Bells HardingstoneYou are about to board a flight. Your bags are packed. Your passport is ready. But is your phone ready? If you are travelling outside South Africa, you need to ensure your Vodacom SIM will work when you land. Otherwise, you will be stranded without maps, without Uber, and without a way to call home.
Roaming allows you to use your Vodacom number on foreign networks. You can make calls, send SMS, and use data just like you do at home, though at international rates.
This guide covers everything you need to know about activating roaming on Vodacom. We explain how to activate it, check if it is already active, understand the costs, and avoid bill shock.
How To Activate Roaming On Vodacom: Complete Guide
What Is Roaming?
Roaming is the ability to use your mobile phone on another network when you are outside your home network’s coverage area. When you travel internationally, your Vodacom SIM connects to partner networks in the country you are visiting.
There are two types of roaming:
International roaming: When you travel outside South Africa.
National roaming: When you are in South Africa but outside Vodacom’s coverage area, though this is less common now as Vodacom covers most of the country.
This guide focuses on international roaming.
Quick Reference: Vodacom Roaming Codes
Check roaming status: 135 7
Activate roaming: 135 77
Deactivate roaming: 135 770
Vodacom roaming support from abroad: +27 82 111
Method 1: Check If Roaming Is Already Active
Before you travel, check whether roaming is already enabled on your line. Many Vodacom contracts have roaming activated by default.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Dial 135 7.
3. Press call.
4. You will receive an SMS with your account details.
5. Look for a line that says Roaming or International Roaming.
6. It will indicate whether roaming is enabled or disabled.
You can also check in the MyVodacom app under Services or Roaming.
Method 2: Activate Roaming Via USSD
If roaming is not active, you can activate it instantly using a USSD code.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open your phone dialler.
2. Dial 135 77.
3. Press call.
4. You will receive a confirmation SMS that international roaming has been activated.
5. The activation is usually immediate.
This method works for both prepaid and contract customers.
Method 3: Activate Roaming Via MyVodacom App
The MyVodacom app offers a simple way to manage roaming settings.
Step-by-Step:
1. Open the MyVodacom app.
2. Log in with your credentials.
3. Navigate to Services or Roaming.
4. Look for International Roaming or Roaming Settings.
5. Toggle the switch to ON.
6. Confirm the activation.
7. You will receive confirmation that roaming is now active.
You can also use the app to:
Check roaming rates for specific countries.
Purchase roaming bundles.
Set spending limits.
Monitor your roaming usage.
Method 4: Activate Roaming Via Vodacom Website
If you have access to a computer, you can activate roaming through the Vodacom website.
Step-by-Step:
1. Go to www.vodacom.co.za.
2. Log in to My Vodacom.
3. Navigate to Services or Roaming.
4. Select Activate International Roaming.
5. Confirm the activation.
6. You will receive an SMS confirmation.
Method 5: Activate Roaming By Calling Vodacom
If you prefer speaking to someone, you can call Vodacom to activate roaming.
Step-by-Step:
1. Dial 082 111 from your Vodacom line or +27 82 111 from any phone.
2. Follow the prompts to speak to a consultant.
3. Request that international roaming be activated on your line.
4. The consultant will verify your identity.
5. Roaming will be activated within minutes.
Method 6: Activate Roaming For Prepaid Customers
Prepaid customers may need to take additional steps to ensure roaming works.
Requirements for prepaid roaming:
You must have sufficient airtime balance. Roaming calls deduct from your airtime at international rates.
Your SIM must be active and in good standing.
You may need to have used the SIM in South Africa for a certain period to prevent fraud.
Activation:
Prepaid customers can use any of the methods above. The USSD code 135 77 works for prepaid as well.
Important: Prepaid customers do not have a credit limit. If you run out of airtime while roaming, your service will stop. You cannot go into debt.
Method 7: Purchase A Roaming Bundle
Once roaming is activated, you should consider buying a roaming bundle. These bundles offer significantly cheaper rates than pay-as-you-go roaming.
Available bundles:
Daily bundles: Fixed data amount valid for 24 hours.
Weekly bundles: More data, valid for 7 days.
Regional bundles: For specific regions like Africa, Europe, or Asia.
Global bundles: For worldwide use.
How to buy:
1. Open the MyVodacom app.
2. Go to Shop or Roaming Bundles.
3. Select your destination and required bundle.
4. Complete the purchase.
5. The bundle activates immediately.
Via USSD:
1. Dial 135 77.
2. Follow the prompts to view and purchase roaming bundles.
What Happens When You Arrive At Your Destination
Once you have roaming activated and have landed at your destination, your phone should automatically connect to a partner network.
