How does Vodafone $5 roaming work?

On eligible Vodafone plans, you pay $5 per day when you use your phone in a supported country. You get access to your existing plan data, calls, and texts. The fee is only charged on days you use your phone abroad.

Which countries does Vodafone $5 roaming cover?

Vodafone's $5/day roaming covers a limited set of countries including New Zealand, USA, UK, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, and parts of Europe. Many popular destinations like Bali, China, and Vietnam are not included and cost $10/day or more.

What is the Vodafone 90 day roaming cap?

Vodafone's roaming is capped at 90 days of use within a 12 month period. After 90 days, roaming is suspended until the next billing cycle. This mainly affects long term travellers and digital nomads.

Is Vodafone roaming cheaper than Telstra?

In supported countries, yes. Vodafone's $5/day rate is half of Telstra's $10/day Zone 1 rate. However, Vodafone's $5 roaming covers fewer countries. For destinations not in the $5 tier, both carriers charge $10/day.

Can I use an eSIM instead of Vodafone roaming?

Yes. A travel eSIM works alongside your Vodafone SIM. Use the eSIM for data and keep Vodafone for calls and texts. Turn off data roaming on the Vodafone line to avoid daily charges.

Prices shown are in AUD and may vary. Check the latest prices at travelren.com.

Money Saving

Vodafone International Roaming 2026: $5 Roaming Explained and Alternatives

Updated April 2026 6 min read All prices in AUD

Vodafone offers the cheapest carrier roaming in Australia at $5 per day. But the fine print matters. The $5 rate only works in certain countries, on certain plans, and there is a 90 day cap that most people do not know about.

This guide explains exactly how Vodafone roaming works, where it applies, and when a travel eSIM is the smarter option.

Vodafone roaming tiers explained

Vodafone does not have a single roaming rate. The cost depends on your plan type and destination:

Tier	Daily cost	Requirements
$5 Roaming	$5/day	Eligible postpaid plans, supported countries only
Standard Roaming	$10/day	Broader country list, most plan types
Per Use (no add on)	Variable	Charged per MB, per call, per text. Very expensive

Check your plan first

Not all Vodafone plans include $5 roaming. Older plans, prepaid plans, and some SIM only plans default to $10/day standard roaming or per use rates. Check the My Vodafone app before you travel.

Vodafone $5/day roaming: country list

The $5/day rate covers a limited set of popular destinations:

Asia Pacific: New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Malaysia
Europe: United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Greece, Ireland, Netherlands
Americas: United States, Canada

Countries not covered by $5 roaming

Many popular Australian travel destinations are not in the $5 tier and cost $10/day or more:

Indonesia (Bali) - $10/day
China - $10/day
Vietnam - $10/day
India - $10/day
Cambodia - $10/day
Sri Lanka - $10/day
Fiji - $10/day

For these destinations, Vodafone is no cheaper than Telstra.

The 90 day roaming cap

Vodafone limits roaming to 90 days of use within any 12 month period. After 90 days, your roaming access is suspended. This resets at the start of the next billing cycle.

This mainly affects:

Digital nomads spending extended periods overseas
Frequent business travellers accumulating roaming days across multiple trips
Australians living abroad temporarily who keep their Vodafone plan

If you travel frequently, keep track of your roaming days in the My Vodafone app.

Vodafone roaming vs eSIM: cost comparison

Destination	Vodafone (14 days)	eSIM (14 days)	Saving
Japan ($5/day)	$70	~$7	$63
USA ($5/day)	$70	~$10	$60
Europe ($5/day)	$70	~$11	$59
Bali ($10/day)	$140	~$16	$124
Vietnam ($10/day)	$140	~$8	$132
China ($10/day)	$140	~$27	$113

eSIM prices are approximate. Check travelren.com for current pricing.

Even at Vodafone's best $5/day rate, a two week trip costs $70 in roaming. A travel eSIM for the same destination costs $7 to $16.

How to use an eSIM with Vodafone

Buy a travel eSIM

Choose a data plan for your destination. You will get a QR code by email within minutes.

Install before you fly

Scan the QR code in Settings > Cellular/Mobile Data > Add eSIM. Do this on Wi-Fi before departure.

Turn off data roaming on Vodafone

This stops the $5/day (or $10/day) charge. Your Vodafone number stays active for calls and texts.

Land and connect

The eSIM activates automatically when you arrive. All your apps work immediately.

When Vodafone roaming makes sense

You are going to a $5/day country for one or two nights and want zero setup
You need to make and receive calls on your Australian number constantly
Your phone does not support eSIM

For anything longer than a weekend trip, a travel eSIM saves money even compared to Vodafone's cheapest rate.

Frequently asked questions

Does Vodafone $5 roaming work on prepaid?

No. The $5/day roaming rate is only available on eligible postpaid plans. Prepaid Vodafone customers are charged standard roaming rates or per use rates, which are significantly more expensive.

What happens after 90 days of roaming?

Vodafone suspends your roaming access for the remainder of your billing period. You will need to wait until the cap resets or contact Vodafone to discuss options.

Can I use my Vodafone plan data with $5 roaming?

Yes. The $5/day fee gives you access to your existing plan inclusions (data, calls, and texts). There is no separate roaming data allowance.

Is Vodafone $5 roaming automatic?

On eligible plans, yes. The $5 charge applies automatically when you use your phone in a supported country. You do not need to activate anything. To avoid the charge, turn off data roaming before you travel.

Skip the daily fees. Get a travel eSIM from ~$4 AUD

One payment covers your entire trip. No daily charges, no 90 day cap.

Browse eSIM plans