ALOHA!
So you have a T-Mobile plan that says it gives you international roaming privileges that includes…
- Free international texts, unlimited
- Free international 2G data, unlimited
- Phone calls at 20 cents per minute when you’re abroad
And now you’re off to India soon.
So you want to know…
Can you really get free data and texting in India with T-Mobile?!
Well…
Yes, you can!
First, start here to see if your device is compatible for international roaming.
Side note!
See about the best shoes for hiking in Hawaii and what to wear snorkeling in Hawaii! And for Hawaii vacation ideas, see the best things to do in Waikiki that will give you Hawaii vibes!
Should you get a SIM card in India?
But before relying on T-Mobile’s international network, also know that you can get an Indian SIM card for relatively cheap that comes with calls, texting, and 4G data.
If you do want to get a SIM card in India, here are the basics:
- Find a reputable store or vendor once you get to India
- You’ll need to hand them a copy of your passport and passport-size photo
- You’ll need to give them the address of where you’re staying so they can verify
- It might take a day for the SIM card to be activated so you’ll want to make the SIM card purchase somewhere you’ll be for a couple of days in case you run into trouble
Let’s be honest. This can feel like a bit of a chore. 😉
Especially if you’re arriving in India after a long flight, do you really want to try to navigate around in locating a place to get a SIM card?
Well, for my current trip, I’ve been in India now for over 2 months, and I still haven’t bothered with an Indian SIM card since the T-Mobile coverage has suited me just fine!
Is it better to get a local SIM card instead of using T-Mobile’s international coverage?
Are there times in which I wish I had 4G data? Sure.
Are there times which I think having an Indian number would be helpful? Sure.
There are definite benefits to getting a local SIM card.
But it hasn’t been so much of an inconvenience that I’ve felt a strong desire to get one.
Plus, it’s nice to be able to text back home, for free!
T-Mobile coverage or Indian SIM card: Both will help you when you travel!
No matter which option you choose, there are definite benefits to traveling with access to data on the road!
T-Mobile coverage in India has served me very well in many situations:
- Being able to call my host from the airport
- Being able to message my host through airbnb
- Being able to use Uber all over Jaipur in Rajasthan
- Navigating my way around cities using Google Maps. (An alternative can be offline maps, but live maps are always the best!)
- Connecting my laptop to the T-Mobile hotspot so I can be online on my computer!
And much more!!
2G data with T-Mobile means that using Google can definitely be slow, so it just means a little bit of extra patience.
Still, I just love having the option.
Where can you get T-Mobile coverage in India?
If you look at the T-Mobile coverage map for India, it’s not that encouraging.
It would make you believe that there’s a slim chance you’ll get coverage for most travel around India!
The current map shows that you get almost no coverage in Rajasthan, and that just wasn’t true.
If you’ll be mostly traveling on the tourist trail, T-Mobile will likely serve you well.
T-Mobile and Vodafone India
From what I have seen on my phone, T-Mobile always connects to the Vodafone India network.
So it would seem that anywhere there’s good Vodafone India coverage, you’ll get T-Mobile coverage. Vodafone is among the best mobile networks in India. Airtel is another good network if you are looking to get a SIM card in India.
Cities in India with T-Mobile coverage
These are the places that I have personally used T-Mobile coverage in India:
List to be updated!
HAPPY T-MOBILE COVERAGE IN INDIA!
There are affiliate links on this page. Among other partners, as an Amazon Associate, I may receive a commission.
🐠 Here are things you must consider packing!
- Swimsuit or swimming shirt aka rash guard
- rash guard: swim set for women and swim shirt for men
- Water shoes
- Waterproof phone case (so you can capture pictures of fishies underwater!)
- cheapo phone case OR waterproof camera
- I also have this "camera" wrist float to attach to my cheapo waterproof phone case so my phone won't sink to the bottom of the ocean in case I somehow let go of it. (Mine does stay afloat - test this for yourself before completely trusting it!)
- Swimming goggles or snorkeling mask set
- Reef-safe(r) sunscreen
- lightweight travel towel:
- walking sandals:
I also don't go snorkeling without a personal swim float buoy. Not only does it help to keep me visible, but it makes for a perfect way to rest out in deeper water! Oh, and it also serves as a dry bag so I can take stuff into the water with me.
Another way I have taken valuables into the water with me is to wear a travel money belt that I don't mind getting wet with salt water (it's not waterproof but I have several so I just use one of them) and then I put things in a ziplock freezer bag, and put that freezer bag in the money belt.
There are also designated waterproof waist pouches that you can store your valuables and take into the water with you.
see more:
- What to wear hiking
- What to wear snorkeling