SIM Corner made it back-to-back wins for Canstar Blue’s customer satisfaction ratings for travel phone plans, scoring five stars across most categories including overall satisfaction, value for money and network coverage, while it scored three stars for ease of recharge and for its app or website.
Our travel phone plan provider ratings are based on customer satisfaction across multiple purchase factors. It’s like asking a bunch of your friends what they think of their travel phone service, but all in one place!
Canstar Blue surveyed 1,522 Australians for their feedback on travel phone plan providers they’ve been used. Respondents had to have used a SIM card or roaming pack for overseas travel in the past three years, not including SIM cards for use in Australia or purchased overseas.
Survey respondents are asked to rate their satisfaction with their travel phone plan provider from zero to 10, with zero meaning extremely dissatisfied and 10 meaning extremely satisfied. Travel mobile plan provider satisfaction is rated on the following criteria:
The winning brand is the brand that receives the highest Overall satisfaction rating after scores from the Overall satisfaction criteria are combined and averaged Overall satisfaction is asked as a specific question and represents an individual measure, not a combined total of all criteria.
To qualify in the ratings results, providers must have received a minimum of 30 responses to be included. Therefore, not all travel phone plan providers are in this survey. Providers rated in this survey are listed below in order of best overall satisfaction.
Find more information on our Most Satisfied Customers ratings.
The following table shows a selection of sponsored SIM Only plans on Canstar Blue’s database with links to referral partners.
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1 Month Contract (1 month min. cost $20) SIM Only Prepaid
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Unlimited
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$16.00 Cost/month |
Go to site |
SIM Corner took out top spot for the second year in a row, scoring five stars across most categories including overall satisfaction value for money, network coverage, sign up and activation and customer service, while it scored three stars for ease of recharge and its app or website.
SIM Corner is an Australian-owned and operated provider offering a range of prepaid travel SIM packs. Most plans require the purchase of a physical SIM card that’s shipped to you, however eSIM packs are also available. Travel packs include destinations in Europe, the US, Asia, the UK, South America, New Zealand and more, with different inclusions and expiry dates available.
Vodafone took out second place in our ratings for travel phone plans, scoring four stars for overall satisfaction, network coverage, sign up and activation, customer service and app or website, while it scored five stars for ease of recharge and three stars for value for money.
Vodafone’s $5-per-day roaming has been a stand out offer for several years now. Rather than offering a roaming SIM or add-on packs, Vodafone customers on eligible plans can pay $5 per day of roaming to access their phone plan’s inclusions while overseas. While access to some inclusions (such as unlimited capped-speed data) are excluded, it offers a convenient way to access your phone plan when travelling.
WorldSIM came in third place, scoring four stars for overall satisfaction, value for money and sign up and activation, while it scored five stars for ease of recharge, customer service and app or website and three stars for network coverage.
WorldSIM is a UK-based travel plan provider, offering a range of options to suit your travel plan needs, including data-only plans. While you can choose to get a physical SIM card shipped to you, you can opt to go eSIM for quicker access.
Telstra took out fourth place in our ratings with a score of four stars in most categories including overall satisfaction, network coverage and customer service, while it scored three stars for value for money.
Telstra offers its travel plans in the form of international roaming add-ons for existing Telstra customers. This means you’re able to keep your Telstra SIM in your phone (and still have access to your Australian phone number) and add on a Day Pass. Inclusions, prices and eligible destinations vary between the plans.
Optus came in fifth place, scoring three stars for overall satisfaction, value for money, network coverage and sign up and activation, while it scored five stars for ease of recharge and four stars for customer service and app or website.
Optus offers a $5-per-day roaming add-on to eligible customers. Unlike Vodafone’s offering that allows access to existing domestic inclusions, Optus’ version comes with its own set of inclusions, which can be used in more than 100 destinations.
GoSIM dropped down from second in our 2023 ratings to sixth place in our 2024 ratings, scoring three stars in all categories, including overall satisfaction, value for money and ease of recharge.
GoSIM offers a range of physical international SIM cards, including Europe, Asia and USA-specific packs, plus standard international SIM card and data-only SIM packs. You can also top up your plan if you need more data, call and SMS inclusions.
Rounding out our ratings was Everyday Mobile (formerly Woolworths Mobile), scoring three stars in most categories, including overall satisfaction, while it scored four stars for customer service and app or website.
Like Telstra and Vodafone, Everyday Mobile offers international roaming as an add-on to an existing phone plan. There are several roaming add-ons to choose from, with varying prices, inclusions and expiry periods, however it’s only available to use in select countries.
