In-Depth12 min read

Best Carrier To Switch To From Total By Verizon For Travel - Complete Guide

By Prepaid Report Team

February 18, 2026

Data-Verified

Aspect	Detail
Our Pick	Visible
Best For	Travelers on a budget
Price	$25/month
Network	Verizon
Our Score	10/11

View Visible Plans →

If you're on Total by Verizon and planning a trip — whether a road trip across the country or a weekend getaway — you may be wondering if there's a better carrier to switch to that handles travel coverage more gracefully. The best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for travel depends on your priorities, but one option stands out above the rest: Visible, a Verizon-powered MVNO that delivers nationwide coverage at just $25/month with taxes included.

Bottom Line: Visible runs on Verizon's network (just like Total by Verizon), but offers a cleaner, more modern plan structure at $25/month with taxes included, unlimited hotspot, and no contracts. For travelers in the U.S., it's the easiest, most cost-effective upgrade. If you need flexibility or international data, US Mobile is worth a serious look.

Why Travelers Are Leaving Total by Verizon

Total by Verizon (formerly Total Wireless) is a solid budget carrier, but it has some real limitations that become apparent when you're on the road. Hotspot speeds are throttled, customer service can be hit-or-miss, and the plan options don't offer much flexibility for someone who needs more data when traveling but less at home.

For travelers, network reliability is everything. You need a carrier that works in cities, on highways, in national parks, and in smaller towns where coverage gaps can become safety issues. That's why sticking with a Verizon-based network — or upgrading to one with more features — makes sense for most people making the switch.

The good news is that several MVNOs offer superior plans for travelers, many of which run on the same Verizon network you already depend on.

What Makes a Great Travel Carrier?

Before diving into specific recommendations, it helps to know what separates a travel-friendly carrier from a basic budget option. Not every cheap prepaid plan is built for the kind of data demands travel puts on your phone.

Network Coverage

The most important factor is coverage. Verizon has the widest rural coverage in the U.S., making Verizon-based MVNOs the go-to for road trippers and anyone venturing outside major metro areas. T-Mobile's network is excellent in cities and suburbs but can be spotty in remote regions.

Hotspot Data

When you're traveling, your phone becomes a mobile office and entertainment system. You need hotspot access to connect laptops in hotel rooms, share data with travel companions, or navigate when Wi-Fi is unreliable. Many budget plans severely limit or throttle hotspot speeds — a dealbreaker for serious travelers.

Flexible Plan Options

The best travel carriers let you change plans month-to-month without penalty. If you use a lot of data in December during a holiday trip but very little in January at home, you want the freedom to scale up and down without fees.

Price Transparency

Hidden fees and taxes that aren't included in the advertised price are a frustration. Carriers like Visible advertise $25/month with taxes and fees included — what you see is what you pay.

Best Carrier to Switch to From Total by Verizon for Travel

Here's a breakdown of the top carriers to consider when making the switch, ranked by their suitability for travelers.

Visible — Best Overall for U.S. Travel

Visible earns our top score of 10/11 and is the strongest recommendation for most people leaving Total by Verizon. It runs on Verizon's full nationwide network, so you'll experience the same (or better) coverage you already rely on — without the limitations of Total by Verizon's plan structure.

At $25/month with taxes included, Visible offers unlimited data, unlimited talk and text, and unlimited hotspot. The hotspot is unlimited in terms of data, though speeds are shared and may vary. For a traveler who needs consistent access without worrying about hitting a data cap, this is a major upgrade.

Visible also has a strong track record on security — no reported data breaches — which is increasingly important when you're connecting to hotel Wi-Fi and public networks on the road. There are no contracts, no hidden fees, and activation is fully digital.

If you're primarily a domestic traveler and want the best value on Verizon's network, Visible is the clear winner.

See Full Visible Review →

US Mobile — Best for Network Flexibility

US Mobile earns a 9.5/11 score and is the most flexible option on this list. What makes it uniquely suited for travelers is that it supports all three major networks — Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T — under a single provider. You can choose which network you want when you sign up, or mix and match across lines on a family plan.

US Mobile's "build-a-plan" approach lets you customize talk, text, and data to exactly what you need. This is ideal for travelers who want to right-size their plan month by month. The carrier also supports eSIM, making it easy to switch networks or add a line without physically swapping SIM cards — a huge convenience when traveling.

Pricing starts low and scales up based on usage, and like Visible, US Mobile has had no reported data breaches. For travelers who want maximum control over their coverage and costs, US Mobile is a top-tier alternative.

Tello — Best Budget Pick for Road Trippers

Tello scores 9.5/11 and runs on T-Mobile's network. While T-Mobile doesn't match Verizon's rural reach, it's an excellent network for highway corridors, mid-size cities, and suburban areas. Tello's standout feature for travelers is unlimited hotspot on every plan — even the cheapest ones.

Plans start as low as $8/month and go up to $25/month for unlimited data. There are no contracts, and you can change your plan any month. Tello has a clean security record with no data breaches, which puts it ahead of several better-known carriers.

If you're primarily traveling through populated areas and want to save money without sacrificing hotspot access, Tello is a great pick. It's especially compelling for light data users who don't need Verizon's rural depth but still want a reliable, affordable plan on the road.

For a deeper look at how budget carriers compare on coverage and price, check out our guide to the best prepaid plans for road trips.

