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Verizon Travel Pass Review: A Globetrotter‘s Guide

• April 19, 2024
• by Tom Wells

As an avid world traveler and consumer expert who‘s always on the lookout for the best deals, I‘ve had plenty of experience staying connected abroad. One of the most convenient options I‘ve used is Verizon‘s Travel Pass international roaming plan. In this comprehensive review, I‘ll cover everything you need to know to determine if Travel Pass is right for your travel needs.

What is Verizon Travel Pass?

Travel Pass is Verizon‘s solution for using your existing phone and plan abroad in over 210 countries. For a flat daily fee (typically $5-$10 depending on location), you can draw from your domestic talk, text and data allowances as if you were still at home. There‘s no need to swap SIM cards, rent a different device, or pay exorbitant pay-per-use roaming fees.

Here are the key features of Verizon Travel Pass:

• $5/day in Mexico and Canada
• $10/day in 210+ other countries (most of Europe, Asia, Central/South America, Caribbean)
• Use your regular talk, text and data limits from your domestic plan
• Only pay the daily fee on days you use your phone – no upfront charges
• Convenient – no need to arrange an international plan before traveling or visit a store to buy a SIM card
• Same phone and number – stay reachable on your regular U.S. number

According to Verizon, Travel Pass has been used by over 12 million customers since launching in 2015, with usage steadily increasing each year. In a 2019 survey of 1,000 Travel Pass users, 88% reported being satisfied with the service and 79% said they would recommend it to others.

Pricing Details

While Travel Pass can be significantly cheaper than pay-per-use international roaming (Verizon charges $2.05/MB, $0.50/text, and $1.79/min for standard global roaming), it‘s important to be aware of a few caveats:

If you have an unlimited on-device data plan, speeds may be throttled after 500MB/day . Additional high speed data can be added starting at $20 for 1GB.

Calls to foreign numbers may incur additional international long distance charges in some locations. Rates vary by country but can be up to $0.25/min.

Mobile hotspot data is not included with Travel Pass – only data used directly on your device.

To put the pricing in perspective, here‘s how much Verizon Travel Pass would cost for some common travel scenarios:

As you can see, the costs can add up quickly for longer trips or heavy usage – a month using Travel Pass abroad could easily cost more than your regular monthly cell phone bill! This is why it‘s essential to understand your usage habits and evaluate all your options before deciding on an international roaming solution.

How to Activate and Use Travel Pass

One of Travel Pass‘ selling points is how easy it is to activate and use. No need to call customer service or visit a store – you can add it directly from your phone via any of these methods:

My Verizon App/Website : Go to "Manage International Services" and add Travel Pass to your line(s). My preferred method for instant verification.

Text "TRAVEL" to 4004 from the line you want to add Travel Pass to. Quick and easy but may take 1-2 hours to process.

Call Verizon at 800-711-8300 and ask to add Travel Pass. Useful if you need assistance or have other questions.

Travel Pass will then automatically activate whenever you use your phone abroad in an included country – no need to re-add it each trip. You‘ll get a welcome text confirming it‘s working.

A few important things to remember when using Travel Pass:

The daily session fee is charged based on Eastern Time – so if you fly to Europe and land at 8am local time (2am ET), you won‘t be charged until you use your phone after 2am ET.

Travel Pass works in over 210 countries but is not available in every country Verizon offers global roaming – be sure to check the full country list before you go.

If you‘re traveling to multiple countries in the same day, you‘ll only be charged one daily fee (for the country with the highest rate).

You can add or remove Travel Pass at any time from your account, but it may take a full billing cycle for charges to cease if removed mid-trip.

Comparison to Other International Roaming Options

To decide if Verizon Travel Pass is a good deal, it‘s important to compare it to the other common options for international cell phone usage:

For most travelers, Verizon Travel Pass offers a good balance of cost and convenience. Paying $5-10 per day is reasonable for short to medium trips and far simpler than the alternatives that require changing SIMs, porting your number, or relying solely on WiFi.

However, there are scenarios where the other options make more sense:

For trips longer than a month, or if you‘re frequently abroad, switching to Google Fi or buying local SIMs will likely be more economical than paying daily Travel Pass fees.

If you‘re visiting a single country for an extended period, getting a local SIM is usually the cheapest way to get cellular data abroad. Rates of $10-20/month for several GB of data are common in many countries.

If you really just need the occasional access to maps or messaging and can survive on slow speeds, T-Mobile‘s free international data can be sufficient.

Ultimately there‘s no one-size-fits-all best choice for international roaming – it depends on your specific travel plans, budget and data needs. But for many Verizon customers, Travel Pass is a solid "set it and forget it" option that‘s worked well in my experience.

Tips for Minimizing Travel Pass Costs

While Verizon Travel Pass offers better rates than standard international roaming, it can still get expensive if you‘re not careful. Here are my top tips for getting the most value from Travel Pass and avoiding unexpected charges:

Monitor your usage – Use your phone‘s built-in data tracking features to see how much data you‘re actually using abroad. You may be surprised how quickly it adds up!

