Preparing for an international adventure? Don't let connectivity worries overshadow your excitement! Staying connected while abroad is essential for everything from navigating new cities to sharing incredible moments with loved ones back home. Verizon offers several international plan options, and choosing the right one can save you a significant amount of money and hassle.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of selecting and activating the best Verizon international plan for your travels, step-by-step. Let's get started and make sure you're perfectly prepared for your journey!
Step 1: Assess Your Travel Needs and Destination(s)
Before diving into the specifics of Verizon's plans, it's crucial to understand your own travel habits and where you're headed. Think about the following:
Sub-heading: Where are you going?
Are you visiting just one country, or will you be hopping between multiple destinations? Verizon's plans often categorize countries, with different rates for Canada/Mexico versus other international locations. Knowing your exact itinerary is key.
Sub-heading: How long will you be gone?
A weekend getaway requires a different approach than a month-long backpacking trip. Daily plans might be cost-effective for short stints, while monthly plans offer better value for longer stays.
Sub-heading: How much data, talk, and text do you anticipate using?
Are you a heavy data user who relies on streaming, video calls, and social media? Or are you more of a light user who just needs to check emails and use maps occasionally? Consider your typical usage patterns. If you plan to rely heavily on Wi-Fi, your cellular data needs might be lower.
Sub-heading: What kind of device are you using?
Most modern smartphones are "World Devices" and compatible with international networks. However, it's always a good idea to double-check your device's compatibility with Verizon's Trip Planner tool to ensure it will work in your destination country.
Step 2: Explore Verizon's International Plan Options
Verizon primarily offers three main types of international plans for travel, plus options for calling from the US to international destinations. Understanding these will help you make an informed decision.
Sub-heading: TravelPass
This is often the easiest and most popular option for short trips.
How it works: TravelPass lets you use your domestic talk, text, and data allowances in over 210 countries and destinations for a daily fee. You are only charged on the days you actually use your device in a TravelPass country.
Cost:
$6/day in Canada and Mexico
$12/day in other TravelPass countries
Data: You get 5 GB of high-speed data per 24-hour session, after which speeds are reduced to 3G. You can purchase additional 2GB high-speed data for $5 (Canada/Mexico) or $10 (other countries).
Talk & Text: Unlimited talk and text within the TravelPass country and back to the U.S.
Ideal for: Short trips (under 9-10 days) where you want the convenience of using your phone like you do at home, without worrying about per-minute or per-MB charges.
Sub-heading: International Monthly Plan
This plan is more suitable for extended international travel.
How it works: Provides a fixed bundle of data, talk, and text for a monthly fee. You can choose a one-time plan or have it renew each month.
Cost: Approximately $100 per line, per month (plus taxes and fees).
Data: Typically includes 20 GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at 3G speeds.
Talk: Usually includes 250 minutes of talk. Overage charges of $0.25/minute apply.
Text: Unlimited texts.
Ideal for: Longer trips (9 days or more) where the daily TravelPass cost would exceed the monthly plan cost, and you have a predictable need for data, talk, and text.
Sub-heading: Pay As You Go Rates
This is the default option if you don't add an international plan.
How it works: You are charged per minute for calls, per message for texts, and per megabyte for data. These rates can be extremely expensive and quickly add up, so it's generally not recommended for active usage.
Cost (approximate):
Data: $2.05/MB
Talk: $0.99 - $2.99/minute depending on the country.
Text: Sent texts typically $0.50, received texts $0.05.
Ideal for: Emergency use only or for travelers who plan to rely exclusively on Wi-Fi and rarely use cellular services.
Sub-heading: Specialized Passes (Cruise and In-Flight)
Cruise Daily Pass: For connectivity while at sea (12 miles or more from land). Typically around $30/line per day for limited data, talk, and unlimited text.
In-Flight Daily Pass: For connectivity on participating international flights. Around $20/line per day for unlimited 3G data (where available), with per-minute charges for calls.
Step 3: Utilize Verizon's Trip Planner Tool
Verizon offers an incredibly helpful online tool to guide you through the process: the Verizon Trip Planner.
Sub-heading: Accessing the Trip Planner
Go to the Verizon website (verizon.com) and navigate to the International Travel section.
Look for a link to the "Trip Planner" or "International Trip Planner" tool. You can often find this under "Plans" -> "International" -> "International Travel."
Sub-heading: Inputting Your Trip Details
The Trip Planner will prompt you to enter your destination country or countries.
You'll also select the device(s) you plan to use and your estimated usage (though this is less critical if you've already assessed your needs).
The tool will then analyze your current plan, device compatibility, and chosen destinations to recommend the most suitable international plan options for you. It's a great way to visualize the costs and benefits of each.
Step 4: Add Your Chosen International Plan
Once you've decided on the best plan for your trip, it's time to add it to your account.
Sub-heading: Through My Verizon Online
Sign in to your My Verizon account on the Verizon website.
Navigate to the "Plans" or "Services & Perks" section, then look for "International" or "International Travel."
You should see an option to "Add new plan" or "Manage international services."
Follow the on-screen prompts to select your desired plan (e.g., TravelPass, International Monthly Plan) and apply it to the specific line(s) on your account that will be traveling.
Confirm the effective date of the plan. For TravelPass, you typically don't need to specify dates, as it activates automatically upon use abroad. For monthly plans, you might select a start date.
