Should roaming be on or off when abroad?

Turn Roaming On or Off When Traveling Abroad?

Honestly, turning on data roaming when I travel? Mostly a no-go for me. Unless there's absolutely no other way to get online, like zero WiFi or no local SIM card option, I keep that switch off. The costs can just be insane, truly.

I still remember that gut-punch feeling after a short trip to Portugal, back in May 2019. Thought I was being super careful, just checking maps briefly near Lisbon's Alfama district. A tiny bit of browsing, really. Then the bill landed, an extra €80 just for a few megs. It felt like theft, pure highway robbery for what amounted to barely ten minutes of actual use. Such a ripoff, man.

Now, my go-to is always a local SIM. Or, if I'm brave, just hunt for free Wi-Fi. It's often cheaper, way more reliable in the long run, and keeps those shocking surprises at bay.

Take my most recent trip to Thailand, October 2023. Landed in Bangkok, BKK airport, went straight to a AIS counter. Grabbed a tourist SIM with 15GB data for 300 baht, good for 8 days. So much better. Unlimited chat apps, plenty of internet for maps and finding street food. It was fantastic, totally stress-free, knowing exactly what I was paying up front without any hidden nasties. Total game changer, that was.

It just seems so... complicated sometimes, figuring out which plan. But seriously, unless you have an emergency or a very specific, affordable international plan from your home carrier, switching off roaming is usually the smartest move. Don't risk it, I'd say.