Stick to WiFi when possible – Take advantage of free WiFi at hotels, cafes, airports and other public hotspots to minimize your cellular data usage.

Download offline maps and content – Downloading Google Maps areas, Netflix shows, Spotify playlists, etc. to your phone while on WiFi can greatly reduce your data needs.

Disable background app refresh and auto downloads – Many apps use data in the background even when you‘re not actively using them. Go into your settings and turn off these features.

Keep your phone in airplane mode – When you‘re not actively using it, keeping your phone in airplane mode (with WiFi on) will prevent any accidental cellular charges.

Buy an international data package – If you know you‘ll need a lot of high speed data, consider buying one of Verizon‘s international data packs starting at $20 for 1GB ($100 for 10GB). These offer better rates than Travel Pass for heavy data usage.

Check if your destination is included – Travel Pass works in over 210 countries, but there are some notable exceptions like Cuba, Syria and Sudan where you‘ll pay standard roaming rates.

Consider a local SIM for longer stays – If you‘re spending more than a few weeks abroad, buying a local SIM card will usually be cheaper than paying daily Travel Pass fees.

Customer Feedback and Reviews

Since its launch in 2015, Verizon Travel Pass has received generally positive reviews from customers and industry experts. PC Magazine called it a "solid option" for short trips, while The Points Guy said it "effectively eliminates the need to deal with swapping SIMs."

On Verizon‘s website, Travel Pass has an average rating of 4.2/5 stars from over 4,000 customer reviews. Many users praise its simplicity and seamless functionality, like this review from Michael S:

"I have used Travel Pass on multiple international trips and it has worked flawlessly. The flat $10/day fee is very reasonable and lets me use my phone exactly as I do at home without worrying about surprise charges. The only downside is that it does not include calls to local numbers in most countries."

However, a common complaint in negative reviews is "accidental" Travel Pass activation and charges, like this one from Jennifer T:

"I got charged a Travel Pass fee during a layover in Germany even though I didn‘t use my phone at all. Apparently just having my phone on was enough to trigger it. Verizon refused to refund the charge. Be very careful about keeping your phone in airplane mode!"

To avoid these unintended charges, make sure to keep your phone in airplane mode with cellular data turned off if you don‘t plan to use it. You can still enable WiFi to connect where available.

The Future of International Roaming

As global travel recovers from the pandemic and new 5G networks are deployed around the world, the landscape of international roaming is evolving quickly. In the coming years, I expect we‘ll see more options for affordable global connectivity, from eSIM technology to greater adoption of WiFi calling.

Verizon has stated plans to expand Travel Pass to more countries and explore new features like international 5G roaming and "Travel WiFi" passes for access to secure WiFi hotspots abroad. They also recently acquired BlueJeans , a video conferencing platform, which could open up new possibilities for integrated communication services for traveling professionals.

Other carriers will likely respond with their own innovations – T-Mobile has already started to move in this direction with its "Magenta MAX" plan that includes 256kbps international data (double the speed of its standard offering).

Ultimately, staying connected while traveling globally will only get easier and more affordable in the 5G era. But for Verizon customers today, Travel Pass remains a convenient and reasonably priced option for many types of international trips.

The Bottom Line

After extensively testing Verizon Travel Pass on my own international travels and comparing it to the alternatives, my assessment is that it offers a good balance of cost and convenience for most casual travelers.

While certainly not the cheapest possible way to get cellular service abroad, the easy setup and $5-10/day pricing is attractive for short to medium length trips where you just want your phone to work abroad as it does at home.

Of course, everyone‘s needs and budget are different. For longer journeys or frequent international travel, switching to Google Fi or picking up local SIMs is likely more economical. If you‘re on a very tight budget, relying on WiFi hotspots and apps with offline functionality can greatly reduce your roaming needs.

My key piece of advice: know your expected usage and thoroughly compare your options up front. Don‘t just default to Travel Pass without doing your homework. And most importantly – enjoy your trip! In the great scheme of an international voyage, saving a few bucks on cell phone roaming is much less important than being present in the moment and having a wonderful experience.

Best international phone plans in 2024 — what travelers need to know

Heading overseas? Find out what your cellphone provider charges if you use your phone

• T-Mobile phone plans
• Verizon phone plans
• AT&T phone plans
• Google Fi plans
• Other options
• Device compatibility and eSims
• 5G coverage when traveling

If summer travel takes you to another country, make sure you've got one of the best international phone plans as your traveling companion. In the U.S., all the major wireless carriers offer some kind of travel benefit with their best cell phone plans , but they also have supplementary packages for travelers to augment the data plan you already have in place. The trick is to make sure those options keep you covered around the globe without busting your budget.

