How To Avoid Roaming Charges

You’ve just landed in a new country. You check your phone, load up Google Maps to find your hotel, and maybe stream a few songs while you’re unpacking. Fast forward to the end of your trip and suddenly you’re hit with a shocking phone bill.

Sound familiar?

Roaming charges are one of the biggest travel budget killers. But the good news? They’re completely avoidable. Let’s break down what roaming charges actually are, how they happen, and the best way to avoid them for good.

Roaming charges are extra fees your mobile network can charge you when you use your phone abroad for things like calls, texts, or mobile data.

Why does it happen? Because when you’re overseas, your phone “roams” onto a local network that your provider doesn’t own. So, you’re basically borrowing another network, and that can cost you, sometimes a lot.

Here are some real-world examples of how bad it can get:

• Streaming a movie on holiday: One user got home to find a £1,000+ bill after streaming Netflix over roaming data.
• Background app updates: Even if you’re not using your phone much, apps running in the background can quietly eat through data and rack up serious charges.
• Using maps or ride-sharing apps: Navigating a new city sounds innocent…until you find out how much that 10 minutes of roaming cost you.

Bottom line: it’s easier than you think to rack up huge charges without realising it.

Here are some phone settings that could trip you up:

• “Data Roaming” turned on when using your usual phone plan: This setting allows your phone to connect to foreign networks. If it’s on, your phone might start using roaming data the moment you arrive.
• Automatic app updates: These can happen in the background and use up loads of data without you even seeing it.
• Wi-Fi Assist (on iPhones): This feature switches you back to mobile data if your Wi-Fi is weak…which means potential roaming fees if you’re abroad.
• Location services: Many apps use location tracking constantly and that eats into data too.

Luckily, there are plenty of ways to sidestep these costs:

• Turn off data roaming: Go into your phone’s settings and switch it off before you travel.
• Download maps and entertainment ahead of time: Use offline maps, and download movies, music or shows before you fly.
• Use Wi-Fi wisely: Connect to Wi-Fi wherever you can but make sure it’s secure.
• Buy a local SIM or international plan: These can sometimes be cheaper than your home provider’s roaming rates.
• Best of all? Use an eSIM. (More on that below!)

eSIMs are digital SIM cards you can install directly on your phone — no plastic, no swapping, no faff. You can download one before you fly and connect to a local network the moment you land.

Here’s why they’re brilliant:

• Instant connectivity - no hunting down a local shop or queueing at the airport.
• Local rates - you get access to affordable data in your destination country.
• Keep your number - many phones let you keep your regular SIM active for calls/texts while using the eSIM for data.
• No bill shock - you pay upfront, so there are zero surprises.

At Sim Local, we make eSIMs easy.

Whether you're heading to Paris, Phuket, or New York, you can browse and buy eSIM plans from top local networks — all from the Sim Local app or website. No stress, no hidden fees.

Here’s why travellers love us:

• Instant eSIM delivery so you can install and get connected in minutes.
• Plans in over 190 countries so we’ve got you covered wherever you go.
• Trusted Networks - we only partner with the best networks in each country, so you get reliable service at local prices.
• 24/7 customer support so if you ever need help, we’re just a message away.

So next time you travel, skip the roaming charges and get connected the smart way with Sim Local.