Just use WiFi for Internet Access In many countries around the world you can find free WiFi all over the place. In the UK for example, most restaurants, bars, museums and many public spaces as well as public transport operators offer easy, hassle free connections. The same can be said for the US and much of Europe.

Yes, you can "just use Wi-Fi" when traveling internationally, and it is a popular way to avoid expensive roaming charges, but it requires some preparation. To do this successfully, you must turn on "Airplane Mode" and then manually re-enable "Wi-Fi." This prevents your phone from connecting to local cellular towers and incurring "accidental" data fees for background apps or text messages. In 2026, most major cities have abundant free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and museums. To stay connected on the go, you can use apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Google Voice for calling and messaging over Wi-Fi. However, the downside is that you won't have GPS or real-time maps while walking between Wi-Fi hotspots unless you download "Offline Maps" in Google Maps beforehand. You also won't be able to receive traditional SMS two-factor authentication codes, which can be a problem for banking. For a more seamless experience, many travelers now prefer using an eSIM, which provides cheap local data without the "hit-or-miss" hunt for public Wi-Fi, but if you are on a strict budget, a "Wi-Fi only" strategy is perfectly doable with the right offline tools.