International Cell Phone Travel Tips | Save MEGA $$$ on Roaming!
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
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* KeepGo - www.keepgo.com...
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🤳 ONLINE PHONE NUMBERS
Hushed - hushed.com
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📱 INTERNATIONAL DATA SIM / eSIMS
Airalo: airalo.pxf.io/...
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For KeepGo, use discount code PROFESSIONALHOBO for 10% off!
🤓 Get EVEN MORE info in this article!!
Best International Phone Plans, SIM Cards, and More -
www.theprofess...
Finding the Best eSIM for International Travel: Your Ultimate Guide - www.theprofess...
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#internationalcellphone #travelSIM #traveleSIM
___________________
Greetings! I'm Nora Dunn, aka The Professional Hobo. I've been a digital nomad since 2006. I help people design their lifestyles and arrange their affairs so they can travel long term while working remotely. (I also have a ton of crazy travel tales to share from almost two decades of lifestyle travel).
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📲 MOBILE WIFI HOTSPOTS
* KeepGo - www.keepgo.com/collections/prepaid-wifi-hotspot-data-bundles?ref=7u1mjduvhdf
Use discount code PROFESSIONALHOBO for 10% off!
* TravelWiFi - travelwifi.com
🤳 ONLINE PHONE NUMBERS
Hushed - hushed.com
Fongo (for Canadians) - www.fongo.com/services/fongo-mobile/
Tossable Digits - www.tossabledigits.com
📱 INTERNATIONAL DATA SIM / eSIMS
Airalo: airalo.pxf.io/5gqo6N
KeepGo eSIM & Physical SIMs: www.keepgo.com/?ref=7u1mjduvhdf
For KeepGo, use discount code PROFESSIONALHOBO for 10% off!
GetNomad: bit.ly/3kmNmOD
🤓 Get EVEN MORE info in this article!!
Best International Phone Plans, SIM Cards, and More -
www.theprofessionalhobo.com/cell-phone-travel-basics-international-phone-plans-sim-cards-and-more/
🔐 Make sure you use a VPN when on any public WiFi network!
I use NordVPN: go.nordvpn.net/aff_c?offer_id=427&aff_id=31324&source=RUclips
I have an unlocked phone and do pick up a local sim card at the airport. I've found that some of the companies have a tourist plan which is quite inexpensive if traveling for under a month. This video is really well done. I can't tell you how many hours I spent researching this stuff before my first European trip.
Yes! I agree that getting a local SIM at the airport is best, because they have tourist-friendly plans. I've waited until I got into town in a few cases, and the local shops weren't able to help non-residents as easily.
Will my old iPhone 5s work in Italy if I get it unlocked ?
@@bryanx7923 I would say yes, if you install the right sim card
Thank you so much Nora. I especially appreciate your way of explaining things. Being in our 60s and starting our next chapter of doing some bucket list travel the mobile phone thing is a little stressful. HOWEVER…. I watched this video a few times and I feel so much more confident about how I’m going to do this. Thanks to you lovely lady xx
@@shelleywallis4569 Thank you SO much, Shelley! You made my day :-)
I appreciate your take on this subject. I can say when I visited Ecuador I purchased a sim card away from the airport. For $7 US, I got 5 gigs of data, 60 minutes of calling and can’t remember about the text. This was good for 30 days from Tuenti. WhatsApp didn’t count against my usage, so it was free. I used my old IPhone 8 for this and kept my IPhone 11 on airplane mode. As in Panama, if I kept my IPhone 11 on airplane mode, and used WIFI, it worked as normal without any additional roaming charges. I could call anyone back in the states, text etc just like I was home as long as I was on wifi.
Awesome! Thanks for sharing your strategy!
My husband and I went to Mexico with family ( my brothers and their wives) a few years back. We bought local SIM's and they variously used WIFI and roaming. After a couple of days they were asking how they could buy local SIM's as well because the charges were eating them up. We'd paid $10US each for the SIM and 30 days of phone and unlimited text and data. They were paying $10 a day!
YES! If you don't need access to your phone number in your home country, this is the best way to go.
Who ARE you!? I have been watching your videos for days in preparation for a 6 week tour of Europe. Your advice has been so amazing. I have learned so much...and uhm...spent some money on new luggage and sling bags. Thank you for sharing your expertise!
"Who ARE you!?" - ha ha ha! I'm so glad my content has been helpful! 6 weeks in Europe sounds delightful. I hope you enjoy all your fancy new gear too ;-)
Wow! I wish I had watched this a few years ago when my wife and I took a short trip to Ireland. I thought we had set up a functional plan with our carrier and were quickly disabused of that notion as soon as we turned on our phones at the Dublin airport. Our phones did not have the functionality we were promised. You have a clear and succinct presentation, no fluff. You have my full attention. Ever take a public speaking course? You could teach public presentation. Which I guess you are doing!
