Mobile phone bills can skyrocket abroad if holidaymakers make common mistakes. Using your phone while on holiday can lead to costly roaming charges, but expert advice can help you avoid rocketing bills.
Check Your Plan Before You Travel
Roaming policies vary, and the best way to protect yourself is to check what your plan actually includes before you travel. Don't rely on 'new customer' ads, says Oleksii Pimenov, mobile data and SIM expert at global data eSIM provider SIMBUSTER.
Some UK plans still incorporate EU roaming, while others levy a daily charge of up to £2.50. Beyond Europe, that fee can soar to as much as £8 per day, which mounts up swiftly.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
The most frustrating aspect of daily roaming is that on most networks, an accidental search when the hotel's Wi-Fi cuts out can trigger a full day's roaming charge. Ten accidental days over a fortnight amounts to £25 wasted on nothing—or £80 should you happen to be in Egypt or anywhere else outside the EU.
With EE, out-of-plan data overseas can cost £13.90 per gigabyte, though the expense varies depending on your destination. For context, downloading a film can be 2GB, and streaming a live football match would consume even more.
"If you're not using a travel SIM, switch off data roaming and background app refresh until you actually need them," advised Oleksii. "It can save you more than you think."
eSIMs Can Help Cut Costs
If your handset supports eSIMs, it's another effective means of cutting costs. Rather than forking out for an overpriced SIM at the airport, you can download and activate an eSIM before leaving home, providing you with affordable data the moment you touch down.
"With an eSIM, you know exactly what you're paying upfront, and you can have everything ready before you even board the plane," explained Oleksii.
Furthermore, if you're visiting more than one country, you can source an eSIM that covers an entire region, like Europe, rather than a single country SIM.
Preparation Is Key
A little preparation can also go a long way in cutting costs. Download everything you require—maps, children's programmes, music—before you set off.
Hotel Wi-Fi isn't always dependable enough for large downloads, and if you've already got everything stored on your phone or tablet, you won't need to give it a second thought.
Don't Get Caught Out on a Cruise
Cruise and ferry passengers also need to exercise caution. Maritime mobile networks function independently from standard roaming, and the costs can be steep.
"Unless you can use the ship's Wi-Fi, I'd always recommend switching your phone to Airplane Mode while at sea," added Oleksii.
One More Thing
If you do swap out your UK SIM for travel purposes, you risk missing important messages, including bank verification codes or unexpected calls. By keeping your UK SIM active alongside a data eSIM, you won't miss anything of significance.
And, if you travel to a particular destination regularly, whether for business or leisure, it is often far more practical to obtain a virtual local number.
