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Vodafone AU international roaming: Prices, plans, and coverage
Planning an international trip from Australia? As a Vodafone customer, you have various Vodafone international roaming options.
Vodafone Australia, or Vodafone AU, offers international roaming for travellers who need to use their phones to text, call, and access the internet outside Australia. This blog covers various Vodafone AU roaming options that allow you to use your phone internationally.
How do these options compare to other cost-effective alternatives, such as unlimited data travel eSIMs, and are the prices worth it? Keep reading to learn more about Vodafone international roaming plans, prices, and destinations.
Avoid excessive roaming fees
Don't get caught out by data roaming charges on holiday. Use local networks at local rates.
What is Vodafone AU international roaming?
Vodafone provides broadband and mobile services to users all across Australia. Vodafone international roaming services allow you to use your phone abroad through specific international roaming plans, standard roaming rates, or roaming packs.
If you’re on a Vodafone AU international roaming plan, you can use your phone number to make calls, send or receive texts, and access the internet. This is possible through partnerships with foreign networks and carriers.
Currently, Vodafone AU international roaming services offer roaming options in four different categories:
- $5 Roaming
- Pay-As-You-Go Roaming
- In-Flight/Maritime Roaming
- Prepaid Roaming Add-on
Vodafone roaming countries
Vodafone’s main roaming solution, $5 Roaming, is available in over 100 destinations. If you’re not on a Vodafone plan eligible for $5 Roaming, you’ll have to opt for Pay-As-You-Go Roaming.
If you’re not on an eligible plan for $5 Roaming and don’t want to be subject to Pay-As-You-Go Roaming rates, you can always opt for Prepaid International Roaming Add-ons. These are available in 80 selected destinations.
| Plans | Destinations included |
|---|---|
| $5 Roaming | Åland Islands, Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia (including Bali), In-flight Roaming Airlines, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Republic of Moldova, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Mozambique, Myanmar (excluding data), Nauru, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Samoa, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Republic of Tanzania, Thailand, East Timor, Tonga, Türkiye, Ukraine, UK (England), Uruguay, USA (America), Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (U.S.), Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Wales. |
| Prepaid International Roaming Add-ons | Albania, Greece, Mexico, Solomon Islands, Argentina, Guernsey (UK), Monaco, South Africa, Armenia, Hong Kong, Montenegro, Spain, Austria, Hungary, Nauru, Sri Lanka, Belgium, Iceland, Netherlands, Sweden, Brazil, India, New Zealand, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Norway, Taiwan, Cambodia, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Thailand, Canada, Isle of Man (UK), Paraguay, Tonga, Chile, Israel, Philippines, Türkiye, China, Italy, Poland, UK, Croatia, Japan, Portugal, USA (America), Cyprus, Jersey (UK), Romania, Uruguay, Czechia, South Korea, Russia, US Virgin Islands, Denmark, Latvia, Samoa, Vanuatu, Estonia, Liechtenstein, San Marino, Vatican City, Fiji, Lithuania, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, Finland, Luxembourg, Serbia & Montenegro, France, Macau, Singapore, Germany, Malaysia, Slovak Republic, Gibraltar, Malta, and Slovenia |
Vodafone international roaming charges
Charges for each international plan start at:
- $5 Roaming: $5 AUD per day for text, talk, and data
- Pay-As-You-Go Roaming: $1 per minute, $0.75 per text, $1 per MB
- Inflight Roaming: $5 per day
- Maritime Roaming: $5 per minute, $0.75 per text, $1 per MB
- Prepaid Roaming Add-ons: $5-35
Keep reading for more details on each plan, including eligibility, validity, and allowances for voice minutes, texts and data and how you can use Vodafone overseas.