Thank you so much, Frank!
I'm sorry you had trouble abroad with your phone. It happens to all of us at some point; I had to learn the hard way (which is why I create these videos - to help people avoid these challenges before they become problems).
@@NoraDunn I ordered a sim card online in advance for Qatar and when I got to Qatar and tried it, it was in Thai and I couldn't understand a thing to register it :( Fortunately, Qatar was GIVING away sim cards with time on them at the airport (for the World Cup) so that was awesome. My phone doesn't have esim capabilities but when I upgrade I am surely going to get one that does. Really appreciate the advice! PS Someone I met in Qatar said they were using their phone with US Cellular (I think) and it was only 50 bucks for basically unlimitted for the month. I haven't checked into it but it's on my list for the next trip abroad.
Research IMS for the iPhone. I purchased an ESIM for my iPhone 14. I disable data on my domestic sim to setup IMS which creates a “Wi-Fi” connection using the data of the ESIM. I can make and receive calls using WiFI without international roaming charges. My last 3 week trip cost $35 USD for the data. This works with MVNO’s which allow Wi-Fi calling.
Yep - that's a data eSIM. Great option!
I kept my previous iphone and use that as my travel phone and put the local sim card in that.
I take my present iphone with me but only use it if I have to, like verifications at times. Works great.
Great strategy!
THANK YOU! I'm leaving shortly to go around the world and this video has changed everything. Just signed up for Fongo - and am going to your web site to read the article - after 100's of hours looking for the best solutions for data and phone, you nailed it. THANK YOU.
Yours is my most favorite travel channel. You provide such detailed practical advice that is so valuable. Thank you so much for sharing! Happy travels!
Wowee! Thank you so much! You made my day.
Great vid. Good info. Habit was to buy a SIM card. Switched to T-mobile. Now have access to 250+ countries, $0.25/min telcos & Saved $87.00/month (was w/AT&T). Worked great in recent trip to Peru. Thanks, Nora.
Yes - T-Mobile is great for short stints of travel!
They don't like digital nomads or long-term travelers and have been known to cut people off if they're out of the country for too long (also, if you travel long-term, there are more cost-effective solutions).
Guess I've more to learn
FYI. AT&T offers travel plans at $10 a day like you said. But a key component you didn’t mention is that they cap their charges at 10 days per month ($100) So short trip or long trip is irrelevant. After a week and a half, you stop getting charged. Obviously a SIM card is much cheaper, but for a locked AT&T phone, this option isn’t horrible.
I didn't realize they cap it at $100! That's great to know! Though I suspect they wouldn't take too kindly to somebody being gone for months at a time....(then again, maybe they'd be okay with it, getting an extra $100/month)....
My At&T unlimited elite plan covers me in Canada, Latin America and South America.
I recently spent 3 weeks in the U.K. I bought a sim-card at Sim Local in Terminal 2 of Heathrow airport. I got a Lyca Mobile pay-as-you-go card for less than £30. It gave me calls and data that I only partially used during my travels around the north of England. I never had to top up.
When I returned to Canada, I simply switched my Canadian sim-card back in.
Great plan! Glad you found a SIM card easily.
Excellent info, thank you! Another place not to make phone calls or send texts is next to your cruise ship. My hubs was about a block away from ours and called someone thinking it was on our international plan but the ship picked it up. It ended up costing $140 for a few minutes!🤦♀️ He had no idea. 😬
Oh NO! What a great tip. I hadn't considered that. EEK.
many ports have WI-FI-simply join the port WI-FI and problem solved
Canadian pnone companies are no longer allowed to lock phones, so if you got your phone in the last few years it is unlocked.
This is great to know - thanks!
Same thing in the US. They must unlock your phone if it’s not.
Nora, you’re a star! You give such excellent and practical advice. Thank you so much!!
You are so welcome!
Such detailed and thorough information for both long and short term travel. Sharing this with friends who are moving outside the US and looking into options while still keeping their T-Mobile cell
Awesome - thank you so much, Zoe!
You're so much fun to listen to, and very informative Nora. Thank you for these tips.
Bell Canada no longer offers travel plans so your tips are great. My daughter found a good SIM card on Amazon for the USA and Europe. You just pay for the amount of days that you are gone. I have used it on my last trip to the USA and it worked great. The turn off the phone before going near the border is a great idea
Awesome - thanks for sharing!
I live so close to the US Canada border that I can see into Canada when I go for a walk. Verizon for the past several years has included Canada and Mexico in their plan. Before that whenever we encountered a roaming charge a simple phone call reversed the charge.
Totally! When you live close to the border a Canada/US plan is essential.
Verizon also has a plan that’s $100 per month, with 250 minutes of talk time then $.25 per minute thereafter; it also has unlimited texting.
This is a worldwide plan?
