eSIM vs Roaming Cost Calculator

1. Your trip

Trip length (days) Days you will actually use your phone abroad Roaming day passes only charge for days you use the phone. Default equals trip length. Destination region Verizon charges less for Canada / Mexico ($6/day instead of $12). Daily mobile data needs (GB) 1 GB/day covers maps, messaging and light browsing. 2+ for video or hotspot use.

2. Your home carrier roaming rate

Home carrier Your day-pass rate ($/day, editable) Verify current rate with your carrier. Carrier day-pass rates change often. Presets below are typical published rates as of October 2026, not quotes.

Carrier	Typical day-pass rate	Notes
Verizon TravelPass	$12/day ($6/day Canada / Mexico)	$100/month plan can beat daily on trips of 10+ days
AT&T International Day Pass	$12 per 24 hours	Charged only for days you use the phone
T-Mobile International Day Pass	$5/day	Slower 256 kbps roaming included free on most plans
Other carrier	Varies	Enter your carrier's rate above

Rates change often. These presets reflect published carrier rates checked in October 2026. Always verify your current rate with your carrier before traveling, and edit the field above to match.

3. eSIM options

eSIM vendor eSIM price per GB ($, editable) Typical: Airalo and Saily about $4/GB, Nomad about $4/GB, regional 5 GB plans $13 to $25. Verify current prices; edit to match any plan you find. Unlimited plan price per day ($, for Holafly-style plans) Used only when "Holafly (unlimited)" is selected. Typical about $6.90/day for 1 day, lower per day on longer plans. Any one-time activation or delivery fee ($)

We compare multiple vendors because plans and pricing change constantly. Fixed-data vendors are modeled as total GB needed x price per GB; unlimited vendors as price per day x trip days. Enter any vendor's real plan price to get a like-for-like comparison.

Carrier roaming

eSIM estimate

You save

Estimates only. Carrier day-pass rates and eSIM plan prices change frequently; verify before you travel or buy. Roaming total assumes you use the phone every "usage day". eSIM estimate assumes you buy enough data to cover total trip usage.

Frequently asked questions

Is an eSIM cheaper than carrier roaming?

Usually yes, especially on trips longer than a few days. Carrier day passes run $5 to $12 per day in the US, while eSIM data often costs $3 to $5 per GB. On a 10-day trip, the difference is often $50 to $100 in favor of the eSIM. Run the calculator above with your own numbers to see.

Can I keep my phone number while using an eSIM?

Yes. Most phones support dual SIM: keep your home number on your physical SIM or primary eSIM for calls and texts, and route mobile data through the travel eSIM. Just turn data roaming off on your home line so the carrier does not charge you.

Does T-Mobile charge for international roaming?

T-Mobile includes slower (256 kbps) international data and texting free in 215+ countries on most plans, which is enough for messaging and maps. For full-speed data you can buy the $5/day International Day Pass. Rates change often, so verify with T-Mobile before traveling.

How much data do I need per day while traveling?

Around 1 GB/day covers maps, messaging, email and light browsing. Add 1 GB/day if you stream music or video, or use hotspot tethering for a laptop. Video calls and hotspot use are the biggest data consumers.

Do eSIM plans include phone calls and texts?

Most travel eSIMs are data-only. You make calls and texts over apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime or iMessage. A few vendors now bundle a phone number; check the plan details if you need voice service.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?

Most phones sold since 2020 support eSIM, including recent iPhones, Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy devices. Check your phone settings for an "Add eSIM" or "Add mobile plan" option, or ask your manufacturer.

Affiliate disclosure

This calculator is vendor-neutral: we compare eSIM vendors side by side and every rate is editable. If we add affiliate links, they will be clearly marked and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Commissions do not affect our comparisons or recommendations.