How Much Are Roaming Charges for Verizon?

Roaming can cost you if you're traveling abroad

By
Adam Fendelman
Adam Fendelman
Writer
  • University of Missouri-Columbia
Adam Fendelman is a syndicated technology writer and senior web designer whose focus was on web analytics and web design among other things.
lifewire's editorial guidelines
Updated on August 26, 2021
Reviewed by
Jon Fisher
Jon Fisher headshot
Reviewed by Jon Fisher
  • Wichita Technical Institute
Jonathan Fisher is a CompTIA certified technologist with more than 6 years' experience writing for publications like TechNorms and Help Desk Geek.
lifewire's editorial guidelines

Major mobile carriers such as Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and the rest don't charge for domestic roaming calls and messages. There's a map of Verizon's coverage area on its website, which is practically the entire U.S. Verizon partners with other providers to provide uninterrupted coverage if you leave Verizon's coverage area. This domestic wireless roaming is free.

The roaming situation changes when you travel internationally. Roaming charges can mount up quickly. If you're a Verizon customer, understand the carrier's roaming policy to prevent surprise roaming charges when you travel outside the United States.

If you use your phone while traveling abroad, it can take a while for the carriers you used overseas to tell Verizon that you owe roaming charges. You may not see these charges on your Verizon bill for a month or two.

The entrance to a Verizon Wireless store in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Robert Alexander / Getty Images

Domestic Roaming Charges

Domestic wireless roaming is free on all nationwide Verizon plans. That means your mobile device can connect to a non-Verizon network in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico at no additional cost.

Check your specific roaming policy before enabling roaming on a mobile phone.

Except for a few old plans, you won't incur fees for domestic roaming. Instead, these roaming minutes are treated like regular Verizon minutes. If your plan allows 60 minutes for the month, you're allotted that same 60 minutes when you roam domestically. The number of minutes doesn't change because you left Verizon's coverage area. You probably won't be aware you did.

International Roaming Charges

If your Verizon plan doesn't include service outside the United States, you're charged on a per-minute, per-text, and per-megabyte (MB) basis when you travel abroad. Verizon charges you for each bit of activity, but you have some control over how much you pay.

When traveling abroad, you may receive text alerts from Verizon explaining how you'll be charged and that you've reached a usage threshold. Verizon may limit your service if you incur significant charges.

International roaming minutes are billed as separate minutes of use (that is, separate from the minutes included in your domestic plan) and can get pricey. Verizon's charges range from $0.99 per minute up to $2.99 per minute.

Verizon's International Plans

If you have a 5G or 4G World–capable device, use Verizon TravelPass, which allows you to take your domestic minutes, texts, and data allowance to more than 185 countries for $10 per day ($5 per day for Canada and Mexico). Plus, you're charged only for the days you use your device.

With Verizon, you can make calls and use text messaging services on hundreds of cruise ships. Voice use is $2.99 per minute on these ships, and texts cost $0.50 to send and $0.05 to receive.

If you're taking a trip outside the United States, use the Verizon International Trip Planner to avoid surprise roaming charges.

You may be charged a country's rates if you're traveling near that country's border.

Was this page helpful?