That comment of yours regarding need for usual phone number for 2 factor authentication was really handy, for me and an upcoming trip. Thanks
Thanks! I'm so glad it helped.
This is by far the best and most useful site for international travel, thank you!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, thanks!
This is exactly the information I was looking for! You’re a wealth of knowledge!
Awesome - thanks Marianna!
Hey Nora, I clicked on one of your video's and now I'm addicted.... which is a very good thing. Love the info and the simplicity of which it's presented. the WIFI hotspot I use is Solis Lite. Canadian, North American and International plans available depending on your travel needs and very reliable. I put my phone on airplane mode and don't worry about it till I get home. Keep up the great work.
Nice! I've never heard of Solis Lite. I'll look into it!
Thank you SO MUCH for making this video. I just heard about eSIM yesterday and wondered if it would be better for me. Now I know that I'm going to stick with my original plan to get a SIM card at the airport when we arrive in Edinburgh. We did that a few years ago in New Zealand, and it was easy-peasy. I don't fly very often, so your videos have been really helpful as I prepare for a big trip.
Awesome - I'm so glad my videos have been helpful, Beth! I'll be honest - if all you need is data (ie: you don't need a local phone number), then I think eSIMs are easier than buying local SIM cards - especially if you are landing in Edinburgh at an awkward time when the kiosks may be closed.
I've been using the Nomad eSIM app more and more, and it's super easy and intuitive, and the prices are very reasonable. www.getnomad.app/?rfsn=7060947.9598e7
That said, it's super easy to buy a local SIM card; I don't want to dissuade you.
Thanks so much! I'm Canadian and have been using Fongo for about a year (I live in Albania at the moment). I 100% agree with your statements, Fongo isn't perfect but it's still invaluable. I'll be checking out your suggestions for the esims. I'm enjoying much of your content. Happy travels!
Many new phones no longer use SIM cards in the US. Not sure about Canada.
First time on your channel. Ran into this video and the title caught my attention. I will be going to Thailand next year from the US east coast. This was helpful and like others have stated, you do have nice personality and are easy to listen to. My phone is locked so I still don't know what to do. Thank you!!!
Thank you so much for the compliment! I have some tips for locked phones in this article: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/cell-phone-travel-basics-international-phone-plans-sim-cards-and-more/
I think I’m going to have to watch this video like 3 more times to understand so I don’t get dinged as bad as I did last year when we were in Europe on a cruise.
It's a confusing topic! If I created more videos on this subject to break it down further. would that be helpful?
@@NoraDunn so much! Thank you for offering. Just found you by YT suggestions but definitely subscribed 😁
@@denisesc21 Awesome - thank you Denise!
@@denisesc21 By the way, if you prefer to reference a written version of this info, here's an article I wrote: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/cell-phone-travel-basics-international-phone-plans-sim-cards-and-more/
We will be on a cruise for 30 days in the med/Holy Land and had no idea what we should do. Thanks for the info!
Hard to say on a cruise, since you may or may not have any cell signals at sea. For a connection at ports, you could get an eSIM plan; GetNomad is easy to use and reasonably priced. I'm using them right now: www.getnomad.app/?rfsn=7060947.9598e7
I used ATT international plan for the 3 months I was in Ukraine and eastern Europe last summer. The daily charge was $10/day. The MAXIMUM charge per month is $100. I had no problem connecting with local carriers in Netherlands, Germany. Poland, Hungry, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Croatia, Austria, and Ukraine. No problem texting or Internet. I also used my phone as a Hot Spot for my tablet. $100 may sound like a lot but for a trip that cost thousands of dollars, $300 was a bargain.
The Wifi calling was an option but I didn't use it. Pain in the ass due to limitations she mentioned. For **ME** just paying the 100 bucks a month and using my phone just like I use it here in the states was well worth the money
Glad ATT worked for you! Thanks for sharing, Pete!
I use ATT also, and although their main plan is not the least expensive they are the best and least expensive, IMO for international travel and that's one of the main reasons I keep the plan.
Pete, I also have ATT International Day Plan added to all our phones as we often travel to Croatia and Ireland (and next week to Rome). We still usually end up using our phones only on Wi-Fi, but I don’t want to worry about it if we need it. I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions please. So when you arrive to a new country, do you turn cellular on then from the airplane mode? Or do you keep it on cellular the whole time since you know you’ll use it for sure? Is your roaming on or off when you use it? Do you have to approve something on your phone when you land? I also noticed in my phone accounts that when I added that International Day add-on, it also automatically added Pay-per-use to the accounts, which can be more expensive if you use it a lot. I was wondering if you have both and which one takes precedence when you arrive in another country? I don’t want to think that I’m only being charged that $10, but in fact I’m paying way more for each text, phone call and data. That’s why I ask if you need to do something special about day plan when you arrive to each county. Do you have your roaming on or off all the time, or just turn on when you need to make a phone call?