Whether you’re looking for an international roaming add-on, or you want a separate SIM with a specific travel plan, there are plenty of providers offering a range of travel phone plans. While not all providers (or telcos offering international roaming on plans) are covered in our ratings, it doesn’t mean you can’t find a good-value travel plan to suit your needs. Some other travel phone plan providers include:
To give you an idea of the plans available with international roaming features, the table below lists a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
To give you an idea of the plans available with international roaming features, the table below lists a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database, listed in order of advertised cost, lowest cost first, then by data allowance. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Having access to our mobile phones and phone service overseas is an essential for many of us. It’s vital for keeping in touch with friends and family back home, sharing our journey on social media, using maps and browsing great places to visit.
Of the Australians we surveyed in 2024, 37% used their travel SIM more for data than calls and texts and 36% chose a travel SIM because roaming on their regular plan was too expensive. Although 39% said that they’d recommend their travel SIM to friends and family or other travellers, there are a few things to consider when choosing a travel phone plan.
First up, you’ll need to decide what type of travel plan you’ll need. 53% of our survey respondents choose to buy a prepaid SIM for their travels, while 39% added a roaming package to their usual phone plan.
If you’re a light data user, or if you’re with a telco that offers a good international roaming plan, you might prefer to just switch roaming on and use your plan’s included roaming rates. But if you’re looking to do a lot of photo sharing on social media, you might be better suited to a travel-specific plan with lots of data.
If you prefer to go with a travel-specific phone plan instead of roaming, there are plenty available to pre-purchase so you don’t need to find a SIM card when you reach your destination. Some of these might include calls, texts and data allowance, while some might be data-only. If you choose a data-only plan, you may need to set up a messaging app that uses mobile data, such as Messenger or WhatsApp, so you can still make calls and send messages.
Some plans might also be available with an eSIM. The advantage to using eSIM is that there’s no need to switch out your Australian SIM for a physical SIM card, so you’ll be able to get text messages to your Aussie number while travelling — very important for receiving verification codes from your bank and other services. You can also set up your eSIM before you hop on your flight. Keep in mind that eSIM is not available with every phone, so you’ll need to check if your mobile phone offers eSIM compatibility. Some phones might have dual-SIM capability so you’ll be able to have your Aussie SIM and a physical travel SIM in your phone at the same time.
The most popular travel destinations in Europe, Asia, Oceania and North and South America are covered by many travel phone plans, but it’s important to check a plan’s included destinations before signing up. Likewise, if you’re travelling to multiple destinations, you may prefer to find a travel phone plan that will cover all of those places.
Once you’ve narrowed down your search, you’ll need to consider how long the travel plan is active. Some plans might have limited expiry periods, so you might need to recharge your plan when still travelling. If that’s the case, make sure you know how to recharge, have any required app installed and your payment details already connected to the account (if possible).
Also consider what inclusions you need, such as how much data you’ll likely use each day, and how much the plan will cost. Travel phone plans are often expensive and data inclusions can be small so it’s a good idea to make use of secure WiFi networks when available. It’s also a good idea to download all your favourite movies, shows, music, podcasts and audiobooks before you travel so you’re not draining your data by streaming.
All the big carriers offer roaming, and overseas-specific call rates. It’s worth keeping an eye out for Optus, Telstra and Vodafone, but smaller prepaid and postpaid providers also offer add-ons.
Roaming is generally the most convenient option, as your provider basically does all the legwork and you can keep using your number. There are several ways to go about it. Simply taking your existing phone plan overseas can easily see you rack up big bills if you use your phone in the same way that you would at home – you’ve no doubt heard the horror stories about Aussies returning home to phone bills in the thousands.
Beyond PAYG roaming, there are a few options to consider when taking your mobile phone overseas:
Generally, this list can be considered in order from the most convenient to least convenient. Consequently, convenience can also mean extra costs. One thing is for sure – these options all beat using dodgy free WiFi in a cafe that is both slow and a security risk.
You can purchase roaming packs from the major providers ahead of time. However, smaller carriers may charge differently, so it pays to check with your own provider first.
These exist in prepaid form, which makes them easy to insert into your unlocked phone and only pay for what you need! There are several private operators that provide travel SIM cards:
It’s hard enough having to wrap your head around the huge range of providers in Australia alone, but going overseas can make your head spin with all the phone plans on offer when you’re travelling. Factor in language barriers, and it can be quite daunting trying to decipher what the SIM pack is saying in a language you don’t understand. Buying a native prepaid phone plan in the country you’re visiting can require some footwork, but the work can pay off as you’ll often be able to get more value for your money.
Prepaid plans are the way to go, as with postpaid plans you’ll most likely need to supply an address, ID check and a local credit card. With prepaid, you can recharge with minimal fuss and enjoy straight away.
This is an easy one. Simply compare prepaid phone providers using our sister site – Canstar Blue NZ. New Zealand has markedly less providers than Australia, but you will be afforded similar value.
There are four massive mobile networks in the United States: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and US Cellular. Verizon is the largest in terms of subscriber base, but all offer strong plans. Just like Telstra, Optus and Vodafone do in Australia, all four operate physical stores across the country.
