How to avoid huge roaming charges on holidays outside the EU

Your data roaming charges may not sound much, but over the course of a holiday they can really mount up – and they’re easily avoidable!

Imagine you’re scrolling Instagram in Dubai when a text from your provider hits: “£6 per day for roaming.” Multiply that by four people over 14 days — that's nearly £340 lost to mobile data. But there’s a smarter way to stay online abroad — without breaking the bank.

Popular getaways beyond Europe for travellers

As British holidaymakers increasingly seek adventures beyond the EU, several non-European destinations have risen in popularity, offering diverse experiences and improved connectivity options. Notably, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the United States (USA), and Thailand have become top choices for UK travellers.

Turkey

In 2024, Turkey welcomed approximately 4.4 million visitors from the UK, marking a 16.6% increase compared to the previous year. Destinations like Antalya, Bodrum and Istanbul remain favourites, offering a blend of historical sites and beach resorts. With affordable packages and improved Turkey holiday connectivity, travellers can enjoy seamless internet access, helping them to avoid roaming charges abroad.

United Arab Emirates (Dubai and Abu Dhabi)

Dubai saw a 14% surge in UK visitors in 2024, reaching 1.33 million. The city's modern infrastructure ensures excellent Dubai mobile internet services, allowing tourists to stay connected effortlessly. Typical holidays here range from 5 to 7 days, offering luxury experiences without the extended time commitment.

United States (Orlando, New York, Las Vegas)

While the USA has traditionally been a popular destination, there was a 14.3% decline in UK visitors in March 2025 compared to the same month in 2024 . Despite this, cities like Orlando, New York and Las Vegas continue to attract tourists. To manage holiday internet costs, many travellers opt for a USA travel SIM or explore eSIM for international travel options, ensuring connectivity without exorbitant fees.

Thailand (Bangkok, Phuket)

Thailand has become increasingly accessible, with British tourists now allowed to stay up to 60 days without a visa. This change has bolstered its appeal, especially for longer stays. With diverse Thailand connectivity options, including widespread Wi-Fi and affordable data packages, travellers can easily connect to the internet without high costs.

As these destinations continue to attract UK holidaymakers, understanding and planning for connectivity needs becomes essential to ensure a seamless travel experience.

The hidden holiday expense: Mobile roaming charges explained

Staying connected while abroad is essential for modern travellers — be it for navigation, sharing memories, or keeping the family entertained. However, for UK holidaymakers venturing to non-EU destinations like Turkey, the USA, Dubai, or Thailand, mobile roaming charges can quickly accumulate, turning into a significant hidden expense.

Major UK mobile providers have varying policies regarding international roaming:

Note: Costs are approximate and based on available data as of 2025. Always check with your provider for the most current rates.

Key Highlights (2025)

EE: Offers daily roaming charges starting from £2.47 in Europe and ranging up to £15 in other countries. For frequent travellers, EE provides packages that can help reduce costs.

Vodafone: In Europe, a daily roaming fee of £2.25 applies. For other regions, charges vary depending on the zone.

O2: Remains the only major UK operator offering free EU roaming (up to 25GB). For destinations outside Europe, a fixed daily charge of £7 applies.

Three: Provides different daily rates based on the region: £2 in Europe, £5 in other countries and £7 in 'World Extra' destinations.

For a family of four embarking on a two-week holiday, roaming expenses can range from £112 to £840, depending on the chosen operator and destination.

To avoid unexpected charges, it's advisable to consider alternative connectivity options such as eSIMs, local SIM cards or relying on Wi-Fi available at accommodations.

Considering a family of four on a two-week holiday, these charges can significantly inflate the travel budget.

Typical holiday activities — such as using maps for navigation, streaming music or videos, sharing photos and keeping children entertained with online games — can consume substantial data. Moreover, automatic app updates and cloud backups running in the background can further increase data usage, leading to unexpected charges.

To mitigate these costs, travellers are exploring alternatives like local SIM cards, eSIM for international travel and specialised travel data options. These solutions not only help avoid roaming charges abroad but also offer more control over holiday internet costs, ensuring a connected yet budget-friendly travel experience.

Smart ways to stay connected without breaking the bank

For budget-conscious travellers, staying online abroad doesn’t have to mean sky-high roaming bills. Whether you're looking for the best internet options for US holidays from the UK or simply want to connect to the internet in Dubai without high costs, there are several alternatives to traditional roaming.

Below is a breakdown of the main connectivity options used by UK holidaymakers in non-EU destinations:

Each option comes with trade-offs. UK roaming is convenient but can cost a family of four over £400 for 14 days. Airport SIMs often include less data for more money, while local SIM cards require effort to find and install — especially with language barriers in places like Thailand or Turkey.

An increasingly popular option is the eSIM — a digital SIM you can install before departure. Providers like Yesim offer affordable data packages (from £1.80/day) for destinations including the USA, UAE and Thailand. One major benefit: you can keep your UK number active to receive banking texts and WhatsApp messages without paying extra.

And while public Wi-Fi may seem like a free solution, it often comes with security risks and inconsistent coverage — not ideal when you're relying on Google Maps in Istanbul or need to upload videos from Las Vegas.

If you're wondering how to stay connected on holiday without roaming charges, eSIMs offer perhaps the most seamless, cost-effective solution for modern travellers.

Country-by-Country guide: What UK travellers should know

Staying connected during your holiday varies by destination. Here's a breakdown of connectivity options and considerations for popular non-EU holiday destinations:

In tourist hotspots like Antalya, Bodrum, and Istanbul, major providers such as Turkcell and Vodafone TR offer robust coverage. However, acquiring a local SIM can be time-consuming. Yesim's eSIM provides a convenient alternative, offering data plans starting from £0.45 per day, with unlimited data options available

While Dubai boasts high-speed mobile internet, certain VoIP services like WhatsApp calls are restricted. Yesim addresses this by offering a free VPN for iOS users, ensuring uninterrupted access to your favourite apps. Their data plans start from £7.20, providing seamless connectivity upon arrival.

USA

The USA offers extensive 5G coverage, but rural areas and national parks may have limited service. Yesim's eSIM connects you to leading carriers, with 30-days plans starting from £9.90 for 10GB. Their SwitchLess Networks technology ensures optimal connectivity by automatically switching to the best available network

Thailand

In destinations like Bangkok and Phuket, network reliability is generally strong. Yesim partners with local operators such as AIS and TrueMove, offering data plans starting from £1.80 for unlimited data over one day with the current discount.

Pro Tip: Activate your eSIM plan before departure to avoid delays and ensure immediate connectivity upon arrival. This is especially beneficial for using services like WhatsApp abroad without incurring extra charges.

Final thoughts

Staying online during non-EU holiday destinations doesn't have to mean sky-high bills. Check if your phone is eSIM-ready and activate a data plan before you fly — so your holiday starts connected. For simplicity and savings, eSIM for international travel — like Yesim — is well worth considering.