Get clued up on roaming charges to avoid holiday hell this half term

Check the costs and plan ahead: Every provider has a different policy for roaming, so it’s important to check with your network. If you’re visiting an EU destination, you can usually expect to pay £2 a day, but some networks such as O2 won’t charge. Non-EU countries, like Northern Cyprus and Turkey, may have different rules on usage limits. Some networks offer travel bolt-ons, which could work out cheaper than the daily rate, so check what bundles your network offers before you set off.

Make the most of Wi-Fi: Perhaps the easiest, and most common way to avoid roaming charges is to make good use of free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes and restaurants. Make sure you trust the connection you’re tapping into, though, as unsecured networks can be used to gain access to personal information.

Flight mode is your friend: Your phone’s airplane mode is important for the safety of the flight, but it can also be used to avoid unwelcome roaming charges. Before taking off, enable your mobile’s flight mode or switch off data roaming to avoid the risk of racking up unexpected charges as you pass through different countries.

Don’t get caught out by the cap: Your allowances may differ from your UK contract when visiting some destinations, as most networks no longer allow you to ‘roam like you’re at home’. Check your provider’s fair usage policy, which should tell you how much data you can use before you incur extra charges.

Download first, watch later: Streaming films, TV shows and even music can eat up a lot of data, so download these at home before travelling. This means you can access your chosen entertainment when you’re not connected to the internet - perfect for flying and keeping children occupied. Download boarding passes and other important documents on your mobile in advance, so that you’re not forced to use your data at the airport, and have them backed up on your device.

Be wary of your voicemail: Each network will treat roaming costs differently, but sometimes even listening to a voicemail on holiday can cost you. If your provider does include this charge, call them up before you travel and ask them to switch off your voicemail.

Opt for SIM only to feel like a local: If you’re a frequent traveller or staying abroad for several weeks, consider a no-contract or one-month rolling SIM. For example, SMARTY or Asda mobile, both available at Uswitch.com, offer generous data on flexible one-month contracts that can be cancelled anytime. So if you want to churn through data, this could give you the freedom to do so.

Know your limits: Data roaming charges abroad should be restricted to a maximum of £45 per month anywhere in the world, and your provider should warn you when you are approaching this limit. If you hit the threshold, you will no longer be able to use your data allowance unless connected to Wi-Fi. Choosing a roaming add-on may be a good way to save money, but check the T&Cs, as it could opt you out of this cap.

Cruising for a bruising: Holiday cruises that take you to a variety of destinations can be notorious for roaming charges. The ship will have a satellite provider that your phone will connect to in order to make calls while at sea. These at-sea services can be much more expensive than making calls or texts on land and may not be included in your mobile deal. Make use of the onboard Wi-Fi. And if your cruise doesn’t include a Wi-Fi package, consider taking one out to avoid any roaming charges. 

Swytch and save: If you’re going on a long holiday or planning to make lots of calls and texts, consider renting a second mobile number for your phone. An internet phone service like Swytch allows you to receive calls and texts sent to this number when overseas, meaning that you won’t pay for incoming calls. This service also comes with the benefit of cheap outgoing calls and texts, charged at local rates.