International Roaming for Holiday Travel: Avoid Surprise Phone Bills Abroad
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How we wrote this: A plain-English summary of the FCC consumer guide on international roaming (last reviewed November 25, 2025), checked October 29, 2026. Carrier plans and prices vary, so confirm with yours.
Know before you go
The FCC says that for most U.S. customers, domestic plans don't cover use abroad. Roaming rules vary by carrier and can be complex. The FCC's warnings:
- Rates can be much higher because of foreign network fees, and they can apply to calls, voicemail, texts and data.
- Your phone may be incompatible with local networks, or work for calls but not texts or data.
- Roaming charges can show up a billing cycle after you return.
Before you leave: ask your carrier about international options, confirm roaming is turned on, and find out how to track your usage.
Cheaper options
- Unlock your phone and use a local SIM or an eSIM with a local number. Unlocking varies by carrier and device, so ask yours. See our phone unlocking guide.
- With an eSIM, you may be able to choose a local provider in your phone's settings. Check prices before you commit.
- Rent or buy a prepaid phone when you arrive, or use a calling card.
Quick tips while traveling
- Use Wi-Fi (it doesn't count toward your data), but check whether it costs anything.
- Use calling apps over free Wi-Fi to cut voice roaming charges.
- Turn off automatic downloads so apps don't burn roaming data.
- Be careful on public Wi-Fi with personal information. The FCC links its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth security tips.
- Call landlines when you have the choice. It's usually cheaper.
- Dialing home: + then the country code (1 for the U.S.), area code and number.
Emergencies abroad
Learn the local emergency number. The FCC notes that in some EU countries your phone needs a SIM card to call 112.