What't the best data plan

if you have Verizon phone plan, it is not like you can go buy a T-Mobile data plan for your trip alone.

When you arrive overseas, look into Sim cards for the three of you which of course will mean different phone numbers but it could be the most economical way to do it. You would buy a shared data plan.

I may not be the expert on this issue, but if you use a laptop, why would you need a data plan? Any free wifi at a hotel, etc. connects you. As far as your phone, you need to call Verizon to find out about your current plan for international data travel and anything you could add to it to accommodate using data with your phone overseas.

Please tell us from where in Europe you’re starting your trip, what devices and how many you’ll be using. I totally agree that with the proliferation of WiFi in hotels, cafes and free municipal hot spots there is no reason to get a data plan for a laptop. Depending on the SIM card you purchase, you might also be able to set up a personal hot spot for your laptop.

Hi Lisa - from some of your posts, it appears you may be going to Spain this spring/summer?

If you're asking about wifi for your phone or laptop, you will find that in most larger hotels. And, increasingly as in the US, you will find wifi access points in some restaurants, cafes, museums and even city-wide access in some towns.

Since you mention the cost of Verizon (with their $10/day TravelPass or monthly international plans) you may also be looking for a plan for your phone to have calling minutes/texts/data when you aren't connected to wifi. I can't say which plan is best, or even what best means (cheapest, most reliable, fastest speeds, most data, easiest to set up) but you can read here what I chose over Verizon - including the steps I used to set it up, add credit and buy a "bundle" that was sufficient for my 3.5 week trip.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/vodafone-uk-sim-card-for-use-in-europe

I set the Vodafone UK SIM up in the US and used it in Germany, Czech Republic and Poland. I did not use it in Spain, but Spain is listed among the (many) EU countries where roaming is included in their plans.

Edit: I used this SIM as a single traveler with a single phone; I did not research it for sharing across multiple devices or different phone numbers.

Depends on the country. My best to date was last May in Ireland/UK. I used 3 Mobile but I'm pretty sure they are only available in the British Isles. I paid 20 euro in Dublin (that worked in N. Ireland and England) what has cost me 40-50+ (SFR and Orange) in France my last four trips. I used Vodaphone in Spain and felt that was a pretty good deal.

lisa,

Just to clarify, you won't need a data plan for Wi-Fi as that will be provided by your hotel or other providers. I don't know of any laptops that can access the cellular network, however some tablets (iPads, etc.) do have that capability. You will need a data plan to access cellular data when away from WiFi hotspots.

Is it necessary that all three of you have access to cellular data? You could keep costs down by using an international roaming plan for one of your phones, and leave the other two phones in "Airplane mode" with Wi-Fi switched on. Those two phones would only be able to access the internet when Wi-Fi is available, and wouldn't be able to make or receive calls. Verizon appears to have two different roaming plans - a Travelpass for $10 a day or a Monthly International Travel Plan for either $70 or $130. You might find it helpful to talk this over with a knowledgeable Verizon agent.

It's difficult to provide many tips on "the best" plan for android or laptop as you haven't provided much information on what you plan to use the phones for during your month in Europe? You might get some good tips by having a chat with the helpful folks at the Denver area Rick Steves travel group. Their next meeting is listed here - https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/travel-meetings/denver-travel-group-meeting-saturday-january-18 .

It's just that we a family of 3 who will be splitting up over 3 weeks, and I don't want to depend on WIFI, etc. for missed trains, last-minute changes - essentially for peace of mind.

And we will be travelling through Italy, France, Spain (yes, Spain!) and the UK.

Google Fi for sure!!! It is Amazing!!!!