How To Text and Make Internet Calls for Free When You Travel

If you’re used to spending a small fortune on calls and limiting your text messaging whilst on holidays, the good news is that times have changed!

With the Internet at our disposal, it’s actually gotten really easy to bypass “ye old and expensive mobile network”, and make use of handy apps to stay in touch with family and friends instead.

Honestly, this article makes more sense once you've spent a few minutes with eSIM travel guide. It walks through the broader landscape — the choices most travellers don't realise they're making, the bits that tend to feel obvious in hindsight, and the practical order to think about things in. Start there if you can, then loop back here for the specifics.

Not only is communicating through these apps much cheaper and often free, they also offer a stack of extra features that don’t exist with the more traditional telephone service option.

All you need is a working Internet or 3G connection, and you’re good to go!

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So, how does making calls over the Internet work?

Without getting too technical here, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communication works by converting phonecalls into data.

Instead of being restricted by physical cable lines, this data zips around through high-speed internet. It’s fast, reliable, and generally sounds as clear and crisp as a landline call.

If this has been useful, using an eSIM is probably the next one to bookmark. It stays in the same lane but goes harder on the practical side — what to actually do, in what order, and what tends to go sideways when travellers do it the obvious way. Reading them back to back gives you a clearer picture than either of them does alone.

This might sound complicated, but it's actually pretty simple to talk and text over the Internet if you’ve got the right apps!

Generally, you’re limited to only contacting other app users, but the perks are that anyone with a smartphone can use them, it’s really easy to sign up, and totally free.

However, there are some apps that also support calling landlines or mobile numbers, which makes things even easier.

Here are our top picks:

WhatsApp

WhatsApp is one of our top 7 travel apps. It uses very little data to work its magic, and you can get in touch with people on any type of device, so long as they also have an account. You sign up by confirming your mobile number, then everything works over WiFi or cellular data.

Speaking of which — How To Make International Calls While Overseas is the natural next read after this one. It follows the same kind of thinking but tackles the bits this article doesn't have room to cover properly: the edge cases, the carrier-specific quirks, and the things you only really notice once you've actually been through the process yourself. Worth a few minutes if any of the above raised more questions than it answered.

Speaking of which — How To Make International Calls While Overseas is the natural next read after this one. It follows the same kind of thinking but tackles the bits this article doesn't have room to cover properly: the edge cases, the carrier-specific quirks, and the things you only really notice once you've actually been through the process yourself. Worth a few minutes if any of the above raised more questions than it answered.

If you click to start a new chat, you can clearly see which of your contacts are also on WhatsApp. From there, you can send text messages, photos, videos, share your location and call for free, no matter where you are in the world.

There’s also a web and desktop version of Whastapp, which is really useful if you don’t have access to your phone for whatever reason.

The only catch with this one is you can’t make calls to landline phones or non-users, and you need an existing phone number to create an account.

• Uses your real phone number
• Free calls, texts, photos, videos with other users
• Works on mobile, desktop and web
• Can’t call non-users or landlines

Viber

Pretty similar to WhatsApp, Viber is another option for app to app communication. It can be used on both mobile and desktop devices.

After signing up with your number, the app scopes out your contact list to find other Viber users, and from there everything is managed within the app. And yes, everything you send or receive from other Viber accounts is absolutely free. Photos, videos, you name it.

If this has been useful, Mastering Travel: A Comprehensive Guide on How to Turn Off International Roaming is probably the next one to bookmark. It stays in the same lane but goes harder on the practical side — what to actually do, in what order, and what tends to go sideways when travellers do it the obvious way. Reading them back to back gives you a clearer picture than either of them does alone.

If you need to send & receive calls and texts from non-users, you can opt to sign up for a local number in certain countries, but that does incur a fee.

• Is activated via your real phone number
• Free calls, texts, photos, videos with other users
• Works on mobile and desktop
• Can sign up for a local number, for a fee.

Skype

Primarily known as a platform for Internet phone and video calls, Skype allows pretty much any variation of communication.

Yes, app to app calls and texts are totally free, but that isn’t what you’re limited to. Skype actually has a feature that enables calling and receiving calls from non-Skype phone numbers - for a small fee. Very useful if you’re on the road and need to make a quick call to a landline.

Quick tip: keep eSIM travel guide open in another tab for the practical side of this.

The app works well on both mobile and desktop devices; you just need to sign up for an account and connect with other users, either by using the public Skype directory or by adding people via their username.

Though it also supports text messaging, this is one we moreso rate on its phone and video call capacity.

• Doesn’t use a real phone number
• Free calls, texts, photos, videos with other users
• Works on mobile and desktop
• Can call landlines and non-users, for a fee.

Facebook Messenger

Though limited to Facebook users, Facebook Messenger is worth a mention as so many of us already have accounts. It’s a no-brainer in terms of convenience.

