Sky Mobile Roaming Passport Plus: 120 destinations for just £2 a day*
Holidays are meant to be a break from everyday life - not a source of uncertainty. But when it comes to using your phone abroad, it can be confusing for travellers to work out how much the data they’re using will cost, and it may only become clear once they return home to their bill. New research from Sky Mobile highlights just how common this is, and how easily everyday travelling habits can lead to unexpected roaming charges. Maps and navigation have ranked in the top three biggest data drainers as a fifth of Brits admit that they have no idea which countries are included within their data allowance. That’s why Sky Mobile has expanded its global roaming destinations with Roaming Passport Plus - from 55 to 120 across EU/EEA, the USA, Australia and more. For just £2 a day, Sky customers have a simple, hassle-free way to stay connected abroad and can use their UK data, calls and texts as if they were still in the UK. Getting online is easy, there’s nothing to install, download or set-up, with Sky Mobile you can begin roaming as soon as you arrive. Sky Mobile customers could pay just £10 for five days data roaming in destinations like the USA, Thailand, and India. That’s £20 cheaper than EE customers using EE’s Zone 1 Pass** or up to £30 cheaper than Vodafone customers using Vodafone's monthly plan Global Roam or Zone D Passes.**
Why roaming charges still catch people out
Despite being more connected than ever, awareness around roaming remains low while usage continues to rise.
Smartphones play a big role in how we travel, from navigating new cities to sharing experiences in real time. Which means people are using more data, more often, without always knowing what it might cost.
The key research findings (1):
Smartphones play a big role in how we travel, from navigating new cities to sharing experiences in real time. Which means people are using more data, more often, without always knowing what it might cost.
The key research findings (1):
28% of Brits don’t check roaming charges before travelling
Up to 48% of younger travellers (25–34-year-olds) have been caught out by unexpected mobile costs after a trip
Over a third of Brits (34%) agree that accessibility to data coverage impacts their choice of holiday destination
43% say they use more data abroad than they do at home
What is data roaming and why can it be expensive?
Data roaming is when your phone connects to a network abroad instead of your UK network.
Often, what catches many people out isn’t unusual behaviour, it’s the everyday things we rely on.
Without a roaming pass, like Sky Mobile’s Roaming Passport Plus, everyday usage like checking maps, scrolling social media, and streaming video can be charged at higher rates depending on the country.
That’s why travellers might look for simpler data options that remove uncertainty altogether.
Without a simple way to use your data while travelling, research shows that streaming just one TV or film trailer could leave Brits up to £120 out of pocket, while Cloud auto syncing your camera roll can cost up to £50, and forgetting to turn off email and app notifications can land travellers with a bill of up to £20. Even smaller, everyday actions like checking maps or scrolling social media can quietly build up over time.
UK’s Top 10 Hidden Data Drainers Index (2)
1. Social media auto-play videos
Typical Data Use: 8–12 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £80 – £150
2. Streaming TV / clips
Typical Data Use: 15–20 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 2–3 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £60 – £120
3. Video calls
Typical Data Use: 5–7 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 3 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £30 – £60
4. Photo uploads (cloud)
Typical Data Use: 2–5 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £20 – £50
5. Maps/ navigation
Typical Data Use: 2–4 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £20 – £40
6. Music streaming
Typical Data Use: 1–2 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 10 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £20 – £40
7. Email & app notifications
Typical Data Use: 0.5–1 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 10 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £10 – £20
8. Web browsing
Typical Data Use: 0.5–1 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £5 – £10
9. Booking / travel apps
Typical Data Use: ~0.4 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £4 – £8
10. Translation apps
Typical Data Use: ~0.2 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £2 – £5
Often, what catches many people out isn’t unusual behaviour, it’s the everyday things we rely on.
Without a roaming pass, like Sky Mobile’s Roaming Passport Plus, everyday usage like checking maps, scrolling social media, and streaming video can be charged at higher rates depending on the country.
That’s why travellers might look for simpler data options that remove uncertainty altogether.
Without a simple way to use your data while travelling, research shows that streaming just one TV or film trailer could leave Brits up to £120 out of pocket, while Cloud auto syncing your camera roll can cost up to £50, and forgetting to turn off email and app notifications can land travellers with a bill of up to £20. Even smaller, everyday actions like checking maps or scrolling social media can quietly build up over time.
