Roaming Cost Calculator
Compare international roaming costs vs buying a local SIM card for your trip. Enter your home country, destination, and usage to see which option saves more money.
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How to use this calculator
- 1
Select your home country (where your phone plan is based).
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Choose your destination country.
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Enter the number of days you will be travelling.
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Set your estimated daily data usage in GB and daily call minutes.
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The calculator compares your carrier's typical roaming daily pass cost against buying a local SIM at your destination.
Frequently asked questions
What is a daily roaming pass?
Most major carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, EE, Rogers, Telstra, etc.) offer an international day pass where you pay a flat fee per day you use your phone abroad. US carriers typically charge $10/day, Canadian carriers CA$13/day, and Australian carriers A$10/day. This keeps your existing number active.
Is UK EU roaming free?
Post-Brexit, most major UK carriers (EE, Vodafone, O2, Three) have reinstated EU roaming charges. However, some still offer free or low-cost EU roaming on certain plans. Always check your specific plan before travelling to Europe.
Do local SIM cards work in all phones?
Your phone must be unlocked (not carrier-locked) to use a local SIM. Most phones sold in the last 4–5 years are unlocked or can be unlocked. Contact your carrier to unlock your device before travel. eSIM-capable phones can use digital tourist SIMs without swapping physical cards.
Can I make regular calls with a Japanese tourist SIM?
Japan's tourist data SIMs are typically data-only due to local regulations. You can make voice calls using internet-based apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Google Meet. Dedicated voice SIMs exist but cost more.
What about eSIMs for international travel?
eSIMs (digital SIM cards) are increasingly popular for travellers. Services like Airalo, Holafly, and Google Fi offer affordable international eSIM data plans. An eSIM lets you keep your home number active on your physical SIM while using cheap data from an eSIM — best of both worlds.
Roaming Cost Calculator — Compare Carrier Roaming vs Local SIM Card
Roaming Daily Passes vs Local SIM Cards
International roaming daily passes are convenient — you keep your number and plan — but the cost adds up fast. A 14-day US trip with AT&T or Verizon's $10/day pass costs $140. A local UK tourist SIM for 14 days costs around £10 ($12). The local SIM wins on cost almost every time for trips of 5 days or more. The trade-off is the inconvenience of a new number and the need for an unlocked phone.
Best Destinations for Local SIM Value
India and Thailand offer exceptional value for local SIMs. An Indian Jio or Airtel tourist SIM costs around ₹300 ($3.60) for 28 days with 1.5GB/day data and unlimited calls — remarkable value. Thailand's AIS or TrueMove tourist SIMs run THB 299 (~$8) for 15 days with 10–15GB of high-speed data. UAE du/Etisalat tourist SIMs offer 25GB for AED 50 (~$14) for 7 days.
The eSIM Revolution for Travellers
Modern iPhones (XS and later) and most Android flagships support eSIM, letting you install a digital SIM without swapping physical cards. Services like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad sell destination-specific eSIM data plans, sometimes at prices competitive with local SIMs — and activatable before you board the plane. If your phone supports dual SIM + eSIM, you can keep your home number active while using a cheap eSIM for data.
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Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →