BlogHow to Use a Virtual Phone Number When Traveling Abroad?

How to Use a Virtual Phone Number When Traveling Abroad?

How to Use a Virtual Number When Traveling Abroad in 2025?

Relying on your regular home number while travelling abroad can be tricky. You may face expensive roaming charges, network issues, or trouble using local services that require a number from that country. On the other hand, switching SIM cards can make it hard for your friends, family, or clients to reach you.

A virtual phone number can help you solve this. It lets you stay connected from anywhere in the world without changing SIMs, paying extra, or losing touch with people who matter.

But just having a virtual number isn’t enough. If you don’t know how to set it up or use it the right way, you might still miss calls or run into connection problems.

So, in this article, we’ll guide you on how to use a virtual number when traveling, the key benefits it offers, and the best practices to make your travel communication smooth and stress-free.

Key Highlights:

  • Virtual numbers help you skip costly roaming fees while using a single phone number worldwide.
  • Virtual phone numbers let you make and receive calls over the internet. Your friends, family, and clients can contact you on your existing phone number, no matter where you travel.
  • To use a virtual phone number when traveling, simply purchase the number from a provider, configure it in your existing device, and start making calls through VoIP apps.
  • Keep a portable Wi-Fi as backup, as VoIP calling depends on the internet connection.

Why Use a Virtual Number for Travel?

You can use a virtual phone number when traveling to avoid roaming charges, protect your primary number, and stay connected using your local number. It also offers you the flexibility to make and receive calls on different devices, and use local services without buying a new SIM card.

use of virtual number while travelling

1. Avoid Expensive Roaming Charges

Traditional mobile networks charge high roaming fees when you use your number outside your home country. Every call, text, or even incoming message can add to your bill. But if you use virtual numbers, you can avoid such expensive roaming charges, as it allows you to make calls over the internet, not through your carrier’s roaming network.

2. Maintain Privacy

When you’re traveling, sharing your personal phone number can compromise your privacy. Hotels, taxis, or new business contacts may end up with your real number, increasing the risk of spam or unwanted follow-up calls later. Using a separate virtual number can protect your personal number and ensure your conversations remain secure, no matter where you are in the world.

3. Use Your Home Number to Stay Connected

With a virtual phone number, you don’t have to give up your number while traveling. Family, friends, or clients can reach you on the same number they already know. This saves you from the hassle of constantly updating people with a temporary number. You can stay accessible on your existing number and avoid missing important calls while abroad.

4. Flexibility

A virtual phone number works on various devices (mobile, computers, tablets, or laptops) with internet access. You can just log in to any device with an internet connection and switch between devices easily. It ensures you never miss calls, even if one device runs out of battery or loses signal.

5. Use Local Service Without Buying a New SIM

In some places, you may even need a local phone number to use certain services. For example, some US-based services such as Venmo, Uber, Lyft, or Craigslist may require a US phone number to register. However, buying a new SIM card can be difficult and time-consuming. In such cases, you can easily get a US virtual phone number online and access local services in America.

Get a Calilio virtual number—skip roaming fees and enjoy clear calls anywhere.

How to Use a Virtual Phone Number When Traveling?

To use a virtual phone number for travel, start by choosing a VoIP provider that offers global coverage, pick a virtual phone number, and configure the VoIP app on your device. Then, you can start making and receiving calls through the app over the internet.

  1. Choose a VoIP provider and get a virtual number
    Pick a trusted provider that offers global coverage and reliable call quality. Register and purchase your desired virtual number from the provider.
     
  2. Install the VoIP app on your device
    Download the provider’s app on your smartphone, tablet, or computer. This app is your main tool for calling, texting, and managing settings.
     
  3. Start making and receiving calls
    Once set up, you can use your virtual number to call or text anyone when travelling to any place. Just ensure a reliable internet connection.
     
  4. Set up call forwarding (optional)
    If you want to keep your existing local number active while abroad, activate the call forwarding option on your home number to transfer the calls to your new virtual phone number.

Best Practices of Using a Virtual Number When Travelling

When using a virtual number while traveling, set up call forwarding rules to manage calls across different time zones and enable voicemail-to-email so you never miss an important message. Also, consider keeping a backup internet option to stay connected without interruption. And if you’re traveling with a team, use number sharing for better coordination.

1. Use Call Forwarding Rules for Time Zones

When you travel, make sure your virtual number is set up with call forwarding rules that match your current time zone. Most providers let you customize forwarding schedules so that calls can ring directly to your mobile during the day and go to VoIP voicemail or another number after hours.

2. Enable Voicemail-to-Email for Important Messages

It’s easy to miss calls when you are on the move. With voicemail-to-email, every voice message lands directly in your inbox. You can listen, reply, or take notes anytime, without worrying about missing critical updates.

3. Use Number Sharing If Traveling with a Team

If you are traveling with colleagues or family, number sharing makes things simple. Multiple users can handle calls on the same virtual number. This ensures no call goes unanswered and responsibilities are shared.

4. Keep a Backup Internet Option

VoIP depends on a stable internet connection. Always keep a backup, such as a portable Wi-Fi device. With this, you can stay connected even when public Wi-Fi is slow or unavailable.

Conclusion

Staying connected while traveling doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a virtual number, you can avoid roaming charges, keep the same contact details, and enjoy flexible communication on any device. It’s a simple, reliable way to make sure you never miss an important call or message, no matter where you are in the world.

Calilio’s virtual phone number makes travel communication even easier. It offers global coverage, and the call quality is clear no matter where you are. Additionally, it comes with the essential telephony features when traveling, such as call forwarding, voicemail-to-email, number sharing, and more.
 

Join Calilio today and experience a smarter, more affordable way to stay connected, whether you’re on a short trip or a long journey.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my existing phone number when I use a virtual number abroad?

Yes. A virtual number isn’t tied to a SIM card and works online. Calls to your regular number can be forwarded to your virtual number on any device, so you stay reachable anywhere.

Do virtual numbers help reduce international roaming charges?

Can I use the same virtual number on multiple devices?

FAQ Illustration

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