Whether you are traveling abroad or making frequent long-distance calls from home, finding the right international calling plan is essential to avoid exorbitant pay-per-use rates.
International calling plans generally fall into two categories: Monthly Add-ons (for calling from the U.S. to other countries) and International Travel Passes (for using your phone while abroad). Major carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon each offer unique bundles designed to minimize costs and maximize connectivity.
This article breaks down the different types of international calling plans, compares the major carrier offerings, and provides tips for choosing the most cost-effective solution for your needs.
Part 1: Plans for Calling FROM the U.S.
These plans are for customers who primarily live in the U.S. and frequently call friends, family, or business contacts in other countries. These plans replace expensive per-minute rates with a flat monthly fee.
| Carrier | Plan Name | Cost (Monthly) | Key Features |
| T-Mobile | Stateside International Talk | $15 per line | Unlimited calling to landlines in 70+ countries and mobiles in 30+ countries. |
| AT&T | International Calling | $15 per line | Unlimited calling to 85+ countries, plus discounted rates to 140+ countries. |
| Verizon | Global Calling Plus | $15 per line | Unlimited calls to landlines in 60+ countries and mobiles in 30+ countries. |
| Verizon | Global Choice | $10 per line | Select one preferred country for a bundle of calling minutes (e.g., up to 300 minutes to a single country). |
Tip: If you only call Canada and Mexico, most premium unlimited plans from the major carriers include unlimited talk and text to these two countries at no extra charge.
Part 2: Plans for Traveling ABROAD (International Roaming)
These plans are crucial for avoiding high roaming charges when you leave your home network. They replace pay-per-use rates with a predictable daily or monthly cost.
Daily International Travel Passes
Ideal for short trips (under one week), these plans activate only on the days you use your phone while traveling.
| Carrier | Plan Name | Cost (Daily) | Features |
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $12 per day (Capped at $120 per bill cycle) | Uses your domestic plan’s talk, text, and data allowance in 210+ destinations. |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $12 per day | Uses your domestic plan’s talk, text, and data allowance in 210+ destinations (5GB high-speed data limit, then 3G speeds). |
| T-Mobile | Included Benefits | Included in most plans | Most T-Mobile plans automatically include unlimited text and data (at slower 2G/256 Kbps speeds) in 215+ countries at no extra daily cost. |
Long-Term International Passes
If you are staying abroad for two weeks or more, a fixed monthly pass is often cheaper than accumulating daily fees.
| Carrier | Plan Name | Cost (Monthly) | Data and Minutes Included |
| T-Mobile | International Pass (30-Day) | $50 | 15GB high-speed data, unlimited calling in 215+ destinations. |
| Verizon | International Monthly Plan | $100 | 20GB high-speed data, 250 minutes, unlimited texts. |
Choosing the Right International Calling Plan
Selecting the best plan depends entirely on how and where you communicate:
Scenario 1: Calling from Home to the World
If you are making frequent long-distance calls from the U.S., adding a Stateside International Talk (T-Mobile) or Global Calling Plus (Verizon) plan for $15/month will be the most cost-effective solution.
Scenario 2: Frequent International Traveler
For travelers, T-Mobile often offers the best value as most of its plans include free unlimited data and text (at basic speeds) in 215+ countries by default, requiring you to purchase a daily/monthly pass only for high-speed data.
Scenario 3: Short-Term Traveler (Under 1 Week)
The AT&T International Day Pass or Verizon TravelPass is ideal. Since both cap the daily cost, you pay a predictable amount only on the days you use the phone.
Alternatives to Traditional Carrier Plans
If you only make international calls occasionally or are looking for the cheapest option, consider these Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) alternatives:
- WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, Zoom: These apps allow free high-quality voice and video calls between users connected to Wi-Fi or local data.
- Google Voice/Skype: These services allow calling international landlines and mobile phones at very low per-minute rates (often less than $0.05/minute), significantly undercutting basic carrier rates.
The video below offers an in-depth comparison of major U.S. carriers’ international add-ons to help you find the best value for your travel needs. International Add-On Comparison: T-Mobile vs Verizon vs AT&T.