And last question is about data with that Day plan. Do you think it’s enough for normal usage, and how do you know if you’ve used too much? Thank you!! :)
Thats ATT post paid, won't work with prepaid. I just dumped ATT pre paid for my wife and cricket (prepaid)_ for me to go to T mobile post paid, brought my own equipment and now on $80/mo 2 lines and has international roaming for a price. If I tack on internatkonal when I'm traveling its cheap. ATT is not a deal unless you are post-paid. In fact ATT prepaid has zero connectivity when abroad.
@@MsElaine122 I don't understand what you're talking about. prepaid vs. post paid? what's that mean? My ATT service worked all over Europe last year just as I described. My phone simply connected with what ever carrier(s) were available whereever there was cell service, e.g vodaphone ,Kiev star, etc in Ukraine
I'm cdn in the Philippines... Thanks so much for the Fongo! Works like a treat!
Awesome! I'm thrilled!
Hello from Montreal. 🇨🇦
I just recently discovered your RUclips channel.
I love your personality.
I love all your videos.
Thank you for such great info!
Thanks Maria!
So much information packed into one video. Good job!
Thanks Blanetta!
Thank you!! Best explanations ever! I am one of those who do not have a cellphone, nor, really want one. My laptop and iPad are fine for me. However, I'm wondering about my needs while I travel and you've answered a lot of the questions I had regarding what unlocked vs locked mean, etc.
I’m soooo glad it was helpful!
I live near Niagara Falls, so if I am spending the day on my side (in Canada), it is not uncommon to find when you get your bill that your calls & texts were using the NF, USA signal so you were charged international roaming fees, so good advice to watch the borders. (Luckily, it is common enough for us that the cell phone co. will remove those fees if you call them and complain).
Gosh, I hadn't thought of what it would be like to LIVE in Niagara Falls / near the border! Good thing the phone companies know to reverse such charges, but a pain that you need to call in in the first place.
we were traveling to Stratford Canada for theatre and found that our cell phone stopped working-we found a Starbucks with a WI-FI and used that to call our hosts for directions
That’s funny what you said at the end about being close to the border. We were in New Mexico once and got some weird charges, when I called about it, they kept saying you were in Mexico. I was like no, we were in NEW Mexico which is in the US. I bet that somehow the signal was picked up in Mexico and that’s what happened. Now it makes sense. :)
Glad I could help you get to the bottom of it! I hope the charges weren't too exorbitant.
We travelled around the Med via a cruise ship. When we landed in Athens we purchased a SIM card fir Europe. What they did not tell us was it would not work in Turkey.
Of course when cruising we needed to be within broadcast of a land based wifi. The ship’s wifi was expensive and awful
Thanks so much this video help me and clear few things for my up coming trip. Thanks so much Nora.
Woohoo! Thanks Keren.
Too true about being careful near borders! I didn’t get dinged but have had a message pop up that I was roaming when on the southern tip of Vancouver Island. It’s a problem area as geographically it’s kind of in the states. Great info!
Glad you didn’t let the border get the better of you! Thank goodness for roaming notifications.
Thank you for this video. Very well explained. Cheers ❤
You're very welcome!
Thank you about the Border tip.
As always, great tips. We rely so much on our smartphones nowadays.
I started traveling full-time in 2007, long before smartphones. And yet now, I’m not sure what I’d do without one!!
AT&T International ad on is now $12 per day.
Thanks for the info, Desi!
This is what I use.
Hi, I love your posts! I'm sure you will update about international cell phone plans since the esim are now available. I use airalo for a plan.
Thanks! I can't update this video once it is live, but I did since publish a detailed article about eSIMs, with a summary of all the best ones (including Airalo) and what their sweet spots are for value: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/finding-the-best-esim-for-international-travel-your-ultimate-guide/
Whew! That’s a lot of information! But, I’m pretty sure I understand & feel like international data esim will be right for me. On the 2 trips that I’ve taken overseas, I was blessed to be traveling with family who 1) are seasoned travelers 2) were willing to keep an eye on me at all times. 😄 My very limited cellular/data plan that I use here in the US, offered NO international coverage except for Mexico & Canada; this left me with a phone that served as little more than a camera. I hope to be traveling again within the year & really need to come up with a better plan than just having family watch over me like I’m a toddler. 😅
Thank you, Nora! Maybe my family will be willing to extend my leash if they know that they can reach me should we get separated. 😅
Ha ha! It's a learning curve to be sure. I'm currently creating an extensive article about eSIMs, and I'll probably make a video too. Stay tuned! And ask me any questions you have in the meantime.
Totally agree that international sim cards are a waste of money. In addition to your excellent suggestions, for trips to areas where free wifi is prevalent Google Voice can be an excellent choice for inexpensive calling abroad.
