Does Verizon Work In Australia? (Answer, International Travel Plans, International Charges, and Does Your Cell Phone Work In Australia)

If you’re visiting Australia, it’s essential to find out if your cell phone company offers coverage. So, does Verizon work in Australia, and how good is the cell phone coverage?

Does Verizon work in Australia? (Correct Answer)

Yes, Verizon works in Australia. Verizon offers 4G LTE and 3G coverage in populated areas, but, like every other carrier in Australia, coverage is spotty or nonexistent in unpopulated areas of the Outback. While using your Verizon Wireless phone is a great way to stay connected in Australia, you should know a few things before you go. Otherwise, you could pay excessive international calling, text, and data usage fees.

Continue reading to learn more about using your Verizon phone when traveling to Australia.

Will my Verizon cell phone work in Australia? (Can I use a Verizon phone in Australia)

Yes, your Verizon phone will work in Australia. However, you should sign up for Verizon’s international TravelPass plan to avoid expensive roaming charges.

Suppose you don’t buy Verizon’s TravelPass, sign up for an international calling plan, or get a local SIM card. In that case, Verizon charges the following (expensive) Pay as You Go international roaming rates in Australia:

• $2.05 per MB (megabyte) – that’s $205 for every 100 MB!
• $1.79 per minute (outgoing and incoming calls to your phone number)
• 50¢ per sent text message (SMS or MMS)
• 5¢ per received SMS/25¢ MMS

Can I use my Verizon iPhone in Australia? (Yes, your phone will work!)

Yes, you can use your Verizon iPhone in Australia. You should purchase an international data plan (like Verizon’s TravelPass offering) for your smartphone to avoid high roaming charges. You can purchase the TravelPass voice, text, and data plan from Verizon or enable international roaming before you leave for your trip.

Does Verizon have service in Australia? (2025)

Yes, Verizon has service in Australia through its partnerships with local providers. Verizon cellphones have 4G LTE and 3G coverage (but not 5G) in most of the country.

Verizon’s International travel coverage map (Does Verizon work outside the US?)

Verizon’s international travel coverage map is an excellent resource when you are planning your trip or if you are already traveling internationally. It shows the countries where your phone will receive cell service, as well as the type of network coverage available.

For example, Verizon offers 5G high-speed data service for mobile phones in some countries. In others, it provides 4G LTE data service, which is still great for internet access. The map is easy to use and is a valuable resource for travelers. Before buying an international plan, you can use the map to check where your phone will work on the Verizon network.

Does Verizon Travel Pass work in Australia? ($10 per day for using data, calls, and texts in Australia)

Yes, Verizon Travel Pass works in Australia. You can use your phone to make calls, send texts, and use data while traveling in Australia. You will only be charged for the days you use your phone in Australia.

The Travel Pass international package costs $10 per day for each line on your account for international usage within Australia.

What is Verizon’s TravelPass? (International data plan in Australia)

Verizon’s TravelPass is a service that lets Verizon Wireless customers use their cell phone plan limits (cellular data, minutes, and texts) in over 210 countries and destinations outside of the USA. For example, if your Verizon plan has unlimited data, calls, and text messages per month, TravelPass lets you use these same limits in Australia. Remember that 5G/4G LTE data with TravelPass only applies to the first 2 GB per day. After you’ve reached this limit, Verizon will reduce speeds to 3G.

Verizon offers TravelPass for a daily fee ($5 in Mexico and Canada, $10 in Australia). Customers can add TravelPass to their existing Verizon Wireless plan online through the My Verizon app or by sending a text message with the word Travel to 4004. You’ll only pay for the days you use data in the country and will never be charged when you use your mobile phone within the United States.

Verizon TravelPass Countries 

Verizon TravelPass is available in more than 210 countries and territories, including Australia. You can use your device just like you do at home and take your domestic phone plan’s talk, text, and data limits with you when you travel. Plus, you’ll get 4G LTE or 5G data speeds in most countries around the world.

Verizon’s TravelPass pricing by country (Everything you need to know)

Verizon’s TravelPass offering allows customers to use their existing voice and data plan while traveling in 210 countries and destinations. TravelPass pricing per line is as follows:

• Mexico and Canada: $5 per day
• All other countries, including Australia: $10 per day

How to activate Verizon’s TravelPass (Text, Website, My Verizon App, or Call Customer Service)

There are four ways to activate Verizon’s TravelPass and enjoy international calling, texting, and high-speed data while overseas.

1. Text the word TRAVEL to 4004 from the cell phone you want the TravelPass to be on. You will receive a confirmation by text confirming that it has been added to your account. No need to sign into your account; it’s all by text!
2. Add a TravelPass on Verizon’s website. You’ll see the option to add the pass when you view your account details. Choose the location and dates for your trip, and select the devices you want to add TravelPass access to.
3. Using the My Verizon App, add TravelPass.
4. Call Verizon’s customer service and ask them to add the plan to your account.

After activating Verizon’s TravelPass, you’ll be good to go when you land in Australia or another country.

Note: To sign up for Verizon’s TravelPass, you must have an existing Verizon plan. If you don’t have a Verizon cell phone plan, you can sign up for one online.

