Switch on Data Roaming in your phone’s mobile data settings and check that your Vodafone plan covers the country you land in. An eSIM is the better choice when you want one flat price for the whole trip: our Global eSIM covers 165+ countries from USD 9.99 for 3 days.
Outside Zone A, charges depend on your plan, and on Pay as you go the meter runs by the day.
How do you turn on Vodafone roaming on iPhone and Android?
Roaming works only when two things are true: Data Roaming is switched on in your phone’s mobile data settings, and your Vodafone plan covers the country you land in. The steps below are the phone makers’ own, iPhone first, then Android.
Roaming in Zone A is included in all Pay Monthly plans. Other destinations carry charges depending on your plan (Vodafone UK, Global Roaming). On Xtra Global Roam plans, roaming is included in 84 destinations across Zones A, B and C, with a 25GB roaming fair use policy per billing month on the data (Vodafone UK, Global Roaming). You can turn roaming on and off through your Vodafone account.
On iPhone (Apple Support, “About cellular data roaming options for your iPhone and iPad”):
- Open Settings.
- Tap Cellular or Cellular Data.
- With a single SIM or eSIM, turn on Cellular Data, tap Cellular Data Options, and turn on Data Roaming and other settings your carrier suggests.
- With Dual SIM or Dual eSIM, turn on Cellular Data, tap the number you want to modify, then tap Cellular Data Options and turn on Data Roaming and other settings your carrier suggests.
On Android (Samsung UK, “How to turn international data roaming on or off on my Samsung phone”; Google Pixel Phone Help, “Connect to mobile networks on a Pixel phone”):
- Open the Settings app.
- Tap Connections.
- Tap Mobile Networks.
- Tap the switch to activate or deactivate Data Roaming.
If the Data Roaming switch is greyed out, check that Mobile data is activated under Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data. On a travel plan, restart your phone and switch on mobile data roaming. Done. You’re ready to roam.
What do you need before you turn on Vodafone roaming?
You need a plan that includes your destination. Every Pay Monthly plan includes roaming in Zone A, and other destinations are charged depending on the plan (Vodafone UK, Global Roaming).
Vodafone splits the world into zones, each with different charges by plan. Move to an Xtra Global Roam plan to get the full 84 worldwide inclusive destinations. A new Pay as you go SIM needs a top-up of at least £5 or a Big Value Bundle, otherwise it won’t work abroad. After that you choose a roaming Extra or pay a daily charge. Pay monthly plans carry a 25GB roaming fair use policy, and one reason you might be charged extra is roaming for more than 62 days over a four-month period.
Vodafone’s published daily charge for destinations outside Zone A isn’t something we can quote. Check it on your account before you fly. Then run Apple’s and Google’s pre-travel checks (Apple Support, “About cellular data roaming options for your iPhone and iPad” and “If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching on your iPhone or iPad”; Google Pixel Phone Help, “Fix mobile connectivity issues”):
- Before you go, contact your carrier by phone or online to shop international roaming plans and avoid fees and higher rates.
- After arrival, open Settings and tap Cellular or Cellular Data.
- With a single SIM or eSIM, turn on Cellular Data, tap Cellular Data Options, and make sure Data Roaming is on.
- With Dual SIM or Dual eSIM, turn on Cellular Data, tap the number you want to modify, tap Cellular Data Options, and make sure Data Roaming is on.
- If you see “No Service” or “SOS only”, confirm Data Roaming is on as above.
- If you still see No Service, turn on Airplane Mode for about 30 seconds, then turn it off.
- On a Dual SIM iPhone, tap Cellular, tap the line you’d like to review, and if it’s off, tap Turn On This Line, then check for service.
- If you still see No Service, contact your carrier to verify your account is active and in good standing and that you’re in an area with cellular coverage.
What if Vodafone roaming is on but you have no signal abroad?
Restart your phone, then work through Apple’s published fixes in order (Apple Support, “If you see SOS, No Service, or Searching on your iPhone or iPad”; “About cellular data roaming options for your iPhone and iPad”; “View or change cellular data settings on iPhone”; “If you can’t connect to Wi-Fi on your iPhone or iPad”).
