Verizon in Paris: What to Know about Using your Phone in Europe

Wondering if you can use your Verizon phone in Paris? The answer is yes, you can use Verizon in Paris and the cell service is quite good throughout the city.

I’ve used my Verizon phone several times while traveling throughout Europe, including Paris.

In fact, Paris was the very first international city I ever visited and so of course I was worried about if my cell service would be decent (especially as a female traveler)! I ended up having a good experience using Verizon in Paris, and you can too.

However, there are some important things to consider when using your Verizon phone abroad which are listed below.

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4 Things to Know about Using Verizon in Paris

1. Choosing the Right Plan: Verizon Travel Pass vs. International Monthly Plan

This is by far the most important tip in this entire post: make sure to choose the correct plan. Also, make sure to choose a plan to avoid paying insane roaming charges!

For short term travel to Paris, you have 2 options: the Verizon Travel Pass or the International Monthly Plan. Which option you choose should depend on how long your trip is.

If your trip is 9 days or less, you can use the Verizon Travel Pass. If your trip is 10 days or more than its a much better deal to get the Monthly International Plan.

Verizon Travel Pass

The Verizon Travel Pass costs $10 per day for 24 hours of phone usage. Once you are signed up for the plan, it automatically activates each day you use your phone in Paris.

Here is what is included in Verizon’s Travel Pass:
☑️ Unlimited Texts
☑️ Unlimited Calls
☑️ 2GB of Daily High Speed Data (After it is Unlimited 3G Data)

Verizon International Monthly Plan

The Verizon International Monthly Plan costs $100 for the entire month.

Here is what’s included for the Verizon International Monthly Plan:
☑️ Unlimited Texts
☑️ 250 Minutes of Calls
☑️ 20GB of High Speed Data (After it is Unlimited 3G Data).

I traveled Europe for a month recently using data for Google Maps all the time and the 20GB of data was completely sufficient (just use Wifi when at your hotel, restaurants, etc.).

Additionally, if you are concerned about the 250 minutes of phone calls just remember you can use WIFI calling or even FaceTime to speak with friends and family back home.

If you go on an 11 day trip using Verizon’s Travel Pass you’ll pay $110 and may run out of data towards the end. If you use the Verizon International Monthly Plan you’ll only pay $100. It’s really a no brainer!

2. Cell Service is Excellent for Verizon in Paris

It is easy to use your Verizon phone in Paris, especially as it is a major city with plenty of cell towers. In my experience, the cell service has always been great and I haven’t experienced any issues.

I’ve actually used Verizon throughout Europe and had great service in most places. The only places I didn’t have good service was more remote locations like East Iceland and in the mountains of Croatia.

3. Contact Verizon Before Your Trip

If you haven’t used Verizon abroad before, you’ll want to contact Verizon customer service and have them add either the Travel Pass or International Monthly Plan to your account.

The plan won’t actually start until you are in France, but you need to have it set up first.

4. Restart Your Phone on Arrival

Those long-haul, overnight flights from the US to Europe can leave you tired and stressed. The last thing you want is for your phone service to not work when you get off the plane.

This actually happened to me, and of course I was thinking that my phone just wouldn’t work in Europe and slightly freaking out.

Turns out, the answer is that you just need to restart your phone once you arrive for it to recognize your in a new country.

Other Options to Use your Verizon Phone in Europe

Use WhatsApp

WhatsApp is an app that you can use to communicate via phone or text via wifi and avoid using your phone plan. You can text anyone that also has WhatsApp.

WhatsApp can be really useful because a lot of Europeans use it. I’ve used it on multiple occasions, and it works really well.

WhatsApp does require wifi, which is why I personally still get the Verizon International Plan so that I have data.

Get a Local Sim Card

It is also possible to get a local sim card, and replace your sim card while out of the country. However, you must have a completely unlocked phone to do this.

Your phone number will also be changed for as long as you have the sim card in.

FAQ: Verizon in Paris

Conclusion: Verizon in Paris

Using your Verizon phone in Paris is easy and worth it. If you are going to Paris for 9 days or less, its best to sign up for the Travel Pass which is $10 per day. For longer trips of 10 days or more, its a great idea to consider the International Monthly Plan which is $100 for the entire month.

Heading to Paris? Make Sure to Check Out these Related Posts:
🇫🇷 25 Hidden Gems in Paris
🇫🇷 Is Paris Overrated? 11 Things to Consider
🇫🇷 Do They Speak English in Paris? Or Do I Need to Speak French?
🇫🇷 Visiting the Eiffel Tower in Winter
🇫🇷 Is Versailles Worth It in Winter?