Roaming Charges Could Cost UK Holidaymakers £15 Per Day
British holidaymakers have been warned they could face charges of up to £15 per day if they fail to manage their mobile phone settings while abroad. Over the course of a year, this could amount to a staggering £5,000 in total fees. Alex Dyer, Managing Director at Ski Famille, highlighted the “easy mistake” families make when preparing for holidays, urging them to check every phone line rather than just one.
How Roaming Charges Work
Roaming charges are extra fees imposed by mobile providers when users make calls, send texts, or use data outside their home coverage area, typically when traveling internationally. These fees cover the cost of connecting to a foreign network. Many families travel with multiple devices, making it essential to configure each phone individually.
Dyer explained: “The easy mistake is checking only one person's phone. Every line can have a different tariff, roaming zone or spending cap, so parents should open each network account before travelling and write down exactly what will trigger a charge. If an eSIM suits the destination and handset, install it while still on reliable Wi-Fi, select it for data and make sure background use is not quietly running through the UK line.”
Costs Multiply Quickly for Families
The financial impact can escalate rapidly even within Europe. For example, five family lines on EE’s current £2.72 daily rate would cost £13.60 per day, while six lines would reach £16.32. On eligible Three or Vodafone tariffs at £2.75 per line, five lines would cost £13.75 and six £16.50 per day. These daily charges can quickly add up over the course of a holiday.
Staycations Also at Risk
Roaming charges are not limited to international travel. Millions of Brits opting for staycations may also face unexpected fees. More than one in four Brits (26%) planning a domestic holiday this summer are heading to the South West—Cornwall, Devon, and the Dorset coast—making it the UK's most popular domestic destination. The Kent coast and South East England follow in second place (13%). Traveling to these regions could trigger roaming charges if the mobile network considers them outside the home coverage area.
Dyer emphasized the importance of checking network policies before traveling, as some UK providers apply roaming charges for certain regions within the country. Holidaymakers should verify their tariff details and consider using eSIMs or local SIM cards to avoid unexpected costs.