- If the date and time are wrong after you arrive, open Settings, tap General, then Date & Time, and make sure Set Automatically is on.
- Turn on Airplane Mode for about 30 seconds, turn it off, and let your iPhone select the best network.
- If you see No Service or SOS only, open Settings and tap Cellular or Cellular Data.
- If you still need help, try a different SIM card or contact your carrier.
- If your iPhone uses an eSIM, check Apple’s travel options for eSIM.
That’s the iPhone ladder. Work down it and you’re back on the map.
How much does Vodafone roaming cost compared with a travel eSIM?
Vodafone’s Pay as you go 1 charges £2 each day you use your phone, which gives you unlimited minutes, unlimited texts and 50MB of data until midnight, and its data is for use in the UK and Zone A destinations only, unless you buy one of Vodafone’s roaming extras (Vodafone UK, Global Roaming). Our Global eSIM charges once per trip: USD 9.99 for 3 days, USD 19.99 for 7 days (USD 2.86/day), USD 27.99 for 14 days (USD 2.00/day) and USD 49.99 for 30 days (USD 1.67/day).
Every plan has unlimited data across 165+ countries, with a daily high-speed allowance that resets every 24 hours and standard speed after it. Vodafone’s published table includes calls to the UK from Zone B and Zone C + D in the daily roaming fee or a Pass, and adds a charge for calls to other countries. Our price is set before you fly. Pick your days and go.
When is an eSIM the better choice than Vodafone roaming?
An eSIM is the better choice when the trip is longer than a quick visit, crosses several countries, or goes to sea, where cruise coverage is the Global + Cruise plan, a separate purchase. Our Global eSIM covers 165+ countries in 3-day, 7-day, 14-day or 30-day plans, so one eSIM follows you across borders.
Ships need the Global + Cruise plan, a separate purchase that covers 20+ cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean International. Kurtis gave Maya Mobile five stars on Trustpilot in March 2026: “Great coverage and advertised like it is. I traveled from HK to Vietnam and there wasn’t any lag. Very fast, I’m very satisfied.” That’s one traveler’s trip. Your next border is just a border.
Does your phone support an eSIM, and how long does setup take?
Yes. Most modern iPhones and Android devices support eSIM, and the eSIM activates in a minute or two. Our list runs from the iPhone XR/XS series through the iPhone 17 series, including iPhone Air, SE 2 (2020) and SE 3 (2022).
The listed smartphones support eSIM installation via automatic online activation. If your phone is missing from the list, Maya Mobile eSIM packages can’t be installed on it, so check the list before you buy.
Which travel eSIM should you buy for a trip when roaming costs too much?
Each company describes its plans and its daily allowance in its own published words. Read the plan structure and the allowance first, since those decide whether you pay per country, per gigabyte or per trip.
| Travel eSIM | How plans are sold | Unlimited plan allowance, as published | Calls, texts and phone number, as published |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maya Mobile | One Global eSIM for 165+ countries, unlimited data at a flat price by trip length: USD 9.99 for 3 days, USD 19.99 for 7 days, USD 27.99 for 14 days, USD 49.99 for 30 days | A daily high-speed data allowance (the Daily Quota) at up to 4G LTE or 5G where local networks offer it, reset every 24 hours; unlimited data at standard speed once the Daily Quota is used | Data only, with no local number; your own SIM stays in the phone for your calls and texts |
| Airalo | Per country, per region, or one global plan; priced in USD | Our unlimited data packages don’t have a fixed total data cap. However, to keep the network running fairly for everyone, when you use more than 3GB in a day, we’ll slow down (or “throttle”) your internet speed to 1 Mbps for the rest of that day. | We offer flexible data packages — some have calls and texts. |
| Holafly | Per country, per region (Europe, Latin America, Cruise plans), and monthly global plans: Light, 25GB of data, $ 49.90USD/month; Unlimited, $ 64.90USD/month; Ultra, $ 90.95USD/month | Unlimited data plans are subject to a fair use policy, which may temporarily reduce speed in cases of unusually high usage to maintain network quality for all users. | Unlimited Plans purchased on November 4, 2025, or later include a phone number for US, UK, or Canada. Please note that this service supports inbound SMS only and VOIP-based calling (traditional incoming cellular calls are not supported) |
| Saily | Per country and per region, plus one global plan; by the gigabyte, unlimited, or both | The Unlimited plan gives you 5 GB per day at full 4G/5G speed, then keeps you online at 1 Mbps for the rest of the day — fast enough for navigation, messaging, and standard browsing. | Yes, you can keep your own number while using a Saily eSIM plan. If you want to make calls and send SMS messages abroad without worrying about extra carrier fees, you can add a US phone number to your Saily eSIM plan. |
In the table, the rival columns quote or briefly summarize what each company publishes, and the Maya Mobile column comes from maya.net.
