How to Use Your Cell Phone Internationally: The Ultimate Xfinity Mobile Travel Guide 

Go far, stay connected, and travel with total peace of mind  

If you’re reading this, you’re likely counting down the days until your next big adventure. The flights are booked, the itinerary is set, and the excitement is building. But as any traveler knows, one small nagging question can follow you all the way to the airport: “Will my phone actually work when I land, and what is it going to cost me?”  

We’ve all heard stories of "bill shock" after a week abroad. Shouldn’t your phone should be your most helpful travel companion, and not a source of stress? Phone plans from Xfinity Mobile are built for the global explorer—including wireless coverage in more than 215 international destinations at no additional cost.¹

Whether you're navigating the streets of Tokyo or texting photos from a beach in Mexico, here is everything you need to know about using your cell phone abroad.  

Before you travel abroad: A 3-step checklist  

The best time to handle your international setup is before you're standing in a foreign airport. To ensure you have a "it just works" experience, follow these three simple steps:  

1. Check your plan: Make sure you're on one of the newest Xfinity Mobile plans, like Mobile Select or Mobile Plus (or the legacy Premium Unlimited). These include international talk, text, and data in 215+ destinations as a standard feature. If you're on an older "By the Gig" or standard "Unlimited" plan, just make sure you have the Global Travel Pass added to your account before you take off.  
    
2. Toggle "Data Roaming" to ON: This is the most common reason for getting "no service" when you land. On an iPhone, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. On an Android, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks.  
    
3. Update your Xfinity App: having the app makes it easy to manage your account, review your plan details, pay your bill, and access support if you need help while abroad. If you haven't already, download the Xfinity App for iOS or Android.  

Which wireless plan is best for your international trip?  

Xfinity Mobile includes coverage for international travel in both the Mobile Select and Mobile Plus plans.  

• Mobile Select: This is our most flexible plan, perfect if you want world-class service without a high monthly cost. It now includes unlimited international talk, text, and data in 215+ destinations.  
   

• Mobile Plus: This is the gold standard for frequent travelers. Not only do you get that same unlimited international talk, text, and data, but you also get Mobile Care (device protection) included at no additional cost.  

What if my phone is lost, stolen, or broken while I’m away?  

This is the part most travelers don't want to think about, but it’s where Xfinity has your back. A dropped phone on a cobblestone street or a device that "walks away" at a crowded café or left in a taxi can be incredibly stressful. While we cannot ship replacement devices internationally, Xfinity has your back by ensuring a replacement is processed and waiting for you at your U.S. home the moment you return. And while other carriers might charge you up to $25 a month for insurance, Mobile Plus includes device protection for life at no additional cost, through Xfinity Mobile Care Plus.²

In an emergency:  

• Service issues? If you have a service issue, you can call our international support line at +1-720-728-5462.  

• Phone lost or stolen? Don't wait. Use a hotel computer or a travel partner's phone to log in to your Xfinity account and suspend your line immediately to prevent unauthorized use.  

• When your phone needs to be replaced: File your claim online while you are still abroad so your replacement device is shipped to your home address. If you're on Mobile Plus, this peace of mind is already included in your monthly price. If you’re on Mobile Select, you can still add device insurance protection for $9 per device per month.   

Can I use my phone for free in Canada and Mexico?  

Heading across the border? Good news: Both Mobile Select and Mobile Plus (along with some of our legacy Unlimited plans) treat Canada and Mexico just like home. You’ll enjoy unlimited talk, text, and high-speed data included every month. It’s the ultimate no-brainer for North American travel, and you won't see extra roaming charge on your bill.  

Will my phone work on cruises and flights?  

It is important to note that international travel benefits do not apply while "at sea" or "in the air." Roaming works via land-based towers. If you use cellular data on a cruise or flight, you'll likely connect to a satellite network with high pay-as-you-go rates.   

