Optus International Roaming 2026: Countries, Costs, and Cheaper Alternatives
Optus pricing changes periodically. Rates shown are current as of April 2026. Check the Optus website for the latest.
Optus charges $10 per day for international roaming through its Travel Plus add on. That's $140 for a two week trip. And that's the good scenario. Without Travel Plus, per use rates can blow past $50 in a single day.
This guide breaks down exactly what Optus charges, which countries are covered, and how to avoid the charges entirely.
Optus Travel Plus: the basics
Travel Plus is Optus's international roaming product. It costs $10 per day and includes:
- 1 GB of data per day
- Unlimited calls to Australian numbers
- Unlimited texts to Australian numbers
The daily charge applies for each day you use data overseas. If you don't use your phone on a given day (data roaming off, airplane mode), you're not charged for that day.
1 GB per day sounds reasonable until you realise what eats data: Google Maps navigation uses 5 to 10 MB per hour, uploading a batch of photos uses 50 to 200 MB, a 15 minute video call uses about 150 MB, and an hour of social media scrolling uses 100 to 300 MB. On an active travel day, 1 GB can run out by the afternoon.
Which countries does Optus Travel Plus cover?
Optus Travel Plus works in a specific list of countries. If your destination isn't on this list, you're on per use rates.
Popular destinations covered by Travel Plus
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Asia Pacific | New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, Philippines, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, Cambodia |
| Europe | UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Greece, Portugal, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Turkey |
| Americas | USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina |
| Middle East / Africa | UAE, South Africa, Egypt |
This list is not exhaustive. Optus updates it periodically. Always check the Optus website for the current list before you travel.
Countries NOT covered by Travel Plus
Many destinations in Central Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and parts of South America are not covered. If your destination isn't on the list, Optus charges per use rates:
- Data: up to $3 per MB (that's $3,000 per GB)
- Calls: up to $5 per minute
- SMS: up to $1 per message
At these rates, a single day of moderate phone use can cost $50 to $200. This is where the horror stories come from.
What Optus roaming actually costs per trip
| Trip length | Optus Travel Plus | Travel eSIM (10 GB) | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | $30 | $12 to $19 | $11 to $18 |
| 7 days | $70 | $12 to $19 | $51 to $58 |
| 14 days | $140 | $12 to $19 | $121 to $128 |
| 21 days | $210 | $12 to $19 | $191 to $198 |
| 28 days | $280 | $12 to $19 | $261 to $268 |
eSIM prices vary by destination. Range shown covers most popular countries. Check exact prices on our site.
For any trip longer than 2 days, a travel eSIM is cheaper. For a 2 week trip, the saving is over $120 per person.
How Optus roaming charges sneak up on you
Three ways people get caught:
Auto activation. If Travel Plus is on your plan, it kicks in automatically when your phone uses data overseas. You don't have to opt in for each trip. Many people don't realise they're being charged $10/day until they see their bill.
Background data. Your phone uses data in the background even when you're not actively using it. App updates, email sync, photo backup, push notifications. All of this triggers the daily $10 charge even if you only "quickly checked the time."
Per use shock. If Travel Plus isn't on your plan, or you're in an uncovered country, per use rates apply automatically. $3 per MB means your phone can rack up hundreds of dollars in a few hours without you touching it.
How to avoid Optus roaming charges
Option 1: Travel eSIM (recommended)
A travel eSIM gives you mobile data at your destination without involving Optus at all. You turn off data roaming on your Optus SIM, and the eSIM handles all your data.
- Buy a travel eSIM for your destination before your trip
- Install it by scanning the QR code (2 minutes)
- Turn off data roaming on your Optus SIM: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Data Roaming > Off
- When you land, activate the eSIM for data
Your Optus SIM stays active for calls and SMS. You still receive bank codes, WhatsApp verification, and calls from home. Optus just can't charge you for data.
For a detailed setup guide, see How to set up an eSIM before you fly.
Option 2: Turn off data roaming and use Wi-Fi only
Free, but limiting. You only have internet at hotels, cafes, and restaurants. No maps while walking, no Grab/Uber, no connectivity between hotspots. Works if you're staying in one place. Impractical for exploring.
Option 3: Local physical SIM
Buy a SIM at the airport. Cheap per gigabyte in many countries. But you need to queue, show your passport, and swap your Optus SIM out (losing access to your Australian number). Best for phones that don't support eSIM.
Optus roaming vs travel eSIM by destination
| Destination | Optus (14 days) | eSIM (10 GB) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $140 | $15.50 | $124.50 |
| Bali / Indonesia | $140 | $15.50 | $124.50 |
| Thailand | $140 | $12.00 | $128.00 |
| Europe | $140 | $18.00 | $122.00 |
| USA | $140 | $19.00 | $121.00 |
| New Zealand | $140 | $12.00 | $128.00 |
| Vietnam | $140 | $14.00 | $126.00 |
Does Optus roaming work in China?
Yes, China is covered by Travel Plus. But there's a catch: China's Great Firewall blocks WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, YouTube, and many other services. Optus roaming may or may not bypass the firewall depending on how Optus routes its roaming traffic.
If you need guaranteed access to blocked services in China, a travel eSIM with international routing is more reliable. See our guide to using WhatsApp in China for details.
How to check if Travel Plus is on your plan
- Open the My Optus app
- Go to your plan details
- Look for "Travel Plus" or "International Roaming" under add ons
- If it's active, it will charge you $10/day automatically when you roam
If you're unsure, call Optus on 133 937 before you travel. Ask them to confirm whether Travel Plus is active and what your per use rates would be without it.
Can I use Optus Wi-Fi calling overseas?
Yes. If your phone and Optus plan support Wi-Fi calling, calls made over Wi-Fi overseas are treated as domestic calls. No roaming charge. This works over hotel Wi-Fi or through your eSIM's data connection.
Enable it before you travel: Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling (Android).
The bottom line for Optus customers
Optus Travel Plus works. It's simple. But at $10/day, it's expensive for trips longer than a couple of days. A travel eSIM gives you more data for less money, and you don't have to think about daily charges adding up.
For a short 1 to 2 day trip where convenience matters more than cost, Travel Plus is fine. For anything longer, the maths is clear.
Skip Optus roaming. Get an eSIM from $4 AUD.
200+ countries. More data than Travel Plus. No daily charges. Instant QR code delivery.
View plans by destinationFrequently asked questions
How much does Optus roaming cost per day?
$10/day with Travel Plus. Without it, per use rates apply and can exceed $50/day easily.
Does Optus roaming activate automatically?
Yes. If Travel Plus is on your plan, it activates the moment your phone uses data overseas. Turn off data roaming in phone settings to prevent this.
Which countries does Travel Plus cover?
Most popular destinations including Japan, Bali, Thailand, Europe, USA, NZ, and more. Check the Optus website for the full current list.
Can I turn off roaming to avoid charges?
Yes. Turn off data roaming in your phone settings before you fly. This stops Optus from charging for overseas data. Use a travel eSIM or Wi-Fi for data instead.
Is a travel eSIM cheaper than Optus roaming?
Yes, for any trip longer than 2 days. A 10 GB eSIM costs $12 to $19 total versus $10 per day with Optus.