Last updated: 20 October 2026
Telstra international roaming works through the International Day Pass: $5 a day in New Zealand and six Pacific destinations, and $10 a day in more than 80 other destinations, each with 2GB of data, unlimited standard calls and unlimited SMS. It is not on by default: you add it in My Telstra before you fly. A week in Bali on the Day Pass costs $70.
If data is what you need, a travel eSIM next to your Telstra number usually costs less: our Indonesia plan is US$10.99 (about A$15.73) for 7 days with 1.5GB a day, and your Telstra number stays on for calls and texts.
Australian dollar amounts for our plans use 1 US$ = A$1.4314 (European Central Bank rate, 19 October 2026). Your card may convert at a slightly different rate. Telstra's prices are in Australian dollars.
Telstra International Day Pass prices
From Telstra's international roaming page, checked on 20 October 2026:
| Zone | Price | Data | Calls and SMS | Who can use it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | $5 a day | 2GB | Unlimited standard calls and SMS | All eligible plans |
| Zone 2 | $10 a day | 2GB | Unlimited standard calls and SMS | All eligible plans |
| Zone 3 | $10 a day | No data | Unlimited standard calls and SMS | Upfront plans only |
Extra data: if you use the day's 2GB, Telstra sells a 2GB top-up for $10, valid for 31 days, in Zones 1 and 2. Upfront plans get an SMS offer; other plans get the top-up automatically. Unused Day Pass data expires at the end of each day.
When a day ends: on Upfront plans, 24 hours after you first use your service; on other plans, at 11:59 pm AEST.
What starts a day: making or receiving a call, sending an SMS, or using data, including background data. Telstra says receiving an SMS will not trigger your Day Pass, so bank codes and booking texts can still reach your Telstra number without costing you a day.
Which countries are included
Telstra lists these destinations on the same page:
- Zone 1 ($5 a day): Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
- Zone 2 ($10 a day): among others, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, South Korea, China, Hong Kong, India, the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, most of Europe, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and South Africa.
- Zone 3 (Upfront plans only, calls and SMS, no data): Jamaica, Gibraltar, Guernsey and Jersey.
Not listed means no Day Pass. On Upfront plans you need Wi-Fi there; on other plans you pay pay-as-you-go rates, which Telstra lists at $3 per MB of data and 75c per SMS. Cruise ships are not covered, because they use satellite networks.
How to turn on Telstra international roaming
- Open My Telstra, then Extras, then International Roaming, and add the Day Pass.
- Do it before you leave: Telstra says it can take up to 2 hours to activate.
- Turn on data roaming in your phone's settings when you land.
To stop it, turn the Day Pass off in the same place. Telstra notes that paying pay-as-you-go instead "isn't recommended because it can be far more expensive". Pre-paid customers use separate Pre-Paid International Roaming Packs, which this page does not price.
What a trip costs: Day Pass or travel eSIM
For data on one phone. Our prices in US dollars, with Australian dollars in brackets:
| Trip | Telstra Day Pass | Our travel eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| 7 days in Bali | $70 (2GB a day) | US$10.99 (A$15.73), 1.5GB a day; or US$11.99 (A$17.16) for 40GB over 7 days |
| 14 days in Japan | $140 | US$17.99 (A$25.75) for 15 days, 1.5GB a day |
| 3 weeks in Europe | $210 | US$26.99 (A$38.63) for 30 days, 1.5GB a day, across 30 countries |
| 7 days in the USA | $70 | US$11.99 (A$17.16), 1.5GB a day |
| 7 days in New Zealand | $35 (Zone 1) | US$7.99 (A$11.44), 1.5GB a day, Australia and New Zealand plan |
The Day Pass is the better choice for a day or two away, when you make a lot of calls on your Australian number, or when 1.5GB a day is not enough and you would use most of Telstra's 2GB. A travel eSIM wins on almost any trip of four days or more where data is what you use.
Using a travel eSIM with your Telstra number
- Check your phone takes an eSIM and is unlocked: does my phone support eSIM? and is my phone unlocked?
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi: iPhone or Android.
- When you land, set the eSIM as your mobile data line and turn on data roaming for the eSIM only.
- Turn the Day Pass off in My Telstra, or leave data roaming off on the Telstra line, so your Telstra SIM does not carry data. A call or sent SMS on the Telstra line can still start a Day Pass if it is switched on, so use Wi-Fi calling or apps for calls. Receiving texts is fine.
If the eSIM shows No Service when you arrive, see eSIM not working abroad. Our Indonesia, Japan and Europe pages list every plan, and our Bali eSIM guide covers the island in detail.
Comparing Australian networks? See Optus, Vodafone, ALDI Mobile, amaysim, Belong and Boost Mobile.
FAQ
How do I activate international roaming on Telstra?
In My Telstra, go to Extras, then International Roaming, and add the International Day Pass. Telstra says it can take up to 2 hours to activate, so do it before you fly, then turn on data roaming on your phone when you land.
How much is the Telstra International Day Pass?
$5 a day in Zone 1 (New Zealand and six Pacific destinations) and $10 a day in Zone 2 (80+ destinations), each with 2GB of data and unlimited standard calls and SMS, as of 20 October 2026. Upfront plans also get a $10 calls-and-SMS pass in Zone 3, with no data.
What countries are included in Telstra roaming?
Zone 1 is Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. Zone 2 covers 80+ destinations, including Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the USA, Canada, the UK and most of Europe. Destinations not listed have no Day Pass.
What is the cheapest way to use your mobile phone overseas?
For data, usually a travel eSIM bought before you go: a week in Bali costs US$10.99 (about A$15.73) with our Indonesia plan, against $70 on Telstra's Day Pass. Keep your Telstra number for calls and texts, and use Wi-Fi calling or apps to call home.
Does receiving a text start a Telstra Day Pass?
No. Telstra says receiving an SMS will not trigger your Day Pass. Making or receiving a call, sending an SMS or using data does.
What happens if I use more than 2GB on the Day Pass?
Telstra sells a 2GB data top-up for $10, valid for 31 days, in Zones 1 and 2. On non-Upfront plans it is added automatically; on Upfront plans you get an SMS offer.
Does Telstra roaming work on a cruise?
No. Telstra says cruise ships use satellite networks, so Day Pass usage is not covered on board. Keep your phone in flight mode at sea and use the ship's Wi-Fi.
Facts checked on 20 October 2026 against Telstra's international roaming page (telstra.com.au/international-roaming) and our catalogue. Exchange rate: European Central Bank, 19 October 2026. Check your own plan in My Telstra before you travel.