compare phone plans and save up to 80%
compare now

The Best Cell Phone Plans To Safely Travel to Europe With

By
Sara Nuss
February 26, 2023

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

One of the best things about life is getting out and exploring many different destinations, including cities across the country, national parks, and even learning about new cultures and traditions that you can bring home with you. 

Main image courtesy of TripAdvisor. 

With so many different cities and countries to check out, Europe is one of the most notable continents because there’s so many different places to explore.

The first step when it comes to traveling is making sure that you are properly prepared, no matter where you decide to go, and having a working cell phone plan is among one of the most important factors to consider.

Having a cell phone plan overseas in Europe is crucial, and here are the top cell phone plans to get for your upcoming trip!

If you want to switch cell phone carriers, then consider looking into Really to help you with all of your phone services needs! At Really, you can compare phone plans to get more bang for your buck, and you can see what carriers and plans are in your area, sort by price, best value and more, and even click on the plan you wish to learn more about in an instant. 

Why You Need a Working Cell Phone Plan in Europe

Having a cell phone plan is the norm, but learning why you should have a good one when traveling is  important!

When traveling you need to have a working cell phone plan to document your adventure, and keep in contact with loved ones. Image courtesy of The Pimsleur Language Blog

One of the most exciting parts about traveling is getting to come home with so many memories of the time you spent, the places you saw, the food you ate, and the people you met. It’s important to have a good cell phone plan to be able to take pictures, update your loved ones even without the use of Wi-Fi, and to post on social media too.

Here are some of the most important reasons to consider getting a cell phone plan when traveling!

Safety is the Most Important Factor to Consider

One of the first reasons to get a cell phone plan that can also work outside of your own country, is so you can continue to be safe no matter where you’re at. Being in a foreign country for the first time can feel very scary and even intimidating especially if you’re somewhere where they speak a different language.

Getting a cell phone plan that works in countries in Europe is crucial so you can remain safe regardless of where you’re at. Being able to let loved ones have a way to contact you and vice versa can help reassure them that you’re alive and well while learning more about Europe, and it’s essential incase of any emergency situations that arise. 

Utilize All of Your Phone’s Capabilities

It can be strange to go from one country to the next, but there’s nothing worse than being cut off from using your cell phone. Being cut off from using apps you normally use every day, like texting, maps, and anything else you normally use can be an inconvenience.

There are many cell phone plans out there that charge roaming rates whenever you travel outside of the country to  use your phone to its fullest capabilities. Many carriers have international benefits built into your plan at no extra charge, or for an extra charge. Being able to use your phone and everything on it in Europe is a necessity.

Data is a Must

Running out of your monthly data allotment each month can be a pain to deal with, but imagine not having any data to use in Europe. While it can be expensive to get data to use in Europe, it is crucial to get it so you can stay in touch with loved ones, or even use social media apps to post about your adventures.

A lot of plans allow you to continue to use your own set data allotment plan or  your unlimited data while you’re in another country, but this also depends on the plan that you currently are signed up for. Many other carriers offer a set amount of data that you can use while you’re in another continent to still  have full access to your phone. 

A Mobile Hotspot is a Must to Prevent Scams

Another great reason to get a cell phone plan whenever you’re planning on traveling abroad is to help keep you safe. There are oftentimes a bunch of scammers in other countries that can trick you into giving them your credit card information over wireless, but they may also have credit card skimmers that can easily take the numbers off of your card.

One of the best ways to prevent any kind of identity theft or credit card fraud while you’re over in other countries is to get a mobile hotspot to use on your phone. If you are traveling for work and need to use Wi-Fi a ton, it can be a big risk to connect your phone, or other devices to local, public connections. 

A mobile hotspot will allow you to connect all of your devices through your cell phone with a secure password, so you don’t have to worry about your personal information getting loose. 

A Cell Phone is a Basic Part of Everyday Life

One of the biggest reasons why you need to get a cell phone plan for traveling to Europe is because of how much of a necessity they have become over the years. 

Cell phone plans are crucial to have because they have evolved into an important part of our lives. They are a fast way of communication, ensure safety for anyone of any age, and it would not be the same to go over and feel disconnected in another country. Having a cell phone plan when traveling can help you blend in, and document your travels to relive the memories for years to come.

The Best Cell Phone Plans to Travel to Europe With

Picking a cell phone plan to travel to Europe isn't easy, but with these plans you won’t have to worry about anything!

