The Complete Guide to Verizon International Calls: Plans, Rates, and How-To

verizon international calls

verizon international calls


Connecting with people across the globe is easier than ever, but understanding the costs and rules of international calling on Verizon can feel overwhelming. For many customers, the biggest challenge is figuring out exactly how much Verizon charges for international calls and which of the many Verizon international calling plans is the right fit. A simple mistake can lead to surprisingly high charges on your next bill.

The key to mastering Verizon international calls lies in understanding one critical distinction: making calls from the United States to another country is completely different from using your phone while traveling outside the US. These two scenarios use different plans, have different rates, and are the primary source of confusion and unexpected fees.

This guide will demystify every aspect of international calls with Verizon. You will learn about every available plan, how to avoid common pitfalls, and get actionable advice to ensure every international call on Verizon is both successful and affordable.

What Is Verizon International Calling? The Core Distinction

At its heart, Verizon international calling is divided into two separate services. Knowing which one you need is the most important step to controlling costs and choosing the right plan.

Calling from the US vs. Using Your Phone Abroad

The most common mistake customers make is confusing international long distance with international roaming. They are not the same.

  • International Long Distance: This is when you are physically in the US and make an international call to a number in another country. For example, you’re in New York calling Canada from the US on Verizon, or you’re in California making Verizon calls to Mexico. This is managed through specific monthly add-on plans or default pay-per-minute rates.
  • International Roaming: This is when you are physically outside of the US and use your phone for anything—making or receiving calls, sending texts, or using data. In this case, your phone is “roaming” on a partner network. This scenario is covered by travel-specific plans like TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan. An international long-distance plan will not cover you while you are traveling abroad.

A Full Breakdown of Verizon’s International Calling Plans

With that critical distinction in mind, let’s explore the specific international calling plans Verizon offers for each scenario.

Part I: Calling Internationally From the United States

If you’re in the US and need to make an international phone call with Verizon, you have several options, from default rates to comprehensive monthly plans.

The Default: Pay-Per-Minute International Calling

Without any specific international call plan from Verizon, you can still make calls to other countries. However, this is the most expensive option. The Verizon international calling rates without a plan are billed per minute and can be very high, sometimes several dollars per minute depending on the country. This is only recommended for very short, infrequent calls. The cost of international calls on Verizon this way can add up quickly.

Monthly Add-On Plans for Frequent Callers

For anyone who regularly makes international calls with Verizon, adding a monthly plan is essential.

  • Global Calling ($5/mo): This is Verizon’s entry-level plan. Its main benefit is providing unlimited Verizon calls to Canada and Mexico for those on older plans that don’t already include it. For most modern unlimited plans, calling Canada from the US on Verizon is already free. The plan also offers discounted, but not free, Verizon international calling rates to over 220 countries.
  • Global Calling Plus ($15/mo): The Global Calling Plus Verizon plan is a more robust package. It offers unlimited calling from the US to landlines in over 60 countries and to mobile numbers in over 30 of those countries. It’s crucial to check which countries and which types of phones (landline vs. mobile) are covered. This plan is great for users who frequently call landlines in Europe or Asia.
  • Global Choice ($10/mo): This unique Verizon international call plan lets you choose one country from a list of over 140 and gives you a monthly allowance of international minutes on Verizon to call that single destination. The number of minutes you get varies significantly by country. For example, you might get 300 minutes for Verizon India calling but only 120 for the Philippines. This is perfect for those who primarily call one specific country.

Before you add international calling to your Verizon plan, check your current domestic plan. Many unlimited plans already include unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada, and the premium Unlimited Ultimate plan even includes one Global Choice country for free.

These options are also available for Verizon prepaid international calling, and similar plans exist for Fios international calling for home phone users.

Part II: Using Your Verizon Phone While Traveling Abroad (Roaming)

When you’re traveling internationally, your focus should shift to roaming plans to avoid massive Verizon international call charges.

The Default Trap: Pay-As-You-Go Roaming

Using your phone abroad without a travel plan is a recipe for bill shock. Voice calls can cost up to $2.99 per minute, but the real danger is data. At $2.05 per megabyte, a few minutes of video streaming or even background app updates can cost hundreds of dollars.

