If there’s one thing that can dim your post-holiday glow, it’s got to be the super steep phone bills. During your vacation you couldn’t help instantly posting that sunset photo on Instagram, updating your Whatsapp status or video calling your loved ones from the Eiffel Tower, your travel antics may have come to bite you hard post vacation. Well, fret not. Here are 5 ways you can avoid excessive mobile bills while travelling abroad.
1. Turn Off Data Roaming
The simplest task is to first turn off your data roaming while you travel abroad. This simple step can help you save big bucks on international data bills. Just got to your phone Settings, click on Cellular and slide Data Roaming off. Turning off data roaming can prevent your phone from downloading things and updates in the background. You can also switch off Cellular Data for an extra layer of protection.
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3. Purchase A Local SIM Card
If you find yourself frequenting a foreign destination for leisure, work trips or other reasons, perhaps even staying there for over a week, then just buy a local SIM. A local prepaid SIM card is way cheaper than using any data roaming plan. Do keep in mind that you won’t receive incoming texts or calls from your regular number, but you can also forward them if needed. When in Rome, use local SIM cards like the Romans!
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2. Use Google Maps Offline
Excessive use of mobiles during travel is often for clicking pictures, language translations or using Google Maps. If Google Maps is the reason why you need your Cellular Data, then there’s a better, cheaper way. Download your maps using Free Wi-Fi beforehand and then use it offline. Downloading maps in advance using Wi-Fi will help keep the costs down instead of using them in real-time, after all, it’s data-driven. This doesn’t just apply to maps. Download music, movies and other content using the free Wi-Fi available at your hotel or public places.
4. Free Local Wi-Fi To Call Loved One Back Home
It’s a given to keep in touch with your loved ones back at home through texts, calls or video calls, while on a vacation. But it doesn’t need to be through cellular data. There’s a simpler, cost-effective way. Find lodging in a hotel, homestay, resort or Airbnb that offers free Wi-Fi. In this manner, you can avoid data charges and send your vacation photos to your family back home through free Wi-Fi. You can also head to public places like cafes that offer free Wi-Fi to call your loved ones in a hassle-way manner.
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5. Change App Setting To Save Data
Despite not actively using apps, they can still end up consuming your data. Moreover, many times we end up downloading high-resolution videos in the backdrop, without having any clue about it. This leads to massive data usage and excessive mobile bills, especially when on vacation. The solution is simple just change your app settings and turn off autoplay features for Facebook. You can use Facebook Lite instead. Aron North, senior vice president of marketing and creative for the Mint Mobile and Ultra Mobile revealed the above to U.S. News & World Report.
Well, travel enthusiasts, these are simple tips that when implemented can make a huge difference to your travel expenditure. After all, smart travel is the right travel.