Choosing a cell phone plan to travel to Europe that has all of the necessary features that you need is a must. Image courtesy of The Barefoot Nomad

No matter where or when you’re traveling, there are a ton of cell phone plans that you can choose that have international features on them. Choosing a plan that doesn’t have any roaming rates is crucial because of how costly it can be, so what are your options?

Let’s check out some of the best cell phone plans that are available for whenever you decide to travel to Europe!

T-Mobile Magenta

One of the best cell phone carriers within the country that also provide excellent international services as well is T-Mobile. Their Magenta plans are among some of the most popular because you have access to unlimited high-speed 5G data at all times no matter if you’re in the United States, or in Europe.

T-Mobile’s Magenta plans have a ton of features that are important to note no matter which plan you sign up for:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Truly unlimited 5G data on all plans
  • International calling to Canada and Mexico
  • Up to 40GB of a mobile hotspot
  • Nationwide 4G LTE and/or 5G high-speed data
  • Taxes and fees included in monthly price
  • Exceptional customer service
  • Bring your own cell phone and number
  • Entertainment perks
  • Scam shield to protect you against scammers
  • T-Mobile Tuesdays for exclusive perks
  • Travel benefits

There are a few different options to choose from if you’re deciding on a cell phone plan through T-Mobile:

  • Essentials Plan - $60 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data and mobile hotspot
  • Magenta Plan  - $70 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, mobile hotspot and 100GB of premium data
  • Magenta MAX Plan - $85 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, 40GB of premium high-speed mobile hotspot, 100GB of premium data, and Netflix

Google Fi

One of the best cell phone plans that is currently out there and is among the best to travel to Europe and other continents with is Google Fi. If you want reliable service through any of the big three networks, including AT&T, Verizon Wireless, or T-Mobile, and also have access to high-speed data at a great price, this is the best option for you.

With the few Google Fi plans to choose from, there are a ton of features that are included in all of their plans:

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited high-speed 5G data
  • T-Mobile’s 5G nationwide service and coverage
  • No contracts or activation fees
  • Built-in VPN and spam blocking
  • Data budgets available
  • Contact controls available
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Easily switch plans whenever you want to
  • Use Fi app to manage your account anytime
  • Mobile hotspot available on some plans
  • Entertainment perks available
  • 100GB of cloud storage available on some plans
  • Free unlimited international talk and text to Canada and Mexico
  • Free talk and text to over 200+ countries on some plans

There are three main Google Fi cell phone plans to choose from:

  • Flexible - $17 per line per month plus for unlimited talk, text, and $10 per GB of data used 
  • Simply Unlimited  - $20 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and data
  • Unlimited Plus - $40 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and mobile hotspot

Visible

If you are someone who enjoys Verizon Wireless’ network coverage and how reliable they are, then you will love their very own MVNO, Visible. This mobile virtual network operator has some of the best features for an incredible price where signing up is incredibly easy, and you get unlimited data, talk, text, and other essential needs for traveling abroad.

Visible offers a ton of amazing features that you won’t want to miss out on that include the following:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • 4G LTE or 5G nationwide coverage
  • Unlimited mobile hotspot
  • Spam protection
  • Unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada
  • 5G ultra wideband on their most expensive plan
  • Unlimited roaming in Mexico and Canada on most expensive plan
  • International calling and texting to 30+ countries
  • International texting to 200+ countries
  • 24/7 access to customer service
  • Add a smartwatch for an extra $5 per month
  • No hidden fees 

Choosing a Visible cell phone plan is super easy because there are only two main plans to decide on:

  • Visible Plan - $30 per month for unlimited talk, text, data, mobile hotspot, and 4G LTE and 5G nationwide coverage
  • Visible+ Plan - $45 per month for unlimited talk, text, data, mobile hotspot, 4G LTE and 5G nationwide coverage, 5G ultra wideband, and premium network experience

AT&T International Plans

If you are looking for a cell phone plan that is not only used for international use, but can also be used as a daily plan to use in the United States as well, then AT&T’s international plans are a hit. You can enjoy ultra fast 5G high-speed data in many major cities across the country and even in Europe  where you’ll have full access to your phone no matter where you are. 

