Best Travel Phone Plans in 2026: How to Choose and What to Consider

Traveling to another country involves enough details that you don’t want to worry about how to connect your phone when you arrive. If you travel frequently or want to be prepared when you cross borders, we have recommendations for travel-friendly plans from US providers. Note that opting for a travel plan is different from getting an eSIM for occasional travel; the goal here is to turn on your phone and be connected right away.

What are the best phone plans with international roaming? 

“Travel” means different things to different people, so let’s get on the same page (or map, as it were).

The unlimited plans from the major carriers include international roaming. Usually, that’s talk, text and data when you’re in Canada or Mexico, so using your phone in those countries should feel just like it does at home. Some plans include connectivity outside North America. Or, your carrier may offer a separate travel package that charges a rate (often around $10 or $12) for each day you’re connecting to a local network. You end up paying more, but you don’t need to do anything other than use your phone as you normally would.

If you’re jetting away for a vacation that lasts a week or two, paying a daily rate is probably an affordable option compared to switching to a plan that costs more overall. If your phone supports eSIMs, you can investigate eSIM options for prepaid plans, too, but that may also require paying off the phone’s balance to unlock it (more on that in the FAQs below).

What this guide focuses on are phone plans for people who regularly travel outside the US and want the least amount of friction possible, from calling to using high-speed data. Although these are the more expensive plans from the major carriers, if you’re traveling often enough, they end up being a better deal.

Recent updates

Since the last major version of this guide was updated, we’ve chosen a new best travel plan and runner-up. The previous pick, Verizon Unlimited Ultimate, is now the second runner-up . It’s still a good choice (particularly if you’re already a Verizon customer) but it was edged out by the AT&T Elite 2.0 plan and the T-Mobile Experience Beyond plan.

T-Mobile discontinued its Better Value plan, which was slightly better for international options than Experience Beyond, the current pick (and which shared the recommendation).

Pricing of plans has been updated.

Factors to consider

A wireless carrier saying it offers 5G is like me saying I have a car. Good for me — but what make and model is it? Does it run reliably? Can it actually get up to the top speed on the speedometer or will it sputter when I try to merge onto the freeway? And could I have gotten the same performance if I’d paid less for a model without extras such as heated seats and a TruCoat sealant?

As you’re evaluating carriers, keep the following things in mind.

Know your area

Wireless coverage can make or break a plan. If you aren’t getting reliably fast connections, or if calls often drop or aren’t picked up, then you could be paying for more than you’re getting. Fortunately, most areas of the US are blanketed by some type of cellular coverage, so there aren’t as many dead zones as there used to be. (And now, satellite service is starting to fill those holes.) The major companies are also putting a lot of money and effort into broadening their coverage.

On the other hand, even in a dense area, one carrier’s network may be stronger than another’s, or signals could be reduced due to interference. So the best approach is to ask friends or family members which services they use and if the quality is acceptable. You can also test-drive services to see how your devices work in your area. (See the FAQ below for more on how reliable coverage maps can be.)

Know your deals and discounts

One other thing to keep in mind: discounts. All the carriers offer additional discounts you could be eligible for, depending on your employer, military status, student status or age.

First responders, military members, veterans, nurses and teachers can get discounts from every major carrier. Verizon has discounts for students, while T-Mobile’s Work perk could knock 15% off the monthly price of an Experience More or Experience Beyond plan, with AT&T offering a similar program for its Premium 2.0 plan. AT&T also has a promotion for teachers that offers 20% off its latest unlimited plans.

If you’re 55 or older, you may also be eligible for a discounted plan: T-Mobile offers discounted plans nationwide for as low as $55 a month for two lines. AT&T has a plan with two lines for $35 a month per line. And Verizon offers a similar option, but only for Florida residents. 

It’s also worth noting that some carriers advertise special pricing on their websites aimed at switchers — for example, if you bring your own phone instead of trading one in and financing a new device through an installment plan. Our recommendations reflect the standard rates outside of those more narrowly targeted promotions.

How we test

Picking a wireless plan and carrier is a highly personal process. What works for you and your family’s needs may be vastly different from what your friends or neighbors need. Coverage can vary by location, too, with some areas better served by AT&T and others performing best on Verizon or T-Mobile. The picks we make are based on more than a decade of covering and evaluating wireless carriers, their offerings and overall performance. 

Specifically, we take into account coverage, price/value and perks.

Coverage

Since all three major providers cover most of the country with reliable 4G LTE or 5G, this is largely a toss-up on a macro level. It’s why we recommend a variety of eSIM options for figuring out what works best for you in your particular location. Coverage maps on each carrier’s website will likely show strong service in your area, even if your real-world experience doesn’t always translate to full bars or the fastest speeds.

Price/value

Value is factoring in the total experience you might get, such as how much high-speed data you’re allowed and what’s included in the sticker price. We also take into account whether a plan includes typical taxes and fees, or whether those are charged separately, inching your monthly bill up higher.

Perks

Perks are add-ons beyond the core components of wireless service (talk, text and data). These can range from bundling in or discounting streaming services, to extra hotspot data or the ability to use your phone internationally.

Travel phone plan FAQs