1. T-Mobile : Best choice for travelers 2. Verizon : TravelPass options 3. AT&T : Best for travel in Latin and Central America 4. Google Fi : An underrated traveling companion 5. Other options : Other international phone plans to consider

The best international phone plans will let you make calls and browse the web when you're in another country (though there might be a fee on top of your normal monthly rate, depending on which carrier you use). Different plans might provide coverage in specific countries, and how long you plan on traveling could also impact your choice of plans. Your method of travel — be it by plane or cruise ship — also affects which plan is best for you.

All of these are things for globetrotters to consider when shopping for wireless coverage. You're going to want one of the best unlimited data plans since they tend to offer the most travel-related perks. If you haven't travelled internationally in a while, it's smart to double-check what options are out there since the best phone carriers have overhauled their plans and packages available to travelers.

Here’s a look at the travel policies and perks for the three top U.S carriers along with information on Google Fi, which offers a plan that definitely appeals to frequent travelers.

T-Mobile international phone plans

T-Mobile has shed some of its plans, though the good news is that most of the remaining options provide some benefits for overseas travel. Subscribe to Go5G, Go5G Plus or Go5G Next, and you enjoy unlimited data and texting in more than 215 countries around the world. If you want to place or receive calls, you’ll be subject to the local rate depending on where you want to go. You don’t need to notify T-Mobile of your travel for your overseas benefits to kick in.

T-Mobile Go5G Plus Plan | Unlimited Data | $90/month T-Mobile's Go5G Plus plan has the edge over the cheaper Go5G option, with better travel benefits. You get 15GB of data when you traavel in Mexico and Canada (compared to 10GB for Go5G), and you also enjoy texting and Wi-Fi on any flight where internet is available. Even better, you can use your data in 215-plus countries at no extra cost. The first 5GB of data you use use will be high-speed data (with 5G speeds supported where available). Go5G subscribers only get high-speed data in 11 European countries; otherwise, data speeds are capped at 256 kbps.

Travel perks in current plans: As part of T-Mobile's Beyond Connected program, data speeds now reach 256 kbps when you're overseas. If you subscribe to the standard Go5G plan ($75 for a single line) and you're in one of 11 European countries, you can enjoy 5GB of high-speed data every month, thanks to a partnership with T-Mobile parent Deutsche Telecom.

The perk gets better when you upgrade to Go5G Plus, which starts at $90/month for one line of data). That plan treats you to 5GB of high-speed data in 215 countries.

Go5G Next, T-Mobile's most expensive plan at $100/month for a single line, has the same travel benefits as Go5G Plus, but adds the ability to upgrade your phone every year. If that's not important to you, stick with Go5G Plus and pay $10 less each month on your wireless bill.

T-Mobile customers can take advantage of free Wi-Fi on American, Delta, Alaska Airlines and United flights. Go5G Plus subscribers get full texting and Wi-Fi with streaming during flights, where wireless is available. If you opt for Go5G, you're covered on four flights per year with full streaming, plus unlimited texting; after those four flights, you can stream one hour of video. Delta SkyMiles members also get free Wi-Fi on domestic U.S. flights courtesy of T-Mobile — even if they get their wireless service from another carrier.

In Mexico and Canada, T-Mobile allows you to use up to 10GB of data if you're a Go5G customer; speeds are slowed to 128kbps after that. Go5G Plus members enjoy 15GB, with speeds slowing to 256kbps if you use more than that amount.

T-Mobile includes travel benefits in two of its remaining senior plans, with identical travel perks between the $100 Go5G Plus 55 option and the $120 Go5G Next 55 plan. (Note that those monthly prices cover two lines of data; one line of either Plus or Next cost $70 and $80, respectively.) Travel perks include high-speed data and text when you travel abroad, plus unlimited in-flight connectivity. When you travel to Canada or Mexico, you get 15GB of high-speed data. Both plans also include a year's membership to AAA for road travel in the U.S.

If you opt for T-Mobile's lower cost Essentials unlimited plan, you'll get 2G roaming in Canada and Mexico, but have to pay for data elsewhere.

Trip-specific passes: T-Mobile offers International Pass options for travelers who want high-speed data during lengthier stays overseas. A 5GB International Pass gives you that much high-speed data along with unlimited calling for 10 days. It costs $35. T-Mobile's $50 International Pass increases high-speed data to 15GB and extends the length of the pass to 30 days. The carrier also offers a $5 daily pass that gives you 512MB of high-speed data, and unlimited calling between the 215 or so Simple Global destinations. 

Cruise rates: Pricing on cruises will vary according to which cruise you’re taking. You can check T-Mobile’s site to see what your pricing will be.

Verizon international phone plans

Verizon phones generally work all over the world, especially if you've got a phone built in the last few years. But where you travel significantly influences how much you’ll have to pay. As for which is the best Verizon phone plan for travelers, that all depends on how frequently you go overseas. There's a clear choice for regular globetrotters, but Verizon's less expensive offerings allow you to tack on travel benefits, too.

