Even if you’re travelling somewhere where the sun is shining and the sky is blue, the world of roaming fees can remain murky.
No matter which provider you’re with, it’s never quite clear how much you’re going to pay, because you never quite know how much data you’ll end up using – or how quickly everyday things like maps or social media will eat through your allowances.
That uncertainty is what can make those blue skies feel a little less blue. A few uploads here, a bit of navigation there, and suddenly you’re facing charges that feel completely out of proportion to what you actually did.
But thankfully, there are ways for you to get around this. If you want to travel without the constant worry of roaming fees clouding over everything you do, all you need are a few smart tools and simple habits. With that in mind, here are 5 essential travel hacks for staying connected abroad without roaming fees.
eSIM for the Win
The best and most decisive way to avoid roaming fees is by bypassing your provider completely. Companies like Holafly, for instance, offer digital SIM cards that let you connect to local networks abroad without actually swapping a physical SIM.
Indeed, with a Holafly eSIM plan for example, you can get instant data access as soon as you land, without needing to worry about unexpected charges creeping in. It’s simple, flexible, and reliable, and the most important thing is that it’s prepaid, which means you always know exactly what you’re spending.
Downloadable Maps
If you want to be more budget-conscious, or you don’t think an eSIM would make sense for your specific trip, another simple way to avoid roaming fees is by downloading as much content as possible. Maps are a good place to start.
One of the big drains on data usage comes when you’re using navigation on the go, so downloading all the relevant maps before you set off is a good idea. Granted, you’re not exactly staying connected to live, real-time data, but this is just another way of staying connected to the information you actually need while you travel.
Tinkered Settings
You can also dig into the settings of your phone to cut down on data use. For instance, you can turn off background data and app refresh, both of which allow apps to keep using data even when you’re not actively using them.
Another useful thing you can toggle is the auto media playback in apps like Instagram or Facebook, which will stop videos from silently streaming as you scroll – an enormously heavy data drain that not a lot of people know about.
See also: Book a Bus from KL to Penang: The Ultimate Travel Guide
Wi-Fi Is Your Friend (Sometimes)
Of course, you don’t have to worry about data if you’re connected to the Wi-Fi, so you should try to stay connected as often as possible. That being said, there are some dangers with public Wi-Fi, but if you have a reliable VPN that can negate those risks, it’s still a good option to save data and keep your browsing more secure.
Data Alerts
Lastly: data alerts. Did you know that you can set mobile data usage limits and warnings on your phone? A lot of people don’t, and that’s exactly what makes those murky roaming costs all the more murky.
If you know when you’re approaching your limit, and you know when your phone is starting to use more data in the background, then you’ll have a far better idea of when to slow down or switch to Wi-Fi. It’s a simple solution – and not as seamless as our number one hack, which is the most effective option on this list – but it’s still a useful safety net that can help you keep a closer eye on things.