Sub-heading: Through the My Verizon App
Open the My Verizon app on your smartphone.
Go to the "Account" or "More" tab (menu icon, usually in the bottom right).
Look for "International" or "Travel."
Select the line you want to add the plan to, and then choose your desired international option.
Confirm the changes to your account.
Sub-heading: By Text Message (for TravelPass)
For TravelPass, you can often simply text the word "TRAVEL" to 4004 from your Verizon phone.
You'll receive a confirmation text indicating that TravelPass has been added to your line. This is a very convenient option for quick activation.
Sub-heading: Contacting Verizon Customer Service
If you prefer speaking to someone, or if you encounter any issues online, you can call Verizon Customer Service.
From your Verizon Wireless device: *611
From any phone in the U.S.: 1-800-922-0204
Explain your travel plans and they can assist you in adding the appropriate international plan.
Step 5: Prepare Your Device Before You Go
Adding the plan is a crucial step, but there are also device settings to configure to ensure seamless connectivity abroad.
Sub-heading: Enable Data Roaming
This is essential for your phone to connect to international networks for data usage. Without it, even with an international plan, your data won't work.
For iPhones: Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming and toggle it ON (it will turn green).
For Android devices: Go to Settings > Network & internet (or Connections) > Mobile network > Data roaming and toggle it ON. (Steps may vary slightly by Android model).
Sub-heading: Understand How TravelPass Activates
For TravelPass, a 24-hour session automatically begins when you make or answer a call, send a text, or use data in a TravelPass country. You'll receive a text notification once a session has started and when it's about to end.
Be mindful of background data usage! Apps refreshing in the background can trigger a TravelPass session even if you're not actively using your phone. Consider turning off background app refresh for data-heavy apps if you want to control when TravelPass activates.
Sub-heading: How to Make International Calls
While abroad, to call back to the U.S. or within the country you're visiting, you'll generally just dial the number as usual (with TravelPass).
To call a third country (not the U.S. or your current location), you'll need to use the international dialing format:
Hold down the "0" key until a "+" symbol appears.
Then dial the country code (e.g., 44 for the UK) followed by the local number.
Sub-heading: Wi-Fi Calling
Enable Wi-Fi Calling on your device if available. This allows you to make and receive calls and texts over a Wi-Fi connection, potentially avoiding cellular charges if calling a U.S. number. Wi-Fi calls to non-U.S. numbers may still incur international long-distance rates.
Step 6: Manage Usage and Monitor Costs While Traveling
Even with an international plan, it's wise to keep an eye on your usage.
Sub-heading: Monitor Your Data
The My Verizon app is your best friend for this. You can check your data usage, TravelPass sessions remaining (if applicable), and plan details directly from the app.
Verizon also sends free text alerts when you trigger TravelPass, when your session is ending, and sometimes when you reach data thresholds on monthly plans.
Sub-heading: Use Wi-Fi When Possible
Connecting to reliable Wi-Fi networks whenever available (at hotels, cafes, etc.) can significantly reduce your cellular data consumption and thus your potential costs, especially if you're on a plan with data limits or trying to conserve TravelPass sessions.
Sub-heading: Consider VoIP Apps
For calls and messages, apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Google Voice, and FaceTime (over Wi-Fi) use data rather than cellular minutes and can be a cost-effective way to communicate with people globally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions to help you navigate Verizon's international plans:
How to check if my phone is compatible for international travel with Verizon?
You can check your device's compatibility by using Verizon's online Trip Planner tool or by contacting Verizon Customer Service. Most modern smartphones are "World Devices" and will work internationally.
How to add TravelPass to my Verizon line?
You can add TravelPass through your My Verizon account online, via the My Verizon app, or by simply texting the word TRAVEL to 4004 from your Verizon phone.
How to turn on data roaming on my iPhone for international use?
Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, and then toggle Data Roaming to the ON position.
How to turn on data roaming on my Android phone for international use?
Go to Settings > Network & internet (or Connections) > Mobile network, and then toggle Data roaming to the ON position.
How to know if TravelPass has activated?
A 24-hour TravelPass session automatically begins when you make or answer a call, send a text, or use data in a TravelPass country. Verizon will send you a text message confirming the start of the session and when it will end.
How to make calls to the US while using a Verizon international plan?
With TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan, you generally dial U.S. numbers as you would domestically. For other types of calls or if you're not on a specific plan, use the "+" symbol followed by "1" (for the US country code) and the 10-digit number.
How to monitor my data usage while abroad with Verizon?
You can monitor your data usage by signing into the My Verizon app or your My Verizon account online. Verizon also sends text alerts for usage milestones.
How to avoid unexpected charges with Verizon's international plans?
Always activate an international plan before you travel, turn on data roaming only when needed, monitor your usage via the My Verizon app, and utilize Wi-Fi whenever possible. If you don't have a plan, keep your cellular data off to avoid expensive "Pay As You Go" rates.
How to remove an international monthly plan from my Verizon account?
You can remove a monthly international plan through your My Verizon account online or via the My Verizon app by navigating to your plan details and selecting the option to remove or change the plan. Be sure to confirm the effective date of removal.
How to contact Verizon Customer Service while traveling internationally?
If you are outside the U.S. and need to contact Verizon Customer Service, you can dial +1-908-559-4899 (toll charges may apply). Some countries also have specific toll-free numbers for Verizon international support, which you can find on the Verizon website.