Best international roaming plans for traveling abroad in 2025
Being without your phone can be frustrating – and never more so than when you’re overseas and need access to ways to communicate, navigate, translate and get recommendations for places to go and see. But relying on your normal phone plan to talk, text or search online can result in a huge shock when your bill comes in. Avoid excessive international phone fees with an international roaming plan which keeps your service costs manageable.
This guide explores the best international roaming plans for Australians travelling abroad, from popular telcos like Vodafone and Telstra, so you can decide what might work for you.
Plus we’ve got a few handy hints on keeping down the costs of travel spending more generally, so you can do more during your trip, with low cost card and account services like Wise and Revolut.
Best international roaming plans from Australian carriers
This guide looks at the best mobile plans with international roaming, split out by different carriers. Ultimately, the best plan depends on each person’s needs – and the destination and duration of their trip. To help you choose your package, we’ll compare some international roaming plans from Australian carriers below.
| Carriers | Plan | Plan fee | Key features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felix Mobile | International Roaming | 20 AUD
Use your plan data within 365 days |
Over 40 selected destinations
4GB of data
100 standard international minutes, 100 SMS |
| Telstra | Day Pass | 5 AUD/day or 10 AUD/day depending on destination | 2GB of data a day
Unlimited calls and SMS to standard international numbers
Over 80 destinations |
| Optus | Optus Daily Roaming | 5 AUD/day | Unlimited standard talk and text
5GB to use in 150+ Zone 1 destinations
10 AUD/day plan available for prepaid customers |
| Vodafone | $5 Roaming | 5 AUD/day | Pay 5 AUD/day to use your plan’s included minutes and SMS overseas
Data subject to speed caps, 5 AUD/GB once your plan is exhausted
Over 100 destinations |
| Amaysim | 4 plans to pick from:
Small Talk The Works Just Gigs The Epic |
Small Talk – 20 AUD
The Works – 25 AUD Just Gigs – 50 AUD The Epic – 70 AUD
Use your plan data within 365 days |
Over 120 selected destinations
Small Talk – 100 minutes, 100 SMS
The Works – 50 minutes, 30 SMS, 2 GB data
Just Gigs – 6 GB data
The Epic – 100 minutes, 60 SMS, 9 GB data |
Details correct at time of research – 15th May 2025
Felix International Roaming
🏅Great for: Low cost for access to roaming in 40 destinations with up to a year to use your included data, talk and texts
With Felix International Roaming you pay a one off fee of just 20 AUD to get 100 standard international minutes, and 100 SMS, as well as 4GB of data to use in 40 popular travel destinations. Use your plan data within 365 days – and if you run out of data, talk or text, you can add another pack in the Felix app, and any unused inclusions will be rolled into your new purchased pack under your new expiry period.
- Countries covered: Over 40 selected destinations
- Extra GB option: United Kingdom roaming included in plan
Pros and cons of Felix International Roaming
| Felix pros | Felix cons |
|---|---|
| ✅Low costs for 365 days access
✅100 standard international minutes, and 100 SMS, as well as 4GB of data ✅Add in a new pack and roll on any unused minutes or data |
❌Relatively small number of countries covered
❌Some premium numbers not available in package |
Travelling overseas? Get a Wise card to:
- Pay online and in stores in 40+ currencies
- Withdraw up to 350 AUD for free*
- Spend at the real exchange rate
*Withdraw up to 350 AUD from ATMs for free with 2 or less withdrawals
Telstra Day Pass
🏅Great for: As little as 5 AUD/day for unlimited calls and SMS to standard international numbers
Depending on the plan you have and where you’re going you may be able to get a Telstra Day Pass for 5 AUD/day or 10 AUD/day depending on destination. You get unlimited calls and SMS to standard international numbers, and 2GB of data a day, with over 80 destinations covered in total. The cheapest plan covers only Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa (Western), Tonga, and Vanuatu – to get more coverage you need to pay the 10 AUD/day for Zone 2 access.
