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If you’re reading this article, you’re likely excited for an upcoming trip. Hotel and flights are booked. The itinerary and every place you want to see are finalized. But one important question remains. How will you stay connected via your cell phone when traveling abroad. Whether you’re traveling to Canada, Mexico, or far overseas, this article will explain your options. We’ll also share advice on how to use your cell phone internationally, how to do it affordably without overpaying, and how AT&T International Day Pass® will come in handy during your travels.
Can I use my mobile phone internationally?
Yes, you can! But roaming rules and rates vary, so learn what to do before you travel and how to activate your calling plan once you land. The last thing you want is to land at your destination and realize you have no service, or worse, coming back from your vacation and getting hit with unexpected charges on your bill.
Whether it’s for an emergency, or simply to stay connected on land and at sea with your friends and family while you’re traveling abroad—being able to call, text, and use your data is crucial. That’s where AT&T International Day Pass comes in.
What is the low-cost way to use my phone overseas?
Unexpected charges can rack up quickly. Think about each text message you send, phone call you make, and photos you share. Using social media and navigation apps also count towards data usage. Luckily, several options to stay connected when traveling internationally without breaking the bank are available.
1. AT&T International Day Pass®
AT&T customers with an unlimited plan can get great value abroad with International Day Pass. AT&T International Day Pass lets you use your phone as you do at home for $12 per day on land. This includes unlimited data,* talk, and text with your eligible AT&T unlimited plan. Plus, International Day Pass covers more than 210 destinations.
If you’re taking a cruise abroad and plan to use your cell phone on land and at sea, you can stay connected for $20 per day. This includes unlimited* talk, text, and data in port and on excursions.
Learn more about staying connected with International Day Pass on land and at sea
*When added to your unlimited plan. Coverage and data speed vary by destination and may be changed.
2. Pay-per-use prices for roaming
Even without an international calling package, you can still access data, voice, and text when you’re traveling internationally. But keep in mind you’ll be charged at pay-per-use rates. These rates vary by destination, whether you’re using talk, text, or data, and whether the destination country is covered (some countries are not). Be sure to review the pay-per-use rates ahead of time. To turn on data roaming for international use, you’ll need to go to your phone’s settings. Activate both voice and data roaming to access cellular coverage.
What does roaming mean? Roaming allows you to make calls, send texts, and use wireless data even when you're outside of your domestic network's boundaries. It’s important to remember, however, that even though you’ll have access to data, voice, and texts, you’ll be charged for any usage that’s not covered by your plan. And unless you have a travel package like AT&T International Day Pass, these charges can quickly add up.
If you’re traveling and don’t need to make calls, send texts, or use the internet, remember to turn off data roaming on your phone before you leave your home country. This will prevent your phone from automatically connecting to a local network and using data. You can still make calls and send texts over Wi-Fi®, but you won’t be able to use mobile data. Just make sure Wi-Fi is turned on in your device settings.
3. Buy a local SIM card from the country you’re visiting
A SIM card is a tiny card in your phone that stores information about your mobile identity, such as your phone number and wireless services. SIM cards help you securely connect to your wireless carrier to provide a network connection. Think of SIM cards as a key that connects your phone with cellular networks.
SIM cards can be physical or digital. If your phone uses a domestic physical one, you can swap it with an international card from the country you’re visiting. Remember that switching to an international SIM will mean you won’t be able to use your cell phone number from the U.S. until you switch back. And, you’ll have to pay for the international service separately from your U.S. wireless bill.
If your device supports an eSIM, you may be able to download and activate one for the country you’re visiting. This way you don’t need to purchase a physical SIM card. When your trip is over and you return to home to the U.S., go back into your phone’s settings and switch your domestic phone line back on. This simplicity and peace of mind make eSIM a worthy option. Learn more about what an eSIM is and how it works
Note: If you’re a frequent traveler and are willing to budget for the additional cost, you can even buy an unlocked cheap device (for example, a flip phone) that you can bring with you on international trips. Take that unlocked phone with you and buy a local SIM card once you arrive. Insert it into your device and you’ll have a prepaid amount of credits to use for calls, texts, and data. Depending on the phone you buy, some advanced features (like 5G) may not work like they would on a smartphone. When you return home, just turn off the device until your next trip.
In summary, you can pay for an eSIM separate from your domestic unlimited cell phone plan. This may be ideal if you’re not planning to use your device much during your travels. You may have to limit your usage with the eSIM to minimize any possible overage charges, depending on the type of eSIM plan you bought. But, if you don’t want to worry about monitoring your voice, texts, and data usage, and want to use your phone overseas the same way you do back home, then the $12 per day for AT&T International Day Pass is a better option.
What is AT&T International Day Pass and how do I activate it?
AT&T International Day Pass is a special add-on that lets you use your AT&T plan while traveling in other countries. With this plan, you can use your data, make calls, and send texts in more than 210 places around the world for $12 per day.* It costs $20 per day when you're at sea and on land, but you only pay on the days you use it. This makes traveling easier and more convenient.
You can still use data, text, and make calls, even without having AT&T International Day Pass. Yet, this will likely be more expensive as you’ll be charged with pay-as-you-go rates. These costs can add up fast because you'll be charged for each text you send, each minute of calls, and every megabyte (MB) of data you use for websites and apps—something hard to monitor on the go.
Getting AT&T International Day Pass means you don't have to worry about keeping track of your data, calls, and texts or the charges for using them. It allows you to relax and enjoy your trip without spending too much money. You only pay the daily fee for the days you use it. Plus, you won't be charged for more than ten days per line per billing period. This can be cheaper than buying a local SIM card or paying high roaming fees, especially on longer trips or if you're visiting multiple places.