AT&T’s international plans include a ton of features that can benefit you on your trip to Europe:

  • Unlimited talk, text, and data
  • 50GB of premium 5G high-speed data and then slower unlimited data afterwards
  • AT&T’s incredible 5G nationwide service and coverage
  • AT&T ActiveArmor which protects you while using public Wi-Fi, Identity Monitoring, and more
  • 15GB of a mobile hotspot available per line 
  • Unlimited international talk, text, and data in Canada and Mexico
  • Unlimited texting from the United States to 200+ countries
  • Standard definition streaming included

There are a few different plans to check out through AT&T that vary on the mobile hotspot you can get:

  • AT&T Unlimited Starter Plan - $65 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 3GB of a mobile hotspot
  • AT&T Unlimited Extra Plan - $75 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 15G of a mobile hotspot
  • AT&T Unlimited Premium Plan - $85 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, data, and 50G of a mobile hotspot

Mint Mobile

MVNOs are a huge hit among many people because of how affordable they are. Mint Mobile is an incredible MVNO that utilizes T-Mobile’s network coverage and you can enjoy their reliable service and fast 5G data coverage. Actor Ryan Reynolds is the owner of the company who wants people to be able to afford a cell phone plan, and their monthly prices are as low as $15 per month. 

A Mint Mobile plan has a ton of benefits that are offered on almost every single plan they have, which are the following:

  • Unlimited talk and text
  • Unlimited 35GB of 4G LTE or 5G data with reduced data speeds after
  • Uses T-Mobile’s 5G nationwide coverage
  • 3-in-1 SIM Card Kit or eSIM for eligible cell phones
  • Keep your current cell phone and number when switching to Mint Mobile
  • Free international calling and texting to Mexico and Canada
  • 5GB of a mobile hotspot available
  • Wi-Fi calling and texting available
  • New customer discounts
  • Add two lines starting at $15 per line
  • Flexibility to change your plan if you’re not liking it
  • Manage your account with the Mint Mobile app

There are a few different plans to choose from through Mint Mobile and you can choose to have them for three months, six months, or for a full year:

  • $15 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 4GB of data
  • $20 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 10GB of data
  • $25 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and 15GB of data
  • $30 per line per month for unlimited talk, text, and data

It is important to be not only packed and ready to go when it comes to traveling to Europe, but it is also crucial to have a cell phone plan that works internationally as well. Having a plan that features unlimited talk and text, data, and more to keep you safe and  able to communicate with loved ones from another country  should be of utmost importance before traveling.

Consider looking into some of the best cell phone plans in Europe we mentioned and sign up for one today!

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

T-Mobile Magenta

Magenta
data
100GB premium data
Hotspot access
5GB premium
Best for:
Heavier data users
More Details

T-Mobile Magenta MAX

Magenta MAX
data
Unlimited premium data
Hotspot access
40GB premium
Best for:
Heaviest data users
More Details

Google Fi Flexible

Flexible Plan
data
$10 per GB, slows to 256kbps after 15GB
Hotspot access
All plan data
Best for:
Light data users
More Details

Google Fi Unlimited Plus

Unlimited Plus
data
50GB premium data, 256 kbps slow down after
Hotspot access
All plan data (50GB, then data stops)
Best for:
Heavy data users
More Details

Google Fi Simply Unlimited

Simply Unlimited
data
35GB premium data, then 256 kbps slow down after
Hotspot access
5GB, then data stops
Best for:
Average data users
More Details

compare phone plans and save up to 80%

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

Heading

This is some text inside of a div block.
data
This is some text inside of a div block.
Hotspot access
This is some text inside of a div block.
Best for:
This is some text inside of a div block.
More Details

your questions,
answered

does this phone service work everywhere?

Yep, we offer premium wireless service on the nation’s largest and fastest 5G network. If you are in our dewi coverage areas, you’ll also get access to our decentralized phone network powered by the people which will give you even faster speeds and better coverage.

is there a contract?

Nope, it’s pay as you go.

is this prepaid?

yep! You put your card on file and prepay each month so that you never experience any disruption.

does my phone need to be unlocked?

Yep, but it’s super easy to unlock your device as long as it’s paid off. Chat with us and a real human can help you here.

what if I want a new phone?

We have some recommendations on what we think you should get, from iPhones to Droids. Check out our list here which includes affordable places online to get a good deal.

what does decentralized wireless (dewi) mean?

It means we are building a phone network that is powered by the people. Your neighbors put small radios on their roof and help extend the phone network to cover deadzones™ and get even faster speeds. Right now our DeWi network is available in Austin, but we’ll be expanding to other cities REALLY soon. Learn more about DeWi here.

can I keep my phone number?

yup! you can port your current number in a snap. need help? hit up your VIP concierge.