- Countries covered: 5 dollar a day plan covers 8 Oceania destinations, 10 dollar a day plan gets you 80 countries
- Extra GB option: Zone 2 plan – 10 AUD/day fee
Pros and cons of Telstra Day Pass
| Telstra pros | Telstra cons |
|---|---|
| ✅Costs as low as 5 dollars a day
✅Up to 80 countries available worldwide ✅Unlimited calls and SMS to standard international numbers, and 2GB of data a day |
❌To use your plan outside of Oceania you need the 10 dollar a day option
❌Relatively low daily data limit |
Optus Daily Roaming
🏅Great for: High data limits of 5GB to use in 150+ Zone 1 destinations for just 5 AUD/day on some plans
Optus Daily Roaming plans are available for postpaid and prepaid customers, but the costs and options are different. You pay 5 AUD/day if you have a Choice Plus plan, or there’s also a 10 AUD/day plan available for prepaid customers. If you have the 5 dollar a day plan you get 5GB to use in 150+ Zone 1 destinations and unlimited standard talk and text. The limits are lower if you have a prepaid plan on the 10 dollar daily package.
- Countries covered: 150+ Zone 1 destinations
- Extra GB option: United Kingdom roaming included in plan
Pros and cons of Optus Daily Roaming
| Optus pros | Optus cons |
|---|---|
| ✅150+ Zone 1 destinations available
✅5GB of data and unlimited standard talk and text ✅Choose your package length, pay daily |
❌Cheapest plan not available to prepaid customers
❌10 dollar daily package offers only 1 GB data |
Travelling overseas? Get a Wise card to:
- Pay online and in stores in 40+ currencies
- Withdraw up to 350 AUD for free*
- Spend at the real exchange rate
*Withdraw up to 350 AUD from ATMs for free with 2 or less withdrawals
Vodafone $5 Roaming
🏅Great for: 5 AUD/day to use your plan’s included minutes and SMS overseas in over 100 destinations
The Vodafone $5 Roaming works a bit differently to the other plans we’ve seen so far. For your daily fee you get to use your plan’s included minutes and SMS overseas, rather than buying extra minutes to use abroad. Use your plan’s data subject to speed caps, and pay 5 AUD/GB once your plan is exhausted. Over 100 destinations are covered by this plan, which you don’t need to activate – just use your phone abroad to trigger the package to start.
- Countries covered: 100+ destinations
- Extra GB option: United Kingdom roaming included in plan
Pros and cons of Vodafone $5 Roaming
| Vodafone pros | Vodafone cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ 100+ popular destinations supported
✅ No need to set up the plan or buy a package ✅Low daily fee |
❌ No extra talk time, data or texts as part of your fee, only plan inclusions
❌5 AUD per GB of data once your plan runs out |
Amaysim International Roaming
🏅Great for: 4 plans to pick from covering over 120 selected destinations, with data only, talk only, and full service packages available
Choose from 4 plans:
Small Talk – talk and text only package with 100 minutes, and 100 SMS
Just Gigs – data only with 6 GB data
The Works – all in package with 50 minutes, 30 SMS, 2 GB data
The Epic – full feature package with 100 minutes, 60 SMS, 9 GB data
The fees run from Small Talk at 20 AUD to The Epic at 70 AUD, and your minutes, texts and data is live until you use it all or until 365 days has passed. That can give a huge amount of flexibility for customers who need to only use their phone roaming service occasionally.
- Countries covered: 120 selected destinations
- Extra GB option: United Kingdom roaming included in plan
Pros and cons of Amaysim International Roaming
| Amaysim pros | Amaysim cons |
|---|---|
| ✅ Choose from 4 plans depending on your needs
✅ You have a year to use your plan inclusions ✅Relatively low one off fees |
❌ Once you exhaust your plan you’ll need to buy a new one, even if your trip is almost ended
❌Not available in all countries |
What is international roaming and how does it work?
So – now you have a bit of insight into the best mobile plans for international roaming, why might you need it?
