Smart ways to stay connected while travelling outside Canada

CAA advises travellers to build flexibility into their schedules, use an eSIM, customize itineraries & speak with a CAA travel consultant for seamless trips.

Spring travel season is almost here, and as you finalize flights, accommodations and itineraries, there’s one practical detail that’s easy to overlook: how you’ll use your phone while you’re abroad. Unexpected roaming charges can turn into an unwelcome souvenir if you don’t plan ahead. With a little prep, it’s possible to stay connected outside Canada without blowing your travel budget.

Here’s how to use your phone confidently while travelling internationally and avoid unnecessary roaming fees.

Review your phone plan before you go

Take a few minutes to review what’s included in your current mobile plan before heading out on your adventure. Some plans offer features like unlimited international texting or calling, which can be extremely useful while travelling. Knowing what you already have can help you decide whether you need to upgrade or look for an alternative solution.

Having international messaging included means you can stay in touch with family, friends, and local contacts without worrying about per-message fees or surprise charges when you return home.

If your plan includes international calling or messaging but not data, make sure you update your mobile settings and turn off data roaming.

Turn off data roaming

One of the simplest ways to prevent surprise charges is to turn off data roaming when you leave Canada. This lets your phone continue receiving calls and text messages without triggering roaming costs until you answer a call, check voicemail, or send a text message. With data roaming turned off, apps on your phone won’t be able to connect and receive data in the background.

And when you do need to use those apps, you can connect to Wi-Fi, which is widely available in many destinations, including hotels, airports, cafés, and restaurants. In many cases, relying on Wi-Fi alone is enough to stay connected without needing an international phone plan at all.

When it comes to calling or messaging family and friends back home, you don’t need to place traditional long-distance calls. Apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, and iMessage allow you to communicate over Wi-Fi instead, often at no cost.

That said, public Wi-Fi networks do come with risks. Cybersecurity experts advise against letting your phone automatically connect to open networks, as cybercriminals may use them to steal passwords or install malware. Always confirm the official network name before connecting, and avoid logging into sensitive accounts such as online banking when using Wi-Fi. Turning off location services while using public Wi-Fi can also help protect your privacy.

Consider an eSIM

If your current mobile plan doesn’t include international calling, messaging or data, an eSIM can be a convenient option if you’re travelling for an extended period of time. An eSIM connects your phone to local networks in the country you’re visiting without needing a physical SIM card.

It’s important to note that using an eSIM usually means you’ll be assigned a temporary local phone number. Anyone who wants to call you directly will need that number, so be sure to share that new number with your key friends, family members and contacts. For messaging, data-based apps such as WhatsApp or iMessage are often the easiest option, since standard texting may not be included.

How CAA members can save on international mobile plans

Canadians looking for a more seamless solution may want to explore mobile plans that include international messaging, or options like the Travel Pass from Rogers, which lets you save while using mobile data abroad - even on cruise ships! Rogers also offers Roam Like Home, for convenient daily use of your existing mobile plan for a small fee, perfect for shorter trips.

CAA Members can also access an exclusive Canada + International plan from Rogers, with unlimited international messaging while keeping your existing phone number. That means no SIM swaps, no eSIMs, and no need to share a temporary number.

Eligible CAA Members can save $25 or more per month on 5G+ phone plans from Rogers, adding up to $300 or more in annual savings. To learn more, visit caaneo.ca/rogers.

Plan the trip, not just the tech

Staying connected is only one part of a smooth travel experience. A CAA Travel Consultant can help you plan every detail of your next vacation, from destinations and accommodations to travel insurance and more. To get the perfect holiday planned where you can focus on enjoying the journey instead of managing the logistics, book an appointment online to speak with a CAA Travel Consultant to start planning. Bon voyage!