As you prepare for your Hawaiian adventure, understanding the intricacies of roaming charges is crucial for maintaining connectivity without unexpected costs. This guide will explore the nuances of roaming in Hawaii, providing you with the knowledge to make informed decisions about your mobile usage during your stay.

Are There Roaming Charges in Hawaii?

Yes, there are roaming charges in Hawaii for international travelers.

Hawaii, despite its geographical separation from the continental United States, is part of the domestic coverage area for most major U.S. carriers. This means that for customers of mainland U.S. mobile networks, standard domestic rates typically apply without additional roaming fees.

However, the situation can differ for international visitors or those using smaller regional carriers. It's essential to verify your specific plan details before embarking on your journey to ensure you're not caught off guard by unexpected charges.

When Do Roaming Charges Apply in Hawaii?

Roaming charges in Hawaii primarily affect international visitors or users of certain regional carriers. These charges can come into play when your device connects to a network outside your regular service area. For U.S. mainland visitors, roaming is generally not an issue with major carriers. However, if you're using a smaller regional provider or an international plan, roaming charges may apply as soon as your device connects to a Hawaiian network. It's crucial to check with your provider about any potential roaming fees or required add-ons for Hawaii travel.

Roaming Fees and Charges in Hawaii

Understanding the specifics of roaming charges for different networks can help you plan your mobile usage effectively.

Disclaimer: Prices and plans may change over time. Be sure to verify with your provider for the most current details.

We've compiled an overview of roaming and carrier fees for the Hawaii / USA:

EE (UK): [1]

• Making a call: £1.20 per minute

• Receiving a call: £1.20 per minute

• Sending a text: 60p per text

• You'll need to purchase a data add-on upon arrival

• Receiving a voicemail: Charged at the same rate as receiving a call (£1.20 per minute)

• Saving a voicemail: Charged at the same rate as making a call (£1.20 per minute)

Vodafone (UK): [2]

• Making calls: 60p per minute

• Receiving calls: 36p per minute

• Sending text messages: 8p per text

• Sending picture messages: 66p per message

• Mobile data: 12p per MB

O2 (UK): [3]

• Making calls: £2 per minute

• Receiving calls: £2 per minute

• Sending texts: 50p per text

• Using data: £7.20 per MB

Orange: [4]

Orange Holiday USA package limited to 14 days for €24.99:

• 10 GB in 4G/LTE

• Calls NOT included

• Messages NOT included

Movistar (Spain): [5]

• 500MB per day: €6.05

• 1 GB per day: €4 (available from July 18 to October 17)

• To Spain or local numbers: €1.82 per minute + €1.21 connection fee

• To other destinations: €4.83 per minute + €1.21 connection fee

• Receiving calls: €1.82 per minute + €1.21 connection fee

• Sending SMS to any destination: €1.21 per SMS

• Sending MMS to any destination: €4.84 per MMS

KPN (Netherlands): [6]

Data Bundles:

• 10 GB for 24.99

• 15 GB for 34.99

• Data-only bundles (no calls or SMS included)

• Valid for 31 days

• No data sharing available

Calls and SMS (pay-as-you-go rates):

• Making calls: 1.00 per minute

• Receiving calls: 0.50 per minute

• Sending SMS: 0.30 per message

Rogers (Canada): [7]

• $12.00 per 50 MB

• $0.75 per text

• $1.45 per min

• or $12.00 per day - Pay the daily fee and use your own plan (Maximum 20 days per billing cycle)

Telstra (Australia): [8]

• $10 AUD per day for "International Day Pass"

• 2 GB data

• Unlimited calls/SMS

International carriers typically treat Hawaii as a foreign destination, applying their standard international roaming rates. These numbers provide an overview of what to expect, but keep in mind that they are estimates and may vary. It's a good idea to contact your provider for the latest information.

How to Avoid Roaming Charges in Hawaii

To avoid potential roaming charges during your Hawaiian trip, follow these steps:

• Contact your carrier before departure to verify your plan's coverage in Hawaii.

• If necessary, add an international plan or Hawaii-specific package to your existing service.

• Consider purchasing a local SIM card upon arrival for cost-effective data and calling.

• Utilize Wi-Fi networks when available to reduce cellular data usage.

• Disable data roaming on your device to prevent accidental connections.

• Use messaging apps that work over Wi-Fi for communication.

• As an alternative, explore eSIM options like Roamless for flexible, cost-effective connectivity.

You can also check our guide on how to avoid roaming charges for more tips.

Roamless eSIM for Hawaii

Roamless eSIM offers a modern approach to staying connected in Hawaii, with features tailored to enhance your travel experience:

• No speed throttling, ensuring consistent, high-speed connectivity throughout your stay

• Pay-as-you-go flexibility, allowing you to control costs and pay only for the data you use

• Multi-country support, ideal for multi-destination itineraries

• Access to local network speeds, delivering a truly native connectivity experience

• Easy activation process, eliminating the need for physical SIM swapping

• compatibility with a wide range of eSIM-enabled devices, catering to various tech preferences

By leveraging these features, Roamless eSIM becomes a compelling option for travelers seeking reliable, cost-effective connectivity in Hawaii. Visit eSIM Hawaii or eSIM USA or read best eSIM for Hawaii before planning your travel.

Sources:

[1] https://ee.co.uk/help/mobile/roaming/roaming-costs/countries/usa

[2] https://www.vodafone.co.uk/help-and-information/costs-and-charges/travelling-abroad

[3] https://www.o2.co.uk/international/using-your-phone-abroad

[4] https://travel.orange.com/en/buy-a-sim/offers/united-states

[5] https://www.movistar.es/tarifas-moviles/roaming/#USA

[6] https://www.kpn.com/mobiel-abonnement/bundels/buitenland.htm#bundels_tarieven

[7] https://www.rogers.com/mobility/roaming

[8] https://www.telstra.com.au/international-roaming#eligible-destinations