Cell phone plan abroad vs sim cards?

SIM cards are much cheaper (~$30/month). You can purchase E-sim cards before you arrive, such that once you land you log in and you have cell service. You can also purchase a physical SIM at the airport after landing for a low price (depends on how many kilobytes you purchase). IN this case, you would stop at the Vodaphone store before exiting the airport, and they can help you swap your physical SIM (you would then keep your personal physical SIM with you in a little plastic baggie or container to put back in when you leave). Ive done both. The Esim company I used was Airalo (they have an App you can download onto your phone so you can do all your SIM business with your phone). The issue I had with it was that the one time I bought the Europe ESIM so that I would have coverage across countries, it took some finagling when we moved countries, which hung us up for an hour (because we wouldnt figure out where the luggage storage place was). The physical SIM can run out of Kilobytes, and if it does, you need to find a Vodaphone store (they are everywhere) and replace it. When I used an eSIM on one country, it worked fine (and worked fine for the "Europe" version ultimately). When you run out of KB, you can re-up in the app, so no finding a store.

Why not just add the Verizon International Plan for $100/mo for time you are on your trip? This is what our adult kids asked us when we were paying the $10/day plan.

Yes, just what KD said - every time we go to Europe over 10 days - we add in the international plan and its cheaper, simple and works great.

Wowza-a quick search on the Verizon website would have answered that for me but you all just did the trick! Perfect-thank you so much for the info! We will do the 100$/month plan and skip the hassle of dealing with a SIM card with our toddler in tow. Thanks all!

Purchasing a European eSIM for up to 30 days will be less expensive. I usually purchase an eSIM ($38.00 on sale) from Orange France that has 70GB of data along with capability of calls and texts. Their app will walk you through installation along with YouTube videos. There are other videos from other carriers. Since you said Verizon is your carrier the phone will automatically unlock after 60 days. I use WhatsApp and FaceTime to call and text family and friends back in the US. Family and friends have my European number added to my contact info.

Link below has recommendations for different carriers and their plan costs.

https://www.traveltomtom.net/travel-tips/best-esim-cards-for-europe

If you do buy a European sim card, do check and see that none of the accounts you might use will never rely on two factor authentication.... you know, a text that is confirming you used your credit card. If there is something like that in your life, then in addition to the European sim you will need to ensure that your US number text service will work on the trip.

My carrier's international roaming is relatively expensive and some people think it's idiotic to spring for it, but I use it anyway. No, I'm not getting the best possible deal but I look at it this way: it's extremely convenient (my phone works exactly as at home; I don't have to take any action) and depending on length of trip it costs me roughly $5-7USD/day more than using an eSIM.

That's a rounding error on the cost of my hotel room and plane ticket. It's a light snack, a happy hour pint in an expensive city. If I can afford the trip, I can afford this. As far as I'm concerned it isn't an expense that's worth worrying about.

RS travel tips section has info on this and I would reccomend it for those seeking information.

I use a GSM cell phone for European travel. I have a Vodafone Sim in this phone and an account with Vodafone that costs me $25 per month.
My US cell phone stays in my accommodation, having it lost or stolen would be a negative thing for me,plus the economics are not appealing to me.
Vodafone has roaming all over Europe at no cost. So as soon as I land in Europe I'm good to go,5gz. And my Vodafone number is very useful to me when I'm in Europe.
Since I am fortunate to be able to go to Europe every 35 days or so this is convenient and cost effective for me.