How to Avoid Roaming Charges When Travelling Abroad
Don't let roaming charges ruin your travel budget. Learn the best strategies to stay connected abroad without the shocking phone bills.
Published 2025-01-03 · Updated 2025-01-19 · TripSIM Team
We've all heard horror stories of travellers returning home to find phone bills running into hundreds or even thousands of pounds. International roaming charges can quickly spiral out of control, especially with data usage. But with the right preparation, you can avoid these costly surprises entirely.
Understanding Roaming Charges
Roaming charges occur when you use your mobile phone on a foreign network. Your home carrier pays the foreign network for access, then passes these costs to you – often with a significant markup. Data roaming is typically the most expensive, with some UK networks charging up to £6 per MB outside of included roaming destinations.
Strategy 1: Use a Travel eSIM
The most effective way to avoid roaming charges is to use a travel eSIM like TripSIM. By using local network rates rather than your home carrier's roaming prices, you can save up to 90% on mobile data. eSIMs also let you keep your home SIM active for emergencies while routing all data through the more affordable travel plan.
Strategy 2: Disable Mobile Data Roaming
If you don't have an eSIM, the safest option is to disable data roaming entirely in your phone settings. On iPhone, go to Settings > Mobile Data > Data Roaming and toggle it off. On Android, navigate to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming. This prevents your phone from using mobile data abroad, though you'll still be able to connect to WiFi.
Strategy 3: Use WiFi Whenever Possible
- Hotels and accommodations almost always offer free WiFi
- Cafés and restaurants frequently provide WiFi to customers
- Airports and train stations often have free (or paid) WiFi
- Download maps, music, and content before leaving WiFi zones
- Use WiFi calling to make free calls over internet connections
Strategy 4: Check Your Network's Roaming Packages
Some UK mobile networks offer roaming add-ons or include certain destinations in their plans. Check with your provider before travelling, but compare their prices to eSIM options – dedicated travel eSIMs are often significantly cheaper.
Strategy 5: Download Content Before You Go
- Save offline maps in Google Maps or Apple Maps
- Download Netflix shows and Spotify playlists
- Save important documents to your device
- Pre-download translation language packs
- Bookmark essential websites for offline access
What If You Get a Surprise Roaming Bill?
If you do receive an unexpected roaming bill, contact your network immediately. Explain the situation and ask about bill caps or goodwill gestures. Many networks have policies to help customers who accidentally incurred charges. In the future, always set data roaming to off as your default setting.
Do I get charged for receiving calls while abroad?
Yes, with most UK networks you'll be charged for receiving calls while roaming, not just making them. This is another reason why using WiFi calling or an eSIM can save money.
Are there apps that use data without me knowing?
Yes, background app refresh, automatic updates, and cloud syncing can all use data. Disable these features when roaming, or use an eSIM with a generous data allowance for peace of mind.