eSIM vs roaming: what your carrier charges abroad
Outside the countries your plan includes, your carrier charges extra for data. We checked the rates of 13 carriers for 25 destinations: where the carrier bills a week in the same currency as the eSIM, the travel eSIM is cheaper in 84 cases out of 84.
Rates checked on October 21, 2026 in the official rate sheets
Carriers checked
13
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia
eSIM cheaper
84 of 84
comparable weeks (same currency)
eSIM for a week in Japan
$12.99
with GoMoWorld
What your carrier charges
For a week of everyday use (6 GB), from the carriers’ official rate sheets. Nothing is converted.
AT&T
Google Fi
T-Mobile
Verizon
EE
O2
Three
Vodafone
Bell
Rogers
Optus
TelstraAffiliate links
Roaming or eSIM: what changes
- 1
Some countries are included
Many plans include a list of countries at no extra cost; check yours before you leave.
- 2
Elsewhere, a pass or per MB
Outside those countries, the carrier sells a daily or weekly pass, or bills per MB with a cap.
- 3
An eSIM is paid once
A fixed plan for the trip, bought before you leave: no surprise on the bill.
- 4
Keep your number
With an eSIM, your SIM stays on: just turn off its data abroad to avoid roaming charges.
The most popular destinations
For each country, today’s podium and every plan we compare.
Your questions
Answered from our data.
Is roaming included in my plan?
It depends on the carrier and the plan: our carrier pages give the details for 25 destinations.
How do I avoid roaming charges?
Turn off data roaming on your usual line and use a travel eSIM for data; your number stays reachable.
Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming?
In our data, where the carrier bills a week in the same currency as the eSIM, the travel eSIM is cheaper in 84 cases out of 84.
Does my carrier sell passes?
Most do: AT&T, Google Fi, T-Mobile, Verizon… sell passes or bill per MB depending on the destination.
What is roaming?
Your carrier lets you use a foreign carrier’s network and bills that use according to your plan, included or extra.
Should I turn off roaming with an eSIM?
Yes on your usual line (data roaming), no on the travel eSIM: it uses the local networks.
How many carriers did you compare?
13 carriers, across 25 destinations, from their official rate sheets.
What if my plan includes the country?
Keep your plan within its allowance abroad; an eSIM only helps if you go over it.