In today's digital age, maintaining mobile data connectivity is undoubtedly an essential part of travel. Many first-time travelers returning to their home country consider whether to purchase an international roaming SIM card, only to regret not being prepared when they find themselves lost without data. Therefore, whether for short trips or extended stays abroad, ensuring your phone can access the internet becomes particularly important. This article provides detailed recommendations for international roaming SIM cards suitable for use outside the United States, divided into postpaid and prepaid categories, to help you enjoy a worry-free online experience during your travels.

Postpaid International Roaming SIM Card Recommendations

1. T-Mobile Go5G

T-Mobile is a mobile carrier offering comprehensive international roaming services, making it the top choice for frequent international travelers. Its Go5G plan includes international roaming in 215 countries, including China. The single-line plan costs $75 per month, while family plans can reduce the cost to as low as $36 per line.

Price: $75/month for single-line plan; family plans as low as $36/line.

International roaming services:

  • Free roaming in Canada and Mexico with unlimited calls and texts, plus 10GB of high-speed data per month (unlimited 2G speeds after exceeding the limit).
  • The Go5G plan offers free data at up to 128 KB/s in 215 countries, while the Go5G Plus plan provides up to 256 KB/s.
  • International roaming calls cost $0.25 per minute, but sending and receiving international texts is free.

Note: While international data roaming is free, the speed may be disappointing, and prolonged international roaming might result in service restrictions.

2. AT&T International Day Pass

AT&T's International Day Pass allows users to enjoy unlimited high-speed data, calls, and texts while traveling. The first line costs $10 per 24-hour period, with additional lines at $5 each.

Service coverage: Available in over 210 countries, including China.

Activation: Simply activate the service before traveling abroad, and remember to cancel it afterward.

3. Verizon TravelPass and International Monthly Plan

Verizon offers two flexible international roaming options:

  • TravelPass: Standard rates are $5 for Mexico and Canada, and $10 for other countries. Includes unlimited calls, texts, and data for 24 hours.
  • International Monthly Plan: $100 per month, including 250 minutes of international calls, 1,000 texts, and 5GB of data—ideal for longer trips.

Prepaid International Roaming SIM Card Recommendations

1. Tello Mobile

Tello offers flexible prepaid plans with on-demand top-ups, starting at just $5 valid for 90 days. Regular monthly plans range from $5 to $25.

International roaming fees:

  • Canada and Mexico: 5¢/min for calls, 2¢/text, 4¢/MB for data.
  • Other countries: 25¢/min for calls, 5¢/text, 5¢/MB for data.

Feature: Supports Wi-Fi calling, allowing users abroad to make calls via Wi-Fi.

2. Mint Mobile

Mint Mobile's international roaming service offers flexible top-ups for travel to over 180 countries, with regular plans ranging from $15 to $30 per month.

International plan details:

  • Daily rates: $5 for 1GB data, $10 for 3GB, $20 for 10GB.

Best for: Short-term travel, though costs can add up for extended use.

3. US Mobile

US Mobile supports eSIM technology and provides international roaming in 180 countries. Its plans are flexible yet powerful, suitable for various needs.

International roaming fees:

  • Monthly plans start at $8, or users can purchase international roaming data separately.

Supports Wi-Fi calling: Users can make calls via Wi-Fi while roaming internationally.

4. Google Fi

Google Fi offers tiered pricing, with the Flexible Plan starting at $20/month and Unlimited Plus at $70/month.

International roaming features:

  • Available in 200+ countries, with data charged at $10/GB (free after 6GB of usage).

5. Ultra Mobile

Ultra Mobile's UpRoam international roaming service allows flexible top-ups starting at just $5, making it ideal for extended travel.

Conclusion: Regardless of which option you choose, ensure you select the right SIM card for your needs before traveling abroad to avoid connectivity issues. Additionally, consider using apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or WeChat as alternatives to international roaming, as they often provide cheaper calls and more convenient communication.