What roaming really costs
The three big US carriers charge by the day or sell passes for using your phone abroad. Here's what a one- or two-week trip costs on each, next to a prepaid travel eSIM. Carrier prices checked 3 October 2026; eSIM prices are live.
A 7-day trip
| Destination | RoamLite eSIM | Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $4.99 (5 GB) | $84 | $84 | $50 |
| 🇫🇷 France | $5.49 (5 GB) | $84 | $84 | $50 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $4.99 (5 GB) | $84 | $84 | $50 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $4.99 (5 GB) | $84 | $84 | $50 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $5.49 (5 GB) | $84 | $84 | $50 |
| 🇪🇺 Europe | $22.49 (5 GB) | $84 | $84 | $50 |
A 14-day trip
| Destination | RoamLite eSIM | Verizon | AT&T | T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $4.99 (5 GB) | $168 | $120 | $75 |
| 🇫🇷 France | $5.49 (5 GB) | $168 | $120 | $75 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $4.99 (5 GB) | $168 | $120 | $75 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $4.99 (5 GB) | $168 | $120 | $75 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $5.49 (5 GB) | $168 | $120 | $75 |
| 🇪🇺 Europe | $22.49 (5 GB) | $168 | $120 | $75 |
How we worked these out
- Verizon TravelPass: $12 a day per line in 210+ destinations. 5 GB of high-speed data, then 3G speeds. Source
- AT&T International Day Pass: $12 a day for one line ($6 for each extra line). Never more than 10 daily fees per bill period. Source
- T-Mobile International Pass: $10 for 1 day (2 GB), $50 for 10 days (15 GB), or $75 for 30 days (30 GB). Source
- T-Mobile is the cheapest mix of passes that covers the whole trip. AT&T assumes the trip falls within one bill period.
- RoamLite is the cheapest plan with at least 5 GB that lasts the whole trip. Bigger plans are on each destination's page.
- Carrier prices are per line, before taxes and fees.
When roaming is the better deal
The carriers' passes aren't like for like with an eSIM. Verizon and AT&T include calls and texts on your own number, and T-Mobile's passes include more data. If you need to make lots of calls on your US number, or you're on a plan that already includes international data (some T-Mobile plans include up to 15 GB abroad), roaming may cost you nothing extra or be worth paying for.
Going to Canada or Mexico? Verizon charges $6 a day there, and many US plans include both countries at no extra cost. Check yours before you buy anything.
Before you buy an eSIM
Your phone has to support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Check your phone in 30 seconds, then find a plan for your trip.