Agreed! Google Voice is fantastic....but only if you have an existing US number and are in the United States when you set it up. (And even then, you can only get a US number). So basically, great for Americans 😂
Best vlog ever on this quagmire!
Ha - thanks! It's a complex topic to be sure.
Google translate where you take a picture and it translates it will not work off line. You can only type in what you want to translate when off line.
Yes that particular feature only works online. But if you download the dictionary, the other features work offline
I just found your channel a few days ago and all of your videos are so amazingly top notch! I have learned so much on so many topics from you this weekend... it's addictive!
I live in Belgium (I'm sure you know where that is 😊) and I am going for 10 days (+ flights) to Thailand and Cambodia in Februari with some other photographers. I have an unlocked (Samsung) smartphone with dual SIM card. Do you know about any Thailand + Cambodia combination SIM for travellers?
Many thanks.
Thank you so much, Thierry!
The best option for you will depend on how much data you think you'll use, but I certainly recommend getting an eSIM. You can get regional eSIMs that will work in both places. Here's a more thorough (and recent) breakdown of eSIMs for you to compare: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/finding-the-best-esim-for-international-travel-your-ultimate-guide/
AWESOME INFO... Thanks sooo much for sharing...!
Thanks for watching, Jorge!
Thank you for your time and posting.
No worries!
Thank you! You explain things really clearly.
Thanks Mary! This is a very complex topic so I'm glad you found it clear. Job done! Ha.
Thanks so much Nora, very helpful and likeable videos 🙂 I’m travelling to Japan (from Australia with unlocked phone) soon with my 2 teen/tween kiddos. Probably just need data for all our devices…off the top of your head do you reckon esim as a mobile hotspot for us all? Anyway, I probably should research myself…so don’t worry if it’s a complicated question. Mainly wanted to thank you. So thank you!! 👏🏽🙏🏼
Great question! The only problem with using one person's eSIM/phone as a hotspot, is that in my experience only one other device can connect. If you want to do the hotspot thing, I suggest an actual mobile hotspot (I suggest KeepGo - link in description wth discount code).
i wanted to know the same thing....thank you for asking this. What did you end up deciding on doing? It will be me & my teen too!
Thank you, Nora, your Flexiroam tip worked well! Love the videos!
You will not be able to use a VPN in Egypt, they are blocked. Forget to buy a mobile hotspot, use your previous phone for that or get an inexpensive Xiaomi, Redmi or Poco phone. They are also always Dual SIM capable (4G is enough, because a lot of countries do not have super high speed 5G services yet), this allows you to have your SIM and a local SIM to be used in the same phone plus instead of an expensive phone getting stolen it is only a 150-200 USD device (plus get a Pacsafe hip bag for a bit extra protection). Any phone is a mobile hotspot and they are so easy to set up. 😊
Great tips - thanks!
Am I right in thinking another option is that some phones have slots for two sim cards? If your phone does then you can still get US calls and keep your number and add a local sim card when you arrive at your destination. If this is something you want then you may need to buy a new phone with that feature, so yea, it's not the cheapest way to go.
Yes that could work! But - if you don’t switch off your US SIM, you’ll get nailed for roaming. Make sure you have a roaming plan if you want to get those US calls and texts
I travel abroad so infrequently that i just stick to the Verizon $10/day plan to keep my unlimited data and calls. I used it for a 10-day trip to Switzerland in 2019, and it worked just fine. I'm going on a bucket list trip to New Zealand later this year, but may explore some of the options you presented.
Indeed, for short trips that's the easiest method. But once you get beyond 10 days, the cost-convenience ratio gets way out of whack.
You paid $100 for those 10 days, plus your monthly plan. Or, possibly $180 - $230 total to a company that took advantage of you for going overseas. For 30 days, it would be $300 with a total of $430 possible. I think these fees are outrageous. Some sim cards give you unlimited for $25 - $50 for the entire month. Buying local is sometimes way cheaper and worth it.
@@tpkyterooluebeck9224 I agree!
VZ has been a ripoff including international fees so don’t even mention this company
@@reklovjj Unfortunately I think that most phone companies are ripoffs. I've not found one yet, that wasn't scammy or crap in some way or another. :P
Thanks for being open to answering questions for travel dummies. My question: I have an unlocked iPhone 8 that is not being used/not attached to any U.S. mobile provider. Can I take that bonus phone with me to Jamaica & purchase a travel SIM to use that phone on the Digicel network when I’m outside the resort/ off WI-FI?
No. It has to be attached to an account and have a number associated with it.
Lots of very useful advice.
Thanks you!
With pleasure! Glad it’s helpful 😊
When I get to Thailand, I’ll be buying a Sim card and putting it into my unlocked phone so much cheaper than American plans!!!
Absolutely!
