Staying connected in China is essential for most tourists, but data roaming can be surprisingly expensive and complicated. This guide explains data roaming in China, how it works, and suggests more affordable alternatives like local SIM cards and eSIMs to help you avoid bill shock.
This article is crafted for tourists who want smooth internet access but face challenges like high roaming charges and complex activation processes. By reading this guide, you’ll gain insights into how data roaming in China works, its costs, and smarter alternatives like eSIMs to save money while staying connected.
In this article
Understanding these key points helps tourists stay connected without breaking the bank during their visit to China.
Roaming in China works by connecting your phone to local Chinese mobile networks through agreements between your home carrier and Chinese providers. When you turn on roaming, your phone automatically searches for and connects to a partner network in China.
This allows you to make calls, send texts, and use mobile data as if you were in your home country. Your home carrier bills the charges for using roaming services based on their international roaming rates. You can usually continue to use your phone number and services without needing any additional setup.
Types of Roaming Services in China:
Data roaming in China can cost as much as $3 per megabyte with some carriers, making it crucial to understand your options. In fact, the roaming charges vary by carrier, with high per-MB data costs for pay-as-you-go options, but daily or weekly passes can reduce expenses.
Let’s see the table of roaming charges for major carriers in the US, UK, Australia. The table includes per-use rates and daily passes where applicable. Note that the rate can change, so verify with the carrier before traveling.
| Carrier / Country | Per MB data | Per Min call | Per SMS | Daily Pass | Details | Source |
| Verizon / US | $2.05 | $1.79 | $0.50 | $10/day (Travel Pass) | Use your own plan | Verizon international services pricing |
| AT / US | – | – | – | $12/day (International Day Pass) | Use your own plan | AT&T International Day Pass |
| T-Mobile / US | – | – | – | $5/day (512MB data, unlimited calling)$35/10 days (5GB, unlimited calling)$50/30 days (15GB, unlimited calling) | – | T-Mobile International Roaming Plans |
| Vodafone / UK | 12p | 60p (making), 36p (receiving) | 8p | – | No daily pass for China | Vodafone UK Roaming Costs |
| EE / UK | Requires add-on | £1.80 (making/receiving) | 60p | – | No daily pass for Chi | EE Roaming Costs for China |
| O2 / UK | £7.2 | £2 (making/receiving) | 50p | – | No daily pass for China | O2 International Roaming |
| Telstra / AU | $3 (standard) | – | 75c | $10/day (2GB data, unlimited calls/SMS) | China included in Zone 2 | Telstra International Roaming |
| Optus / AU | $5/day (5GB data, unlimited calls/SMS)$10/day (1GB data, unlimited calls/SMS) | China included | Optus International Roaming |
Note: For carriers with daily passes, the per MB, per min, and per SMS rates are included in the pass. For those without, the standard rates apply.
Setting up roaming is easy, but you need to take some steps before you leave and some after you arrive.
Before you leave
After you arrive:
Extra tip: Some carriers offer apps or alerts to help users monitor their data, call, and text usage to avoid unexpected charges. Keep track of it.
Using a travel China SIM card or eSIM is the most effective way to avoid roaming charges in China. Most travel SIMs/eSIMs to China are data-only. They provide significantly cheaper data compared to your home carrier’s international roaming rates. They are ideal for those who stay more than a few days or use significant data.
If your phone supports it, an eSIM offers the ultimate convenience. If not, a physical SIM card is still a fantastic, cost-effective choice. Make sure your phone is unlocked before you travel.
These habits will help you stretch your data plan and avoid extra charges:
eSIMs offer a convenient digital alternative, ideal for avoiding physical SIM hassles. You can buy China eSIM online, install via QR code, and activate automatically upon arrival. Ensure your device supports eSIM technology.
You can buy eSIM for China travel from Gigago, which offers multiple plan options, starting from 500MB/day for 3 days with $4.90. There are unlimited data plans, daily data plans and fixed total plans that suit various users.
Here are guides to turn off data roaming on iOS and Android:
Note: If the Data Roaming option is greyed out, check if Mobile data is turned on. Go to Settings > Connections > Data usage > Mobile data.
Most modern smartphones are compatible with Chinese networks. However, it’s essential to ensure your device supports the specific frequency bands used in China and is unlocked for use with local SIM cards.
China restricts access to many international websites and apps, including Google, Facebook, and Twitter. To use these services, you’ll need to set up a reliable VPN before arriving in China.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) allows you to bypass internet censorship by routing your connection through servers outside China. It’s essential for accessing blocked sites and should be installed prior to your trip, as VPN websites are also blocked in China.
Yes, you can purchase a SIM card upon arrival or use an eSIM if your device supports it. These options often provide more affordable data plans and better connectivity than international roaming.
In this article, you’ll learn about China Telecom SIM cards, including their coverage, speed, types available for tourists, pricing, and where to purchase both SIM cards and eSIMs.
This guide will help you navigate the process of buying a SIM card at Guangzhou Airport, covering where to find SIM card shops, the costs involved, and the registration process.
This guide will help you explore everything about purchasing a SIM card at Shanghai Airport, from finding the right store to understanding the costs and registration process.
Discover everything you need to know about buying a SIM card at Beijing Airport, including where to find them, prices, registration process, and better alternatives like eSIMs for China.
This guide is perfect for Beijing travelers who want reliable mobile data and calls. With tips from locals, you’ll discover the best SIM card in Beijing, compare plans and prices, and learn where to buy one easily.
This guide is here to make your trip easier! You’ll learn all about China Unicom SIM cards – their coverage, speed, and the types of options perfect for tourists.