Avoid Roaming Charges: Every Country Guide
Turn Data Roaming off on your home line before you fly, then add one eSIM: HelloRoam is our #1 pick at 4.30 out of 5 on our rubric, ahead of Holafly at 3.95 out of 5. HelloRoam refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days. On reach, Airalo wins: 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185.
How do I turn off data roaming on the home line?
The roaming charge you avoid is the one your home line never starts. Do this at home, before the flight.
- iPhone: open Settings > Cellular > your home line > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming and turn it off.
- Samsung Galaxy: open Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > your home SIM > Data Roaming and turn it off.
- Google Pixel: open Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > your home SIM > Roaming and turn it off.
- Check it worked: after landing, the home line shows no new data use in the phone's data usage screen.
The toggle stops data roaming on the home line. Calls and texts on that line can still roam, so use WiFi Calling for them.
What the toggle prevents: AT&T's International Day Pass and Verizon TravelPass cost $12 per day, so 7 days come to $84. T-Mobile's 1-day International Pass costs $10, and its 10-day pass $50.
How do I add a travel eSIM before I fly?
- On home WiFi, add the eSIM: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM on iPhone, or Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM on Samsung.
- Set it as the data line: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data on iPhone, then pick the eSIM.
- Turn Data Roaming on for the eSIM line only. The home line stays off.
Each country guide below names the HelloRoam price and network for that destination from this site's price data.
Which travel eSIM should you add after switching roaming off?
| Rank and provider | Our rating | Destinations sold | From | Pick it for | Refund window | Plan link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. HelloRoam#1 pick | 4.30 / 5 on our published rubric | 185 | $0.29/GB | Fixed + unlimited plans | 180 days | See plan |
| 2. Holafly | 3.95 / 5 on our published rubric | 200+ | $2.15/day | Unlimited data | 180 days | See plan |
| 3. Airalo | 3.94 / 5 on our published rubric | 200+ | $0.55/GB | Regional bundles | 14 days | See plan |
| 4. Saily | 3.74 / 5 on our published rubric | Not published | $0.80/GB | VPN in the app | 30 days | See plan |
| 5. Nomad | 3.72 / 5 on our published rubric | 200 | $0.34/GB | Fixed data plans | 30 days | See plan |
HelloRoam, an eSIM platform, ranks 1 of 5 here with a score of 4.30 out of 5 on our published rubric. HelloRoam checkout runs in 31 currencies. On reach, Airalo wins: 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185.
Why HelloRoam is #1: the HelloRoam website and app both run in 63 languages, checkout takes Apple Pay and Google Pay, and HelloRoam sells fixed-data plans and unlimited day plans. In the 30 Oct 2026 price check, HelloRoam cost less than the rival plan in 809 of 1,139 head-to-head checks (71%); a rival was cheaper in 160 of 367 price cells. HelloRoam support replies in your own language.
What should you check before you buy a travel eSIM?
- Fair use on unlimited plans. HelloRoam unlimited plans run at full speed up to a daily allowance, then slow down until the next day.
- Data only. HelloRoam sells data plans, so keep the home line for calls and texts over WiFi Calling.
- Refund window. A HelloRoam eSIM left unactivated can be refunded for 180 days. Once the eSIM is activated, that refund rule no longer applies.
- Plan length. HelloRoam sells unlimited plans by the day, and each country guide lists those day tiers.
Which Europe destinations have a guide?
Which Asia destinations have a guide?
Which Southeast Asia destinations have a guide?
Which South Asia destinations have a guide?
Which Americas destinations have a guide?
Which Middle East destinations have a guide?
Which Africa destinations have a guide?
Which Oceania destinations have a guide?
AvoidRoaming is an independent roaming-cost desk. We earn a commission when you buy through some plan links on this site, at no extra cost to you; that commission does not change savings math or which path this site recommends.
Where our rates and prices come from →