How Maya swaps roaming charges for one flat price per trip
One eSIM, 165+ countries, the same price in every country. Every plan includes a daily high-speed data allowance (the Daily Quota), at up to 4G LTE or 5G where local networks offer it. The eSIM stays on your phone after the plan expires, and each trip needs a plan. Extend anytime from the app. Auto Top-Up is opt-in only and off by default.
John C. gave Maya Mobile five stars on Trustpilot in May 2026: “Ridiculously simple and great service. Bought, connected, used, done. The whole Maya experience was exactly what I wanted. Easy, good value for money, fast connection speeds, no interruptions. It just worked!!! Thank you Maya, I’ll purchase again for sure.”
FAQ
What happens if I delete my eSIM and need the QR code again?
For a Maya eSIM, log in to your Maya Mobile account, go to the eSIM, and open the Installation tab, where the QR code and manual activation code are shown. Once you’ve followed the steps and confirmed the eSIM is not installed, Maya support can help.
What do I do if my camera can’t scan the eSIM QR code?
Choose Enter Details Manually and type in the SM-DP+ address and activation code. On iPhone with Maya, go to Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Service), tap Add eSIM or Add Data Plan, select Use QR Code, then Enter Details Manually. To get the manual activation code, log in to your Maya Mobile account, click My eSIMs, click Install eSIM under the plan, click Manual Activation Code, then copy the code and enter it when prompted.
How do I keep my Vodafone number for calls while using a travel eSIM?
Keep your own SIM in the phone. Our eSIM is data only, with no local number, and it runs alongside your existing SIM, so your home number and carrier plan stay unchanged. On iPhone, choose Primary for Voice/SMS and iMessage, and use the Maya Mobile eSIM for mobile data only. The eSIM plan doesn’t support voice or SMS, so leave iMessage off for it.
How do I stop my Vodafone SIM from using roaming data while my eSIM is on?
On an iPhone with multiple SIMs, tap Cellular, then Cellular Data, choose a line to reach Cellular Data Options, and turn Data Roaming on or off. Apple says that when you’re traveling internationally you can turn it off to avoid roaming charges (Apple Support, “Use cellular data on your iPhone or iPad”). On a Pixel, under “Your primary SIMs” tap Mobile data and choose which SIM to use; only one SIM can be the default for data (Google Pixel Phone Help, “Connect to mobile networks on a Pixel phone”). Your Maya eSIM line needs Data Roaming ON.
When should I install my travel eSIM before a flight?
Install it once, before the trip, on Wi-Fi. Your plan’s days begin counting once you enable the Maya eSIM in your phone settings. Switch it on when you land and select it for Cellular Data.
What happens when my eSIM plan’s days run out?
It ends. Each plan is a one-time purchase, and with Auto Top-Up off, which is the default, the plan ends with no further charge. If you turn Auto Top-Up on, it purchases the same plan again as the current one expires. You can extend your plan anytime from the app.
How do I get data on a cruise, where Vodafone roaming may not reach?
For a cruise, our answer is the Global + Cruise plan, a separate purchase that covers 20+ cruise lines with unlimited data at sea, including Royal Caribbean International, Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Line. It’s priced on its own: USD 49.99 for 3 days, USD 109.99 for 7 days, USD 299.99 for 30 days.
Maya gives you one Global eSIM for 165+ countries at a flat price by trip length, so roaming stops running as a daily meter.
