Verizon TravelPass vs a travel eSIM: cost, data limits and how to save

Verizon TravelPass costs about $12 a day, with about 5 GB of fast data a day. See what a trip costs, the Mexico and Canada price, and when a travel eSIM is cheaper.

Verizon TravelPass costs about $12 a day in most countries and about $6 a day in Mexico and Canada, charged on every day you use your phone abroad. Each day includes about 5 GB of fast data before speeds slow down. A travel eSIM costs one upfront price for the whole trip, and your Verizon number keeps working for calls and texts.

How TravelPass works

When it charges: a 24-hour session starts the first time your phone uses data, makes a call or sends a text abroad. A background app update can start it.

Data: about 5 GB of fast data a day, then slower speeds until the session ends.

Mexico and Canada: about $6 a day, and some Verizon unlimited plans include them.

Monthly option: Verizon also sells an international monthly plan for about $100 a month, with a smaller allowance.

What a trip costs

One week in Europe, one phone: about $84.

Two weeks in Japan, one phone: about $168.

One week in Mexico, two phones: about $84, unless your plan includes Mexico.

TravelPass has no cap, so long trips add up. A travel eSIM for Europe or Japan usually costs less than a few days of TravelPass.

When TravelPass makes sense

A short trip where you need full use of your US number, such as a work call on arrival day.

A phone that is locked to Verizon. Verizon unlocks phones after a set period; ask before you travel.

How to switch to a travel eSIM

Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM on our supported devices page.

Buy a plan for your destination and install it at home on Wi-Fi. It takes about two minutes.

When you land, turn on the travel eSIM, choose it for mobile data and turn on data roaming for it.

Keep your Verizon line on for calls and texts, with its data roaming off, so no pass or daily charge starts.

Bottom line

For trips longer than two or three days, a travel eSIM usually costs less than TravelPass. Turn off data roaming on your Verizon line before you board. Find a plan for your destination.

Prices checked on 1 November 2026. Carriers change roaming prices often, so check your own plan before you travel.

eSIM plans for Europe