As you’d expect, these five providers are a little more expensive than the USA’s raft of Mobile Virtual Network Operators, but some US MVNOs are pretty obscure and you’ll really need to do your homework here, as they often aren’t found in-store.
One thing to be aware of: US networks Verizon and US Cellular both operate on CDMA technology, which means your Australian smartphone may not be compatible with their service. If you’re planning to stick a US SIM card in your device, you may need to check with your intended carrier first to ensure you’ll be able to access talk, text and data.
Like the USA, there are five network operators in Canada: Rogers, Telus, BCE and Shaw. Much of what you can get on a mobile phone plan in Canada is province dependent; one network might operate only in Alberta, but not in British Columbia for example.
Going with any of the bigger telcos will be a safe bet though, with an expansive network of stores across most provinces. You can expect plans with 1GB of data and unlimited talk and text for no less than CAD $40 with the big providers. Anything over 10GB could easily cost over CAD $100 — Canada is considered to have some of the most expensive phone plans around.
Prepaid plans are generally much dearer than what’s available in Australia, but there are some cheaper MVNOs available in various department stores, and prepaid SIM cards are often available in convenience stores as well.
There are four network operators in Great Britain – EE, O2, Vodafone and 3. There is also a huge array of MVNOs. While undoubtedly these MVNOs may provide solid value, the ‘Big 4’ provide reliability and convenience.
Most of the providers offer pretty solid value, and you can expect upwards of 10GB of data with 1000 minutes and 1000 texts for £20 a month or thereabouts. But keep in mind that the AUD to GBP exchange rate could make it sound cheaper than it is!
It should be noted that most UK plans also operate in most continental European countries as normal with no roaming charges. Though not all your data allowance may be used overseas; for example, you may only find you can use 8GB out of a 10GB phone plan. Nevertheless, it’s still a very handy inclusion.
Being that many flights from Australia to Europe land in the UK, it’s very easy to pick up a UK prepaid SIM and continue on to continental Europe. Each of the four carriers have a range of store locations spanning most of the UK and you’ll likely be able to pop into one and walk out with a prepaid plan any time.
As for other countries, it starts to get a little trickier. The safest bet is selecting a roaming option, but if you’re willing to do the homework and legwork yourself, then you should be able to nab a very cost-effective deal. Sticking to major providers is also a safe bet in terms of reliability and convenience. MVNOs – while often providing more value for your money – can be hard to find without retail stores and you’ll might need to order online first, which can extend the time you spend waiting for mobile phone coverage instead of enjoying your holiday.
Emma Bradstock has been an authority on consumer phone, internet, technology and streaming markets in Australia for over five years, with a dedication to providing Aussies with all the information they need to make better purchasing decisions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and Media from Macquarie University and has a decade of professional writing experience in print and digital media.
Meet the Editorial Team
Samantha Howse is Canstar Blue’s Consumer Research Specialist, coordinating the consumer research program behind our customer satisfaction awards across Canstar and Canstar Blue in Australia and New Zealand. Sam has earned a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Griffith University and, with seven years in market research and 2 years in marketing, she is experienced in survey design, implementation and analysis, coupled with an understanding of marketing principles and best practice.
Meet the Research TeamCanstar Blue surveyed over 12,000 Australian adults across a range of categories to measure and track customer satisfaction, via ISO 26362 accredited research panels managed by Qualtrics. The outcomes reported are the results from customers within the survey group who have used a SIM Card or roaming pack for overseas travel in the last 2 years (not including for use in Australia or SIM cards purchased overseas)– in this case, 1,522 people.
Brands must have received at least 30 responses to be included. Results are comparative and it should be noted that brands receiving three stars have still achieved a satisfaction measure of at least six out of 10. Not all brands available in the market have been compared in this survey. The ratings table is first sorted by star ratings and then by mean overall satisfaction. A rated brand may receive a ‘N/A’ (Not Applicable) rating if it does not receive the minimum number of responses for that criteria.
Here are past winners of Canstar Blue’s Most Satisfied Customers – Travel phone plan ratings:
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Best-Rated Travel SIMs/eSIMs & Roaming Packs - May 1st
Compare the cheapest mobile phone plans for Australian seniors and pensioners from ALDI Mobile, Amaysim & Telstra in this Canstar Blue review.
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Best-Rated Phone on a Plan Providers in Australia - May 1st
In a sea of competition, many providers piggyback off of the Optus network to deliver outstanding value. Find out which ones are the best with Canstar Blue.
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Best-Rated Phone on a Plan Providers in Australia - April 1st
Compare phone plans on the Telstra network. Canstar Blue reviews 7 service providers and 60+ plans to help you find a better deal on the Telstra network.
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Best-Rated Phone on a Plan Providers in Australia - January 13th
If you’re hunting around for the next greatest phone plan, then you can’t go past some operators on the Vodafone network. Compare them with Canstar Blue.
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