Cell Coverage While Traveling - What you NEED to know (2024)

If you’re traveling abroad, you need to know whether your cell phone will work. There’s nothing worse than having bad coverage or paying excessive roaming fees. When you’re traveling, you need to lookup directions, the best restaurants, and fun things to do. Without coverage, you may miss those last-minute, on-the-fly adventures. Here’s what you need to know about reliable internet while traveling…

My Experience with Google Fi

When I traveled to Vancouver, Canada, I had Google Fi with the Flexible plan. I get Unlimited calls & texts, and pay for the data I use at $10/GB. This is the same price I pay at home for international use, and I can say this: The coverage in Vancouver is excellent. I didn’t have any problems using the internet there.

Check International Rates With your Current Cellular Provider

Check the international rates for your current cell provider and whether they have service in the country you are going. It may not be as bad as you think. For example, Google Fi offers $10/GB data for the flexible plan and no extra cost for the unlimited plans ¹. They also provide service in the US, Mexico and Canada. For most plans, texts are free and calls are 20¢/min.

Whatever your cell provider is, try searching for “(cell provider) international rates”. I would also recommend searching for “(cell provider) (travel location) review” - you can find others with the same provider and see what they are saying. Some provides are much more expensive than others - for example AT&T offers daily international talk/text/data for an extra $12/day, and if you don’t buy a plan, you can pay as much as $2.05/MB.

Using your current cell service is going to be the most convenient option, but if the rates and coverage are not good, then you’ll need another option.

What Cell Provider Do the LOCALS use

Ask yourself this. What is the cell provider that all the locals are using? If you don’t know, then search for “best cell providers in (travel location)” or “cell provider reviews in (travel location)”. You’ll want to find out what people are saying about the providers in the area. For example, in Vancouver most people use Rogers, Bell, or Telus. Knowing what networks the locals use is the first step to getting FAST, RELIABLE internet!

Buying a Prepaid or Travel Plan

Once you know what the locals are you using, you can start searching for a “prepaid travel sim” or a “data sim” that is on the same network as the locals. With the data sim, you won’t have calls or text, but you will have access to email and any messaging services you use.

When you’re shopping, you’ll want to keep a few other things in mind…

Is your phone unlocked?

Almost all prepaid travel sims require that your phone be unlocked. Some phones are only setup to work with one cell provider (you’re locked in). You’ll often get a discount from the cell provider if you buy their phone. But you can also buy the phone “unlocked” so you can use it with any cell provider you want. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you buy a prepaid sim card.

Is the sim card setup for LTE or GSM?

LTD is newer, faster technology and and GSM is the older, slower technology. LTD is used to support 3G, 4G, or 5G which are basically the network speeds you can expect. GSM only supports 2G and is very slow. Make sure you phone supports LTD if you buy and LTD card.

What is the G-speed?

When you buy a prepaid card it will also tell you the network speed: 2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G

Does the plan offer data? How much?

When buying a card it will say how much data you can use in the country. Some cards offer unlimited data in certain countries, while others limit you to some gigabytes of data.

Is the card a SIM or an Esim?

Be careful here! Some phones do not support Esim. Check the make and model of your phone to see if it supports esim or only sim.

Read the reviews!

Before you buy a card, you’ll want to check the reviews. What sort of problems did people run into? Was the setup smooth? How were people’s experiences?

Buy a card when you arrive

When you get your destination, you can purchase a tourist sim card on the way out of the airport *. If you look at the airport map you’ll likely find a store selling them. For example, Vancouver International Airport has The SIM Shop. Although the price may be more there, waiting to purchase seems like the best way to get working service in the area, since (presumably) these cards are guaranteed to work and the store’s staff can help set you up.

It’s also worth visiting the sim store’s website if they have one. The SIM Shop website has links to Bell, Virgin, and Lucky Mobile - These are good clues for which providers are best.

Happy travels!