Getting hit with a massive phone bill after a relaxing holiday is the last thing you want when already struggling with those pesky post-holiday blues. For some destinations, data roaming may be free for you. Like, if you are from the EU and travelling somewhere else in the EU.
However, there are many cases when data roaming isn’t free and comes at an extra cost. For example, many UK networks reintroduced roaming fees for Europe, so staying connected whilst abroad with a UK SIM has become a bit of a minefield.
I’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the costs and keep your data usage in check. It’s all about being prepared before you even reach the airport! But more on that below.
First, I’ll discuss the reasons why roaming charges are so expensive, before sharing the best methods I use to avoid these extra costs (including my favourite – a Saily eSIM) whilst still accessing the internet throughout my travels, as seamlessly as possible!
Why is roaming so expensive?
When you use your phone abroad, your home provider has to pay a local network to let you use their infrastructure. These “wholesale” costs are often passed on to you with a significant markup, especially if you aren’t on a specific travel plan.
For example, in the UK (since Brexit), many of the big networks like EE, Vodafone, and Three have brought back daily roaming charges for Europe, typically around £2 to £2.50 per day. If you’re heading further afield, like the US or Australia, those costs can spiral even higher if you’re paying per megabyte – I have a table detailing these costs below.
Example of data roaming costs for UK residents in the EU:
| Network | Daily Charge | Details |
| Three | £2.00 | Applies to “Go Roam in Europe” for most pay-monthly customers. |
| EE | £2.47 – £2.59 | This covers 47 European destinations for those on newer plans. |
| Vodafone | £2.42 – £2.57 | Charged for “Zone B” which covers most of the EU. |
| Sky Mobile | £2.00 | Their “Roaming Passport Plus” covers over 55 destinations. |
How to avoid roaming charges
The most effective way to save money is to stop using your home SIM’s data altogether. So, make sure to turn off data roaming for your home SIM card and use an alternative method of accessing the internet.
There are a few different ways to stay online without relying on your UK provider’s expensive daily rates. I will take you through each of them below, starting with my favourite method, using an eSIM.
1. Use an eSIM instead
An eSIM is a digital version of the plastic SIM card you’re used to, and it’s become my go-to for every trip. You can download a data plan directly to your phone, allowing you to access local networks at local prices without swapping physical cards. Find out more about what an eSIM is here.
I recommend using Saily, my go-to eSIM provider. They offer affordable prices, reliable connections, great speeds, and additional security features. I will go into more detail about the benefits of using Saily’s eSIM below.
Pros
- You can set it up before you leave.
- Access the internet the moment you arrive.
- You can keep your local SIM active.
- Much cheaper than data roaming.
Cons
- Older phones may not be compatible.
- Most eSIMs are data-only, so no SMS.
eSIM prices versus roaming
I have saved a significant amount of money by switching to an eSIM for my travels. With a Saily eSIM, you can pay as little as £0.25 per day, depending on your plan, whilst UK data roaming can cost up to £7.50 per day.
It is difficult to give an exact like-for-like comparison, as your total cost depends on your network provider and how much data you actually use. To help you visualise the potential savings, I have compared the total cost of two popular Saily plans against the average UK roaming fees for a typical trip.
| Destination | 7 Days (1GB Saily*) | 7 Days (Roaming) | 30 Days (10GB Saily) | 30 Days (Roaming) |
| France | £2.98 | £15.75 | £14.93 | £67.50 |
| Spain | £2.98 | £15.75 | £11.94 | £67.50 |
| USA | £2.98 | £35.00 | £14.93 | £150.00 |
| Turkey | £2.98 | £52.50 | £12.78 | £225.00 |
| Thailand | £2.24 | £52.50 | £6.39 | £225.00 |
| Japan | £2.98 | £52.50 | £14.21 | £225.00 |
*Whilst 1GB might sound small, I find it’s more than enough for a week of using Google Maps, and sending a few photos of my vegan croissants to the family group chat. If you’re a heavy social media user or want to stream music, the 3GB, 10GB, or 20GB plans are still significantly cheaper than roaming.
Benefits of Saily’s eSIM
Saily is the eSIM provider I personally use whilst travelling, and they make the whole process incredibly simple. You can set everything up in the app before you leave, and the data activates automatically the moment you land at your destination.