Verizon Unlimited Ultimate | Unlimited Data | $90/month Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate plan offers the most benefits for world travelers. Verizon promises "full international connectivity," meaning you'll be able to use talk and text for free when overseas; you also get 10GB of high-speed data every month that you can use in other countries. Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, so unless you take frequent trips, you may be better served by Unlimited Plus ($80/month for one line) or Unlimited Welcome ($65/month). Those two plans can add on a $10/month Travel Pass options that provides three days of talk, text and data when you're overseas. You can drop the Travel Pass add-on from your plan in months were you don't need it. Verizon lets family plans mix and match lines so one person can get Unlimited Ultimate, while the others subscribe to the cheaper options.

Travel perks in current plans: Of Verizon's three unlimited plans, the best for frequent travelers is the Unlimited Ultimate option, which lets you use talk and text in other countries just like you would in the U.S. You also get 10GB of high-speed data to use overseas every month.

Unfortunately, Unlimited Ultimate is Verizon's most expensive plan, costing $90 a month for one line. (And that's after a discount for enrolling autopay.) There are cheaper options — Unlimited Welcome and Unlimited Plus — that include travel perks. Both plans let you text internationally to 200-plus countries. You can also use LTE data when traveling in Mexico and Canada. You're limited to 0.5GB of data consumption per day in those two countries before your speeds are slowed to 2G, and you can't use more than half of your talk, text and data in those countries over a 60-day period.

In addition to the base Welcome Unlimited and Unlimited Plus packages, you can opt for $10 monthly add-ons for your Verizon plan — some covering streaming services, another providing hotspot data and so on. The relevant package is Verizon's $10/month 3 TravelPass Days add-on, which saves you $20 a month on travel benefits as you pick up three passes during monthly billing cycles. You can accrue up to 36 passes for using talk, text and data when traveling overseas.

Unlimited Welcome starts at $65/month for one line, while Unlimited Plus is $80. If you have a family plan, you can mix and match so that different lines of data subscribe to different plans — helpful if there's one person in the family who travels a lot and would benefit from the Unlimited Ultimate perks.

Trip-specific passes: Let's talk a little bit more about the TravelPass . It's Verizon's daily option for international coverage, and it’ll cost you $5 per day per device for each day you’re out of the country if you travel to Mexico or Canada and don't have an unlimited plan. In 185 other countries — including China, France and Germany — Verizon charges $10 per device per day. TravelPass gets you 2GB of 5G data, and unlimited data at 3G speeds after that; the passes also come with unlimited talk and text.

If you know you’ll be traveling for a bit more time, consider Verizon’s monthly option, which the carrier recommends for trips lasting at least 10 days. International Monthly Plans at Verizon cost $100/month, but in exchange, you get 250 minutes of talk, unlimited texts and 20GB of high-speed data. (Use that, and you get unlimited data at 3G speeds.)

Verizon also offers pay-as-you-go pricing for international travel. You’ll pay 99 cents per minute in Canada and Mexico, Guam and the Northern Marianas Islands. Rates go up to $1.79 in 130-plus countries and $2.99 in 80 other places. Each text message you send will cost you 50 cents, and each received text will set you back 5 cents. Your data will be charged at a rate of $2.05 per megabyte no matter where you are.

Cruise rates: Pay-as-you go rates on cruise ships cost $1.99 for each minute of talk and 50 cents for every sent text message. You’ll pay 5 cents per message received. Verizon has a data plan for cruise passengers, too, with $30/day giving you 500MB of data plus unlimited texting and 50 minutes of talk time. For in-flight connectivity, you can opt for the same pay-as-you-go rates for cruise trips or you can pay $20 per day for unlimited data.

AT&T international phone plans

AT&T also comes with varied international pricing depending on where you want to go. Canada and Mexico travel is covered in many top AT&T plans, and if you pay up for the Unlimited Premium option, you can use your plan in many Central and South American countries. Traveling elsewhere? Then you had best look into AT&T's travel passes.

AT&T Unlimited Premium| Unlimited Data | $85.99/month It's AT&T's most expensive unlimited plan, but Unlimited Premium has the best perk for travelers — you can use your talk, text and data at no extra cost in 20 Latin American countries.  As with other AT&T unlimited options, you also enjoy talk, text and data coverage when traveling in Canada and Mexico.

Travel perks in current plans: If you’re heading to Mexico or Canada, AT&T already covers all of your voice, data and text with its four different unlimited plans — Starter, Extra, Premium and the entry-level Value Plus option. AT&T offers a lone tiered data plan with 4GB of data that you can use in Canada and Mexico (though roaming may be at 2G speeds). Both unlimited and tiered data plans feature unlimited texting to 120-plus countries.

The Unlimited Premium plan is the best option for travelers headed to the Americas, as you'll be able to enjoy unlimited text, talk and data at no additional cost in 20 Central and South American countries. 

