International travel can be the adventure of a lifetime as you explore new places and interact with new people. However, you are going to need to make extensive preparations, from tours and sightseeing to securing logistics like your flight and lodging.
Throughout the preparation, remember to get your device ready. When most travelers use their phones to get through unfamiliar places, having a functional international travel phone is what matters. According to the FCC, most U.S. domestic service plans don’t cover usage abroad, so planning ahead can save you from unexpected fees or being left without connectivity when you need it most.
Before you travel, it’s worth exploring your options. Many carriers now offer international add-ons – just to give you an example, T-Mobile gives qualifying plan customers free data and texting in over 215 countries, like 5GB of high-speed data. But Verizon supports phone use in more than 210 countries. If your carrier’s international rates don’t fit your budget, purchasing a local SIM card can be an alternative. A local SIM in a destination like Thailand, just for an example, can cost as little as $10 for 10GB of data – potentially saving you over $200 compared to a home provider’s $15-per-day roaming fee over a two-week trip. If your device was manufactured after 2022, it’s also worth checking if it supports eSIM, which lets you add a local data plan online without needing a physical SIM swap. Finally, make sure your phone is GSM-compatible, as GSM is used by over 80% of the world’s mobile operators, which makes it the most widely supported standard for international roaming.
What to Do to Make Your Device Ready for International Travel
If you are planning a trip overseas, you could be not sure where to start when putting together your phone. Following these international travel phone tips can help get you ready for your trip, so you can have your plans when arriving at your destination.
1. Understand Roaming and Current Carrier Plans
Your phone will most likely work internationally – even if you do nothing – but that convenience comes at a cost. According to the FCC, most U.S. domestic service plans do not cover usage abroad, which means your carrier will automatically charge international roaming rates for any data, calls, or texts you use overseas. These fees add up fast.
Some carriers have competitive international options built in. For example, T-Mobile offers qualifying plan customers free data and texting in 215+ countries, with 5GB of high-speed data included. Verizon’s international plans allow phone use in more than 210 countries outside the US. If you’re traveling within the EU or EEA, the bloc’s “Roam Like at Home” laws – in place since 2017 – allow travelers to use calls, texts, and data at their domestic rates, which is a nice benefit for European travelers.
However, for many travelers, automatic roaming is still too expensive. You can stay away from high roaming charges by turning off roaming and data in your settings and keeping airplane mode on whenever you aren’t connected to Wi-Fi. International plans, local SIM cards, and eSIMs are all alternatives worth looking at before you depart.
2. Research International Cell Phone Plans With Your Carrier
Check that your carrier has service where you’re traveling. Many providers give you dedicated international data plans you can add before departure. These are usually cheaper than automatic roaming rates and let you use data, calls, and texts without surprise charges. Many options are pay-as-you-go, so you only pay for what you actually need.
While carrier international plans are convenient – since you keep your existing number and don’t need a new SIM – you’re limited to your provider’s products and coverage. Compare your carrier’s plan against local SIM card and eSIM options to make sure that you’re getting the best value for your destination and trip length.
3. Buy a Local SIM Card or Set Up an eSIM
If your carrier’s international plans are too expensive or restrictive, a local SIM card or eSIM is one of the smartest moves you can make before traveling abroad. A foreign SIM card connects you to a local provider, giving you a local number and access to national rates instead of international roaming fees. The savings can be dramatic – as a quick example, a local SIM card in Thailand can cost as little as $10 for 10GB of data, saving over $200 compared to a home carrier’s $15/day roaming fee over a two-week trip.
Before purchasing a new SIM card, make sure your phone is ready:
- Check that you have an unlocked phone: With an unlocked phone, you can switch to another carrier at any time. Locked phones require staying with your current provider. If you have an unlocked phone, you’re free to swap in a local SIM card when you arrive.
- Consider an eSIM instead: All high- and mid-range smartphones produced after 2022 are eSIM-compatible. An eSIM lets you download a local carrier’s plan digitally before you even leave home, so you land with service already active. Many international eSIM providers – such as Airalo, Holafly, and Google Fi – offer competitive data-only plans for destinations worldwide. This is increasingly the most convenient option for modern travelers.
- Know your SIM card size if going the physical route: If your phone requires a physical SIM, verify the size it needs. Most modern phones use a nano-SIM, but it’s worth confirming before you buy abroad. Many airports also have phone shops where you can purchase a local SIM with prepaid data on arrival.
- Check GSM compatibility: Over 80% of the world’s mobile operators use the GSM standard, so GSM-compatible devices will have the easiest time connecting internationally. Most modern unlocked phones support GSM, but it’s worth verifying if you’re traveling with an older device.
If you travel frequently to the same destinations, you could be able to reuse a previously purchased SIM card by simply topping up the data – an affordable option if you have leftover credits from a previous trip.
4. Use Portable Wi-Fi Devices or Hotspots
Many travelers don’t need to make traditional calls or send texts while abroad. If your main need is internet access for navigation, translation apps, or staying in touch via messaging apps, a portable Wi-Fi device or hotspot may be all you need. These give you an online connection without requiring an international data plan with your phone number.
Portable Wi-Fi devices are compact to carry. Your phone’s built-in hotspot can also share a connection from a local SIM or eSIM with other devices. In either case, you can stay in touch whether you’re waiting at the airport, exploring a new city, or driving through the countryside.
For communication, apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, Signal, and Messenger all work over Wi-Fi, so you can call and message friends and family back home without needing a traditional phone plan.
5. Find a Quality Portable Charger
As you prepare for your trip, invest in the right tools to keep your devices powered up. A portable charger guarantees that your phone stays charged through long days of sightseeing, navigating, and capturing photos – without needing to hunt down an outlet mid-day.
