Traveling abroad is so exciting! Your tickets are purchased, iterary is set, but how do you plan on staying connected? It’s one of the biggest concerns travelers have and staying connected without incurring hefty data roaming charges is possible. Everyone has heard how expensive it is just to call family and friends, but to stream sounds next to impossible. Luckily with a little bit of planning and the right tools, you absolutely can enjoy your favorite movies and shows during your downtime without breaking the bank. Here’s how:
Download Content Before You Leave
One of the easiest ways to avoid data roaming charges is to download your movies and TV shows before you leave, in your home and on your Wi-Fi. Many popular streaming services like Netflix, Dish TV, Hulu, Disney+ , DIRECTV, Dish Latino, and Amazon Prime Video allow you to temporarily download content for offline viewing later.
Use Local Wi-Fi
If you can’t download content before you leave or you don’t have enough space, you can still connect without using your data plan from home. When you’re abroad, using local Wi-Fi can save you from expensive data roaming charges. Most hotels, cafes, and restaurants offer free Wi-Fi to their customers. Here’s a few tips to make the most of local Wi-Fi and how to navigate it safely:
Plan Your Wi-Fi
You’ve already planned an entire trip abroad and you’ve done a wonderful job doing so. To avoid data roaming charges, planning your Wi-Fi connections in advance is essential. Here’s how you can do so:
- Research who has Wi-Fi in advance: Look up places that offer free Wi-Fi in the areas you plan on visiting. Popular websites like Yelp and TripAdvisor can help you find Wi-Fi friendly locations.
- Use Wi-Fi maps: Yes these are a thing! Apps like WiFi Map and Wiman can help you find free Wi-Fi hotspots nearby.
Stay Secure
It’s no secret that using public Wi-Fi can be risky, but there’s things you can do to protect yourself and your information. Here’s how you can connect safely:
- Use a VPN: While connecting to public Wi-Fi, use a reputable VPN to protect your data and privacy.
- Avoid sensitive activities: Do not conduct sensitive activities like online banking on public Wi-Fi networks.
Get A Local SIM Card
Buying a local SIM card in the country you plan on visiting can be the most cost effective way to access the internet without paying for data roaming. The whole process will be different from what you’re used to at home. Here is how you start:
Choose The Right SIM Card
This will take a little bit of research before you leave if you’re not fluent in the native language of the country you are visiting.
- Research providers: Look up local mobile network providers and compare their data plans. Be sure to adjust your travel budget to accommodate for any extra costs.
- Check compatibility: This is a super important thing to do before moving forward. You need to ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the local SIM card. If you’re from the United States, it’s unlikely your phone is unlocked. You can either contact your provider to have your current phone unlocked or you can purchase a cheap phone while you’re there.
Set Up Your SIM Card
Once you’ve found the right SIM card for you, you’ll have to set it up. It’s common to put your own SIM card into your mobile device in foreign countries. Here is how you can do it:
- Purchase upon arrival: You can usually buy SIM cards at the airport before you leave, local convenience stores and mobile network stores.
- Activate and top up: Follow the enclosed instructions to activate the SIM card. Once that’s all set, top it up with a data plan that you think will suit your needs for the duration of the trip.
Turn On Data Saving Features
If you decide to use your mobile data, enable data saving features to keep your usage to a minimum. By adjusting your settings, you can stretch your data allowance further and avoid unnecessary charges.
Adjust Streaming Quality
- Lower Quality Settings: In your streaming app settings, reduce the video quality to use less data. Going from HD to SD will save a considerable amount of data.
Use Data Saving Modes
Mobile Data Only: Some streaming apps offer a data saving mode that you can turn on. It’ll restrict your streaming to Wi-Fi only if you choose or will reduce the amount of data used while watching.