If you do a lot of international calling from home, AT&T offers unlimited calling to 85-plus countries from the U.S. for $15 per month for each line. Calls to another 140-plus countries get discounted rates under this plan.

Trip-specific passes: For anyone off to Europe, the Caribbean, Latin America or the Asia Pacific region on a short jaunt, AT&T recommends its $12-a-day International Day Pass, which comes with unlimited talk and text and data governed by your plan. That $12 rate reflects a $2 price hike, though service is still available in 210-plus countries. Each device you take overseas needs its own Day Pass, but you can extra phones for $6 a day, on top of the first device.

You'll never have to pay for more than 10 days of day passes on any one bill, even if your trip lasts longer. International Day Passes also kick in automatically when you use your phone abroad — you get a text message letting you know you're covered.

Cruise rates: On cruises , AT&T offers a $60/month Cruise Basic plan that covers 100 minutes of talk and unlimited texting while also offering 100MB of data. Need more of everything? Then try the Cruise Plus plan ($100/month), which includes 1GB of data on top of unlimited talk and text. 

Google Fi international phone plans

If you do a lot of international traveling, don't ignore Google Fi Wireless , the wireless service set up by Google that uses cellular towers of T-Mobile and US Cellular to provide coverage. International travel is built into two of Google Fi's plans — the Unlimited Plus and Flexible options.

Google Unlimited Plus| Unlimited Data | $65/month The Unlimited Plus plan is the way to go with Google Fi, as you can use your data at no extra cost when traveling overseas. Google Fi customers who pay by the gigabyte of data used are also eligible for this perk.

Travel perks in current plans: You've got two options with Google Fi — tiered data through the company's Flexible plan or a pair of unlimited data options. Flexible coverage costs $20 a month for talk and text plus $10 for each GB of data you use. (Data usage is rounded off to the nearest megabyte so you only pay for the data you consume.) Google stops charging you after you use 6GB a month, meaning you'll never pay more than $80. 

If you find unlimited data plans more appealing, Google has you covered there, too — it also offers a $65 Unlimited Plus option that rolls in unlimited talk, text and data. Unlimited Plus subscribers now get a year of YouTube Premium as a perk. 

The real benefit to either Unlimited Plus or Flexible is that those plans cover you when you're traveling in 200-plus countries. When you're overseas, Google Fi charges the same rate for data usage, whether you're on an unlimited data plan or paying by the gigabyte. Voice calls cost 20 cents (though calls placed over Wi-Fi are free) and you get unlimited SMS messaging. 

Alas, Google's $50/month Simply Unlimited plan is not eligible for the free data perk when traveling. That said, all three of Google Fi's plans let you use talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada.

Google Fi is even more appealing now that Google has opened up service to all phones, including iPhones. Note that phones optimized for Google Fi — Google's Pixel phones (currently the Pixel 8 , Pixel 8 Pro , Pixel Fold and Pixel 8a )  along with a selection of Samsung phones and Motorola budget devices — can switch seamlessly between cellular networks and Google's Wi-Fi hotspots, while other phones cannot.

Trip-specific passes: Unlike the other carriers here, Google Fi doesn't offer travel passes for extended trips. Your only option is to get coverage through the Flexible and Unlimited Plus plans.

Cruise rates: Google Fi is not available when you're at sea — only when you're on land in one of the 200-plus countries covered by the carrier.

Other international phone plan options

Discount carriers typically don't provide much in the way of benefits for travelers, but there are some exceptions. The most noteworthy alternative is Visible , which has expanded the travel perks for subscribers to its $45/month Visible Plus plan .

Visible is owned by Verizon and uses its parent company's network for coverage. The Visible Plus plan features unlimited data, including access to Verizon's high-speed 5G network. Travelers will be particularly interested in the unlimited talk, text and 2GB of daily data available through Visible Plus when traveling in Canada and Mexico. Visible Plus customers are also eligible for one free Global Pass day per month, in which they can use talk, text and data at no charge in 140 countries. Globla Passes normally cost $10.

Best international phone plan: Device compatibility and eSims

Traveling overseas used to mean checking to see if your phone would be compatible once you set foot in another country. But those days are drawing to a close now that 3G networks are shutting down, eliminating much of the distinction between phones that work on either GSM and CDMA. If you've got a recent smartphone that connects to LTE, chances are strong it's going to work just fine in other countries. (You still might want to confirm that your phone works on the LTE bands available in the country you're heading to prior to your trip, just to avoid any unpleasant surprises.)

Many phones now support electronic SIM cards or eSIM technology, where you no longer need to swap in a local SIM card to make your smartphone work with an overseas network. (Since the iPhone 14 , Apple devices sold in the U.S. only feature eSIM support — that includes the newer iPhone 15 models.) One of our editors took an international trip using an eSIM for her phone and found it easy to setup and use with a local network — in fact, she plans to use the eSIM approach on all future travel. 