UK’s Top 10 Hidden Data Drainers Index (2)
1. Social media auto-play videos
Typical Data Use: 8–12 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £80 – £150
2. Streaming TV / clips
Typical Data Use: 15–20 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 2–3 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £60 – £120
3. Video calls
Typical Data Use: 5–7 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 3 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £30 – £60
4. Photo uploads (cloud)
Typical Data Use: 2–5 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £20 – £50
5. Maps/ navigation
Typical Data Use: 2–4 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £20 – £40
6. Music streaming
Typical Data Use: 1–2 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 10 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £20 – £40
7. Email & app notifications
Typical Data Use: 0.5–1 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 10 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £10 – £20
8. Web browsing
Typical Data Use: 0.5–1 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £5 – £10
9. Booking / travel apps
Typical Data Use: ~0.4 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £4 – £8
10. Translation apps
Typical Data Use: ~0.2 MB/min
Realistic Duration: 5 mins
Potential Cost Without a Roaming Plan or Pass (£): £2 – £5
Where roaming costs can add up most
Sky Mobile research also highlights the destinations where travellers are most likely to face costly roaming charges without the right plan in place.
Top 10 costliest countries to roam include (3):
- USA
- Thailand
- Barbados
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Morocco
These are common destinations for UK travellers, and now all covered by Sky’s Roaming Passport Plus so customers can use their UK data, calls and text allowances as if they were still in the UK while in destinations covered for just £2 a day. Without the right roaming plan or pass in place, everyday usage in these locations can quickly become expensive. (4)
Top 10 costliest countries to roam include (3):
- USA
- Thailand
- Barbados
- Turkey
- Egypt
- Indonesia
- Australia
- Mexico
- South Africa
- Morocco
These are common destinations for UK travellers, and now all covered by Sky’s Roaming Passport Plus so customers can use their UK data, calls and text allowances as if they were still in the UK while in destinations covered for just £2 a day. Without the right roaming plan or pass in place, everyday usage in these locations can quickly become expensive. (4)
A simpler way to avoid unexpected roaming charges
With so many variables, from destination to usage, it’s easy to see why roaming can feel complicated.
Sky Mobile’s roaming simplifies it.
For £2 a day, you can:
- Use your UK data, calls, and text allowances as if you are still in the UK
- Stay connected across 120 destinations
- Roam without worrying about costly charges in destinations like USA, Thailand and Turkey
*Roaming data is subject to a 25GB fair usage policy per billing cycle. Once 25GB is exceeded, additional data will be charged on a pro‑rated per GB basis. See sky.com/fup.
Sky Mobile’s roaming simplifies it.
For £2 a day, you can:
- Use your UK data, calls, and text allowances as if you are still in the UK
- Stay connected across 120 destinations
- Roam without worrying about costly charges in destinations like USA, Thailand and Turkey
*Roaming data is subject to a 25GB fair usage policy per billing cycle. Once 25GB is exceeded, additional data will be charged on a pro‑rated per GB basis. See sky.com/fup.
Where you can roam with Sky Mobile
Knowing whether your destination is included is often one of the first things people check before they travel.
Sky’s roaming covers a wide range of destinations across Europe and beyond.
From European city breaks to long-haul trips, destinations such as the USA, Turkey, UAE, Australia, Thailand and Canada are all included.
So, whether you're travelling within the EU or further afield, you can stay easily connected and use your data without needing to think about different pricing structures.
Sky’s roaming covers a wide range of destinations across Europe and beyond.
From European city breaks to long-haul trips, destinations such as the USA, Turkey, UAE, Australia, Thailand and Canada are all included.
So, whether you're travelling within the EU or further afield, you can stay easily connected and use your data without needing to think about different pricing structures.
How to avoid expensive roaming costs abroad
Alongside choosing the right plan or pass, a few simple habits can help you manage your data more effectively.
Sky’s holiday hack list:
- Download maps before you travel
- Save shows, playlists and podcasts in advance
- Switch on low data mode
- Turn off automatic updates and syncing
- Limit video autoplay on social media
- Use Wi-Fi where available
With 67% of travellers unaware of data-saving hacks, these small changes can make a noticeable difference over the course of a trip.(5)
Sky’s holiday hack list:
- Download maps before you travel
- Save shows, playlists and podcasts in advance
- Switch on low data mode
- Turn off automatic updates and syncing
- Limit video autoplay on social media
- Use Wi-Fi where available
With 67% of travellers unaware of data-saving hacks, these small changes can make a noticeable difference over the course of a trip.(5)
How to preserve data while abroad
If you want your data to go further, it’s worth focusing on how your phone uses data in the background.
Reducing app refresh, avoiding high-definition streaming and downloading essential content before you travel can all help limit usage.
Or, with Roaming Passport Plus, use your UK data, calls and text allowances as if you’re still in the UK while in one of the destinations.
