As the world becomes increasingly connected, it’s more important than ever to stay connected even when travelling abroad. However, with international roaming charges still a major concern for many travellers, staying connected can come at a steep cost. From hefty data fees to expensive calls and texts, roaming charges can quickly add up and leave you with a hefty bill to pay when you return home.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to avoid high roaming charges while still staying connected when travelling internationally. By being proactive and doing your research ahead of time, you can minimise your costs and enjoy your travels without worrying about the financial impact. This article, explores some of the best ways to avoid high roaming charges and stay connected while abroad.

Check Before You Travel!

One of the most important steps you can take to avoid high roaming charges when travelling abroad is to check the costs before you leave. This can help you avoid any surprises when you return home and receive your bill. You can check with your mobile carrier to see what their international roaming rates are and whether they offer any special packages or discounts for travellers. It’s also a good idea to research the costs of local SIM cards and prepaid plans in the countries you’ll be visiting, as these options can often be more affordable than using your home carrier’s services. By taking the time to research your options and compare costs, you can make an informed decision about how to stay connected while keeping your expenses in check.

Buy Before You Fly

Another way to save on roaming charges when travelling abroad is to purchase data roaming bundles from companies like Roaming Expert. These bundles offer a set amount of data, calls, and texts at a discounted rate, for example, the brand new FLEXeSIM, can help you stay connected without breaking the bank when using your data whilst roaming. It’s important to compare the costs of different packages and to choose one that best fits your needs. For example, if you plan on using your phone for streaming or video calls, you may need a larger bundle with more data. On the other hand, if you’ll only be using your phone for occasional emails and texts, a smaller bundle may be sufficient. By purchasing a data roaming bundle before you leave, you can avoid the higher costs of pay-as-you-go roaming charges and enjoy the peace of mind of having a set amount of data to use while travelling.

Try Wi-Fi

Connecting to Wi-Fi is one of the most effective ways to reduce your roaming charges when travelling abroad. Many hotels, cafes, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi, and you can also purchase portable Wi-Fi devices or SIM cards with data plans. By connecting to Wi-Fi, you can use data-intensive apps and services without incurring additional charges from your mobile carrier. You can also make calls and send texts using messaging apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or Viber, which use Wi-Fi instead of your mobile network. It’s important to be cautious when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks and to use a virtual private network (VPN) to protect your data and privacy. By taking advantage of Wi-Fi hotspots and using data-intensive apps only when connected to Wi-Fi, you can save a significant amount of money on roaming charges while travelling abroad.

Avoid Heavy-Duty Data Activities

To further avoid high roaming charges when travelling abroad, it’s important to be mindful of your data usage. If you’re not connected to Wi-Fi, it’s best to avoid data-heavy activities such as streaming video or downloading large files. These activities can quickly use up your data allowance and result in additional charges from your mobile carrier. Instead, you can use apps like Google Maps and WhatsApp in offline mode, or download maps and other content ahead of time while connected to Wi-Fi. You can also turn off automatic app updates and background data usage to minimise your data usage while travelling. By being mindful of your data usage and avoiding data-heavy activities when not connected to Wi-Fi, you can help keep your roaming charges to a minimum and stay within your budget while enjoying your travels abroad.

For more information on any of the above or to discuss how RoamingExpert could save your business money, give our team a call anytime on +44 (0) 3300 555 777.