It’s illegal to sell a locked phone in Greece. Carriers will give a slight discount of one signs up for a three year boilerplate contract. I buy phones from retailers who have no ties to carriers.
Very cool thanks
You're welcome!
Super helpful! Thanks so much :)
You're so welcome!
Your videos are very thorough and thus, VERY helpful! I called my cell company to unlock my phone. They told me it had been unlocked a couple years ago and they didn't know what it was still saying locked. (YEAH< SURE! grrrrr). This is a new deceptive tactic, if you ask me. They said to contact the company I want to use for Europe and see if they can use my e-sim instead. This all sounds like way overkill and underhanded. They also told me that if the company can't use the e-sim that I have to bring my phone into a Verizon (yes, it's Verizon the culprit) and they have to back up everything to get the locked phone message to go to unlocked. I would LOVE to hear your take on this!! Thanks so much!
I'm not sure I understand how any of this is deceptive or underhanded. Your phone is unlocked, and they're encouraging you to get an eSIM....that's normal! Though it's odd your phone continues to display as locked. I'm sure the folks at Verizon can sort it out for you! Sounds like a tech glitch.
Thank you, great information 👍🏼
My pleasure!
Thanks for this super helpful video! I have two questions for you, hope you can answer them! Question 1: What do you do if your flight is delayed and you arrive at the international airport late at night when all the SIM vendors have left? Question 2: If you're doing a pay-by-the-day plan (roaming or whatever), what time zone does the day begin?
Great questions! So, I have a data eSIM, which means I don't need to buy a SIM card on arrival (I've been burned exactly what you described before, and left to purchase a SIM in the city which didn't always go well).
As for the pay-by-day plan, I have no idea - sorry! I suspect it will be correspond to the time zone back home. Best to contact your phone provider for clarification.
Thank you so much for your well organized descriptons!
Thanks for the kind words! I’ll keep kicking out solid descriptions since I know they’re appreciated 🥰
I do Holafly or Airalo e-sim and use WhatsApp to call homes
Yes! Great plan. Holafly has great rates for Europe, and Airalo has a magic global plan.
Turn on WIFI calling feature on your phone which cuts your provider and call and receive calls and texts from anywhere for free! Yes even your 2FA and other protective codes will come. Providers international plans and fees no longer needed! Just WIFI calling set and using with any WIFI connections. Enjoy
I don't believe all phone providers offer WiFi calling. But it's totally worth checking, since you're right - it's the easiest way to get 2FA while abroad.
The best video on the topic after looking for years! Unfortunately or fortunately you’re not mentioning G-Fi which apparently could be best save for its 90 days limit killer! Not sure what game and for whom G plays here but surely NOT it’s customers
That's the challenge with G-Fi. And thanks for your kind words - this was a very tough topic to create a video about!
More great info…thanks!💥😎
You're welcome!
i bought a sim card by "orange" off of amazon while still in california for my france trip and a second motorola phone to use there and also a travelwifi for mobile internet. it was all great until i wanted to use google maps on my 2nd motorola and ran into the 2F auth prompt that sometimes went to my iphone which i'd left in the hotel safe. haven't heard about e-sim's and am eager to try it on my next trip. great content btw.
Hope your next trip goes a bit more smoothly! The phone connectivity thing is a complex matter.
@@NoraDunn i got a titan physical security key to solve this 2FA problem for use with my second motorola phone. it works nicely. i no longer need to worry about the prompt going to my iphone. i agonized between yubico and titan but went with titan since google makes it
Hi Nora, thank you for information, I love your channel.
So glad!
Cheapest is to buy a local Sim card period. You can purchase it at any airport on arrival. The price will be a little more expensive as compared to downtown but nevertheless its convenient. (Do not forget that airport arrival hall's shops rental are expensive too). 😂
I agree with buying the SIM card on arrival at the airport (rather than downtown)! Well worth any premium they might charge, since some cities/countries aren't well equipped to easily set foreigners up with SIM cards outside of the airport.
thanks, I've heard mixed results using google voice 2nd number aka forwarding. apparently some banks are privy to this for security reasons and the system picks up on this. thus, it does not go through. (bcuz theyre trying to protect u from imposters and those alike)
Ooh, good to know!
Thank you for this video, Nora. We are leaving for an 11 country NorthernEuropean cruise later this summer and I’ve been researching some of the cell phone and data options. One of the data estimate providers I’ve heard mentioned is Airalo. I tried a RUclips search for Flexiroam and didn’t really find any other RUclipsrs talking about Flexiroam. I was wondering if you have tried Airalo and how you feel it compares to Flexiroam. I’ve enjoyed many of your videos on travel, many of which have been helpful as we plan our travels.
Airalo is probably the most popular option. I have a few beefs with it:
1) More expensive than Flexiroam in general, when you take into account how long the data is valid (eg: 7 days, 30 days, 180 days, etc)
2) If you don't use the data before it expires, you lose it. With Flexiroam you can roll over unused data.