EXPERT TIP   

Keep your phone in Airplane Mode and use the onboard WiFi instead.  

How does Xfinity Mobile compare to international plans from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile?  

• Verizon: They charge a $12 daily fee for their International Travel Pass in 210+ destinations. Even using your phone in Canada or Mexico might incur fees up to $6 per line per day depending on your plan.  
   

• AT&T: To get international travel with AT&T included in your plan, you have to upgrade to the most expensive Elite 2.0 plan, which costs $120 per line. On their standard plans, you'll pay a $12 daily travel fee. AT&T caps these charges at 10 days per billing cycle, meaning a standard 10-day trip abroad will automatically slap an extra $120 onto your monthly bill.
   

• T-Mobile: On their lowest-tier "Essentials" plan, you get zero international data in 215+ countries (only texting), and your data in Canada and Mexico is instantly restricted to a sluggish 128Kbps (2G speeds). Even if you upgrade to their mid-tier plans, you are strictly capped at 5GB of high-speed data overseas before being throttled to 256Kbps. To get truly usable international data, you are forced into their most expensive premium tiers. 
   

• Xfinity Mobile: With Mobile Select and Mobile Plus from Xfinity Mobile, international use is included with your wireless plan. No daily passes, no "opt-in" texts every morning, and no surprise roaming fees. Your phone just works when you land in any of the 215+ destinations.  

Use your phone internationally without incurring hefty roaming charges  

To avoid unexpected international roaming charges, the most effective strategy is to secure an international phone plan before your trip, rely on WiFi for heavy data usage, and optimize your phone's background data settings.  

Here is your checklist to avoid huge roaming fees:  

• Choose a plan with built-in global coverage: The easiest way to avoid surprise fees is to use a mobile plan that already includes international roaming. The newest plans from Xfinity Mobile—Mobile Select and Mobile Plus—include international talk, text, and data in over 215 destinations as a standard feature, so you won’t incur any extra roaming charges.  

• Activate a daily travel pass: If your current plan charges pay-as-you-go rates, opt for a predictable daily pass instead. Xfinity Mobile customers on older plans can usually add the Global Travel Pass to get talk, text, and data for a flat daily rate.  

• Rely on secure WiFi networks: Connect to WiFi at your hotel or local cafes. You can use WiFi to browse the web, stream content, and use WiFi Calling to stay in touch without touching your cellular data allowance.  

• Download content in advance: Download your offline maps, playlists, and streaming shows while you are still connected to WiFi so you don't have to stream them over a foreign cellular network.  

• Disable background app refresh: Go into your phone's settings and turn off background app refresh and automatic app updates. This prevents apps from quietly consuming cellular data to update feeds or fetch emails while your phone is in your pocket.  

Frequently Asked Questions   

1. How do I dial international numbers from abroad? 

The secret is the "+1" rule. To call a U.S. number from another country, hold down the "0" key to get the + sign, then dial 1 followed by the area code and phone number.  

2. Will using my GPS drain my international data? 

GPS itself doesn't use data, but the maps do. Download your routes ahead of time using the offline feature in Google Maps, Apple Maps, or any similar app while on hotel Wi-Fi. You can then navigate the city with your screen off or in airplane mode!  

3. Will my battery die faster while I'm roaming? 

Often, yes. Your phone works harder to find the best local signal in a new country. Carry a small portable power bank and turn off "Background App Refresh" in your settings to save juice.  

4. Can I use my phone as a Hotspot internationally? 

Yes! Whether you need to work from a café or stream a movie on your tablet, you're covered. Mobile Plus gives you 50 GB of high-speed hotspot data, and Mobile Select gives you 15 GB before speeds are reduced. 

5. Will my apps work the same in other countries? 

Most do, but streaming services can be tricky. Some apps have "region-locked" content, while others—like the Xfinity Stream app—are limited to use within the U.S. only. To make sure you have entertainment for your flight or hotel room, download your favorite shows to your device before you leave the U.S. so you can watch them offline anywhere.  