That said, not every country supports eSIM. And depending on your phone carrier in the U.S., you might already have options that cover your phone use in other countries.

International phone plans: What about 5G?

As noted above, many of the plans that offer international travel either have you connect at whatever speed is available locally or at a reduced speed in cases where you're drawing from your own data plan. But what if you've got a 5G phone that can connect to faster networks overseas?

For the most part, we'd expect your phone to operate as before, either at whatever speed the local network offers or a capped speed if that's part of your carrier's travel plans. However, in a few instances, U.S. phone carriers have started making deals with overseas wireless providers that allow their customers to access 5G speeds when roaming. You should check with your carrier for information about the country you're going to travel in.

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Philip Michaels is a Managing Editor at Tom's Guide. He's been covering personal technology since 1999 and was in the building when Steve Jobs showed off the iPhone for the first time. He's been evaluating smartphones since that first iPhone debuted in 2007, and he's been following phone carriers and smartphone plans since 2015. He has strong opinions about Apple, the Oakland Athletics, old movies and proper butchery techniques. Follow him at @PhilipMichaels.

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International Roaming Outage Affecting Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile Customers [Updated]

There appears to be an ongoing outage with international roaming across multiple cellular networks, with Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile customers abroad complaining about the issue on social networks and cellular community forums .

Based on feedback from customers that have managed to contact support, the providers are aware of the issue with international roaming and are actively working on resolving it, although there have been reports that this could take several hours. We'll update this article as soon as we learn more.

Does anyone else have @Verizon and overseas?? Everyone I’m with phone just fully stopped working… anyone else?? — Patrick Schwarzenegger (@PSchwarzenegger) June 27, 2024

Update 2: Bloomberg reports that a Verizon customer service representative who was contacted from the UK on Thursday said that it's an ongoing issue that engineers are working to address.

Update 3: The multi-network outage is related to issues at international connection partner Syniverse , according to a person familiar with the situation. The company says the estimated time of restoration is 12 hours up to 24 hours.

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Top rated comments.

I'm always curious with issues like this, do people seriously think that a vendor is just going to sit around and not work on the problem? While their networks aren't as robust as they like us to think, they are going to resolve these issues if nothing else to avoid government hassling them for causing an outage.

This screwed me so bad yesterday in Mexico City. Carrier left us out to dry. I’m leaving Verizon over this. What I went through yesterday when this randomly happened in a random neighborhood of CDMX I will never forgive this company for.

My Apple Pay also didn’t work in Germany earlier. Thankfully I had cash on me. Is the world ending?

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Verizon, AT&T International Roaming not working? You're not alone — outage hits customers worldwide

Verizon customers are reporting a serious outage!

Verizon and AT&T customers are reporting a major outage affecting international roaming access across the world. 

According to a post in the Verizon Reddit from overnight "There is a current outage for international roaming, seems like it's affecting T-Mobile and AT&T also." Multiple upvotes and comments to that effect seem to confirm that a multitude of Verizon customers are experiencing some kind of major outage, listing nations including Poland, Mexico, Colombia, and Croatia. Over on Verizon's Community networks , multiple users are reporting their overseas data isn't working in countries including the UK and Italy, as well as Prague, Morocco, and more. Likewise, one AT&T customer wrote : "I suddenly lost cellular service on my iphone.  I am abroad.  I have tried the chat but it says I need to verify my account and will send a text, which I do not receive given that I don't have cellular service."

As noted in the initial thread, this seems to be a cross-carrier issue. "Anyone else traveling outside of the US experiencing cellular data outage with AT&T," one X user posted . Yet another confirmed "Traveling abroad. Outage. No wireless cell service Anyone else having AT&T Verizon T-Mobile issues?" 

Downdetector's US website reveals a significant uptick in outage reports for Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile in the last 24 hours, although users reporting issues with T-Mobile are more limited. 

Ongoing Verizon, AT&T outage

At least with regards to Verizon, it seems the company is aware of the issue. Multiple users report having spoken to the carrier about it, and as the initial report notes Verizon is aware, and doesn't seem to have a fix at hand. As this is an ongoing outage, we're still waiting for public confirmation from any of the carriers regarding the issue and what might be causing it. We've seen suggestions that multiple U.S. carriers being affected could indicate an issue with roaming telecommunications company Syniverse. 

We'll continue to monitor the situation and will provide updates when we get any. 

This story is updating, please keep refreshing the page...

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Cellphone Outage in Europe Leaves Many U.S. Travelers Disconnected

The disruption affected mostly visitors with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon service, cutting them off data networks across the continent for 24 hours or more.

By Derek M. Norman

Many travelers from the United States lost a crucial tool to check maps, make reservations, use ride-hailing apps and more because of a cellular data outage that began affecting users of AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon on Wednesday.

