How to Avoid Roaming Charges While Traveling
The single most effective way to avoid roaming charges is turning off data roaming on your home SIM before you fly and switching to a travel eSIM instead. Combine that with Wi-Fi calling and disabling background app refresh, and a surprise bill becomes very unlikely.
Turn Off Data Roaming Before You Fly
This is the single biggest fix. Go into your phone's cellular settings and turn off data roaming for your home SIM before you leave, or before you land if you forget. This alone prevents the most common source of shock roaming bills — your phone connecting automatically to a foreign network the moment you land.
Set Up a Travel eSIM Before You Leave
A travel eSIM covers the data your home carrier's roaming charges would otherwise bill you for, at close to local rates instead of your carrier's roaming markup. Install it before you fly so you land already connected — see how eSIM works for the full walkthrough.
Disable Background Data for Heavy Apps
Email sync, cloud photo backups, and app refresh all run in the background and quietly use data even if your phone stays in your pocket. Check your settings for background app refresh and cloud backup, and disable anything you don't need running constantly while abroad.
Use Wi-Fi Calling and Messaging Apps
Wi-Fi calling lets your phone make and receive calls over a Wi-Fi connection instead of the cellular network, sidestepping both data and voice roaming charges. WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Signal all work the same way for messages and calls, as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi or your travel eSIM's data.
Check Your Carrier's Included Roaming First
Some plans include limited roaming in specific regions — EU residents traveling within the EU/EEA usually get data at home rates under "roam like at home" rules, and some US carriers include throttled data abroad. Check what's already included before assuming you need to pay extra or buy a separate eSIM.
Set up before you fly and skip the roaming markup entirely.
Use code Sahrzad15 at checkout for a discount.
For the full cost breakdown, see eSIM vs. roaming: which is cheaper.
Frequently asked questions
Should I turn off data roaming on my phone before flying?
Yes, unless you have a specific roaming plan you intend to use. Turning off data roaming on your home SIM prevents accidental pay-per-use charges the moment you land, before you have a chance to set up a travel eSIM.
Do background apps use data roaming even if I don't open my phone?
Yes, and this is one of the most common sources of surprise roaming bills. Email sync, cloud backups, and app refreshes all run in the background and can rack up real charges within hours of landing if roaming is left on.
Can I use Wi-Fi calling to avoid roaming charges?
Yes, Wi-Fi calling lets you make and receive calls over Wi-Fi instead of the cellular network, avoiding both data and voice roaming charges as long as you're connected to Wi-Fi.
Is it cheaper to buy an eSIM before I travel or after I land?
Before you travel, in almost every case. Buying an eSIM in advance means you're online the moment you land, and most providers price plans the same whether bought a week early or at the airport.