UK tourists have been told common errors can lead to boosting their phone bills when they’re abroad. To avoid the travel mishap, it’s wise to do a few things before you jet off
UK tourists have been issued advice about phones (stock image)(Image: d3sign via Getty Images)
We all look forward to going on holiday but, as well as being enjoyable, it can be expensive, which is why it’s always handy to know how you can try and save on your phone bill. After all, most of us use our phones while we’re on holiday, but there are ways to ensure we don’t come home with growing bills.
Little you may know, there are some mistakes you likely make with your phone while travelling, but if you take action hefty bills can be avoided. Some travel tips have been shared to help people out, as nobody wants to come home to mounting bills to have to deal with after an already expensive trip.
With major networks having brought back EU roaming charges, and other travel destinations sitting outside standard roaming agreements, using your handset while overseas can prove seriously expensive. Fortunately some expert advice has been shared to help people out, as people often get stung by roaming charges abroad.
Take action before you leave
“Roaming policies vary,” explained Oleksii Pimenov, mobile data and SIM expert at global data eSIM provider SIMBUSTER. “The best way to protect yourself is to check what your plan actually includes before you travel. Don’t rely on the ‘new customer’ ads.”
Oleksii pointed out that some UK plans still include EU roaming, while others charge a daily fee of up to £2.50. Beyond Europe, that charge can climb to as much as £8 per day, which adds up rapidly.
Accidents happen
The most infuriating thing about daily roaming is that on most networks, an accidental search when the hotel’s Wi-Fi drops out can trigger a full day’s roaming fee. According to the expert, ten accidental days during a fortnight adds up to £25 squandered on absolutely nothing – or £80 if you happen to be in Egypt or anywhere else beyond the EU.
With EE, out-of-plan data abroad can set you back £13.90 per gigabyte, according to Oleksii, though the cost varies depending on where you are. For context, downloading a film can eat up 2GB and streaming a live football match would gobble up even more!
“If you’re not using a travel SIM, switch off data roaming and background app refresh until you actually need them,” advised Oleksii. “It can save you more than you think.”
eSIMS may help
If your phone supports eSIMs, it’s another smart way to slash costs. Rather than shelling out for an overpriced SIM at the airport, you can download and activate an eSIM before leaving home, giving you affordable data the instant you land.
“With an eSIM, you know exactly what you’re paying upfront, and you can have everything ready before you even board the plane,” explained Oleksii.
What’s more, if you’re visiting multiple countries, you can get an eSIM that covers a whole region – Europe, for instance – rather than a single country SIM.
Preparation is key
A bit of forward planning can also make a real difference in reducing expenses. Download everything you need – maps, children’s entertainment, music – before you leave.
Hotel Wi-Fi isn’t always reliable enough for hefty downloads and, if you’ve already got everything saved on your phone or tablet, you won’t need to worry about it.
Tips for cruise lovers
Cruise and ferry passengers also need to be vigilant. Maritime mobile networks operate separately from standard roaming, and the charges can be eye-watering.
“Unless you can use the ship’s Wi-Fi, I’d always recommend switching your phone to Airplane Mode while at sea,” added Oleksii.
Extra advice
If you do replace your UK SIM for travel purposes, you risk missing vital messages, including bank verification codes or unexpected calls. By keeping your UK SIM active alongside a data eSIM, you won’t miss anything important.
And, if you travel to a specific destination frequently, whether for work or pleasure, it’s often far more sensible to get a virtual local number.