All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Few things are more frustrating than finding out that your texting and Instagramming on your last trip cost you an inordinate amount in roaming fees. Here's how to avoid those charges altogether with three major cell-phone carriers.
AT&T
Use att.com’s calculator to determine how much service you’ll need, and adjust your plan with a monthly add-on before you go. Even then, texts (20 cents each) and calls (from 38 cents per minute) can be pricey. Data, however, starts at a reasonable $30 per month, which should cover the average user, so download and use a texting app like WhatsApp that doesn’t send messages via SMS.
T-MOBILE
If you call the U.S. from overseas, it’ll cost you 20 cents a minute. Instead, send texts: International data and texts from 120 countries are already included in standard Simple Choice plans.
VERIZON
Verizon.com’s easy-to-use interactive planner shows a side-by-side comparison of data plan rates and roaming fees by country. All you need to do is choose the cheapest option depending on your specific needs.