Orange roaming in USA: All you need to know

Traveling to the United States while using Orange mobile services can lead to high roaming costs. Although Orange Roaming is a straightforward option, several alternatives offer better value without compromising connectivity. Let’s explore these cost-effective solutions for staying connected during your US visit.

Orange roaming in USA

I. How much does Orange roaming in the USA cost?

Orange roaming charges in the USA vary by country and plan type. Travelers can choose between pay-as-you-go rates or travel pass bundles, with pricing depending on your home country’s Orange provider.

1. Pay-As-You-Go Pricing

Pay-as-you-go rates charge per MB, SMS, or call. Below are current rates (converted to USD) for seven major Orange markets when roaming in the USA:

Orange USA Roaming Rates by Country (Prices in USD)

CountrySMS SendSMS ReceiveIncoming CallsOutgoing CallsData per MB
France$0.30Free$0.59$1.26$14.16
Spain$1.30$1.30$1.81$1.81$12.97
Belgium$0.74FreeFree$2.23$12.77
Poland$0.15FreeFree$0.60N/A
Egypt$0.12Free$0.20$0.41$0.30
Botswana$0.25Free$0.80$2.12$8.47
Romania$0.41Free$1.27$2.23$6.38
Note: All prices converted to USD for easier comparison. Data rates vary significantly by country, with European countries generally having higher rates.

2. Travel Pass Bundles

Orange offers travel bundles that include data, calls, and SMS to reduce roaming costs. Availability and prices vary by country:

CountryDaily PassWeekly/Monthly PassMonthly Pass
FranceNot availableNot available$31.91 (15GB + unlimited calls/SMS)
Spain$10.72 (2GB + 20min calls)$26.81 (20GB)Not available
Belgium$12.77-21.28 (500MB-1GB + 1000min)Not availableNot available
Poland$3.67 (1GB)$19.31 (calls $0.12/min)Not available
Egypt$1.22 (50MB)$5.08-10.16 (1GB-3GB)Not available
BotswanaNot availableNot availableNot available
RomaniaNot available$6.38-17.02 (1GB-4GB + 20-100min)Not available

Notes:

  • You should confirm the rates with your local Orange provider before traveling because pricing varies significantly between Orange’s 26 operating markets.
  • If available, travel bundles are often more cost-effective than pay-as-you-go rates.
  • Book your travel pass before you start roaming to avoid unexpected high charges.
  • Plans include varying combinations of data, calls, and SMS. Some passes only cover data, with standard rates applying to calls and SMS.

II. How to activate Orange roaming

Activating Orange roaming depends on your country and plan type. Here’s how it works:

  • Pay-As-You-Go: Automatically activated when roaming is enabled on your device.
  • Travel Packages: Activate through the Orange mobile app, website, or by texting specific codes (varies by country).

Standard roaming activation requires selecting USA as your destination through Orange’s mobile app or website. For Orange France customers, two options are available:

For Orange France, the options are:

  • Pay-As-You-Go: Enable via the “Communicate from abroad” section in your account settings.
  • Travel Packages: Purchase directly on Orange’s website by selecting the USA and your preferred bundle.

Orange Roaming Activation Methods by Country

CountryPay-as-you-goDaily PassWeekly/Monthly Pass
SpainAuto-active on contract phonesAvailable for postpaid customersText “BONO SEMANAL” to 22095 or via My Orange
BelgiumAuto-activeVia Orange App or Customer ZoneNot available
PolandAuto-activeVia Orange App or text “BR” to 80060Text “GO10GB” to 80060 or use app
EgyptAuto-activeVia Orange App or text to 1101Text to 1071/1072 or use app
BotswanaAuto-activeNot availableNot available
RomaniaAuto-activeNot availableText “TURCIADATA” or “TURCIAPLUS” to 321

Note: Pay-as-you-go roaming activates automatically in all countries when roaming is enabled on your device.

Orange roaming plan for tourists
Orange roaming plan for tourists

III. Orange pay-as-you-go vs. Roaming plans

As an Orange customer, you can choose between pay-as-you-go rates or roaming travel passes depending on your usage needs:

  • Pay-as-you-go: provides immediate access with no setup needed, but comes with high rates up to $14.16/MB. It works best for emergency or minimal usage, offering unlimited duration with full access to calls, SMS, and data.
  • Travel passes: offer better value at $31.91 for 15GB with calls and SMS included. These packages must be activated before travel and have fixed time periods. While mainly focused on data usage, some passes include call and SMS allowances.

So which option to choose?

  • Use pay-as-you-go for occasional or emergency use.
  • Choose a travel pass if you plan to use data, calls, or SMS regularly during your trip.

IV. Top tips for roaming with Orange in USA

Roaming costs can add up quickly. For example, a single 3-minute YouTube video could cost up to $232.68 with pay-as-you-go rates. To avoid unexpected charges, follow these tips:

  • Monitor data usage. Some countries have monthly caps (Spain limits to $64.87), after which higher rates apply. Track your usage through the Orange app.
  • Check phone compatibility to verify if it works with US network frequencies before travel to ensure reliable service.
  • Activate your preferred roaming option before travel to avoid automatic high-rate charges.
  • Download maps, videos, and other content on WiFi before your trip and disable auto-updates and background data to reduce usage.

V. Alternatives to Orange Roaming in the USA

When traveling to the USA, travelers can find better value than Orange Roaming by considering alternative eSIM solutions.

Local US SIM cards:

Major carriers AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon offer prepaid SIM cards starting at $25-40/month with generous data. Available widely at airports and stores, these provide reliable coverage and local calling.

Travel eSIM for USA:

If your phone is compatible with eSIM, it is a convenient option that does not require swapping in and out a SIM card. You can buy, install and activate a eSIM for USA online in minutes without hassle. Gigago’s USA eSIM plans start at $1.90, offering 1-30 day options with data from 500MB/day to 50GB total. Working on major US networks with 4G/LTE/5G coverage, it’s instantly delivered via email and compatible with most modern phones. Perfect for travelers needing quick internet access while keeping their home SIM active.

Free WiFi:

Most US cities offer extensive free WiFi networks in public spaces, hotels, and businesses. Download offline maps and apps like WhatsApp before travel for basic connectivity without data charges.

VI. FAQs

Can I use my existing Orange plan in the USA without extra charges?

No. Any usage of your regular plan in the USA will incur roaming charges. You must activate an international plan or travel pass to get better rates.

How do I purchase an Orange Travel Pass?

You have three ways to purchase:
– Orange customer portal online
– Orange mobile app
– Direct contact with Orange customer service
– Always purchase before your trip to avoid high roaming fees.

Is eSIM available for prepaid Orange customers?

It depends. eSIM availability varies by:
– Your home country
– Your current plan type
– Local Orange provider policies. Contact your local Orange service center for exact availability and requirements.