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Telstra International Roaming 2026: Day Pass Rates, Countries, and Cheaper Alternatives
Telstra's International Day Pass is simple: pay a flat fee per day and use your existing plan overseas. But that simplicity comes at a price. A two week holiday in Japan costs $140 in roaming fees alone. A two week trip to Bali is $280.
This guide breaks down exactly what Telstra charges, which countries fall into which zone, and how to get the same connectivity for a fraction of the cost.
How the Telstra International Day Pass works
When you arrive overseas and use data, calls, or texts, Telstra automatically charges a daily fee. You get access to your existing plan inclusions for that day. The fee is charged per calendar day (midnight to midnight, Australian time), not per 24 hour period.
Key details:
- The fee only applies on days you actually use your phone overseas
- Your normal plan data, calls, and texts are shared. There is no separate roaming data cap
- If you run out of plan data, you buy data add ons at Australian rates
- The Day Pass works in over 70 countries across two pricing zones
Telstra roaming rates: Zone 1 and Zone 2
| Zone | Daily cost | Typical use case |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | $10/day | Most popular tourist destinations |
| Zone 2 | $20/day | Asia (except Japan/Korea/Singapore/Thailand), South America, Africa, Middle East |
Telstra Zone 1 countries ($10/day)
Zone 1 covers most of the destinations Australians travel to frequently:
- Asia Pacific: New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan
- Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Netherlands, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal, Ireland, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Poland, Hungary, Belgium
- Americas: United States, Canada, Mexico
Telstra Zone 2 countries ($20/day)
Zone 2 includes popular holiday destinations where roaming costs double:
- Asia: China, India, Indonesia (Bali), Vietnam, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Philippines, Bangladesh
- Middle East: UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Saudi Arabia
- Africa: South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Morocco
- South America: Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru
What Telstra roaming actually costs on a typical trip
| Destination | Zone | 7 days | 14 days |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | Zone 1 | $70 | $140 |
| UK / Europe | Zone 1 | $70 | $140 |
| USA | Zone 1 | $70 | $140 |
| Bali | Zone 2 | $140 | $280 |
| Vietnam | Zone 2 | $140 | $280 |
| China | Zone 2 | $140 | $280 |
For a family of four on a two week trip to Bali, Telstra roaming would cost $1,120 AUD.
The cheaper alternative: travel eSIMs
A travel eSIM is a digital SIM you install on your phone before you fly. It connects to local networks at local rates. No daily fees, no surprise bills, and you pay once for a set amount of data.
| Destination | Telstra (14 days) | eSIM (14 days) | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $140 | ~$7 | $133 |
| Bali | $280 | ~$16 | $264 |
| Europe | $140 | ~$11 | $129 |
| USA | $140 | ~$10 | $130 |
| Vietnam | $280 | ~$8 | $272 |
| China | $280 | ~$27 | $253 |
eSIM prices are approximate and based on popular plans at time of publication. Check travelren.com for current pricing.
How to use an eSIM and keep your Telstra number
You do not need to cancel or pause your Telstra plan to use an eSIM. Most modern phones support dual SIM, meaning you can keep your Telstra physical SIM for calls and texts and use the travel eSIM for data.
Buy an eSIM before you fly
Choose a plan for your destination. You will receive a QR code by email.
Install the eSIM on your phone
Go to Settings, then Cellular/Mobile Data, then Add eSIM. Scan the QR code. Do this before you leave Australia while on Wi-Fi.
Turn off data roaming on your Telstra line
This prevents Telstra from charging the Day Pass. Your Telstra number stays active for calls and texts.
Set the eSIM as your data line
In your phone settings, set the travel eSIM as your default data source. It activates when you land.
Make sure data roaming is turned off on the Telstra line before you depart. If it stays on, Telstra will charge the Day Pass even if you are primarily using the eSIM for data.
Who should use Telstra roaming
Telstra roaming makes sense in a narrow set of scenarios:
- You are travelling for one or two days only and the convenience is worth $10 to $20
- You need to make and receive voice calls on your Australian number constantly
- You are visiting a country where eSIM coverage is limited
For trips longer than two days, a travel eSIM saves significant money. For Zone 2 destinations, the saving starts from day one.
Frequently asked questions
Does Telstra roaming work on prepaid?
Yes. Telstra prepaid customers can use the International Day Pass. The daily fee is deducted from your prepaid balance. Make sure you have enough credit before you travel.
Can I turn Telstra roaming on and off?
You can turn data roaming off in your phone settings to avoid being charged. The Day Pass is only triggered when you use data, calls, or texts overseas. If you keep data roaming off, no fee applies.
What happens if I go over my plan data while roaming?
If you exhaust your plan data while overseas, you will need to purchase a data add on through the My Telstra app. Excess data charges may apply if you do not buy an add on.
Is the Day Pass per phone or per account?
Per phone. Each device on your account that uses roaming will be charged the Day Pass separately. A couple travelling together pays double.
Can I use an eSIM on a Telstra locked phone?
If your phone was purchased outright or has been paid off, it should be unlocked. If you are still paying it off, contact Telstra to check. The eSIM will not install on a carrier locked device.
Skip the $10/day. Get a travel eSIM from ~$4 AUD
Same destinations, fraction of the price. Instant delivery. Works on arrival.
Browse eSIM plans