International roaming allows you to use your normal Australian smartphone or other smart device overseas. You’ll need to first check that you have a SIM card that works for international travel, and then research what your carrier offers in terms of roaming plans or options. Generally, you’ll find that carriers split their services into slightly different options for people on postpaid contracts, compared to customers with prepaid plans. Fee structures vary a lot, but by having a specific plan or add on with your carrier you can usually keep the costs as low as possible, and have more certainly over the amount you’ll need to pay to keep in touch and online as you travel.
📲 Learn more about international money transfers
What is data roaming?
Data roaming is using your Australian phone and SIM overseas, to talk, text and use internet data. Without roaming enabled your phone won’t usually work unless you’re connected to a wifi network, which can be a hassle if you need your phone to read a map or talk to someone using Google translate for example.
The costs of using international roaming
The costs of using international roaming vary a lot depending on the carrier you’re with and the contract you have. Common fee structures include:
- Daily fixed fees for a set amount of data, talk time or minutes
- One off costs for a package you can use for up to 365 days or until you exhaust all the inclusions
- Daily fees to use your normal plan’s data, minutes and texts while you’re abroad for no extra fees
Per GB, per minute, and per SMS fees can apply – but this can end up being a very expensive option compared to getting an upfront package or agreement from your telco.
Travelling overseas? Get a Wise card to:
- Pay online and in stores in 40+ currencies
- Withdraw up to 350 AUD for free*
- Spend at the real exchange rate
*Withdraw up to 350 AUD from ATMs for free with 2 or less withdrawals
Alternative international roaming solutions for staying connected abroad
Not sold on your carrier’s roaming options? Let’s look at the alternatives out there.
Global travel SIM cards
🏅Great for: Travellers who don’t have an eSIM enabled phone, and don’t want to wait to buy a SIM on arrival
Global travel SIM cards are a physical SIM card you put into your phone to use it at a lower cost while you’re away from home. This used to be a popular option, but as more and more phones are eSIM enabled, the providers offering this service have decreased. If your phone doesn’t have eSIM options, or if you simply don’t want to get an eSIM, Keepgo is a good provider to try out instead.
Pros and cons of global travel SIM cards
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅One off cost with pay as you go options
✅ No need to pay for data when you’ll mainly be using wifi overseas ✅Good coverage where available ✅Compatible with all smart devices |
❌Not many providers offer this options now
❌You’ll need to physically switch out (and keep safe) your normal SIM |
Global travel SIM card providers:
- Keepgo: Keepgo has a lifetime travel SIM with data that doesn’t ever expire, allowing for a complete pay as you go experience. Supports 100+ most traveled countries and comes with a 3-in-1 set of adapters that fit any unlocked SIM-enabled mobile device.
eSIM options
🏅Great for: Travellers looking for a low hassle, instant way to buy roaming without exchanging physical SIM cards
If you have a phone which accepts eSIMS – most modern handsets do now – then this can be an easy alternative to a global SIM. Instead of physically exchanging your SIM you’ll buy an eSIM package online or in an app, and activate it digitally, often by scanning a QR on arrival in your destination. Prices and packages are usually pretty cheap and flexible, and there are many different services out there to choose from.
Pros and cons of using eSIM
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅Flexible packages you can buy from a range of providers
✅No physical switching of SIMs ✅Instant activation on arrival in your destination ✅Providers usually offer 24/7 support if you need help |
❌Different provider packages have their own coverage, so you’ll need to do some research
❌Some providers may not allow you to connect with popular networks in some destinations – look for online reviews before you choose |
eSIM providers:
- Holafly: Range of single country and regional packages from 1 – 90 days, including global plans from 15 AUD/day with lower daily costs the longer you sign up. Global plans cover 113 countries
- Airalo: App based service with single country, regional and global plans – global plans cover 137 countries and last from 7 days to 365 days, with fees from 24 AUD to 141.5 AUD depending on the duration and data, minutes and texts included
Travelling overseas? Get a Wise card to:
- Pay online and in stores in 40+ currencies
- Withdraw up to 350 AUD for free*
- Spend at the real exchange rate
*Withdraw up to 350 AUD from ATMs for free with 2 or less withdrawals
Using local SIM cards
🏅Great for: Travellers who may stay in one country for a relatively long time, looking to tap into cheap local calls and data
A final popular option is to buy a SIM card in the destination country. How economical or easy this is depends on where you’re heading, as the cost of minutes and data varies a lot. Some countries also require strict registration processes for SIM cards which can be a hassle. Generally if you’re headed to a lower cost country you may find a local SIM is the cheapest choice, but it’s not necessarily the easiest, and you run the risk of being scammed if you can’t communicate well when buying and installing your card.