The affected travelers, mostly in Europe, posted on social media, seeking answers about what caused the outage and how long it would last. Some reported being unable to make phone calls, send texts or use online services without Wi-Fi for as long as 24 hours. It is unclear what caused the outage, which appeared to extend from Britain to Turkey.

If you are in europe and your phone's data isnt working, verizon cannot help. according to their tech support, it is in the hands of Syniverse to fix so dont spend hours having verizon try to trouble shoot it. verizon read me a statement from syniverse but i see no mention online https://t.co/3FJsMQ531L — Chase 🇳🇱 ᵀʷⁱᵗᶜʰᶜᵒⁿ ᴱᵁ (@ChasejustChase) June 27, 2024

An AT&T spokeswoman said that the carrier’s network was operating normally, but that some customers traveling internationally might be experiencing service disruptions because of an issue outside the AT&T network. The company said it was working with one of its roaming connectivity providers to resolve the issue.

Verizon told some of its customers on social media that it was also aware of the issue and that its teams were working with local providers to resolve it.

A T-Mobile representative said the carrier was one of “several providers impacted by a third-party vendor’s issue that is intermittently affecting some international roaming service” and was also working to resolve it.

George Lagos, a 70-year-old real estate developer from Dunedin, Fla., who is visiting the Greek island of Crete with his family, noticed on Wednesday that his T-Mobile cellular data was not working. For about 24 hours, he said, he was not able to reach the people he had made plans with, though luckily, they had already gone over the details together.

“You know it’s an inconvenience, but it wasn’t a disaster,” said Mr. Lagos, whose service appeared to be restored by Thursday evening. “I didn’t miss a flight. I didn’t have a taxicab looking for me or anything.”

But there was a more serious concern: His wife’s mother has been sick and Mr. Lagos’s wife could not reach the person who was helping take care of her.

“That probably was the worst thing,” Mr. Lagos said.

Major U.S. carriers all offer some version of an all-inclusive international data plan that allows travelers to use their phones much as they would in the United States.

Though the current disruption appears to be easing, travelers affected by such outages have other options to connect. Swapping out a physical SIM card — for phones that still have one — can allow you to connect to a local network. (These typically come in pay-as-you-go or prepaid packages.) For newer phones, apps like Airalo provide relatively inexpensive electronic SIM card packages in many international destinations. And of course, you can always seek out a secure Wi-Fi network.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Derek M. Norman is a senior news assistant for the International section of The Times. More about Derek M. Norman

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Ljubljana, Slovenia:  Stroll along the river, explore a contemporary art scene and admire panoramic views in this scenic Central European capital .

Cities With Great Beaches:  Already been to Miami, Honolulu and Sydney? These five other coastal destinations  are vibrant on land and on the water.

Southern France:  The Canal du Midi traverses the Occitanie region and gives cyclists of all skill levels  access to parts of France that are rich in lore .

Port Antonio, Jamaica:  The D.J. and music producer Diplo recommends spots in a city he loves  on Jamaica’s northeast coast. A dance party makes the cut.

New Mexico:  Visiting the vast and remote Gila Wilderness, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, is both inspiring and demanding .

Verizon Travel Pass: Abroad Activation

• Last updated Jun 25, 2024
• Difficulty Beginner

• Category Travel

Verizon TravelPass allows you to use your existing Verizon Wireless plan while you're outside the US. You can use your domestic talk, text and data allowances just like you do at home, and you're only charged for the days that you use your device in a TravelPass country. TravelPass can be activated before your trip by visiting MyVerizon.com and selecting manage international services, or by using the MyVerizon app on your phone. You can also add TravelPass by texting the word TRAVEL to 4004. Once you arrive at your destination, you'll receive a text message reminding you of the service and the daily fee.

What You'll Learn

Activating travelpass before travelling, using travelpass in mexico and canada, using travelpass in other countries, international calling with travelpass, travelpass costs and charges.

Firstly, you need to ensure that your device's roaming settings are turned on. This is essential, as it allows your device to connect to cellular networks in your destination country. To do this, go to your device's settings, select 'Cellular', and turn on 'Voice and Data Roaming'.

Next, you can add TravelPass to your line. This can be done in several ways:

• Visit the Trip Planner in My Verizon on the My Verizon website.
• In your account on the My Verizon app, select 'Plans & Services', then scroll down to 'International Plans' and add a new plan.
• Send a text message with the word 'TRAVEL' to 4004.

Once you have added TravelPass, it will stay on your line, so you don't need to worry about activating it each time you travel.

Verizon recommends enabling International Services on your account before travelling abroad. This ensures your plan is configured to make and receive calls while overseas. To do this, visit MyVerizon.com and select 'Manage International Services', or use the MyVerizon app on your phone to activate it.

It is worth noting that TravelPass is not the only international plan offered by Verizon. There are also monthly international plans, as well as daily passes for use on flights and cruise ships.

