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Best international phone plans: Roaming options for US travelers
AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer some of the best international phone plans in the US, while Holafly offers a more affordable global data option.
The best international phone plans for US travelers in 2026 come from T-Mobile (Experience Beyond), Verizon (International), AT&T (International Day Pass), and eSIM providers like Holafly for flexible, contract-free global coverage.
Here’s how each provider stacks up for US travelers heading abroad. This guide covers the best international phone plans from each provider, including their pricing, coverage, and features.
If none of these feel like the right choice for you, we’ll also introduce Holafly Plans — an eSIM subscription plan that allows you to stay connected in 160+ destinations worldwide with a single eSIM.
Best phone plans with international roaming
If you travel abroad frequently, getting a roaming-inclusive monthly plan is the way to go. These plans cost a little more each month but don’t include any additional charges for using your phone abroad. Let’s take a closer look at the best international phone plans in the US.
AT&T Unlimited Premium
AT&T Unlimited Premium is the most extensive AT&T international roaming plan. It extends your home plan’s allowances to the US, Canada, Mexico, and 20 Latin American countries. No AT&T plan offers include roaming further afield.
For $85.99/month, you get unlimited talk, text, and unlimited high-speed data in the covered destinations. This means that nearly all of North, South, and Central America is included, but you don’t get any roaming in any other continents.
T-Mobile Experience Beyond
The Experience Beyond plan is the way to go if you want to travel frequently with your T-Mobile plan. For $105 per month, you can use your T-Mobile eSIM or SIM in 215+ destinations worldwide, which means you get international data pretty much wherever you go.
Unlimited texts in all 215+ destinations are also included. However, the plan only offers international calls in the US, Canada, and Mexico. As for data, you get unlimited data within the US, up to 30 GB to use in Canada and Mexico, and up to 15 GB for all other destinations combined.
Verizon International
Verizon’s International Monthly plan is another one that offers near-worldwide coverage. You get to use Verizon international roaming in 210+ destinations worldwide for $100/month.
The phone plan includes unlimited data and texts as well as 250 minutes of international calls per month. That said, you only get 20 GB of high-speed data, after which, the speed slows down to 3G. This plan acts as an add-on to your current plan, so you can either add it for one month only or be billed for it monthly.
How does worldwide cellular coverage compare across providers? T-Mobile and Verizon both cover 210–215+ destinations with their roaming plans. AT&T’s monthly plan only extends to the Americas, though their day pass reaches 210+ countries.
Best roaming passes for international travel
Roaming-inclusive monthly plans are too expensive if you only travel once or twice a year. Thankfully, all major US-based providers offer international roaming pass options that let you keep using your phone abroad on short trips, while avoiding pay-per-use roaming fees.
AT&T International Day Pass
You can use your regular AT&T eSIM or SIM card abroad with their International Day Pass. For $12 per day, you can access your regular allowance of data, calls, and texts in 210+ destinations worldwide. You can also get a Cruise Pass for $20 per day, which gives you up to unlimited calls, texts, and 500 MB of data usage in 400+ cruises worldwide.
Once you enable the International Day Pass on your AT&T account, the daily fee is automatically charged whenever you use your phone abroad.
T-Mobile International Pass
T-Mobile has three different international pass options, allowing you to pick one that suits the duration of your stay abroad:
| Pass duration | Data allowance | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | 512 MB | $5 |
| 10 days | 5 GB | $35 |
| 30 days | 10 GB | $50 |
You can get T-Mobile international roaming passes in the same 215+ destinations that are covered by T-Mobile’s Experience Beyond plan. On top of data, all plans also include unlimited calls.
Verizon Travel Pass
Verizon’s Travel Pass is nearly identical to AT&T’s roaming pass. For $12 per day, you get access to unlimited data, calls, and texts in 210+ destinations. Only the first 5 GB/day is high-speed data; after that, the speed is reduced to 3G.
Travel Pass is enabled by default on most Verizon eSIM and SIM card cell phone plans, and you’ll be charged automatically whenever you use your phone outside of the US. If you don’t want to use this plan, you can disable this option through your Verizon account settings.
Mint Mobile Minternational Passes
Mint Mobile offers four international roaming passes, Minternational Passes, ranging from 1 to 30 days. These are available for over 180 destinations, including countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as many other popular travel destinations.
- 1-Day: 1 GB, 60 minutes, and 60 texts for $5
- 3-Day: 3 GB, 200 minutes, and 200 texts for $10
- 10-Day: Unlimited data with 10 GB of high-speed data, 500 minutes, and 500 texts for $10
- 30-Day No Data: 100 minutes and 100 texts for $5
To learn how to activate these passes, visit our dedicated Mint Mobile international roaming guide.
Ultra Mobile (T-Mobile MVNO) roaming rates and travel pass
Ultra Mobile is a virtual network operator run by T-Mobile and offers international roaming at pay-per-use rates in 210+ locations, as well as a travel pass for Mexico.
- Mexico: Unlimited talk and text and 5 GB of high-speed data each month for $5
- Pay-per-use rates: Roaming pricing varies by destination, with pricing starting at $0.02/MB, $0.25/minute, and $0.02/text. Texting and calling are free in Canada.
These are available on both SIM cards and the Ultra Mobile eSIM. Check out our detailed Ultra Mobile international roaming guide for more information.
