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Roaming vs eSIM cost check

Roaming or an eSIM: what will your trip cost?

Outside the countries your plan includes, AT&T and Verizon charge $12 a day per phone and T-Mobile $10 for a 1-day pass. Pick your plan and trip below to see the total next to a RoamClean eSIM.

Last checked October 8, 2026 against AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile's own pages · Sources

Check your trip's cost

Example trip
Your carrier

1 to 30 days

One line each

RoamClean costs less for this trip

You would save $112.01

AT&T International Day Pass$120
  • Your line: 10 days × $12$120
RoamClean Spain, 5 GB for 30 days$7.99

One more day: AT&T +$0, RoamClean +$0. One more phone: AT&T +$60, RoamClean +$7.99.

Get the RoamClean plan for Spain

The difference: AT&T International Day Pass works with your phone number and includes unlimited talk, text and high-speed data. The RoamClean plan is 5 GB of data only, with no phone number.

  • AT&T prices checked October 8, 2026 (source). They come from AT&T's own pages and are before taxes and fees. RoamClean prices are the price you pay.

How each carrier charges

The rules the check uses, from each carrier's own pages, checked October 8, 2026. Prices are per line, before taxes and fees.

AT&T

Daily priceAT&T International Day Pass: $12 a day per line, for each day you use the line abroad. (sources 1, 2)
What it includesUnlimited talk, text and high-speed data. (sources 1, 2)
Each extra line$6 a day for each extra line used on the same calendar day. (sources 1, 2)
Limit on charged daysAt most 10 daily fees per line per bill period. After that, no more daily fees until the next bill period. (sources 1, 2)
Canada and MexicoEvery AT&T unlimited plan includes talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada. AT&T says 2G off-net data speeds may apply. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)
Already included elsewhereAT&T Premium 2.0, AT&T Elite 2.0, Unlimited Premium PL and Unlimited Elite include 20 Latin American countries, Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Peru among them. AT&T says coverage and data speeds vary. AT&T Elite 2.0 includes talk, text and 20 GB of data a month in 210+ destinations. After 20 GB of international data, AT&T may slow it to a maximum of 512 kbps. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

Verizon

Daily priceVerizon TravelPass: $12 a day per line, $6 a day in Mexico and Canada, for each day you use the line abroad. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)
What it includes5 GB of high-speed data a day, then 3G speeds. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)
Each extra lineNo lower price for extra lines: every line pays $12 a day ($6 in Mexico and Canada). (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)
Limit on charged daysVerizon's pages list no limit on charged days. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)
Other optionVerizon International Monthly Plan: $100 per line for 30 days. 20 GB of high-speed data, then 3G speeds, 250 minutes and unlimited texts. It ends 30 days after it's added unless set to renew. Verizon says it suits trips of 9 days or more. (sources 1, 2)
Canada and MexicoAll Verizon Unlimited plans include talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada. Verizon slows international data to 3G speeds after 2 GB a day. (sources 1, 2, 3)
Already included elsewhereUnlimited Ultimate includes talk, text and data in 210+ countries and destinations: 15 GB of high-speed data a month, then up to 1.5 Mbps. (sources 1, 2)

T-Mobile

Pass pricesT-Mobile International Pass: $10 for 1 day with 2 GB, $50 for 10 days with 15 GB and $75 for 30 days with 30 GB. (source)
What it includesFree calls and 2 GB, 15 GB or 30 GB of high-speed data, by pass. (source)
Each extra lineT-Mobile lists no lower price for extra lines; the check counts one pass for each phone. (source)
Limit on charged daysNo daily fees: you choose a pass for 1 day, 10 days or 30 days. One active pass at a time: a new pass ends what is left of the one before it. (source)
Canada and MexicoExperience Beyond: includes up to 30 GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, then unlimited data at up to 256 kbps. Experience More: includes up to 15 GB of high-speed data in Mexico and Canada, then unlimited data at up to 256 kbps. Essentials includes data in Mexico and Canada at up to 128 kbps only, with no high-speed data. (sources 1, 2)
Already included elsewhereExperience Beyond: includes up to 15 GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries and destinations, then unlimited data at up to 256 kbps. Experience More: includes up to 5 GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries and destinations, then unlimited data at up to 256 kbps. (sources 1, 2, 3)

How the AT&T International Day Pass works, with worked examples

Prepaid plans and Google Fi are not in the check. If your trip crosses your AT&T bill date, the 10-day limit applies in each bill period; that is our reading of AT&T's "per bill period" rule.