One of the best features is that you only need to download one eSIM for all your future trips. Instead of installing a new one every time you change countries, you simply top up your existing Saily eSIM with a new plan for whichever country or region you’re visiting next.
It’s also surprisingly secure, as it’s backed by the team behind NordVPN. The app even includes a built-in ad blocker, which, as well as being less annoying, can actually save you nearly 30% of your data by blocking heavy, uninvited content from loading.
Find out more about the brand in my Saily eSIM review.
2. Use public WiFi networks
Whilst it isn’t always the most reliable, sticking to WiFi in hotels, cafes, and restaurants is a classic way to access the internet whilst travelling. Just remember to turn off your “WiFi Assist” or “Network Booster” settings (unless you already have your home SIM’s data roaming already turned off). Otherwise, your phone might sneakily switch back to mobile data if the signal drops.
It is worth noting that public Wi-Fi networks can be easily compromised, leaving your personal data at risk. This is why I always recommend using a VPN whenever using public WiFi. My favourite VPN is NordVPN, a leading VPN provider – find out more in my NordVPN review.
Pros
- It costs absolutely nothing to use.
- Most hotels, cafes, and transport hubs have it.
Cons
- Public WiFi networks aren’t safe (without a VPN).
- You can only access the internet in that spot.
3. Buy a local SIM
If you have an older phone that isn’t eSIM compatible, you can still buy a physical local SIM card at the airport or in town. It’s usually cheaper than roaming, but it does mean looking for a shop, keeping track of that tiny piece of plastic from home, and potentially missing important texts to your UK number.
Moreover, some countries require an ID to purchase a local SIM card, adding even more hassle!
Pros
- It’s often a cheap way to get a lot of data.
- You get a local phone number.
Cons
- You have to find a shop.
- May need to deal with potential language barriers.
- SIM cards are fiddly and can easily get lost.
Extra tips to save data
You can save a lot of money by buying an eSIM instead of using your phone’s data roaming abroad, but there are also a few other ways in which you can save even more money – by using less data whilst travelling! Here are my top tips:
- Turn on Saily’s ad blocker on the phone app (proven to save up to 28% of data).
- Download your Google Maps for offline use so you can navigate without using a single kilobyte.
- Download the local language on Google Translate so you can translate offline.
- Turn off background app refresh in your settings to stop social media apps from eating data whilst your phone is in your pocket.
- Set your streaming apps, like Spotify or Netflix, to “Download only” mode so you don’t accidentally stream a high-definition video on a bus.
- Make sure your photo library isn’t trying to sync your holiday snaps to the cloud until you’re back on stable hotel WiFi.
Verdict: How to avoid roaming charges
Avoiding a shocking phone bill after your holiday really comes down to taking control of your internet connection before you fly. Whilst public WiFi is great for a quick check-in, having a dedicated data plan is much safer and more convenient for navigating new cities.
Using an eSIM service like Saily has completely changed how I travel. I no longer have to hunt for physical SIM shops or worry about hidden fees. Plus, the money I save on roaming usually covers at least one or two extra feasts at a local restaurant!
FAQs
Will my phone still work with an eSIM?
Most smartphones released after 2018 are eSIM compatible, including the iPhone XS and newer models. You can check this easily by looking for an “Add eSIM” option in your phone’s cellular or mobile data settings.
Can I still receive texts on my home number?
Yes, as long as you keep your physical SIM in your phone and turned on. Your eSIM handles all the data, whilst your original number stays active for important texts or security codes.
Do I need a new eSIM for every country?
With Saily, you only need to install one eSIM on your device. Once it’s set up, you simply top up with a new data pack for whichever country you’re heading to next via the app.
Is it safe to use Saily for banking?
It is much safer than using public WiFi, as your connection is encrypted via a private mobile network. Since Saily is built by the NordVPN team, they have a heavy focus on security and privacy whilst you’re browsing.
How do I find local restaurants and food without using data?
I always recommend downloading “Offline Maps” on Google Maps before you leave the hotel. You can save a list of restaurants you want to visit whilst on data, which can then be viewed offline.
My go-to travel health insurance:
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