Verizon TravelPass: For Short Trips

For most travelers, TravelPass is the best option. It lets you use your domestic plan’s talk, text, and data allowances for a flat daily fee—$6 per day in Mexico and Canada and $12 per day in over 210 other countries. A 24-hour session starts the first time you use your phone. You get 5 GB of high-speed data per day, which is more than enough for most users.

verizon international calls
verizon international calls

Verizon International Monthly Plan: For Extended Stays

For longer trips, the Verizon International Monthly Plan at $100/month is more economical. It includes 250 calling minutes, unlimited texts, and a 20 GB bucket of high-speed data. The break-even point compared to TravelPass is around 8-9 days of use, so it’s ideal for extended vacations or business trips.

Clearing Up Confusion: Avoiding Surprise Verizon International Call Charges

Several common myths can lead to costly mistakes. Let’s clear them up.

The Truth About Wi-Fi Calling

Many people assume that if they are on Wi-Fi, any call they make is free. This is not true for international calls on Verizon. When you use Wi-Fi Calling abroad, your phone creates a secure connection back to Verizon’s US network. This means:

  • Calling any US number is FREE.
  • Calling any non-US number is BILLED as an international long-distance call from the US. This includes calling a local number in the country you’re visiting. Your TravelPass will not cover this call; instead, it will be billed based on your international long-distance plan (e.g., Global Calling) or at high pay-per-minute rates.

Will I Be Charged for Receiving an International Call?

This depends on where you are.

  • If you are in the US: No. You are never charged for receiving calls in the US, regardless of where they come from.
  • If you are outside the US: Yes. Answering a call while roaming will trigger your TravelPass daily charge or use minutes from your monthly travel plan.

Your How-To Guide for Making International Calls with Verizon

Here is some practical advice for managing your Verizon international calling.

How to Dial an International Number Correctly

How to make an international call on Verizon is simple. On a smartphone, press and hold the 0 key until the + symbol appears. Then, dial the country code and the phone number. For example, to call the UK, you would dial +44 followed by the local number.

How to Add, Change, or Remove an International Plan

You can easily manage your plans in three ways:

  1. The My Verizon App: The most convenient way to add or remove plans.
  2. The Verizon Website: Log in to your account to manage your international features.
  3. Text to 4004: Text keywords like TRAVEL (for TravelPass) or GLOBAL (for Global Calling) to quickly activate a plan.

The Essential Pre-Travel Checklist

  1. Use Verizon’s Trip Planner Tool: This online tool will recommend the best plan for your destination and trip length.
  2. Check Your Device: Ensure your phone is a “World Device” compatible with the networks at your destination.
  3. Enable Roaming: In your phone’s settings, turn on both Voice and Data Roaming. Your travel plan (like TravelPass) will prevent unexpected charges.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cheapest way to make international calls on Verizon?

For calling from the US, the Global Choice plan ($10/mo) is often cheapest if you call one country frequently. For travel, using Wi-Fi to call US numbers is free. For cellular use on short trips, TravelPass is the most economical.

Can I use my regular Verizon plan in Europe or Asia?

No. Your domestic plan allowances do not apply in Europe or Asia. You must add a travel plan like TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan to avoid extremely high pay-as-you-go Verizon international call rates.

How do I turn off international roaming on Verizon to avoid all charges?

In your phone’s cellular settings, turn “Data Roaming” off. This prevents accidental data use. To block all services, you may need to contact Verizon and ask them to add an international roaming block to your account.

Are international text messages free on Verizon?

From the US, most Verizon plans include unlimited international texting to over 200 countries. While traveling abroad, texts are covered by TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan.

What is the difference between Verizon’s Global Calling and Global Calling Plus plans?

Global Calling ($5/mo) is a basic plan for unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada and discounted rates elsewhere. Global Calling Plus ($15/mo) is a premium plan with unlimited calling to landlines in over 60 countries and mobiles in over 30 countries.

Conclusion

Successfully managing Verizon international calls comes down to understanding one thing: whether you are calling from the US or using your phone abroad. These are two different services with separate plans and prices.

For calling from the US, a monthly add-on like Global Calling, Global Calling Plus, or Global Choice is essential for keeping costs down. For traveling abroad, a dedicated roaming plan like TravelPass or the International Monthly Plan is a requirement to avoid massive fees. By identifying your needs, choosing the right plan, and understanding the rules of features like Wi-Fi Calling, you can stay connected globally without any billing surprises.

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