If you're a Vodafone postpaid customer, you'll have access to its $5 roaming add-on. Once Vodafone's roaming activation is on (which should be automatic on your Vodafone account, but double-check before your first trip), it's a pretty easy process:
$5 lets you use your plan overseas for the day, with your included data available (note that speed-capped data isn't included).
The 24 hours starts when you use your phone to call, text or surf the web.
If you don't plan on using your phone much in 1 day, or will be somewhere with plenty of Wi-Fi, you can keep your phone on Aeroplane Mode and save the $5.
$5 roaming is available on Vodafone's current postpaid mobile plans, and it's also available on eligible modem and Vodafone Infinite Data plans.
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Unfortunately, if you're on Vodafone prepaid, you can't access the same $5 roaming add-on.
Instead, you can buy a Prepaid Roaming add-on, which gives you a set amount of data to use over a fixed number of days. Check Vodafone's prepaid roaming page for the current add-ons and inclusions before you go.
It depends. If you're just going on a short trip for a few days, you're visiting multiple countries or you need to stay contactable on your Australian number, then it's a great choice.
Vodafone's $5 roaming is one of the more competitive options among the major Australian telcos, but it's not the only daily roaming deal: Telstra and Optus sell daily roaming passes too. Prices and inclusions depend on your plan and destination, so compare them before you travel.
Of course, you can also pick up a prepaid SIM at your destination or get a specific travel SIM, but they make more sense for longer or more frequent trips.
The eligible countries can be switched out from time to time, so it's always a good idea to confirm on the Vodafone website. As of October 2026, these are the destinations Vodafone lists for $5 roaming:
If your destination isn't on the list, you can still use pay-as-you-go (PAYG) roaming. Just keep in mind that PAYG can get quite expensive and rates may change depending on where you're going.
With Vodaphone’s $5 per day roaming cover, do I get 24 hours from my first activity or until midnight on the day?
E.g. if I start activity at one minute past midnight do I have a $5 time limit for 23 hours and 59 minutes? Or for example, if I start at 11 pm do I only have 1 hour or 24 hours to 11 pm the next day?
And if I stop using “roaming” for 2 days do I pay for those two days or only, automatically, does another $5s only start when I call home to Australia? Further, my wife and I will be in Greece together, how much will it cost me to call her if we are both in Greece but not near each other? We are both postpaid long term Vodafone customers.
Hi Ron,
Thank you for getting in touch with finder.
If you are in Greece and use the $5 roaming it will start from the time when you make first call. Suppose you are making a call at 12 pm today it will work until tomorrow 11:59 pm. You will be charged the $5 fee only on days you make or receive a call, send a text or use data overseas. The $5 fee will appear on your bill to be paid at the end of the billing period. If you go over data allowance, they’ll automatically add 1GB for $10.
And if you both are in Greece and not at the same place the $5 roaming will still work for you.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any other enquiries.
Thank you and have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Jeni
Hi guys, I am currently in the Philippines & I have Virgin Sim on month by month basis. It has just increased in price from $20 per month to $30 per month. I need to retain my Australian # to receive calls only. Is there a cheaper option for me?
Hi Adrian,
Thank you for your inquiry. We understand that you wanted to keep your Australian number active while out of the country for incoming calls.
Generally, there are three options that you may consider.
1. First is to check if there are roaming mobile contract (including monthly) that you can take on, wherein you may likely get more value out of every dollar plus there’s no need of putting up a recharge.
2. Migrating your services to prepaid wherein you can enjoy mostly PAYG packages.
3. Getting travel packs from Australian providers, to keep your services going.
It is important that you review their Critical Information Summary Sheets and/or consider discussing your needs with a consultant to know which one suits you.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan