Short answer: Telstra's International Day Pass costs $5 a day in Zone 1 (New Zealand and the Pacific) and $10 a day in Zone 2 (80+ destinations including Italy, the UK, Japan and the USA). Each day includes 2GB of data plus unlimited standard calls and texts. If you use more than 2GB, Telstra adds $10 for another 2GB. For a two-week trip to Italy that's $140 before any top-ups, compared with $22.99 for 10GB on a RoamMate Italy eSIM.
This guide covers Telstra's roaming zones, Day Pass prices, prepaid travel packs, how to turn roaming on or off, and when a travel eSIM saves you money.
Prices checked against Telstra's website on 27 September 2026. Telstra can change them at any time, so check the Telstra international roaming page before you fly.
Telstra Day Pass prices at a glance
| Zone | Price per day | Data per day | Calls and texts |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | $5 | 2GB | Unlimited standard calls and SMS |
| Zone 2 | $10 | 2GB | Unlimited standard calls and SMS |
| Zone 3 (Upfront plans only) | $10 | No data | Unlimited standard calls and SMS |
| Not in any zone | Pay as you go | $3 per MB | Per minute and per text |
Telstra roaming zones: which countries are in Zone 1, 2 and 3?
Telstra Zone 1 countries ($5 a day)
Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu.
Telstra Zone 2 countries ($10 a day)
| Region | Countries |
|---|---|
| Europe | Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
| Asia and Middle East | Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, East Timor, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia (including Bali), Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Vietnam |
| Americas | Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, Peru, United States, Uruguay |
| Africa | Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa |
| Oceania | Solomon Islands |
Telstra Zone 3 countries ($10 a day, calls and texts only)
Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jamaica and Jersey. Zone 3 is only available on Telstra Upfront plans and includes no data.
If your destination isn't listed, the Day Pass doesn't apply and you'll pay standard roaming rates.
How the Telstra International Day Pass works
What you get each day
Each Day Pass gives you 2GB of data plus unlimited calls and SMS to standard numbers. MMS, video calls and premium numbers aren't included. Any data you don't use expires at the end of the day.
When a "day" starts and ends
This catches a lot of people out, because it depends on your plan:
- Telstra Upfront plans: the Day Pass runs for 24 hours from when you first use your phone overseas.
- Other Telstra plans: the day ends at 11:59pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), not local time. In Italy that's around 3pm or 4pm, so one afternoon and the following morning count as two separate days.
You're only charged on days you use your phone overseas. Making or receiving a call, sending a text or using any mobile data counts, including apps refreshing in the background.
What happens when you use your 2GB
Once you've used your daily 2GB, extra data costs $10 for 2GB, valid for 31 days. On most plans the top-up is added automatically. On Upfront plans, Telstra sends you an SMS offering a top-up instead.
On a heavy day of maps, photo uploads and video calls, you could pay $20 or more in Zone 2.
Standard roaming rates (no Day Pass)
If you're somewhere the Day Pass doesn't cover, or you've turned it off, standard rates apply:
- Data: $3 per MB (about $3,000 per GB)
- SMS: 75 cents each
- Calls: $1.50 to $5.00 a minute, depending on the country
Cruise ships aren't covered
Cruise ships use satellite networks, so the Day Pass doesn't cover calls, texts or data at sea. Put your phone in flight mode once you're out of port and use the ship's Wi-Fi package instead.
Telstra Pre-Paid international roaming packs
Telstra Pre-Paid customers don't get the Day Pass. Instead, you can add a travel pack before you leave:
| Pack | Price | Lasts | Data | Calls | SMS/MMS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Day Travel Pack | $10 | 3 days | 400MB | 15 mins | 15 |
| 7 Day Travel Pack | $15 | 7 days | 2GB | 25 mins | 25 |
| 14 Day Travel Pack | $25 | 14 days | 4GB | 50 mins | 50 |
The packs only work in 38 destinations. These include New Zealand, Japan, the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Greece and Indonesia, but not Italy or Spain. Check Telstra's prepaid roaming page for the full list before you buy.
How to turn Telstra international roaming on or off
According to Telstra's Critical Information Summary, international roaming and the Day Pass are switched on by default on Telstra plans. It's still worth checking before you leave, because Telstra says the Day Pass can take up to 2 hours to activate.
To check or turn on international roaming
- Open the My Telstra app and sign in.
- Select your mobile service.
- Tap Extras, then International Roaming.
- Make sure International Roaming and the Day Pass are on, and do it before you fly.
To turn it off and avoid charges
- Turn international roaming off in the My Telstra app (under Extras > International Roaming), or call Telstra on 125 109.
- Or keep it on but turn off data roaming in your phone settings (iPhone: Settings > Mobile Service > Mobile Data Options; Android: Settings > Connections > Mobile networks).
- Turn on flight mode before you land and switch Wi-Fi back on, so background apps don't start a Day Pass at the airport.
What does Telstra roaming cost for a trip to Italy?
Italy is a Telstra Zone 2 destination, so the Day Pass costs $10 a day. Here's how that compares with a RoamMate Italy eSIM:
| Trip | Telstra Day Pass | RoamMate Italy eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $70 (2GB a day) | $12.99 (5GB, 30 days) |
| 2 weeks | $140 (2GB a day) | $22.99 (10GB, 30 days) |
| 30 days | $300 (2GB a day) | $22.99 (10GB) or $39.99 (20GB) |
Telstra's prices assume one Day Pass a day with no top-ups. Because non-Upfront days end at 11:59pm AEST, a trip can span more charged days than calendar days in Italy.
Most travellers use around 0.5GB to 1GB a day for maps, messaging, email and social media. A 10GB eSIM covers a typical two-week trip.
Telstra roaming vs a travel eSIM
A travel eSIM is a digital SIM you download to your phone before you leave. It connects you to a local network at your destination, and your Telstra SIM stays in your phone.
| Telstra Day Pass | RoamMate eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| How you pay | $5 or $10 for every day you use your phone | One upfront price for the trip |
| Data | 2GB a day, then $10 per extra 2GB | 1GB to 50GB, used at your own pace |
| Unused data | Expires daily | Lasts for the whole plan |
| Calls and texts | Unlimited, on your Australian number | Data only. Use WhatsApp, iMessage or FaceTime |
| Network in Italy | Telstra's roaming partner | Local 5G networks (TIM, Iliad, Wind) |
| Online when you land | Yes | Yes, before you reach baggage claim |
When Telstra roaming makes sense
- Your trip is short and you're going to New Zealand or the Pacific, where the Day Pass is $5.
- You need to make lots of normal phone calls on your Australian number.
- Your employer is paying.
When a travel eSIM makes sense
- You're going to a Zone 2 country like Italy, Japan or the UK for more than a few days.
- You mainly need data for maps, messaging, rideshare and bookings.
- You want a fixed cost with no top-ups or surprise charges.
You can keep your Telstra SIM switched on for texts, such as bank verification codes, while using the eSIM for data. Just turn off data roaming on your Telstra line so it doesn't trigger a Day Pass.
How to set up a RoamMate eSIM before your trip
- Check your phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones do. Your phone also needs to be unlocked.
- Buy your plan, for example the Italy eSIM.
- Install it at home by scanning the QR code while you're on Wi-Fi. Here's how to install an eSIM on your iPhone.
- When you land, turn off data roaming on your Telstra line, switch mobile data to your RoamMate eSIM, and you're online before you reach baggage claim.
Telstra roaming FAQs
How much is Telstra international roaming per day?
Telstra's International Day Pass costs $5 a day in Zone 1 (New Zealand and the Pacific) and $10 a day in Zone 2, which covers more than 80 destinations including Europe, Asia and the USA. Each day includes 2GB of data and unlimited standard calls and texts.
What countries are in Telstra Zone 1?
Telstra Zone 1 covers Fiji, Nauru, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. The Day Pass costs $5 a day in these countries.
What countries are in Telstra Zone 2?
Telstra Zone 2 covers more than 80 destinations, including Italy, France, Spain, the UK, Japan, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, the USA and Canada. The Day Pass costs $10 a day in Zone 2.
Is Telstra international roaming turned on automatically?
Telstra says international roaming and the Day Pass are switched on by default. You can check or change this in the My Telstra app under Extras > International Roaming. Do it before you fly, as it can take up to 2 hours to activate.
How do I turn off Telstra international roaming?
Turn it off in the My Telstra app under Extras > International Roaming, or call Telstra on 125 109. You can also turn off data roaming in your phone's settings, or use flight mode with Wi-Fi.
What happens when I use my 2GB of Telstra roaming data?
Extra data costs $10 for another 2GB, valid for 31 days. On most plans it's added automatically. On Telstra Upfront plans, you'll get an SMS offering a top-up.
Does the Telstra Day Pass work on cruise ships?
No. Cruise ships use satellite networks, so the Day Pass doesn't cover calls, texts or data on board.
Is an eSIM cheaper than Telstra roaming in Italy?
Yes, for most trips. Italy is in Telstra Zone 2, so two weeks costs $140 on the Day Pass. A RoamMate Italy eSIM with 10GB for 30 days costs $22.99.
The bottom line
The Telstra Day Pass is easy, but at $10 a day in most popular destinations it adds up fast. For a quick trip to New Zealand or Fiji, the $5 Zone 1 pass is reasonable value. For Europe, Asia or the USA, a travel eSIM gets you online when you land for a fraction of the cost.