Egypt
France
South Korea
Turkey
Roaming Costs by
Country 2026
Real roaming charges from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, EE, Orange, Turkcell & more — compared across 50+ countries. Find out what you'll actually pay and how to avoid bill shock.
International roaming is one of the most expensive ways to use mobile data. Without a plan, US carriers charge up to $2,050 per GB, UK carriers up to £7,200 per GB, and some European carriers €1,490 per GB. Even with day passes, a two-week trip can cost $84–$210 in roaming fees alone.
This guide compiles real, verified roaming rates from 10+ major carriers across 50+ countries, so you know exactly what you'll pay before you travel. Updated February 2026.
US Carrier International Roaming Rates
⚠️ The Hidden Cost of "Pay-Per-Use"
AT&T and Verizon's $2.05/MB rate sounds small, but it equals $2,050 per GB. Sending a 3MB photo on WhatsApp costs $6.15. A 1-hour Netflix stream costs ~$2,050. A 30-minute video call costs ~$615. Even background app activity can burn through $50–$100 in a single day without you noticing.
UK Carrier International Roaming Rates
EU, Turkish & Other Carrier Rates
Roaming Data Costs by Destination (1GB)
What would 1GB of roaming data actually cost you in these popular destinations? Compared across carrier types.
| Destination | US Pay-per-use | US Day Pass (7d) | UK Day Pass (7d) | CelleSIM eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇷 France | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £17.29 | from $2.90 |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £17.29 | from $2.90 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £17.29 | from $2.90 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £17.29 | from $2.90 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $2,050 | $70–$84 | — | from $2.90 |
| 🇹🇷 Turkey | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £55.02 | from $2.90 |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £17.29 | from $2.90 |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £49–£52.50 | from $2.90 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £52.50 | from $2.90 |
| 🇺🇸 United States | — | — | £35–£55.02 | from $2.90 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £35 | from $2.90 |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £49–£55.02 | from $2.90 |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £52.50 | from $2.90 |
| 🇮🇩 Indonesia | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £49 | from $2.90 |
| 🇮🇳 India | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £49 | from $2.90 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Incl. in most plans | Free/$6/day | £49 | from $2.90 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Incl. in most plans | Free/$6/day | £35 | from $2.90 |
| 🇿🇦 South Africa | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £55.02 | from $2.90 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £49 | from $2.90 |
| 🇰🇷 South Korea | $2,050 | $70–$84 | £52.50 | from $2.90 |
EU "Roam Like at Home" Explained
What is Roam Like at Home?
Since 2017, EU/EEA residents can use their domestic mobile plan across all 27 EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein at no extra charge. You use data, calls, and texts at your home rates. Fair use limits apply (typically 25–50GB), and prolonged roaming may trigger surcharges after 4 months.
The Real Cost of Common Activities While Roaming
What everyday phone activities actually cost on roaming without a plan (AT&T/Verizon pay-per-use at $2.05/MB):
| Activity | Data Used | Roaming Cost | CelleSIM Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Send 1 WhatsApp photo | ~3 MB | $6.15 | ~$0.01 |
| 5 min Instagram scroll | ~25 MB | $51.25 | ~$0.07 |
| 1 Google Maps search | ~5 MB | $10.25 | ~$0.01 |
| 30 min Spotify streaming | ~50 MB | $102.50 | ~$0.14 |
| 15 min video call (Zoom/FaceTime) | ~150 MB | $307.50 | ~$0.43 |
| 1 hour Netflix (SD) | ~1 GB | $2,050 | ~$2.90 |
| Upload 10 vacation photos | ~30 MB | $61.50 | ~$0.09 |
| Background apps (1 day) | ~100–500 MB | $205–$1,025 | ~$0.29–$1.45 |
🔥 The Biggest Trap: Background Data
Even with your screen off, smartphones consume 100–500 MB daily through automatic updates, email sync, cloud backups, and app refreshes. On AT&T pay-per-use roaming, that's $205–$1,025 per day in invisible charges. Always disable data roaming or switch to a travel eSIM before landing.
Roaming vs eSIM: Side-by-Side
Bill shock guaranteed
Throttled after 0.5–5GB
200+ countries. No roaming.
| Feature | Carrier Roaming | Carrier Day Pass | CelleSIM eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB cost (Europe) | $2,050 | $70–$84 | $2.90–$3.90 |
| 2-week trip (5GB) | $10,250 | $140–$210 | ~$14.50 |
| Setup required | None (auto) | Activate before trip | Scan QR code |
| Bill surprise risk | Very High | Low | None (prepaid) |
| Speed | Varies | Throttled after cap | Local 4G/5G speeds |
| Multi-country support | Yes (charges per country) | Yes (charges per day) | Yes (regional plans) |
| Keep home number | Yes | Yes | Yes (dual SIM) |
Savings Example: 2-Week European Trip
A couple traveling Europe for 14 days, using 5GB each: Carrier roaming: $20,500 (pay-per-use) | Day passes: $280–$420 (both lines) | CelleSIM: ~$29 (two eSIMs). That's a savings of $251–$20,471 compared to traditional roaming.
How to Avoid Roaming Charges: 8 Tips
Stop Paying Roaming Fees
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Compare eSIM Plans →Frequently Asked Questions
Without a plan, US carriers charge $2.05/MB (AT&T/Verizon) = $2,050/GB. UK carriers can charge up to £7.20–£9.60/MB outside EU. EU carriers charge €0.99–€1.49/MB in non-EU countries. Day passes range from $5–$15/day (US) or £2–£7.86/day (UK).
T-Mobile offers the best value with 5–15GB free international data on Go5G plans and $0.25/min calls in 215+ countries. Google Fi also includes international data in its $65–$70/month unlimited plan. However, all carrier roaming is far more expensive than a $2.90 CelleSIM travel eSIM.
For EU/EEA residents with EU SIM cards, yes — "Roam Like at Home" covers all 27 EU states plus Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein. Post-Brexit UK carriers charge £2–£2.57/day (except O2 which is still free). US, Canadian, and other non-EU visitors pay full roaming rates.
Travel eSIMs save 80–99% versus carrier roaming. A 2-week European trip using 5GB costs ~$10,250 on pay-per-use, ~$140–$210 on day passes, or ~$14.50 on CelleSIM. For a couple, the savings are doubled.
Yes, and they're the most expensive. AT&T charges $10.24/MB on planes ($3.00/min for calls). Cruise ship data ranges from $15–$40/MB. Always keep your phone in airplane mode on ships and planes unless you have a specific plan.
Methodology & Sources
This page compiles roaming rates from official carrier websites and pricing pages: AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile (US); EE, Vodafone UK, Three, O2 (UK); Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone DE, Orange (EU); Turkcell (Turkey); Rogers (Canada). Rates are verified as of February 2026 and represent published standard rates. Pay-per-use rates reflect charges without any international plan or day pass activated. Day pass costs represent the per-day fee multiplied by trip duration. CelleSIM prices reflect published 1GB/7-day plan rates. This page is updated quarterly.
Citation: If you'd like to reference data from this page, please link back to: cellesim.com/en/roaming-costs-by-country-2026