How to Save Money on Roaming Charges When You Travel

Traveling abroad can be fun and exciting, but the exorbitant fees that you get charged for data roaming could easily ruin the experience. These charges can add up pretty quickly, leaving you with expenses way above your travel budget at the end of your trip. Well, on the brighter side, these charges can be avoided. There are quite a few ways to reduce or even eliminate roaming charges. One travel strategy that works every time is getting an eSIM that’s specific to your destination. For instance, if you’re traveling to the Land of Maple Syrup, you can get an eSIM for Canada to avoid this cost.

That said, in this article, we’ll be showing you the other ways you can save money on roaming charges when you travel abroad.

Get a Local SIM Card

You can save money on roaming charges by temporarily ditching your primary SIM card before you travel. Local SIM cards are sold at the airport or stores nearby, so you can easily get one before your trip actually begins. Using a local SIM card throughout your stay will save you from the high texts, calls, and browsing rates.

Although getting a local SIM card can be relatively expensive, the cost doesn’t compare to the roaming charges. In the long run, they are more inexpensive, as you’ll be using a local carrier’s network and rates. To get the best plans that meet your requirements, ensure that you do your research or ask the locals for recommendations.

Stick to Using Wi-Fi

Using the Wi-Fi networks around you is another easy way to avoid roaming charges. You can find free Wi-Fi at your hotel, restaurant, library, or cafe. When you’re connected to a Wi-Fi network, you can send texts and make calls using communication apps like WhatsApp, Instagram, or Snapchat.

However, relying on Wi-Fi to stay connected may sometimes be inconvenient. They are less secure, which means your data isn’t safe. So, when using Wi-Fi to browse, avoid sending sensitive data. You can always connect to a VPN to improve security too.

Download Maps and Important Media in Advance

As a traveler, you might not always have access to the internet. To avoid relying on your mobile data; download maps, documents, music, videos, translation apps, or any other important files before you leave your residence.

Once important apps and documents are available offline, you can navigate around your destination without any issues. It will also keep you from getting stranded or being bored when you’re out of network coverage.

Get an International Plan

Some carriers offer international plans, so you can use your SIM card abroad without exorbitant fees. While this may not completely eliminate roaming charges, it helps reduce them.

So, if you want to keep your number and not have to worry about getting a local SIM, this is a fair alternative. Be sure to contact your provider before traveling to see if the available international plans work for you.

Turn Off Data Roaming

Turning off data roaming to minimize roaming charges might sound like an obvious thing to do, but many first-time travelers forget to do this. When you disable data roaming, you prevent your phone from connecting to a foreign network, which is the primary cause of high phone bills.

Also Read: 7 Insider Secrets Your Cell Phone Provider Keeps Hidden

Conclusion

Saving money on roaming charges is not as difficult as it appears. With these few tips, you can eliminate or avoid them. Also, If you’re on vacation, you can limit your time online and engage in some digital detox if you want to avoid these high charges.