Verizon Plans In Austria: What You Need To Know

If you're a Verizon customer planning a trip to Austria, you may be wondering if your phone plan will work there. The good news is that Verizon offers international coverage in more than 210 countries and destinations, including Austria. However, there may be additional costs involved. Here's what you need to know about using your Verizon plan in Austria.

Verizon TravelPass in Austria

Verizon offers a TravelPass for its customers travelling internationally, which allows you to utilise your domestic plan's talk, text, and data for a daily fee. This means that you can continue using your phone as you would at home, without having to switch to a local SIM card or rent a WiFi hotspot.

The TravelPass costs $12 per day in Austria and other countries outside of Canada and Mexico. You are only charged for the days that you use your phone abroad. This can be a convenient option if you are travelling for a short period or do not want to deal with the hassle of switching SIM cards.

However, it is important to note that the speed and performance of the TravelPass may not be the same as what you are used to at home. Some users have reported slower speeds and data throttling after a certain amount of usage. Additionally, the daily fee can add up if you are travelling for an extended period.

As an alternative, you can consider purchasing a local SIM card or eSIM in Austria, which may offer more data and better speeds at a lower cost. This option may be more suitable if you are looking for a more permanent solution and do not need to keep your US phone number active during your trip.

Verizon also offers other international plans, such as the $100 International Monthly Plan, which may be more cost-effective if you are travelling for an extended period. This plan provides unlimited data, text messaging, and 250 minutes of international calling for a fixed monthly fee.

In conclusion, the Verizon TravelPass can be a convenient option for staying connected while travelling in Austria, but it is important to consider your specific needs, usage patterns, and budget when deciding on the best plan for your trip.

Verizon International Plan

Verizon offers international plans for its customers travelling abroad. These plans allow you to use your phone in over 210 countries and destinations outside the US.

TravelPass

The TravelPass is a daily fee plan that allows you to use your domestic plan's talk, text, and data. You are only charged for the days that you use your phone abroad. It costs $6 per day in Canada and Mexico and is included with all Unlimited and other select plans. For other countries, it costs $12 per day.

$100 International Monthly Plan

This plan is ideal for trips of 9 days or longer. It includes unlimited data (20 GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at 3G speeds), unlimited text messaging, and 250 minutes of international calling.

In-flight and Cruise Daily Pass

The In-flight Daily Pass costs $20 per day per line, while the Cruise Daily Pass costs $30 per day per line. Both passes provide unlimited 3G data on aircraft or cruise ships that offer the service.

Pay as you go

Without an international plan, you will be charged per minute, per text message, and per MB of data used. This option can be expensive.

Verizon also offers a $10/day plan for select countries, which may be a better option for shorter trips.

It is important to note that using your device internationally may require additional steps, such as turning on roaming in your device settings. Additionally, some devices may have two mobile numbers, and using both numbers while travelling internationally will incur charges for each number.

Verizon also has a dedicated line for international questions, where customers can receive accurate information about their international plans and options.

eSIM cards

To activate an eSIM device on a standard monthly plan with Verizon, you can use the My Verizon app or the My Verizon website. The specific steps depend on whether you're adding a new line to your account or changing a device on an existing line.

If you're adding a new line, you can use the My Verizon app to enable the eSIM device. Alternatively, you can visit the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) page on the My Verizon website, choose a mobile service plan, and follow the steps to install the eSIM onto your device.

If you're changing a device on an existing line, you can use the Add a Line page on the My Verizon website or the My Verizon app. On the app, go to Shop > Bring Your Device and follow the prompts.

It's important to note that your device must be unlocked from any carrier other than Verizon for activation.

ESIMs are a convenient option when travelling internationally, as they allow you to have a data plan on a foreign carrier without the need to swap physical SIM cards.

Some popular eSIM providers include Airalo and Holafly, which can be used in various countries, including Germany and Austria. These eSIMs are data-only and don't include a phone number. However, you can use messaging and calling apps like WhatsApp for free, as long as you have Wi-Fi.

Verizon also offers international plans like TravelPass, which charges a daily fee of $12 for using your domestic plan's talk, text, and data services in countries like Austria.

Local SIM cards

If you're staying in Austria for a short period, it's best to get a prepaid SIM card. This option gives you more freedom than a lengthier mobile contract, but it is typically more expensive for calls, SMS messages, and mobile data. Prepaid SIM cards are a good idea if you don't use your phone much and aren't staying in Austria long-term.

There are three main mobile internet operators in Austria: A1, T-Mobile (also called Magenta), and Drei. All of these operators sell prepaid SIM cards for tourists.

• A1 offers a B.free plan for €9.90, which includes 5,000 minutes or SMS and 5 GB of data. You can also choose from various prepaid plans to top up if you need more data.
• Drei offers a prepaid SIM card for €9.90. They also provide the following plans for tourists: 20 GB of data + 2,000 minutes + 2,000 SMS for €20, or 30 GB of data + 3,000 minutes + 3,000 SMS for €30.
• T-Mobile/Magenta offers a prepaid SIM card for €10. They also have the following plans: 30 GB of data + 1,000 minutes/SMS for €9.90, 40 GB of data + 2,000 minutes/SMS for €14.90, or unlimited data + unlimited minutes/SMS for €29.90.

You can buy SIM cards from official retail stores of mobile internet providers, convenience stores, and gas stations. However, buying from a physical store may require self-activation and provide less service. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase SIM cards from official retail stores.

When buying a prepaid SIM card in Austria, always ask your provider about EU data roaming restrictions and limitations, as these plans usually include free EU data roaming.

International calling plan fees

Verizon offers a variety of international calling plans with different features and fees. Here is an overview of some of the plans:

TravelPass

The TravelPass is a daily fee plan that allows you to use your domestic plan's talk, text, and data services while travelling in more than 210 countries and destinations outside the US. It costs $6 per day in Canada and Mexico and is included with all Unlimited and other select plans. In other countries, the fee is $12 per day. You are only charged for the days that you use your phone abroad.

$100 International Monthly Plan

This plan is ideal for trips of 9 days or longer. It offers unlimited data (20 GB of high-speed data, then unlimited data at 3G speeds), unlimited text messaging, and 250 minutes of international calling. You can choose a one-month plan or have it renew each month.

In-flight and Cruise Daily Pass

The In-flight Daily Pass and Cruise Daily Pass keep your phone connected to cellular data while on an international flight or cruise ship. The Cruise Daily Pass costs $30 per day per line, while the In-flight Daily Pass is $20 per day per line. Both passes offer unlimited 3G data on aircraft that offer the service.

Pay Per Minute

If you only occasionally make international calls, the pay-per-minute option provides international calling without a monthly charge. Rates start at $0.49 per minute, and standard domestic airtime usage may apply.

Global Choice

With Global Choice, you can select from 140 countries and get up to 300 calling minutes per month to your chosen country. After you have used your allowance, you will receive discounted rates for calls to that country. This plan also includes discounted calling to over 220 other countries and unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada.

Other Options

Verizon also offers other monthly international plans to suit your needs. Additionally, if you do not add an international plan, you will be charged a pay-per-minute rate for calls, text messages, and data usage, which can be expensive.

Frequently asked questions