Bell roaming in the USA: Plans, roaming packages, and pricing
Bell lets you roam in the USA, keeping you connected for calls, messages, and data, though relying heavily on your plan can get expensive.
If you are a Bell Canada customer planning to travel to the United States, you can use your Bell phone just like at home. The convenience is great, but the costs can quickly add up.
In this guide, you will learn about Bell roaming charges, available roaming packages, and alternatives like a Holafly eSIM to help you save money and stay connected with ease.

Does Bell work in the USA?
Yes, Bell works in the USA, but only if you are a postpaid customer. You can choose between Roam Better or Pay-Per-Use roaming options while traveling. Both connect you to U.S. networks, though costs vary depending on your usage.
There are no Bell international roaming options for prepaid customers in the United States, as Bell no longer offers prepaid plans directly. Instead, prepaid services are only available through Lucky Mobile, which does not include U.S. international roaming plans. This means that if you want to use your Bell phone in the USA, you need to be on a postpaid plan.
Bell roaming charges in the USA
Bell customers traveling to the USA can choose between Roam Better or Pay-Per-Use packages to stay connected and manage roaming expenses effectively.
Roam Better plan
Roam Better lets you use your Bell phone in the USA with unlimited talk and text, and access the data allowance from your Canadian plan. The cost is $13 CAD/day, and service lasts until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the same day.
What’s included:
- Price: $13 per day
- Includes: Unlimited talk and text, plus your Canadian data allowance
- Activation: Add through MyBell or text ROAM to 8000
- Alternative: For frequent travel, Bell suggests a monthly Unlimited Canada/U.S. plan
Pay-per-use plan
If you do not add Roam Better, you will be charged pay-per-use rates when traveling in the United States. These costs are often the highest Bell roaming charges in the USA and can add up very quickly, especially if you use data or make longer calls while abroad.
Pay-per-use rates:
- Calls: $1.99 per minute
- Data: $6.00 per MB
- Texts: $0.99 per sent text, $0.20 per received text
How to activate Bell roaming in the USA
Activating your Bell roaming plan USA is straightforward. The process will vary depending on whether you’re using Roam Better or Pay-Per-Use roaming.
- Roam Better plan
To activate Roam Better, simply text ROAM to 8000 or log into MyBell and add the Roam Better option to your account. Once activated, it stays on your account for all future trips. You’ll only be charged on days you use your phone in the U.S., such as making or receiving calls, sending texts, using data, or accessing Apple Live Voicemail.
- Pay-per-use plan
Pay-Per-Use roaming doesn’t require any setup. When you arrive in the U.S., just turn on your phone, and it will automatically connect to a local bell roaming partner in the USA. Charges are then applied based on your actual usage; per minute for calls, per text sent or received, and per megabyte of data used. This option is ideal if you only need to use your phone occasionally while traveling.
Roaming option | Activation Method | When You’re Charged |
---|---|---|
Roam Better | Text ROAM to 8000 or add via MyBell | Only on days you use your phone in the U.S. |
Pay-Per-Use | No activation needed | Per minute, per text, or per MB of data |
Stay connected in the USA with Holafly
Avoiding high Bell roaming rates in the USA doesn’t have to be complicated. With Holafly’s eSIM, you can connect to reliable, high-speed 5G internet as soon as you land with no extra fees, no SIM swapping, and no stress.
Setting up your Holafly eSIM takes just a few minutes. After purchase, you’ll receive a QR code by email. Simply scan it with your phone to activate your plan, and you’ll be online instantly. This means you can order a ride from the airport, message loved ones, or check maps without worrying about roaming costs.
While some travelers consider buying a prepaid SIM card in the USA, this often involves visiting a store, changing your phone number, and going through lengthy activation steps. With Holafly, you skip all that hassle. Your current number stays the same for calls and texts on apps like WhatsApp or iMessage.
Holafly’s Unlimited Plan is just $1.55 to $6.90 per day, depending on the duration of your plan, and gives you unlimited data and hotspot sharing, making it perfect for heavy data users or longer stays. With coverage in 200+ destinations, Holafly is a travel companion you can rely on for your U.S. trip and beyond.
Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of September 9 2025, and is subject to change.