Vodafone international roaming plans: A breakdown
Before taking a closer look at each Vodafone roaming plan, here’s a table with side-by-side comparisons:
| Plans | Price | Validity | Talk | Text | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $5 Roaming | $5 per day | 24 hours | Minutes included within existing plan | Texts included within existing plan | Data included within existing plan |
| Pay-As-You-Go Roaming | $1 per voice minute, $0.75 per text, $1 per MB | – | – | – | – |
| In-Flight Roaming | $5 per day | 24 hours | Minutes included within existing plan | Texts included within existing plan | Data included within existing plan |
| Maritime Roaming | $5 per voice minute, $0.75 per text, $1 per MB | – | – | – | – |
| Prepaid International Roaming Add-ons | $5-35 | 1-7 days | 25-200 minutes | 30-300 texts | 200 MB – 2 GB |
$5 Roaming
You are only eligible for the $5 Roaming plan if you’re a Vodafone user and are on an existing Vodafone Infinite, Plus Plan, or Vodafone Infinite Data plan. With this plan, you can use your existing plan and its talk, text, and data allowances in over 100 destinations for $5 extra daily.
If you use up all of your included data, texts and voice minutes, you can add 1 GB for $5. This excludes data capped at speeds up to 1.5Mbps, 2Mbps, 10Mbps, and 25Mbps. Once you begin using your included data/calls/minutes, you’ll be charged the $5 fee.
On the other hand, if you’re on a Business Flex Plan, any additional data will be charged per KB at $5/GB if you use up all your included data.
Tip: You can check how much data, minutes, and texts you’ve used in real time on the My Vodafone app to avoid hitting limits or incurring extra charges.
While voice minutes and texts do not use data, most apps on your phone do, especially data-heavy apps like Instagram, YouTube, and Netflix. Set alerts and limits for this, or estimate how much data you’ll need for your trip with a data calculator.
If your current Vodafone plan comes with limited internet, this may prove to be a problem while on holiday. Did you know that holidaymakers spend over seven hours daily on their mobile phones?
If you plan to use your phone extensively, an unlimited data eSIM might be the ideal option. Let’s say you’re planning a five-day trip to the United States. With Holafly’s eSIM for the USA, you’d only have to pay a total of $32 AUD ($6 per day) for unlimited data, high-speed internet, and no hidden roaming charges.
You’ll never have to worry about running out of data again, and you can match your plan to your vacation, so you never have to pay for more than you need!
Pay-As-You-Go Roaming
Pay-as-you-go, or pay-per-use roaming, charges for every minute, text, or MB of data used. Vodafone AU offers this international roaming option as well. However, it isn’t financially feasible, especially for extended vacations.
Vodafone’s roaming policies state that Pay-As-You-Go Roaming rates will only apply if you’re travelling to a destination where $5 Roaming isn’t available, your current plan isn’t eligible for $5 Roaming, or you don’t have $5 Roaming switched on.
Pay-As-You-Go Roaming rates are:
- $1 for every minute to make or receive calls
- $0.75 for every text/PXT sent (no charges on receiving SMS)
- $1 for every MB of data used (where available)
This international roaming option isn’t included in your plan, and you’ll have to pay the extra charges on your bill.
In-Flight Roaming
With Vodafone international roaming, you can stay connected while on international flights. However, this is only valid for customers on a Vodafone Infinite, Plus Plan, Vodafone Infinite Data Plan, or Business Flex Plan.
You can use all the allowances within your current plan for an extra $5 per day; you can add 1 GB of data for $5 if you use up all of your included data. If you’re on a Business Flex Plan, any additional data will be charged per KB ($5/GB or $0.005/MB)
If you’re not on any of these plans or are ineligible for $5 Roaming, you’ll be charged Pay-As-You-Go Roaming rates. Double-check to ensure Vodafone offers In-Flight Roaming for your selected airline before travelling.
Maritime Roaming
This international roaming option will apply if you’re on a cruise, international or even around Australia:
- $5 per minute to make and receive calls
- $0.75 to send texts (no charges on texts received)
- $1 per MB of data used
Vodafone has international roaming partnerships with Telenor Maritime and Wireless Maritime Services.
Prepaid Roaming Add-ons
This international roaming option is eligible for Vodafone customers whose last recharge was Prepaid Plus or Pay and Go.
