The Best Roaming Solutions for International Travel

Cell phones – the umbilical cords of globalization.

The world has become much smaller as it has become more communicative. From Peru to Pakistan, and everywhere in between, the smartphone is one of the most vital tools in any canny traveller’s kit.

But what’s the best way for a traveller to stay in touch while abroad, without having to pay a hefty markup? Today, let’s tackle the best solutions for roaming on the market.

Buy a Local SIM Card

For my money, the most effective solution to using your cellphone while abroad is to buy a SIM card when you’ve landed at your destination.

Local plans are reflective of local prices, and as Canadians are some of the most overcharged people when it comes to cell phone fees, particularly for mobile data, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find a better deal on the ground of wherever you’re going to.

Of course, this doesn’t mean that you should buy a SIM card the second you land. Pretty much every airport on the planet now has mobile kiosks with English-speaking sales staff trying to foist their “competitive” phone plans upon unsuspecting foreigners.

Avoid such individuals, and find a seller in town instead. Speak with your hotel concierge, or alternatively, your Airbnb host, who can be ideal fonts of information when it comes to finding reliable local SIMs.

Another advantage of purchasing local SIM cards is that in many countries, Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, such as WhatsApp or Telegram, are the dominant form of communication. Locals, including businesses like restaurants, often won’t respond to traditional calls or text messages.

In such situations, it can be ideal to get a local SIM card, because mobile data will be offered at a far more competitive rate than whatever your service provider is charging you whilst roaming. If you do wind up purchasing a local SIM, you’ll want to make sure to set your VoIP app to use your new, local phone number.

Note that when travelling abroad, there’s always a slight chance that your model of phone may not work with local SIM cards or technologies. Therefore, always do your research before travelling to ensure you possess a compatible phone.

Wi-Fi Hotspots

In some cases, you could also entirely forego purchasing a SIM card, and simply rely on Wi-Fi hotspots instead. This option is best in locales that rely heavily on VoIP services, as then you won’t be too…