Sky Mobile’s flexible data plans make it easy for customers to use their data while abroad. If customers need extra data for exploring without Wi-Fi, or for WhatsApp calls and messages, they can easily dip into any saved in their Sky Piggybank for a boost. With Roll, each month unused data is saved in a Sky Piggybank for up to a year, this data can then be used in any of the 120 roaming destinations with Sky’s roaming.
Staying in control of your usage
You can turn off data roaming in your phone settings at any time, so you don’t use any.
This prevents your device from connecting to mobile networks abroad, so you rely on Wi-Fi instead.
But for many travellers, having the flexibility to stay connected with data without worrying about cost is just as important.
Reducing app refresh, avoiding high-definition streaming and downloading essential content before you travel can all help limit usage.
Or, with Roaming Passport Plus, use your UK data, calls and text allowances as if you’re still in the UK while in one of the destinations.
Sky Mobile’s flexible data plans make it easy for customers to use their data while abroad. If customers need extra data for exploring without Wi-Fi, or for WhatsApp calls and messages, they can easily dip into any saved in their Sky Piggybank for a boost. With Roll, each month unused data is saved in a Sky Piggybank for up to a year, this data can then be used in any of the 120 roaming destinations with Sky’s roaming.
Staying in control of your usage
You can turn off data roaming in your phone settings at any time, so you don’t use any.
This prevents your device from connecting to mobile networks abroad, so you rely on Wi-Fi instead.
But for many travellers, having the flexibility to stay connected with data without worrying about cost is just as important.
Why Sky Mobile’s roaming offers a different approach
Sky Mobile simplifies roaming:
- £2 per day
- Use your UK data, calls, and text allowances as if you are still in the UK
- Stay connected across 120 destinations
It’s designed to give you clarity, so you can focus on your trip, not your bill.
Customers can automatically access their UK data, calls, and text allowances as soon as they land. The £2 roaming activates when they use data (over 10MB in a day) or make a call or text to a UK number while in one of the destinations. For added ease, customers will get a text to confirm when their 24‑hour roaming period starts, and another when it’s coming to an end.
- £2 per day
- Use your UK data, calls, and text allowances as if you are still in the UK
- Stay connected across 120 destinations
It’s designed to give you clarity, so you can focus on your trip, not your bill.
Customers can automatically access their UK data, calls, and text allowances as soon as they land. The £2 roaming activates when they use data (over 10MB in a day) or make a call or text to a UK number while in one of the destinations. For added ease, customers will get a text to confirm when their 24‑hour roaming period starts, and another when it’s coming to an end.
The takeaway: simple, predictable connectivity abroad
Staying connected while travelling should feel as easy as it does at home.
Sky’s Roaming Passport Plus offers roaming in 120 destinations for just £2 a day.
So, wherever you’re heading, you can focus on the experience, not the cost of staying connected.
Sky’s Roaming Passport Plus offers roaming in 120 destinations for just £2 a day.
So, wherever you’re heading, you can focus on the experience, not the cost of staying connected.
Sky Mobile’s Roaming Passport Plus destinations list
A – D:
Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba (Netherlands Antilles), Australia (including Cocos Islands, Christmas Islands), Austria, Azores, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), Cyprus (excl. Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic,
E – L:
Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana (French West Indies), Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe (French West Indies), Guatemala, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Korea (South), Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
M – R:
Madeira, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique (French West Indies), Mauritius, Mayotte (French Territories in the Indian Ocean), Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion (French Territories in the Indian Ocean), Romania,
S – Z:
Saba (Netherlands Antilles), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Saint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles), Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Barthelemy (French West Indies), St Martin (French West Indies), Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey (incl. Northern Cyprus), Turks and Caicos Islands, UAE, USA, Vatican City, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British).
Albania, Andorra, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba (Netherlands Antilles), Australia (including Cocos Islands, Christmas Islands), Austria, Azores, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belgium, Bolivia, Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles), Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary Islands, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curacao (Netherlands Antilles), Cyprus (excl. Northern Cyprus), Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic,
E – L:
Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana (French West Indies), Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe (French West Indies), Guatemala, Hong Kong, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Korea (South), Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg,
M – R:
Madeira, Malaysia, Malta, Martinique (French West Indies), Mauritius, Mayotte (French Territories in the Indian Ocean), Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Reunion (French Territories in the Indian Ocean), Romania,
S – Z:
Saba (Netherlands Antilles), Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Singapore, Saint Eustatius (Netherlands Antilles), Sint Maarten (Netherlands Antilles), Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Barthelemy (French West Indies), St Martin (French West Indies), Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey (incl. Northern Cyprus), Turks and Caicos Islands, UAE, USA, Vatican City, Vietnam, Virgin Islands (British).