Most portable chargers are compact enough to slip into a bag or pocket. Many use USB-C connections, which are now standard across most modern smartphones, tablets, and accessories – making them easy to share when traveling with others. Some higher-capacity power banks can charge a phone multiple times before needing to be recharged themselves, which is a great choice if you’ll be spending extended time outdoors or away from your accommodation.
Choose a capacity that matches your travel style: a smaller, lighter charger works for day trips with nightly returns to your lodgings, but a higher-capacity model fits camping trips or destinations with unreliable electricity access.
6. Research Wall Adapters and Converters
Depending on where you’re from and where you’re traveling, you might need a wall adapter and possibly a voltage converter to safely charge your devices abroad. Outlet shapes can vary by region – for example, the US uses two flat prongs, but most of continental Europe uses two round ones.
Your plugs are going to need an adapter that matches your destination country’s socket type. All-in-one adapter kits covering multiple plug formats are a pretty affordable option for standard international travelers.
You may also need to consider voltage. The US runs on 110 volts, but Europe and Asia operate at 220-240 volts. The good news is that most modern smartphones and laptops have dual-voltage chargers (usually labeled 100-240V on the charger itself), which means they are able to manage without a separate converter. Always check your charger’s label before plugging in – if it lists only one voltage, then you’ll need a converter to avoid damaging your device.
7. Download Information for Offline Use
Whether you’re using a local SIM, an eSIM, or relying on Wi-Fi only, downloading key information before you leave can cut back on your data usage and keep you covered in areas with spotty coverage. Some essentials to save offline include:
- Maps: Navigation uses significant data. Google Maps allows you to download maps of specific regions for offline use, so you can get directions without burning through your data plan. Other apps like Maps.me also offer robust offline navigation.
- Tickets and confirmations: Save screenshots of booking confirmations, boarding passes, hotel reservations, and tour tickets directly to your phone. This saves time digging through email and ensures you can present them even without a connection. Printing physical copies as a backup is also a reliable strategy.
- Entertainment: Long flights, layovers, and train rides call for downloaded content. Apps like Netflix, Spotify, and Apple Music all let you download shows, movies, podcasts, and playlists for offline listening – no data required.
Offline content keeps you functional and entertained no matter where you are, and it’s one of the easiest ways to stretch your data budget while traveling.
8. Change Your Default Settings
Before you depart, take a few minutes to update your phone’s settings to cut back on unintentional data usage and protect yourself from unexpected charges:
- Roaming and data: If you aren’t using an international plan or a local SIM, turn off roaming and mobile data manually to prevent automatic charges. Enabling airplane mode with Wi-Fi turned on is a simple way to use apps and browse without activating roaming.
- Automatic app updates: Apps set to auto-update can silently consume large amounts of data and drain your battery during the day. Switch to manual updates in your settings while abroad, and update only when connected to Wi-Fi at your accommodation.
- Background app refresh: Many apps refresh content in the background even when you’re not using them. Disabling background refresh for non-essential apps helps preserve both data and battery life throughout the day.
- Push notifications: Switching from push to manual fetch for email and non-critical apps reduces the frequency of data pings throughout the day, helping you conserve your data allowance.
These small adjustments matter in how far your data plan stretches and how long your battery lasts during a busy travel day.
9. Connect to the Cloud
Cloud syncing is an important security step before any international trip.
Backing up your phone to a cloud service – and keeping automatic backups enabled during your trip when connected to Wi-Fi – guarantees that if your phone is lost, damaged, or stolen, you can recover your data from any other device. Services like iCloud, Google One, and others give you tiered storage plans to accommodate different needs. Make sure your backup is up to date before you board your flight.
10. Buy an Unlocked Travel Phone
If you’re a frequent traveler or simply want to keep your personal phone safe, investing in a dedicated unlocked travel phone is worth thinking about. An unlocked device has the flexibility to pop in a local SIM card or activate an eSIM plan at your destination, and it gives you access to the best available rates without being tied to your home carrier.
A travel phone doesn’t need to be expensive – a reliable mid-range unlocked smartphone is capable of handling navigation, photography, messaging, and translation duties. Keeping a separate travel device also protects your primary phone from loss, theft, or damage while you’re exploring.
Travel Easy With a Used Phone From Gazelle
Your phone can be a powerful tool when traveling abroad — a place where you can store and access endless information — so you’ll want to give yourself the capabilities you need throughout your trip. Whether you’re hopping between EU countries or looking at Southeast Asia, having the right device can make a difference in how connected – and how much you spend – while you’re away.
For most U.S. customers, domestic service plans do not cover usage abroad, according to the FCC. That means roaming fees pile up fast – a carrier charging $15/day over a two-week trip runs you over $200, compared to a local SIM card in some countries that might cost as little as $10 for 10GB of data. Having an unlocked phone is what makes it possible to take advantage of those savings, giving you the freedom to swap in a local SIM or eSIM upon arrival.
If you’re traveling with a newer device, you’re in luck – all mid- and high-range smartphones released after 2022 support eSIM, which makes it easier than ever to add an international plan online without hunting down a physical SIM card. And since GSM-compatible devices work with over 80% of the world’s mobile operators, making sure your phone supports GSM is a smart move before any international trip. If you need a device built for the elements, check out our picks for rugged phones that can survive any vacation.
Gazelle helps you prepare for your next adventure with a quality used phone. We give you a diverse selection of makes and models, so you can find the device that works best for you and your budget. Whether you’re looking for a primary phone upgrade or a dedicated travel device, Gazelle connects you with unlocked devices from a safe, fast, and easy-to-use source. Every phone we receive is looked at by our team to confirm its quality before it reaches you.
Explore our iPhone collection today and learn how a Gazelle refurbished phone helps you stay in touch – without the bill shock – while traveling abroad.