Pros and cons of using local SIM cards
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ✅May be the cheapest option depending on the country
✅Instant access to cheap local calls and data ✅Often available to purchase at the airport on arrival ✅Variety of provides to pick from |
❌Variable costs, coverage and hassle levels
❌Switching out your SIM can be a pain |
How to choose the right international roaming option
This run through the choice of top picks for the best Australian SIM card for international roaming should give you plenty of food for thought. When you’re making your final decision here are a few other things to think about:
- Before you pick any plan or eSIM, look for online reviews to check what previous customers have said about coverage and support
- Make sure your phone is enabled to take a new SIM or eSIM
- Check the destination you’re headed to is covered, as some countries may be listed as partial cover only, or only on one or two networks
- Understand what happens when you exhaust your plan inclusions, to avoid unexpected fees
How to save money when spending abroad
To finish up, we’d love to introduce Wise and Revolut as multi currency account providers that offer cards to spend abroad with great exchange rates and competitive fees. Using a dedicated travel card and account can help cut your overall travel costs – just as getting the best Australian SIM card for international roaming can help you manage call costs. Here are a couple to consider:
- Wise: Wise accounts can hold and exchange 40+ currencies with no ongoing fees and currency exchange that uses the mid-market rate. Get a Wise card for international spending and some no fee ATM withdrawals monthly.
- Revolut: Revolut has several different account plans which support 25+ currencies, with some no fee weekday currency conversion included for all customers. All accounts have a card included, with some no fee transactions included, depending on the plan you select.
Conclusion
Using Australian mobile phones overseas without checking out the costs of talk time, texts and data can mean you’re left with an unexpected and high bill when you come back home. Instead, getting an international roaming plan with your normal carrier is a popular choice, which can ensure you have seamless connectivity and controllable costs. Check out the options from your carrier, and if you don’t like what you see, you can also consider a global SIM, eSIM or a local SIM you buy on arrival at your destination.
Whichever route you choose, don’t forget to look at Wise and Revolut as a complementary solution for international spending with multi currency accounts and cards to spend abroad with low overall costs.
📲 Check the latest exchange rates with our currency converter
FAQs about international roaming for Australians
What happens if I use my Australian phone abroad without a roaming plan?
If roaming is enabled on your phone, but you don’t have a specific roaming plan, you’ll be subject to the carrier’s standard fees – which can be extremely high. Check out the details before you travel to avoid surprises.
How do I set up international roaming on my Australian phone?
Different carriers have their own processes – some automatically install roaming for contract holders, while others require you to buy and activate a specific roaming plan to use your phone overseas. Check your network’s policy before you travel.
Which international roaming plan is best for Australians?
There’s no one best plan for international roaming – which is best for you depends on your carrier and whether you’re a postpaid or prepaid customer, your destination and how long you’ll be there for. Compare a few options to get the best deal for your unique needs.
Which SIM card is best for international travel from Australia?
You can get a new physical SIM, an eSIM, or a plan for roaming with your current provider, which means there’s no change to your SIM and nothing new to install. Different approaches suit different traveler needs. This guide gives you some ideas to start your research and pick the right one for you.
What is the cheapest international roaming plan?
The plan options for roaming depend on your provider and can have very different plan fees. Some charge a daily fee of about 5 AUD, while others sell a set amount of data, minutes and texts which you can then use at any point in the next year when you travel. This allows for flexibility for different travel needs.