Visible (Verizon MVNO)
Visible international roaming services include a Global Pass for 140 countries, available on all prepaid plans.
- $10 Global Pass: $10 daily with unlimited talk and texts and 2 GB of mobile data in 140 countries.
- $5 Global Pass: $5 daily in Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands with unlimited data, texts, and calls.
Depending on which Visible eSIM or SIM card plan you have, roaming in Canada and Mexico might be free.
Where do US international roaming plans work?
US-based carriers have their own roaming zones and pricing tiers that vary by country and region. These zones determine roaming charges and data allowances, and can make the difference between affordable roaming and a lengthy bill.
This lack of standardisation makes comparing phone plans a bit complex. Understanding your destination’s roaming zone and charges will help you avoid an unexpectedly large bill.
For this, we offer detailed guides to roaming in various destinations and regions worldwide. Check out the list below for current information on international roaming plans in your next destination:
- Europe (Central & Western): Roaming in Europe, roaming in Portugal, roaming in France, roaming in Italy, roaming in Spain, roaming in the UK
- North America: Roaming in Canada, roaming in New York, roaming in Mexico
- South America: Roaming in Peru
- Asia: Roaming in Japan
- Southeast Asia: Roaming in Malaysia, roaming in Thailand, roaming in Singapore, roaming in Indonesia
- Middle East: Roaming in Saudi Arabia, roaming in Egypt, roaming in Morocco
- Oceania: Roaming in Australia, roaming in New Zealand
Which are the best international phone plans in the US?
At the end of the day, there’s no single international phone plan that’s right for all users. All three US carriers mentioned above offer data roaming, phone calls, and texts abroad, so it’s up to you to choose a plan that suits your personal needs. To compare international roaming alternatives at a glance, here’s a breakdown of every plan and pass covered in this guide.
So, how does international data plan pricing compare?
| Plan | Data allowance | Coverage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Unlimited Premium | Unlimited | North and Latin America | $85.99/month |
| AT&T International Day Pass | Same as your monthly plan | 215+ destinations | $12/day |
| T-Mobile Experience Beyond | Up to 30 GB in Canada and Mexico, up to 15 GB in other destinations | 215+ destinations | $105/month |
| T-Mobile International Pass | 512 MB for 1 day, 5 GB for 10 days, 15 GB for 30 days | 215+ destinations | $5 for 1 day, $35 for 10 days, $50 for 30 days |
| Verizon International | 20 GB high-speed data, unlimited 3G | 210+ destinations | $100/month |
| Verizon Travel Pass | 5 GB high-speed data, unlimited 3G | 210 + destinations | $12/day |
Before buying one, make sure that these international phone plans work at the destination you plan to visit. Sure, most of them offer near-worldwide coverage, but you don’t want to spend your money only to learn that your holiday destination isn’t a part of it.
Holafly Plans: Get global coverage for less
What if you want near-global coverage without the monthly carrier price tag? Holafly Plans is a monthly eSIM subscription covering 160+ destinations with unlimited data, unlimited hotspot, and 24/7 customer support, with no long-term contracts or cancellation fees. For a single trip, browse unlimited data eSIMs and find a plan that suits you.
Holafly always has your back with Always On: 1 GB of built-in monthly backup data at no extra cost, ready as soon as your eSIM is activated. Whether you’re on a layover or crossing into a country your plan doesn’t cover, simply keep your Holafly eSIM installed and stay connected across 150+ global destinations.
Still weighing up your options? Our guide on how to avoid roaming charges covers everything
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges. Use local networks at local rates.
Visiting the US from abroad? Check out our articles on travel SIM cards by local providers:
Frequently asked questions
AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile are all local carriers with international plans. However, if you want unlimited global data, go with Holafly Plans: an eSIM subscription that offers unlimited data in 170 destinations for $64.90/month.
When traveling internationally, it’s often best to use international phone plan providers, such as Holafly, as they tend to offer services tailored to travelers rather than local users.
If you need unlimited global data, Holafly Plans is the cheapest option at $64.90/month. T-Mobile and Verizon also have roaming-inclusive plans with global coverage, but they’re priced at $105 and $100 per month, respectively.
Verizon’s International plan is one of the best for international calls, as it offers 250 minutes of calls per month from and to 210+ destinations.
Without one, you risk pay-per-use roaming charges that can reach $10+ per MB. Even a basic roaming pass at $12/day adds up to $168 over two weeks. A Holafly travel eSIM starts at $1.55/day with unlimited data — far cheaper and more predictable than unplanned roaming. For most travelers, the answer is yes.
T-Mobile and Verizon roaming plans support 5G, where available, though speeds may be throttled abroad. Holafly Plans offers up to 5G in supported destinations across 170+ countries. For short trips, Holafly travel eSIMs also connect at 5G/4G LTE, depending on local network availability.
Carrier roaming passes let you use your existing plan abroad but cap high-speed data: AT&T and Verizon at $12/day, T-Mobile from $5/day. Holafly travel eSIMs are fully prepaid with unlimited data from $1.55/day in 200+ destinations, no contract, and no SIM swapping required.
It ranges widely. Roaming passes from AT&T and Verizon cost $12/day. Monthly roaming-inclusive plans run $85–$105/month with limited international data. A travel eSIM is typically the cheapest option — plans start at under $2/day for unlimited data, depending on the provider and destination.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