Then again most travelers aren't like me, requiring year-round global data. If you're just taking a one-off temporary short trip, Airalo may be more user-friendly.
Although - another alternative to Airalo that I think has better prices and more carrier options is Get Nomad: www.getnomad.app/?rfsn=7060947.9598e7
GetNomad appears to work only with eSim. Shucks.
@@NoraDunn thank you for answering this question. This is precisely the reason I was scrolling through the comments. I'm leaving for Europe soon (Netherlands & Germany plus some random adventures to wherever) and will be gone 7 weeks so I've been researching Airalo and wasn't impressed with their reviews.
@@frugalvanner7488 Ah yes - true. While most newer phones these days are eSIM compatible, not all are.
@@twotoesshort1696 I decided to test out Get Nomad (I'm currently in Europe) and it works great. 2 countries so far and the connection has been seamless. www.getnomad.app/?rfsn=7060947.9598e7
You didn't mention Google Voice as a way to keep a local phone number. We ported our old land line to Google voice and keep the number for free, just a porting charge. We travel for up to 75 days and just use our T-Mobile magenta plan to roam. The plan now is 5 Gb international data / month.
Great plan! Google Voice is a lifesaver (for US citizens/residents).
I bought a SIM card in Rome last June. I thought I was buying a one time $10 SIM card like I had done the prior month in Spain, however, unknowingly I signed up for a plan. I have been getting monthly charges for 9 months. The name of the company is Iliad. My CC company has worked with me disputing the charges, but this is a monthly ordeal.
Oh what a pain! Thanks for sharing the name of the company so other travelers can avoid it.
Everything can be possible in Rome. Just beware of scams and people. I have been there three times but I prefer stop somewhere else then Italy.
Clear as mud.
Ha ha! It's confusing. Too many options, depending on which type of phone and plan you have, and where you are going (and for how long).
My phone is from my provider and unlocked, we can pay $5.00 per day, no extra, or use a sim from the country you are visiting
Nice!
It's not you, I've been researching it it, but this is the most confusing topic I've ever dealt with! It has to be easier to build a computer 😮
Gosh, TELL me about it! I find it SO hard to explain, because there are so many different options/solutions/restrictions depending on the type of phone you have, your needs, your trip, and more!
I use my hotel internet connection to open Whatsapp. Free video or phone calls to anywhere.
Yes! That’s great!…as long as you’re at your hotel all the time! 🙃
If you want a connection while you are out and about, that’s where a sim card of some sort (local sim, global data sim, roaming plan, etc) comes in.
First, from Australia ( though tonight I am in Tokyo), love your clips. As I said, I use Whatsapp in my hotel, as friends can wait if I'm out. Also, even without data, I can use Google Maps. I can't do point A to B, but I can screenshoot the route. And separate from that a little blue circle shows me where I am, and tracks my movements. No phone link from an Australian provider saves me AUS$10 a day, to be spent on better things. I find a compass really handy, because for some unknown reason, street information signs/maps sometimes have a north, sometimes a south orientation.
@@mountbeckworth1 Great strategy, George, Keep it up! She'll be right ;-)
Two things. The first is you have to make sure that if you are going to use any Sim that your phone is compatible because many are not. 2 you can use Google Voice to park your number
Great tip Kristofer!
I use Mobal, where I purchased a phone that I take with me when I travel and am charged a yearly fee for the service plus am charged a nominal fee each time I make a call. I only use it to make calls internationally but would be charged for data use also if used.
Interesting!
I appreciate your travel information. Question: Would you recommend TMobile international calling plan? Thanks!
It depends on how long you're traveling for. If you take short trips, then it's fine. But if you're traveling for months at at time, T-Mobile has apparently started cutting people off because it's not intended for expats and people who spend most of their time abroad.
This is such a great video. We have used a GlocalMe hotspot, but data was really expensive. We’re considering biting the bullet and just paying for an international plan for the 5 months while we travel through many countries.
Subscribing for more of your informative videos!!
There's no doubt about the convenience of an international plan. How expensive is it?
@@NoraDunn GlobalMe charges by the gb. There are different rates for different plans in different countries. If we're using it to upload videos, it gets really expensive because they are such large files. If we're just using it for maps, uber, etc. it's not so big a deal. When we were in the South Pacific, it was hard to find good free wifi. We'll be in Europe for this upcoming trips and it will be a lot easier to find free wifi, so it may be much less an issue.
@@welltravelledlife I use Flexiroam's Global Data. I love the fact that no matter where I land, I have data immediately! Their sticker prices aren't great, but I wait for their 70-80% off sales (which happen monthly) and I stock up on data at about $5/gb.