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TravelPass is a Verizon service that allows you to use your domestic talk, text, and data in 140+ to 210+ countries and destinations outside the US for a set daily fee. This includes Mexico and Canada.

How to Use TravelPass in Mexico and Canada

To use TravelPass in Mexico and Canada, you must first add TravelPass to your line. You can do this by visiting the Trip Planner in My Verizon or by texting the word "Travel" to 4004.

Once you have added TravelPass to your line, a 24-hour TravelPass session will automatically start when you use your device in Mexico or Canada. This includes making or answering a phone call, sending a text, or using data. You will be charged $5 for each 24-hour session in Mexico or Canada.

Please note that you must turn on cellular data or data roaming on your device when you go to Mexico or Canada for TravelPass to work. Additionally, once your cellular data or data roaming is turned on, a TravelPass session can be started by background data, including app content refreshing, syncing with email, and device or app software updates.

You will receive a text message two hours after the session starts, letting you know when your 24-hour TravelPass session ends. Using your device after that time will start a new session.

Calling with TravelPass in Mexico and Canada

With TravelPass, you can call within Mexico or Canada, as well as back to the US, without any additional charges. If you want to call a different country, you will need to add an International Long Distance Plan to your line through the My Verizon website or the My Verizon app. If you do not add an international long-distance plan, you will be charged international long-distance pay-per-minute rates for these calls.

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Verizon's TravelPass is an international roaming feature that lets you use your phone in more than 210 countries and territories outside the US. You can use your domestic talk, text, and data allowances just like you do at home for a set daily fee.

You'll be charged $5 per day in Mexico and Canada (if your domestic phone plan doesn't already include calls, texts, and data in these countries). In other TravelPass countries, you'll be charged $10 per day. You'll only be charged on the days you use your device abroad.

To add TravelPass to your line, you can visit the Trip Planner in My Verizon, or text "Travel" to 4004. You must turn on cellular data or data roaming when you go to the TravelPass country to use TravelPass.

A 24-hour TravelPass session starts automatically when you use your device in a TravelPass country (e.g. make or answer a phone call, send a text, or use data). You'll receive a text two hours after the session starts, letting you know when your 24-hour TravelPass session ends. Using your device after that time will start a new session.

With TravelPass, you can call within the country you're visiting and back to the US. If you want to call a different country, you'll need to add an International Long Distance Plan to your line through the My Verizon website or the My Verizon app. If you don't add an international long-distance plan, you'll be charged international long-distance pay-per-minute rates for these calls.

Wi-Fi calling isn't included with TravelPass. Wi-Fi calling to a country other than the US is charged at international long-distance rates, regardless of whether or not you have an international travel plan.

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If you want to call a different country, you'll need to add an International Long Distance Plan to your line via the My Verizon website or the My Verizon app. Without this, you'll be charged international long-distance pay-per-minute rates for these calls.

Wi-Fi calling is not included with TravelPass. Wi-Fi calling to a country other than the US is charged at international long-distance rates, regardless of whether or not you have an international travel plan.

To add TravelPass, you can text the word "TRAVEL" to 4004 or visit the Trip Planner in My Verizon. TravelPass stays on your line, so there's no need to opt in every day. You're only charged for the days that you use your device in a TravelPass country.

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TravelPass is a roaming option that allows you to use your Verizon phone outside the United States, in over 210 countries and destinations. With TravelPass, you can use your domestic talk, text, and data allowances just like you do at home, and you're only charged for the days that you use your phone.

The cost of TravelPass depends on the location. In Mexico and Canada, it costs $5 per day. In all other TravelPass countries, it costs $10 per day. These charges apply whenever you use your data, send or receive texts, or make or receive calls. It's important to note that if you have apps that run in the background with your Verizon network data, the daily TravelPass charges will apply for that day. Additionally, if you travel to two countries within a single 24-hour session or have a layover in a different country, you will only be charged for the first session.

To avoid unexpected charges, you can turn on airplane mode on your device when you don't need to use your Verizon services. Alternatively, you can connect to a Wi-Fi network and use email or other messaging platforms instead of texting.

Verizon also offers TravelPass reward days, which allow subscribers who qualify for the pass to use TravelPass free of charge. You can qualify for these reward days by applying for the Verizon Visa Card or opting for any of Verizon's 5G plans.

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Frequently asked questions.

You can activate TravelPass by visiting MyVerizon.com and selecting "manage international services" or by using the MyVerizon app on your phone. You can also text "TRAVEL" to 4004.

TravelPass costs $5 per day in Mexico and Canada, and $10 per day in 210+ other countries. You are only charged on the days you use your device in a TravelPass country.

Yes, but you will be charged Pay as You Go rates.

No, Wi-Fi calling is not included with TravelPass. Wi-Fi calling to a country other than the US is charged at international long-distance rates.

• Julia May Author Editor Reviewer Traveller

• Karisa Garcia Author Reviewer Traveller

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We will update our content. Thank you for your feedback!

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