Telus roaming: Rates, plans, and coverage 

Telus international roaming offers roaming services for tourists and travellers planning a trip outside Canada. But what exactly are Telus roaming services, and how can they help you use your phone abroad?

This blog covers all of Telus’s options for staying connected internationally, including roaming plans, prices, validity, and coverage. Keep reading to find out which international roaming plan is best for you and to discover other cost-effective alternatives, such as unlimited data travel eSIMs. 

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What is Telus international roaming?

Besides providing mobile network services in Canada, Telus also offers international travellers and tourists roaming plans to help them text, talk and use the internet on trips abroad.

This is made possible through partnerships with foreign networks and carriers; if you’re on a Telus international roaming plan abroad, your phone will connect to one of these networks to keep you connected.

Currently, Telus offers roaming services in three main categories:

• Easy Roam 
• Easy Roam Travel Pass
• Pay-per-use 

Telus international roaming destinations

Telus’ Easy Roam roaming plan is available in over 200 destinations. If you’re currently on any Telus monthly rate plan, you’ll be able to use this roaming option. 

You can also opt for an Easy Roam Travel Pass, which offers international coverage in four regions and over 90 destinations combined: the USA, Caribbean and Mexico destinations, Asia, and Europe. 

Telus international roaming charges

Prices for each international plan start at: 

• Easy Roam: $14-16 CAD per day 
• Easy Roam Travel Pass: $40-70
• Pay-per-use: $1.60-7 per voice minute, $0.75 per SMS sent, $5-10 per MB of data

Keep reading for an in-depth breakdown of each plan and which might be the best option for you. 

Telus international roaming plans: A breakdown 

Prices vary for each Telus roaming plan based on destination and validity. Here’s a table with a brief, side-by-side comparison of what to expect for each roaming service: 

Easy Roam 

Easy Roam is one of Telus’s main international roaming plans, available in over 200 destinations. It costs $14 per day for trips to the United States, and $16 per day for other destinations.

Here’s what’s included: 

• You can use all the data from your monthly rate plan, including shared data. 
• You’ll be able to call phone numbers in Canada and local numbers according to your destination, and receive/send texts to any phone number worldwide. 
• Easy Roam does not include data usage on cruise ships or international flights. You’ll be charged $0.75 per text sent and $7 per minute if you text or call on an international flight or cruise ship. 

Easy Roam only activates once you use data, send a text, or make/receive a call abroad. Receiving texts doesn’t activate Easy Roam; however, sending texts will incur the Easy Roam daily fee. Once activated, Easy Roam will be valid for the entire day until 11:59 PM in the time zone you’re in. If you don’t want to use it the next day, turn data roaming off to ensure you won’t be charged. 

If you run out of data from your monthly allowance, you’ll be able to top-up your account through the usual MY TELUS app process. Rates are the same as you would pay in Canada, $35 for 2 GB of data on Standard Plans or $25 for 3 GB of data for those on an Endless Plan.

Do you tend to use a lot of data-heavy apps? You might find yourself needing to top up, just like at home. An alternative is choosing unlimited data with a travel eSIM. Holafly’s eSIM for the USA gives you a 7-day trip to the USA for $40 CAD ($6 per day). On the other hand, Telus offers an Easy Roam Travel Pass for the same price but only with data included in your existing plan. 

Easy Roam Travel Pass

Telus’ Easy Roam Travel Pass is a more suitable option if you’re interested in international roaming packages for specific durations and multiple destinations such as Asia, Europe, and the USA. 

What’s included is very similar to Telus’ Easy Roam roaming plan. When you purchase an Easy Roam Travel Pass, you’ll be able to access your existing data allowances in your monthly rate plan and unlimited talk and text.

Easy Roam Travel Passes are available in over 90 destinations and have specific validity for the USA, the Caribbean, Mexico, Asia, and Europe. Prices range between $40 and $70, with validities of either 7 or 14 days. Refer back to the tables earlier in this article to see which plan your next destination is included within, how much it will cost, and what else is included.

Similarly, you can purchase top-ups from the My TELUS app if you run out or exceed your data allowances. 

It’s important to know that the Easy Roam Travel Pass is valid from the day you activate it, i.e., use data, talk, or text abroad. You also have 30 days from the date of purchase to use up your pass. 

If you’re looking for a more cost-effective solution for long-term travel, consider Holafly Connect. This monthly subscription service is ideal for frequent travellers, remote workers, and digital nomads looking to stay connected abroad. 

For $64.90 (~$89 CAD) per month, you can get unlimited data for an entire month, plus unlimited hotspot tethering for the rest of your devices. This service is available in over 170 destinations and works out better for long-haul holidays, plus you can cancel anytime with no extra charges. 

In comparison, a four-week trip to Europe with a Telus Easy Roam Travel Pass will set you back $100, and you’ll only be able to use existing data in your monthly rate plan. 

Pay-per-use

Telus pay-per-use rates are based on calling, texting, or data usage and vary depending on the zone you’re in. Here’s a table breaking down the prices for talk, text and data in different zones: 

How to add a Telus roaming plan to your phone

The best way to activate and manage Telus roaming packages is through their My TELUS app. 

One way to add Easy Roam to your account is to text ROAM to 7626. Another way is to log in to your My TELUS app and add it there. Using the app, you can also add an Easy Roam Travel Pass to your account. 

Do you need to turn on data roaming for Telus international data roaming plans? 

Yes, data roaming must be enabled in your phone’s settings so that your phone can access foreign roaming networks. 

If this is not turned on, your phone cannot use mobile data abroad even if you’ve already added an Easy Roam plan or Easy Roam Travel Pass. 

Once you’ve added either of these plans to your account and turned data roaming on, you’ll activate Telus international roaming services once you use your mobile phone abroad for texting, calling, or browsing. If you haven’t purchased an Easy Roam plan or pass and turn on data roaming while abroad, you’ll automatically incur pay-per-use charges.

Here’s how you can turn on data roaming to activate Telus international roaming services on your cell phone:

How to activate international roaming on an iPhone: 

1. Go to Settings. 
2. Tap Mobile Service. 
3. Tap your primary number. 
4. Scroll down and toggle the Data Roaming button. 

How to activate international roaming on an Android: 

1. Go to Settings. 
2. Tap Network and Internet or Connections. 
3. Tap Mobile network
4. Turn Data roaming on. 

Smarter international travel solutions: Holafly eSIMs

Telus international roaming plans allow you to use your monthly rate plans in over 200+ destinations – no more worrying about staying connected abroad. However, you’re only allowed your plan’s existing data allowances, and if you’ve already used most of it for the month, you’ll have to purchase data add-ons. 

On the contrary, opting for an international travel eSIM from Holafly will give you unlimited data in over 200 destinations worldwide. You can also purchase travel eSIMs for entire regions such as Europe and Asia, so you never have to switch SIMs or plans when crossing borders. 

For as little as $65 CAD for 14 days ($6 per day), you can get unlimited data in Europe plus 1 GB of daily hotspot sharing for the rest of your devices with Holafly’s eSIM for Europe. In comparison, Telus’ Easy Roam Travel Pass for Europe will set you back $50 to use your home plan’s data for the same period.

Signing up is easy. All you need to do is download the Holafly app, purchase your plan, install the eSIM before your trip, and turn it on as soon as you land in your destination to start using your phone abroad. Manage your plan from the app to add more days, and match your plan to the duration of your vacation. No SIM switching or hidden roaming charges make travel eSIMs the future of mobile travel solutions.

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Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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