Best Cell Phone Plans for International Use

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If you travel internationally, call family abroad, or split time between countries, your cell phone plan needs to account for it. The difference between a plan that includes international features and one that doesn’t can easily be hundreds of dollars on a single trip.

Key International Features to Compare

International roaming — Can you use your phone abroad without extra charges? Some plans include roaming data (usually at 2G speeds) in 100+ countries. Premium tiers may offer high-speed roaming.
International calling from the US — If you regularly call numbers in other countries, check whether your plan includes free or discounted international calls.
Wi-Fi calling — This feature lets you make and receive calls over Wi-Fi using your US number, which is invaluable when abroad. Most modern plans include it.
eSIM support — For short trips, buying a local eSIM data plan at your destination can be cheaper than roaming. Your phone needs eSIM capability, and your carrier needs to support dual-SIM operation.

Top Picks for International Use

Google Fi

Google Fi is arguably the best carrier for frequent international travelers. Their plans include data coverage in 200+ countries at no extra charge, and international calls from the US are available at competitive per-minute rates. Fi automatically switches between T-Mobile and US Cellular towers domestically, and uses local networks abroad.

T-Mobile

T-Mobile includes international data and texting in 215+ countries on most plans. Data speeds abroad are typically 2G unless you’re on a higher tier or purchase an international pass for high-speed access. For casual travelers, the included 2G roaming is enough for messaging, maps, and ride-hailing apps.

US Mobile

US Mobile’s premium plans include free international calls to select countries and eSIM support. Their flexibility in network choice (T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T) means you can pick the network with the best international features for your travel patterns.

AT&T International Day Pass

AT&T doesn’t include free roaming on most plans, but their International Day Pass lets you use your domestic plan abroad for a flat daily fee in 210+ countries. You only pay for the days you use your phone. This works well for occasional travelers who don’t want to change plans.

Compare International Features

Carrier	Included Roaming	Intl Calls from US	eSIM
Google Fi	200+ countries (data)	Per-minute rates	Yes	View Plans →
T-Mobile	215+ countries (2G)	Per-minute rates	Yes	View Plans →
US Mobile	Select countries	Free to select countries	Yes	View Plans →
AT&T	Day Pass (paid)	Add-on available	Yes	View Plans →
Verizon	TravelPass (paid)	Add-on available	Yes	View Plans →

International features change frequently. Verify current offerings on carrier sites before traveling.

Pro Tips for Traveling

Enable Wi-Fi calling before you leave. It works immediately when you connect to hotel or airport Wi-Fi abroad.
Download offline maps in Google Maps or Apple Maps for your destination. This reduces data usage significantly.
For longer trips, consider a local eSIM for data alongside your US plan for calls and texts. Services like Airalo and Holafly sell affordable travel eSIMs.
Turn off automatic app updates and cloud photo backups before traveling to prevent unexpected data usage on roaming.

Best Plans for International Use