When your carrier is the better choice

Your plan already includes the country

Then your carrier charges nothing extra, and you keep calls and texts on your number. Examples from the check, for a week: AT&T Value 2.0 or AT&T Extra 2.0 in Mexico: included; AT&T Premium 2.0 in Peru: included; T-Mobile Experience More in Spain: included, with 5 GB of high-speed data. The tables above list what each plan includes. An eSIM only helps here if you need more high-speed data than your plan gives you. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)

A long trip on Verizon when you also need calls

From 9 days, the Verizon International Monthly Plan ($100 per line for 30 days) costs less than Verizon TravelPass ($108 for 9 days, $360 for 30). It includes 250 minutes, unlimited texts and 20 GB of high-speed data, then 3G speeds, on your own number. If you will make calls and use a lot of data, it keeps everything on one line. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

You need your own number for calls and texts

A RoamClean eSIM is data only: it has no phone number, so it can't make normal calls or send SMS. A carrier pass keeps your number working abroad: AT&T International Day Pass includes unlimited talk, text and high-speed data, and T-Mobile International Pass includes free calls. If you will call places that only take a phone call, such as a hotel desk or a local office, your carrier's pass covers that; calling apps such as WhatsApp work on either. (sources 1, 2, 3) What data only means on your trip

A one-day stop

For one day in Spain, AT&T International Day Pass costs $12 and a RoamClean 1 GB plan $3.99, a difference of $8.01. The pass needs no setup. An eSIM has to be installed before you leave, while you have Wi-Fi. For a single short stop, the pass can be the simpler choice. (sources 1, 2)

Before you use an eSIM

Phone settings only. Set them before you land, so your home line doesn't start a carrier charge.

  1. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked. A carrier-locked phone can't use another company's eSIM. Check if your phone supports eSIM
  2. Turn data roaming off on your home line. iPhone: Settings > Cellular > tap your home line > Data Roaming off. Android: in your SIM settings, turn roaming off for your home SIM. (sources 1, 2)
  3. Put mobile data on the eSIM and turn data switching off. iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > choose the eSIM, then turn Allow Cellular Data Switching off. Google Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs: set Mobile data to the eSIM and turn Automatic data switching off. (sources 1, 2)
  4. Keep your home line on for texts such as bank codes. Calls you make or answer and texts you send on it can still be charged, so use calling apps over data where you can.

Why these settings matter

  • AT&T adds the International Day Pass when you use your phone in an included destination, and apps running in the background use data and trigger the daily fee. (source)
  • Verizon: A 24-hour TravelPass session starts automatically when you make or answer a call, send a text or use data in a TravelPass country, and background data such as app refreshes and software updates can start one. (source)

Step-by-step: keep your home number on with an eSIM

Frequently asked questions

Is an eSIM cheaper than carrier roaming?

For data, yes, when your plan doesn't include the country. For 10 days in Spain on AT&T Value 2.0 or AT&T Extra 2.0, AT&T International Day Pass costs $120 for one phone and a RoamClean Spain 5 GB plan costs $7.99. When your plan already includes the country, as every AT&T unlimited plan does with Mexico and Canada, your carrier costs nothing extra. Carrier prices are before taxes and fees, and the carrier's pass also covers calls and texts on your number. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

How much does AT&T International Day Pass cost for a week?

$84 for one line: 7 days × $12. Each extra line used on the same calendar day adds $6 a day, so two lines cost $126 for the week. AT&T charges each line at most 10 daily fees per bill period, so one line pays no more than $120 in one bill period. Prices are before taxes and fees. (sources 1, 2)

Does Verizon TravelPass have a cap?

Verizon's pages list no limit on charged days. Verizon TravelPass is $12 a day per line ($6 in Mexico and Canada) for each day you use your phone abroad. From 9 days, the Verizon International Monthly Plan costs less: $100 per line for 30 days, with 250 minutes, unlimited texts and 20 GB of high-speed data, then 3G speeds. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

How does T-Mobile International Pass work?

You add a pass for the days you are away: $10 for 1 day (2 GB), $50 for 10 days (15 GB) or $75 for 30 days (30 GB) of high-speed data, each with free calls. One active pass at a time: a new pass ends what is left of the one before it. Without a pass, Experience Beyond includes 15 GB and Experience More includes 5 GB of high-speed data in 215+ countries and destinations. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4)

Will I keep my phone number?

Yes. A RoamClean eSIM is data only and has no phone number, so your home line stays on for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data. Turn data roaming off on your home line. A call or text on your home line abroad can still start a carrier charge. (sources 1, 2, 3) How to keep your home number on

Does an eSIM work if my phone is carrier-locked?

No. A carrier-locked phone only works with its own carrier, so another company's eSIM won't work on it until that carrier unlocks it. Check your phone before you buy. (source) Check if your iPhone is unlocked

Sources and dates (26)

Verizon

RoamClean is not affiliated with AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile. Carrier prices are their published prices, before taxes and fees.

Quick Compatibility Check

Two checks before you buy:

1Your phone supports eSIM

Apple iPhone: iPhone XS, XR and later, including SE (3rd gen). SE (2nd gen): Apple's pages disagree, so check for an EID. Most iPhones from China mainland don't support eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy: S20 series and newer, Z Fold and Z Flip models, and some A models depending on region. Google Pixel: Pixel 4 and newer, and some Pixel 3 and 3a models.
Any phone: if Settings shows an “EID” (iPhone: General > About; Pixel: About phone > SIM status), your phone supports eSIM.

2Your phone is unlocked

iPhone, 10 seconds: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock should say “No SIM restrictions”. A locked iPhone stops at “eSIM Not Supported”.
Android: Samsung shows it under Connections > More connection settings. Pixel or another phone from a carrier: check with your carrier.
Does my phone support eSIM? Every modelHow to tell if your iPhone is unlocked