This messaging service supports texts, GIFs, photos, videos, and also offers both video and phone calls. All you need is to be “friends” on Facebook, find the person in your contact list and start chatting.

A practical next move from here is travelling in Bali.

Facebook Messenger works online as well as via the mobile app. Unfortunately you can’t call landlines or “real” phone numbers, but chances are the people you want to stay in touch with on this more personal platform will also have the app.

We go hands-on with this in Europe travel tips.

• Works from you Facebook account = all your contacts.
• Free calls, texts, photos, videos with other users
• Works on mobile and desktop
• Can’t call landlines and non-users

FaceTime & iMessage

This one is specific to Apple iOS users, so apologies to any Android people out there.

Perhaps an obvious one, arguably the easiest way to save money on calls and texts while you travel is just to use the iOS services iMessage and FaceTime with other Apple users.

iMessage is just a better version of normal SMS. You can send links, images, videos, group messages and even voice recordings using the little microphone icon.

You might’ve noticed that when you iPhone, iPad and Mac users, the messages show up as blue. That basically means they’re being sent via the Internet and not costing you mobile network texting fees. This is good. Use this.

FaceTime is another Apple iOS app that you might not have used before. It’s already installed on every iOS device and is super convenient for making calls. All you need to do is start a new FaceTime and choose audio or video.

Good next step: visiting Japan.

If you’re using an iPhone, you can actually see little FaceTime video and telephone widgets when you click on a contact. Super easy.

• Works from your iPhone or Mac
• Free calls, texts, photos, videos with other Apple iOS users
• Works on mobile and desktop
• Doesn’t work for landlines or Android users

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How can I make free calls while travelling abroad?

You can use internet-based apps such as WhatsApp, Viber, Facebook Messenger, FaceTime or iMessage to communicate with other users over Wi-Fi or mobile data. Some services charge fees for calls to regular phone numbers.

2. Do internet calls work without Wi-Fi?

Yes. Internet calling apps can also use mobile data from your regular SIM or a travel eSIM. A stable connection is important for clear audio and video.

3. Can I send free text messages internationally?

Yes. Apps such as WhatsApp, Viber and Facebook Messenger let you send messages over the internet without standard international SMS charges. Both people generally need to use the same service.

4. Does WhatsApp work internationally?

Yes. WhatsApp works in many countries wherever you have an internet connection and access to the service. You can message and call other WhatsApp users without paying standard international calling rates, although data charges may apply.

5. Can WhatsApp call landlines?

No. WhatsApp voice and video calls are designed for communication between WhatsApp users, not regular landline or mobile phone numbers.

6. Is Viber free to use overseas?

Viber-to-Viber calls and messages are generally free when using an internet connection. Calls to regular phone numbers or certain additional services may incur charges.

7. Can I use Skype to call regular phone numbers?

Skype historically offered paid calls to landlines and mobile numbers. However, its consumer service was retired in May 2025, so travellers should check Microsoft's current Skype-related options rather than rely on the old service.

8. Can Facebook Messenger make international calls?

Yes. Messenger supports internet-based voice and video calls between users where the service is available. Both parties need internet access, and calls to regular landlines or mobile numbers are not generally supported.

9. Are FaceTime and iMessage free when travelling?

FaceTime calls and iMessages sent to other Apple users can use Wi-Fi or mobile data instead of traditional call or SMS services. Mobile data charges may still apply if you aren't connected to Wi-Fi.

10. Can I use FaceTime to call an Android phone?

FaceTime is available on Apple devices, but Android users can join certain FaceTime calls through a web browser using an invitation link. They cannot use the native FaceTime app in the same way as Apple users.

11. Do internet calls use mobile data?

Yes. Unless you're connected to Wi-Fi, internet calls and messages use mobile data. Video calls generally consume more data than voice calls or text messages.

12. Will a travel eSIM help me avoid roaming charges?

A travel eSIM can provide mobile data through a separate travel plan, helping you avoid using your home carrier's expensive roaming data. Keep your home SIM's roaming settings in mind, as calls and SMS through that line may still incur fees.

13. Should I turn off data roaming when travelling?

If you want to avoid unexpected roaming charges, turning off data roaming on your home SIM is a useful precaution. Check your phone's SIM settings carefully if you use a travel eSIM as well.

14. What is the cheapest way to stay connected overseas?

Using free Wi-Fi where practical and a suitable travel eSIM or local SIM for mobile data is often an affordable approach. The best option depends on your destination, data usage and whether you need to make calls to regular phone numbers.

15. Do both people need the same app to make free internet calls?

Usually, yes. For example, WhatsApp calls require both people to use WhatsApp, while FaceTime and Messenger have their own compatibility requirements. Check the app's features before relying on it during your trip.