If you’ve ever wondered how to use your phone in a different country, then this is the article for you. When choosing the best phone plan, you have a few options to protect yourself from an outrageous phone bill while overseas.

The way I see it, there are three options: read on to see which option is best for you to use your phone while abroad.

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Before I jump into the three options, there’s two important things you should keep in mind:

• Permitting that you turn off ‘cellular data’ and turn on ‘airplane mode’ and ‘wifi’, your phone will work as a tablet while traveling. You can make calls, send iMessages, and use your apps while on WiFi and not incur charges.
• You can download languages in your Google Translate App, currencies in your currency converter apps, and even download maps to use offline in Google Maps. Using these few things offline have helped me to avoid paying for data or SIM cards abroad

What is the best way to use your phone in a different country?

Okay, now on to the three phone options while you travel:

Same Phone, New Plan

Who it’s best for: Short-term travelers who want to use their phone freely in another country.
What it is: It means that the user keeps their same phone and either purchases a new plan for their phone or changes the SIM card in their phone to one from the country they are in.
What it costs: A new SIM card costs a few dollars in most countries. Sometimes they come free with the purchase of data. Data has cost me anywhere from $14 for a month of unlimited data in Thailand to $50 for a month of unlimited data in the EU.
Other notes: I think this is the best option for most people, but feel free to prove me wrong!

New Phone, New Plan

Who it’s best for: I only recommend this for people who are expatriating to a different country but plan to come back to the US. This could also be a good option for students going on a study abroad program. This is only a good option if the new plan has an option to get out of the contract upon return to the US or the person wants to stay with the provider after they return.
What it is: This option requires the user to have a phone that is on a network that is available internationally but is based in the US. This includes contract-based carriers such as Google Fi and T-Mobile.
What it costs: Google Fi costs either $50/month or $17/month plus any data used. T-Mobile costs $43/month on autopay.
Other Notes: Google FI has a promotion on new phones when you start a plan with the provider. This brings down the cost of the phone by 40-60%.

Same Phone, Same Plan

Who it’s best for: Short term travelers that do not want to worry about changing SIM cards or plans and plan on using their phones for ‘the basics’ while traveling. This might include a quick glance at a map, but not streaming or being in constant contact back home.
What it is: Users go to their provider at home and let them know that they’ll be traveling. The company then adds an international plan to your phone. Typically, users will just be changed for the days that they use their international calls, texts, and data.
What it costs: This option is $10/day through Verizon, and has similar rates to other carriers.
Other notes: This option typically has some restrictions to how much data can be used. You’ll incur some significant charges if you go too far over your allotment.

I’m speaking from my experience here. Feel free to fact check me or tell me how you circumnavigated the ‘phone thing’ while traveling in the comments!

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