Vodafone offers three Prepaid Roaming Add-on options in 80 selected destinations:
| Prepaid Roaming Add-ons | Price | Validity | Talk | Text | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Add-on 1 | $5 | 1 day | 25 voice minutes | 30 texts | 200 MB |
| Add-on 2 | $15 | 3 days | 90 voice minutes | 120 texts | 750 MB |
| Add-on 3 | $35 | 7 days | 200 voice minutes | 300 texts | 2 GB |
The expiry period for each Add-on begins at midnight (Australia Eastern Standard Time) on the day you purchase.
Once you’ve exhausted your Add-on allowances and decide not to renew, you’ll be charged pay-as-you-go prepaid international roaming rates if you continue to use your phone in the specific destinations.
Tip: Enable data roaming only when you want to use cellular data abroad. Keep it off to avoid background apps using data, especially when you’re on Pay-As-You-Go plans.
Make sure to double-check that Prepaid Roaming Add-ons are included in the destination you’re travelling to. Otherwise, you’ll be charged prepaid international roaming rates.
If you’re planning a long-haul vacation and expect to be on your phone throughout, you may anticipate high international roaming charges. The good news is, it doesn’t have to be like that.
Holafly Connect offers frequent travellers, digital nomads, remote workers, and holidaymakers a way to stay connected for long periods of time at cost-effective prices.
On the other hand, four weeks on Vodafone’s Prepaid Roaming Add-ons will rack up a $140 bill for only 8 GB. While you also get text and call allowance with Vodafone’s roaming plans, with Holafly Connect, you can get 10 GB of internet for an entire month for only $39.90 USD (~$55 AUD).
Holafly Connect also offers an unlimited data option for $64.90 (~$100 AUD) for a whole month, plus unlimited hotspot tethering for the rest of your devices!
How to add a Vodafone AU roaming plan to your phone
For Vodafone’s international roaming services, the best way to activate and manage roaming options is through their app, My Vodafone.
Vodafone’s $5 Roaming plan will activate automatically upon switching your phone on in one of the eligible destinations. Check roaming has been activated through the My Vodafone app.
To activate one of Vodafone’s Prepaid Roaming Add-ons, text 1511, or add an option through My Vodafone or Express Recharge. Once purchased, you’ll have to activate roaming through My Vodafone.
Do you need to turn on data roaming for Vodafone international 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 a $5 Roaming plan, In-Flight/Maritime plan, or a Prepaid Roaming Add-on.
Make sure to activate your chosen Vodafone international roaming option before using data, texting or calling. If not, you’ll be charged Vodafone’s Pay-As-You-Go roaming rates. Many travellers tend to make this mistake, resulting in a lengthy bill at the end of their trip!
Here’s how you can turn on data roaming to activate Vodafone international roaming services on your cell phone:
How to activate international roaming in an iPhone:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Mobile Service.
- Tap your primary number.
- Scroll down and toggle the Data Roaming button.
How to activate international roaming on an Android:
- Go to Settings.
- Tap Network and Internet or Connections.
- Tap Mobile network
- Turn Data roaming on.
An affordable alternative to Vodafone international roaming: Holafly
Vodafone’s $5 Roaming lets you use your existing mobile plan in 100+ global destinations. It’s a handy way to stay connected while abroad. This said, this approach will eat into your existing data, and may leave you needing to switch to expensive pay-as-you-go rates.
By opting for an international travel eSIM from Holafly, you’ll get unlimited data in over 200 destinations all across the world. Never worry whether your international roaming plan offers coverage in your travel destination!
For as little as $1.55/day compared to Vodafone’s Prepaid Roaming Add-ons and $5 Roaming plan, you can stay connected no matter what your home plan is. All you need is a minute to sign up.
| Plans | Validity | Price | Data |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 Roaming | 1 day | $5/day | Only data included in your existing plan |
| Prepaid Roaming Add-ons | 1-7 days | $5-35 | 200 MB – 2 GB |
| Holafly | Match your plan to your holiday: 1 to 90 days! | As little as $1.55/day (~$2 AUD) | Unlimited |
Setting up your eSIM is easy — just a few clicks and taps. You can manage your plan from your phone via the Holafly app or computer. Match your plan to your vacation so you never have to pay for what you don’t need.
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International eSIMs, local networks. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Holafly.
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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!