6. Do I need to remove my travel plan after my trip ends? 

No, there’s no need to do a thing. Because international travel is already included with the newest Xfinity Mobile plans, there’s nothing to turn off. Even if you added a Global Travel Pass to an older plan, it stays inactive and free while you’re in the U.S., ready for your next adventure abroad.  

7. How do I check my data usage in real-time? 

The Xfinity app is your best friend. It shows exactly how much of your high-speed data you've used so there are never any surprises on your bill. If you haven’t already, download the Xfinity App for iOS or Android.  

8. What is the difference between roaming and international calling? 

Roaming is using your phone while you are in another country. International Calling is calling from the U.S. to another country. Both are included as key benefits with Mobile Select and Mobile Plus wireless plans.  

9. Should I restart my phone after I land? 

It’s a great idea. Restarting helps your phone "handshake" with the local network, ensuring you have the strongest possible signal for your day.  

10. Can I upgrade my phone right before my trip? 

Absolutely! If you're on Mobile Plus, you get upgrades every year. Upgrade before your trip to ensure you have the best camera and battery for your journey.  

11. What are the main ways to use mobile phones internationally?  

Travelers typically choose among a daily pass from their carrier, pay-as-you-go roaming rates, or a local/eSIM data plan. A daily pass offers predictable costs per day, while pay-as-you-go charges per minute, text, or MB; eSIMs can be cost-effective for data-heavy trips but may not include voice. Xfinity Mobile takes a simpler approach. Both the Mobile Select and Mobile Plus plans include international talk, text, and data at no additional cost. No more extra leg work, no more roaming charges—your phone just works on your plan in 215+ countries.  

12. How much does international roaming usually cost? 

Daily passes are commonly around a flat daily fee in many destinations, while pay-as-you-go rates vary by country and can be higher per minute or per MB. Heavy data users often save by using a daily pass or a local/eSIM plan and by downloading maps and media over WiFi ahead of time.  

13. Do I need an eSIM for international travel? 

You do not need an eSIM to roam; your existing SIM can roam with your carrier if you enable data roaming. eSIM is helpful when you want a local data plan without swapping a physical SIM, and many newer phones support having your domestic line active alongside an eSIM for data abroad.  

14. Does Xfinity Mobile offer international options? 

Xfinity Mobile offers two plans: Mobile Select and Mobile Plus. Both plans include international talk, text, and data in 215+ countries, at no additional cost.   

Ready for your next trip?  

The world is waiting. With Xfinity Mobile, you can explore it all with the comfort of knowing you’re connected and protected every step of the way. Visit Xfinity Mobile to check out the latest deals, explore plan options, compare features, and get started today.  

Safe travels! 

Xfinity Mobile international coverage: The full list of 215+ international destinations  

To help you spot-check your itinerary, here is the full list of covered destinations. Whether you're heading to a major city or a hidden gem, we've got you covered:  

The Americas & Caribbean:

Europe:

Asia & Pacific:

Africa:

Learn more about our international plans and international coverage.

¹  Restrictions apply. Not available in all areas. Xfinity Mobile requires residential post-pay Xfinity Internet. [$25 one-time activation fee/line applies.]  Line limitations may apply. Equip., intl. and roaming charges, taxes and fees, including reg. recovery fees, and other charges extra, and subject to change. Pricing subject to change. $10/mo charge applies if Xfinity Internet not maintained. Mobile Select: After 50 GBs cellular usage, cellular data speeds may be slower during times of network congestion. For Xfinity Mobile Broadband Disclosures visit: www.xfinity.com/mobile/policies/broadband-disclosures. 

²  Mobile Plus required. Lifetime device protection applies to each device connected to a Mobile Plus line and any device connected to Xfinity Mobile watch line or tablet line. Coverage applies only while at least one device on account remains active on Mobile Plus line. Coverage terms and conditions apply.