Verizon’s international monthly plan (Unlimited data)

Will your trip last longer than 10 days? In that case, Verizon’s international monthly plan is a better value than TravelPass. A monthly international plan is an excellent option for travelers to use data, make calls, and receive texts while saving money on an extended trip.

For $100 per month, Verizon’s international monthly plan gives you unlimited data, 250 minutes of calling, and 1000 sent texts in more than 210 countries and destinations. 

Does Verizon charge to text Australia?

Unless you have an Unlimited Data Plan or a Shared Data Plan, Verizon charges to text Australia. The cost is $0.25 per text sent, $0.20 per text received, $0.50 per Multimedia message (MMS) sent, and $0.25 per MMS received.

What countries does Verizon work in? (Trip planner)

Verizon TravelPass is available in more than 210 countries and territories, including Australia. You can use your device just like you do at home and take your domestic phone plan’s talk, text, and data limits with you when you travel. Plus, you’ll get 4G LTE or 5G data speeds in most countries around the world.

How to get your phone unlocked by Verizon

Generally, Verizon phones are locked by default, so you’ll need to make sure that the phone is unlocked before using it on one of the cellular networks in Australia. Call the customer service number or visit a Verizon Wireless store to unlock your phone. Be sure to have your phone’s IMEI number since it will be required when you request an unlock.

There is no charge to unlock your phone, but it may take up to 48 hours for the unlock to be processed. Once your phone is unlocked, you can use it with any GSM carrier inside or outside the United States.

Can I get an Australian sim card in the US?

Yes, you can get an Australian sim card in the US for your phone as long as it is unlocked. Buying a sim card before you travel is an excellent way to save money and avoid hassles when you arrive in Australia. You can purchase an Australian sim card in the US from various online retailers, such as Amazon.

Once you purchase a sim card, you will need to activate it to be able to use your phone on an Australian cell network. After your Australian sim card is activated, you can use it on your phone just like you would on cell networks in the United States. Remember to save your Verizon sim card as you will need it when you head back to the United States.

If you have a phone that supports eSIMs, like most new iPhone models, you can buy an eSIM through companies such as Airalo for as little as $4.50 for 7 days and $7.50 for 30 days.

How much is a SIM card in Australia? 

If you want to purchase a SIM card in Australia, plan on spending $2.00 AUD. However, some phone providers may offer discounts or deals on SIM cards, so it is always worth checking with your chosen provider before purchasing. There are three main networks in Australia (Telestra, Optus, and Vodafone). Each service provider offers different prepaid and postpaid plan options.

After purchasing your international SIM card, you must choose a prepaid plan to enable calls, texts, and data on your phone. Optus offers a 7-day prepaid plan for $7 AUD that includes unlimited calls and texts plus 7 GB of data. If you’re staying longer than a week, Optus also has a 30 day prepaid plan for $30 AUD that includes 30 GB of data, unlimited calls, and unlimited texts.

If your phone supports eSIM cards (new models of iPhones), you can buy Australian eSIM cards online from Airalo for as little as $5.50. Unlike a traditional SIM card, you can activate an eSIM without having to physically insert a SIM card into your device’s SIM card slot. It’s also the least expensive data option.

Remember: Your phone will need to be unlocked to use it on the network of one of the service providers in Australia.

Frequently asked questions about Verizon service in Australia

People often have questions about Verizon service and Australia. Below are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Will my US phone work in Australia?

Do you have an unlocked GSM phone from the United States? In that case, your phone should work in Australia using an international plan from your US carrier or a SIM card from any Australian carrier (Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone) that offers phone service. 

If your phone is not unlocked or does not have GSM capabilities, you can buy an unlocked GSM smartphone for $100 to $200 through retailers like Amazon.

Does roaming need to be on for Verizon Travel Pass?

To use your Verizon Travel Pass you need to have roaming enabled on your phone. Otherwise, you will not be able to connect to the Verizon network to use Travel Pass.

Using WiFi versus getting a data plan in Australia

There are pros and cons to using WiFi or getting a data plan in Australia. WiFi allows you to use the internet for free at your hotel, Airbnb, and in public places like cafes, libraries, and hotels. If you plan on using WiFi, you will avoid data charges but won’t be able to use the internet when you’re out and about. That said, you will still be able to make calls and send text messages using iMessage, Skype, or Whatsapp over WiFi.

A data plan will give you coverage throughout Australia, but it’s not free. Ultimately, your best option will depend on your specific needs (Whatsapp, FaceTime video calls, iMessage, Skype, Google Maps/Waze for directions), travel plans, and budget.

Is Verizon CDMA or GSM? 

Verizon used a CDMA network in the past but has since moved onto the new HD Voice LTE standard. Verizon’s LTE network powers its 5G, 4G LTE, and 4G service. Since Verizon no longer relies on CDMA, most customers using a phone from Verizon can use a sim card from a GSM network, like those used in Australia.

International carriers work on GSM networks with 900/1800 MHz frequency bands, which means you can use your Verizon phone overseas. If you’re wondering, CDMA stands for Code Division Multiple Access technology, while GSM stands for Global System for Mobile Communications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Verizon works in Australia with good service throughout the populated regions of the country.

While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information on this website, we are not responsible for any mistakes, errors, or omissions.