unlimited texting to and from more than 215 destinations. It also includes unlimited talk, text and 2G data in Mexico and Canada. 
  • T-Mobile Magenta: For $70 per month for one line with taxes and fees included, you can get unlimited talk, text and data (100GB of premium data) in the United States. Internationally, Magenta includes unlimited texting and 2G data for 215+ destinations. It also includes unlimited talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada as well as unlimited in-flight texting and one hour of in-flight Wi-Fi.
  • T-Mobile Magenta Max: For $85 per month for one line with taxes and fees included, you can get unlimited talk, text and data that never slows in the United States. Internationally, Magenta Max includes unlimited texting and 2G data (twice the speeds of Magenta) for more than 215 destinations. It also includes unlimited talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada as well as unlimited in-flight texting and Wi-Fi.

AT&T

AT&T offers three different unlimited plans; each includes unlimited texting from the U.S. to more than 120 countries. They each also include unlimited talk, text and (slowed) data in Mexico and Canada. For more international options with AT&T, you’ll have to purchase an international day pass.

  • Unlimited Starter: All of AT&T’s unlimited plans include the same international features, so I’ve chosen to highlight the most affordable one. This plan costs $65.99 per month for one line (plus taxes and fees). It includes unlimited talk, text and data in the United States. Internationally, it includes unlimited talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada. It also includes unlimited texting from the U.S. to more than 120 countries. 
  • International Day Pass: If you have an AT&T plan, you can add the International Day Pass for $10 per day. You’ll never be charged for more than 10 days ($100) in a single billing cycle even if you use it for longer. This pass allows you to use your phone like you do at home with unlimited high-speed data (speeds may slow in the U.S. or Mexico if the network is busy) in more than 210 destinations. 

Verizon

Verizon offers four unlimited plans, and each includes unlimited talk and text in the U.S. as well as talk and text to Mexico and Canada plus data and roaming. If you’re just traveling to Canada or Mexico, these plans are great options. If you’re traveling to other countries, Verizon offers a Travel Pass and International Monthly Plan. You can add it to any qualifying Verizon phone plan.

  • Unlimited Welcome: For one line, Unlimited Welcome is available for $65 per month plus taxes and fees (autopay required to get this rate). It includes unlimited talk, text and data in the United States. Internationally, it includes unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada as well as data and roaming. You can also add a three-day TravelPass for $10/month.
  • TravelPass: If you’re traveling beyond Canada or Mexico, Verizon’s TravelPass is available for $10 per day and works in more than 210 countries. The TravelPass includes unlimited calls, texts and your domestic data allowance. Still, data speeds are reduced after the first 2GB of daily use. You can also add a three-day TravelPass for $10/month to any unlimited plan.
  • Unlimited Ultimate: For one line, Unlimited Ultimate is available for $90 per month plus taxes and fees (autopay required to get this rate). It includes unlimited talk, text and data internationally at no extra cost. In Mexico and Canada, you’ll get unlimited 3G speeds after 2GB/day. In 208+ other countries, you’ll get unlimited 2G speeds after 10GB/month of high-speed data.
  • International Monthly Plan: This one-time bundle includes 250 minutes, unlimited texts and unlimited data (slower speeds after 20GB) for $100 per line per month. It’s available in more than 210 countries. You can add this bundle to your existing plan for one-time use. You can also opt for a bundle to remain active until you decide to cancel it.

Other Ways To Save on International Phone Plans

If you want to avoid the hassle of switching phone plans or if you’re looking to keep costs as low as possible, there are a few other ways to save when it comes to traveling internationally.

First, be sure to download a communication app such as Viber or WhatsApp to your phone and ask your friends and family to do the same. Now, you’ll be able to communicate with them without making traditional voice calls or sending SMS text messages. You’ll just need access to the internet. 

Unfortunately, if you plan on using data and placing calls as you normally would at home, you’ll likely have to switch to a phone plan that includes international features. But if you can get away with limited communication and data use, consider these other ways to save while traveling.

Rely on Wi-Fi

If you don’t want to switch phone plans or worry about any additional charges while traveling, just make sure you’ll have access to public Wi-Fi. Many hotels and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, and you can use these hotspots to stay connected.

“There’s so much Wi-Fi around the world now. Depending on the service, you may be able to place calls for free over the Wi-Fi. You’ll certainly be able to use all the apps for communicating when you have Wi-Fi available, and then you don’t have to worry about any bill or being able to stay in touch with people outside the United States.”

With a little planning ahead, you can travel internationally without any roaming data, minutes or traditional texting. Instead, know where you’re going beforehand and make use of public Wi-Fi hotspots.

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Buy a Local SIM Card

Instead of switching your phone plan or buying a day pass, you can pick up a local SIM card. Clark says you can buy a gig of data for a week and it usually costs the equivalent of $10-$15. Once you have the data, you can use apps like Viber or WhatsApp to communicate from anywhere.

If you plan to buy a local SIM card, just make sure your phone is compatible first. If you’re in a contract for your cell phone, you won’t be able to use a local SIM card because you’re locked to your carrier. Instead, you’ll want to bring a cheap, unlocked phone. If you’re already using an MVNO (such as Mint, Boost or Tello) at home, then this is a great option.

“If you’re with a discounter, that’s when the way to handle being overseas is to buy a local SIM, put it in your phone and use the apps to communicate.”

Relying on free Wi-Fi hotspots or buying a local SIM card for a little bit of data on the go are great ways to avoid additional charges on your phone bill after your trip. But if you’ll need to use data regularly on your trip, it’s best to switch to an international phone plan.

To learn more, check out our guide on buying a local SIM card internationally.


Final Thoughts

Using your phone internationally is easier now than it ever has been. There are free Wi-Fi hotspots all over the world and free communication apps that make it easy to stay connected. Plus, many phone plans now include international features.

If you’re a frequent traveler, consider a plan from Google Fi Wireless. Their Flexible plan offers unlimited calls and texts beginning at $20 per month for one line and it works in 200+ destinations. T-Mobile offers a few different unlimited plans, and each includes international features. Magenta is an affordable option that includes unlimited texting and slowed data for $70 per month for one line. Magenta Max offers unlimited international data that’s twice the speed for $85 monthly. Finally, Verizon’s Unlimited Welcome plan is a great option to consider at $65 per month for one line. Verizon offers a three-day international day pass for $10/month that works in more than 210 destinations. 

For even more options, be sure to read our guide on the best cell phone plans and deals available now. If you do decide to switch to a new phone plan, be sure to check out this guide that we put together to take you step-by-step through the process.

Did we miss a plan? Let us know your favorite way to stay connected when traveling internationally in the Clark.com Community!

Article Updates
  • February 28, 2024: Replaced T-Mobile Essentials with Essentials Saver (currently available for a single line plan again)
  • February 28, 2024: Updated AT&T’s plan pricing ($0.99 increase)
  • February 28, 2024: Added links to our new guide on buying a local SIM card internationally
  • September 12, 2023: Added Verizon Wireless’ new Unlimited Ultimate plan
  • August 7, 2023: Replaced AT&T Unlimited Starter with Verizon Unlimited Welcome for the best international day pass option (Verizon’s new myPlan perks allow you to get a three-day travel pass for $10/month compared to AT&T’s $10/day international add-on)
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