I won't upload videos on data (I wait for WiFi to do the heavy lifting), and luckily I've not been anywhere for a while that doesn't have WiFi somewhere - even if I need to pop into a coworking space for a day.
@@NoraDunn $5/gb is about what I can get with sales/coupons/subscriptions. It really is the remote travel that was problematic. We were trying to stick with our upload schedule and it just wasn't happening. I think Europe will be a completely different story though, so there, it's just a question of needing maps while we're driving - and we can do a lot of downloading before we hit the road.
@@welltravelledlife Yeah, Europe will likely be a different story. Lots of connectivity! Happy Travels :-)
Hi Nora, we always enjoy your content. We are in the market for a new cel phone. Just found out after some research that Samsung S series from U.S. will not work in Europe. Do you have any recommendations for budget friendly newly released phones that will support physical SIM cards?? Thanks😊
Hm....unfortunately this is not my area of expertise. Sorry!
My cell carrier was ATT. As I crossed the border into Canada my cell phone notified me that my carrier was at that point Rogers. Rates were the same. Must be a deal between ATT and Rogers.
Nice! Glad you had the right plan to handle the border crossing.
Thank you
You're welcome!
Excellent video
Thanks!
Thank You !
Welcome!
Hi Nora, loving your channel. I will be traveling to Vietnam/Cambodia. I have never used a New Sim card for calls/Data when traveling internationally (I live in the UK). Is it really as simple as putting a new sim in your phone? Or is there more to it? Please Help!!
Yes, and no. It depends on your phone and two things:
1) whether or not it's unlocked
2) if it's an eSIM only phone, or a manual SIM, or even a dual SIM.
Here's some more info: www.theprofessionalhobo.com/cell-phone-travel-basics-international-phone-plans-sim-cards-and-more/
I buy a sim at the airport when I go to France or UK
Getting SIM cards at the airport is a great strategy!
Very helpful although a bit more technical than I understand. Unfortunately we'll stay in a border town and crossing the borders often during the day. I suppose we'll have lots of roaming charges, and we'll simply have to suck it up. I plan on getting the $10/day plan for the 2 weeks, and I hope that covers the roaming charges.
If you are keeping your phone plan and paying the extra $10/day for the time you're there, then you should be fine.
@@NoraDunn thank you for all the excellent advice.
@@user-in1by8dg4q My pleasure! Happy travels :-)
We are ripped off so much by phone companies in the U.S. that even if I had a locked phone, I'd rather buy an unlocked phone specifically for travel than use the "international plans" offered by Verizon and the like. They absolutely SHAFT us at home and abroad, and we pay twice as much monthly for contract plans as people do even in Europe. Buying an unlocked phone and an international sim (or a sim for the country you're going to) makes as much sense (and is probably cheaper) than paying $5 for EVERY day you're abroad. That's ludicrous. You can get cheap unlocked phones online (especially used ones). Just do not rely on a U.S. phone company, please.
I agree! I would only use the "international plan" or "roaming add-on" if I absolutely needed to receive calls/texts to my "home" phone number while abroad, AND I was on a trip of short duration.
Wow! Another superior informational video, thank you, Nora! I'm retired and planning to move to Italy next year, and slow travel beyond. I have an unlocked iPhone8 with Verizon. I use Whatsapp and text, but will also need email access and data. What would you recommend? Grazie!
Exciting times, John!
Will you need access to your Verizon plan / home phone number whilst abroad? Also, how long are you traveling for? If it's a long trip of unknown length, then it might be worth porting your US number to an online service like Google Voice or Hushed or Skype or Tossable Digits. Then you only need a data connection to access your online phone number plus text, WhatsApp, email, internet, etc. You can get the data with an international data eSIM (that's what I do, with Flexiroam - I have data as soon as I land anywhere in the world without having to do anything), or you can buy a local SIM card in each country you visit - that gives you a data connection in that country.
We’re traveling to Spain and Portugal next month and the whole phone connectivity thing has been my biggest source of anxiety. We’re only going for 10 days and need to use WhatsApp, maps and Uber. I’m still debating what the best option would be since our business phone doesn’t support an eSim
Do you need to have access to your home phone number when you're abroad? If not, then you could just remove your home SIM card on arrival and buy a local SIM at the airport in Europe. You'll get local data that will give you WhatsApp, maps, and Uber.
@@NoraDunn thank you! I think that’s what we’re going to do
We’re off to the uk and thanks to your info will get a local sim at Heathrow. I don’t know about how much data I would need. It’s a 6 week trip and will keep in touch with my family there and also here in Australia via WhatsApp. Any recommendations please Nora?
@@shelleywallis4569 If WhatsApp (and probably a few other things like email and maps) is all you're using abroad, you won't need much data. It's when you start watching videos that the data adds up. I would say probably 5gb would be fine. You can probably top up if you need to.
I do Holafly or Airalo e-sim
Which one worked better for you?