*When added to your unlimited plan. Coverage and data speed vary by destination and may be changed
What if I’m traveling internationally with my family?
With AT&T International Day Pass, the first line costs $12 per day for land travel and $20 per day for sea + land travel. If you’re traveling with family, you can add additional lines to your account for $6 per day for each extra line on the same account used on the same day. Also, you only pay up to ten days per line in one billing cycle. This means that if you travel for more than ten days, you won’t pay for any additional days. For example, if you visit one of the 210+ destinations for two weeks, you’ll only pay for ten days per line.
What if I’m traveling to multiple destinations?
If you travel to different countries with AT&T International Day Pass, you only have to pay one daily fee per line for each 24-hour period. No matter how many destinations you visit during that time, you’ll only pay one daily fee.
If you’re on a cruise and paying the $20 a day rate and then decide to travel on land after your cruise, you can keep using International Day Pass. You’ll pay $12 a day.
Does AT&T International Day Pass turn on automatically?
Yes, the plan will turn on automatically if:
You have an eligible AT&T domestic plan
Your destination is covered by AT&T International Day Pass
You have a compatible smartphone
In any case, we recommend signing up for the International Day Pass before you leave. This way, you can verify that your destination is indeed one of the 210+ places covered by AT&T International Day Pass. But, if you forget to add it, don't worry. We'll automatically add it when you arrive and send you a text to let you know. You can then choose to opt out when you get the text, but having the option can help you avoid being without a phone connection or paying high rates. Remember, without an international plan you will pay for each text message you send, each minute of incoming and outgoing calls, and each megabyte of data used at international pay-per-use rates. It's smart to know these rates before you travel.
When am I charged and billed for AT&T International Day pass?
AT&T International Day Pass starts the first time you use data, send a text, or make or receive a phone call. That’s when you’ll be charged the daily fee. Remember, some apps use data in the background, so turn off cellular data or switch to airplane mode if you don’t want to be charged on a specific day.
Daily fees are added to your bill at the end of your billing period. After you reach ten daily fees for a line in one billing period, you can keep using that line for the rest of the billing cycle without any extra charges.
Once I add AT&T International Day Pass to my phone, do I have sign up (opt-in) for the service every day to use it?
No, you don't have to sign up (opt-in) to AT&T International Day Pass every day. Unless you opt out from using it, it starts automatically when you use data, make a call, or send a text in a covered location.
Can I use AT&T International Day Pass on a cruise ship?
Yes, International Day Pass is now available on land and at sea. If you’re taking a cruise abroad and plan to use your cell phone on land and at sea, you can stay connected for $20 per day. This includes unlimited* talk, text, and 500 MB of data in port and on excursions. (500MB of data is for the cruise only. After 500MB, data speeds are up to a max of 512Mbps.)
With this plan, you stay connected in over 210 destinations and on more than 400 cruise ships, and only pay for the days you use. If you're still traveling after your cruise, you can keep using International Day Pass for $12 per day.
*When added to your unlimited plan. Coverage and data speed vary by destination and may be changed.
Do I need to remove International Day Pass after my trip ends?
You don't need to remove International Day Pass when you come home. It’ll stay inactive on your plan, and you won't be charged while you're in the U.S. You'll be ready to use your phone on your next trip abroad, as long as the destination is one of the 210+ supported destinations. You won't be charged for International Day Pass again until then.
What do I do if I have a service issue when I’m traveling abroad?
Most international service issues can be fixed by turning your phone off and on. If you’re having trouble using data, check that Data Roaming feature is turned on. You can see this in your device Settings. If you’re still having problems, call AT&T international customer care at +1.314.925.6925. This is a free call from your AT&T cell phone.
When is it best not to sign up for the International Day Pass?
The AT&T International Day Pass is a great deal, but you should consider the daily fee and whether it fits your phone usage plans. If you plan to stay in one of the 210+ covered destinations for a long time, the $12 daily fee can add up. Even though this fee is capped, and you aren’t billed after ten daily fees per line per bill, this still may not be ideal if you plan on staying abroad for a lengthy time.
Can I use my AT&T cell phone for free in Canada?
When traveling to Canada, your phone will work just like it does in the United States. As long as you have an AT&T unlimited plan, Canada is included in your coverage area. You won't need to pay extra roaming charges or buy any special travel packages for traveling to that destination. However, remember that roaming may be at 2G speeds.
Can I use my AT&T cell phone for free in Mexico?
With an AT&T unlimited domestic plan, you can use talk, text, and data in Mexico without extra roaming charges. Your phone will work the same as it does in the U.S., but roaming may be at 2G speeds. If you're traveling to other countries other than Mexico (and Canada), you'll need to use roaming with pay-per-use charges or sign up for the AT&T International Day Pass.
Does AT&T charge for international calls and texts when calling from the U.S.?
Have friends and family around the world? You can stay in touch for less with AT&T International CallingSM for $15 per month, per line.* You’ll get unlimited calling from the U.S. to 85+ countries and discounted calling to 140 additional countries.
If you don't need unlimited calling, you can pay-as-you-go. However, these rates are higher.
Learn how to call and send texts to international numbers from the U.S.
Remember, if you have an AT&T unlimited plan, you can call or text Mexico or Canada from the U.S. at no extra charge.
*Requires a domestic postpaid wireless plan that includes unlimited talk. Pay-per-use rates apply to calls made to other countries.