Step-by-Step:
1. When you land, turn on your phone.
2. Disable airplane mode.
3. Your phone will search for available networks.
4. It should automatically connect to Vodacom’s preferred partner.
5. You will receive a welcome SMS with local roaming rates.
If your phone does not connect automatically:
1. Go to your phone’s network settings.
2. Turn off Automatic network selection.
3. Manually select a network from the list.
4. Choose one of the networks Vodacom partners with, as listed in the welcome SMS or app.
Roaming Costs 2026
Roaming rates vary by destination. Here are approximate costs:
Zone 1: Africa SADC region
Calls: R19.99 per minute
SMS: R3.50 per message
Data: R5.00 per MB
Zone 2: Europe and UK
Calls: R24.99 per minute
SMS: R4.50 per message
Data: R7.50 per MB
Zone 3: Rest of World
Calls: R29.99 per minute
SMS: R5.50 per message
Data: R10.00 per MB
Roaming bundles:
100MB daily: R99
500MB weekly: R399
1GB weekly: R699
3GB monthly: R1,499
These are estimates. Check the MyVodacom app for exact rates for your destination.
How To Avoid Bill Shock
Roaming can be expensive if you are not careful. Follow these tips to avoid massive bills:
1. Buy a roaming bundle. Always cheaper than pay-as-you-go.
2. Turn off data roaming when not needed. Use Wi-Fi where available.
3. Disable automatic app updates. They can eat data in the background.
4. Use WhatsApp and other VoIP apps over Wi-Fi for free calls and messages.
5. Download offline maps before you travel. Google Maps allows this.
6. Set a spending limit in the MyVodacom app.
7. Monitor your usage regularly via the app or by dialling 135 7.
How To Deactivate Roaming
When you return to South Africa, you may want to deactivate roaming to prevent accidental usage if your phone connects to a foreign network near the border.
Via USSD:
1. Dial 135 770.
2. Press call.
3. Confirm deactivation.
4. You will receive an SMS confirmation.
Via MyVodacom app:
1. Open the app.
2. Go to Services or Roaming.
3. Toggle international roaming to OFF.
4. Confirm.
Common Questions, SEO FAQ Section
Do I need to activate roaming before I travel?
Yes. Activate roaming while you are still in South Africa. It may not work if you try to activate it after you have already left.
Can I use roaming on prepaid?
Yes. Prepaid customers can roam, but must have sufficient airtime balance. You cannot roam into debt.
Will I receive SMS while roaming?
Yes. Incoming SMS are usually free. You are charged for sending SMS.
Can I receive calls while roaming?
Yes. Incoming calls are charged at the same rate as outgoing calls in most countries. Check the rates for your destination.
What is the emergency number while roaming?
Dial 112 from any mobile phone anywhere in the world. It will connect you to local emergency services.
Can I use my Vodacom data bundle while roaming?
No. Your South African data bundle does not work overseas. You must use a roaming bundle or pay-as-you-go.
How do I know which network to select?
Your phone will usually select automatically. If not, choose a network from the list in the welcome SMS or app.
What if roaming does not work when I arrive?
Try manual network selection. If that fails, contact Vodacom on +27 82 111. Calls may be charged.
Can I roam on a ship or plane?
Some cruise ships and airlines offer roaming, but these are separate services not covered by Vodacom roaming. They are extremely expensive. Use airplane mode.
Is 5G available while roaming?
In some countries, yes. Vodacom has 5G roaming agreements with certain partners. Check the app for details.
Summary: Which Method Should You Use?
Use USSD 135 77 if:
You want the fastest method.
You have a basic phone.
You are comfortable with codes.
Use MyVodacom app if:
You have a smartphone.
You want to also buy bundles.
You prefer a graphical interface.
Use Vodacom website if:
You are on a computer.
You want to manage your account online.
Call 082 111 if:
You prefer speaking to someone.
You have questions about rates or bundles.
Other methods are not working.
Final Warning: Roaming Is Expensive
Roaming is convenient, but it is not cheap. A few minutes of video streaming can cost hundreds of Rands. A short call can cost more than a meal.
Always:
Buy a roaming bundle.
Use Wi-Fi where possible.
Monitor your usage.
Set spending limits.
If you are travelling for an extended period, consider buying a local SIM card in your destination country. It is almost always cheaper than roaming.
Official Vodacom Support: +27 82 111 from abroad or www.vodacom.co.za
MyVodacom App: Download from Google Play or Apple App Store
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This guide was last updated for 2026 standards. Vodacom roaming rates, bundle prices, and partner networks are subject to change without notice. Always verify current information in the MyVodacom app or with Vodacom directly before travelling.