Carrier Comparison Table for Travelers

Feature	Visible	US Mobile	Tello
Network	Verizon	Verizon/T-Mobile/AT&T	T-Mobile
Price	$25/mo	$5–$44/mo	$8–$25/mo
Taxes Included	✅ Yes	Varies	No
Hotspot	Unlimited	Yes	Unlimited
eSIM Support	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
No Data Breach	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Our Score	10/11	9.5/11	9.5/11
Contract	None	None	None

What About International Travel?

If your travels take you outside the United States, the calculus changes. Most domestic MVNOs — including Visible, Tello, and US Mobile's base plans — don't offer international roaming or coverage abroad. For international trips, you'll either need a carrier that supports international plans, or a travel eSIM solution.

Why Trust Our Analysis? We evaluate carriers on 11 data-driven criteria including security features (2FA, SIM PIN protection), data breach history, and real user experience. Our rankings are based on verifiable facts, not paid placements.

Google Fi scores 5.5/11 in our rankings and is worth mentioning here specifically because of its international coverage in 200+ countries. It runs on T-Mobile's domestic network and lets you use your data abroad at no extra charge on the Simply Unlimited and Flexible plans. However, it's more expensive than the options above and has a lower overall score due to other limitations.

For most travelers, a smarter approach is to use a top domestic carrier like Visible or US Mobile and add a travel eSIM for international trips.

Need Data Abroad?

Your MVNO plan won't work internationally. For travel, we recommend Saily eSIM — instant travel data in 200+ countries:

Works alongside your existing US number
No physical SIM swap needed
Plans from $4.99
Instant activation via app
Made by the NordVPN team

Get Saily Travel eSIM →

Making the Switch: What to Know Before You Port

Switching from Total by Verizon is straightforward, but there are a few things to keep in mind to avoid service interruptions while traveling.

Keep Your Number Active Until You're Ready

Don't cancel your Total by Verizon service before initiating the port to your new carrier. Canceling early can result in losing your number. Initiate the transfer from your new carrier's side, and they'll handle the rest.

Have Your Account Info Ready

You'll need your Total by Verizon account number and PIN to port your number. You can find these in your account settings or by calling Total by Verizon customer service.

Time It Right

If you have a big trip coming up, try to switch at least a week before you leave. This gives you time to test coverage, confirm hotspot works, and resolve any issues before you're dependent on service in an unfamiliar location.

For more detail on the switching process, read our step-by-step guide to porting your number to a new carrier.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with Visible or any of the carriers above, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
7 years of software updates
Excellent camera and battery life
Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

Who Each Carrier Is Best For

Not every traveler has the same needs. Here's a quick breakdown to help you match your travel style to the right carrier.

Choose Visible If…

You want the best Verizon coverage at the lowest flat price. You travel primarily within the U.S., especially in rural or highway-heavy areas. You want hotspot included and hate surprise fees on your bill.

Choose US Mobile If…

You want flexibility to pick your network based on where you're traveling. You travel with family and want to mix networks across lines. You want eSIM support and the ability to scale your plan month-to-month.

Choose Tello If…

You're a light data user who primarily travels through cities and suburbs. You want unlimited hotspot at the lowest possible price point. T-Mobile's coverage meets your travel needs and you'd rather keep more money in your pocket.

For personalized recommendations based on your location and usage, try our prepaid plan finder tool.

The Bottom Line

Switching from Total by Verizon doesn't mean giving up Verizon coverage — it means getting more for your money. Visible is the best carrier to switch to from Total by Verizon for travel, offering Verizon's full network at $25/month with taxes included, unlimited hotspot, and no contracts. It scores 10/11 in our rankings for good reason.

If you want more flexibility or international options, US Mobile (9.5/11) is a close second with its multi-network support and build-a-plan approach. And if you're budget-conscious and mostly traveling through well-covered areas, Tello (9.5/11) delivers remarkable value with unlimited hotspot starting at just $8/month.

The bottom line: there's no reason to stay on a plan that doesn't fully serve your travel needs. Any of the carriers above will give you a better experience than Total by Verizon — and likely at a lower price too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Visible work well for road trips across rural areas?

Visible runs on Verizon's network, which has the best rural coverage in the United States. This makes it an excellent choice for road trips through remote areas, national parks, and smaller towns where T-Mobile or AT&T may have coverage gaps. Most Total by Verizon users will find Visible's coverage identical or better.

Q: Can I keep my Total by Verizon phone number when I switch?

Yes. You can port your number from Total by Verizon to any of the carriers listed above. Make sure not to cancel your Total by Verizon service before initiating the port — start the process from your new carrier's sign-up flow and they'll transfer the number automatically.

Q: Is Visible's hotspot good enough for working remotely while traveling?

Visible includes unlimited hotspot on its $25/month plan. Speeds are shared and may be lower during peak network times, but most users report speeds sufficient for video calls, browsing, and standard work tasks. If you need consistently fast hotspot speeds, consider Visible+ (their premium tier) or US Mobile's higher-tier plans.

Q: What's the best carrier for international travel if I'm leaving Total by Verizon?

For international travel, most domestic MVNOs won't cover you abroad. We recommend pairing a domestic carrier like Visible or US Mobile with a travel eSIM such as Saily, which offers data in 200+ countries starting at $4.99. This is typically more affordable than international plans from major carriers.

Q: How long does it take to switch from Total by Verizon to Visible?

The porting process typically takes between a few minutes and a few hours, though it can occasionally take up to 24 hours. Visible's activation is fully digital via their app, making it one of the fastest carriers to switch to. Plan to initiate the switch at least a day or two before a major trip to avoid any timing issues.

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This does not influence our rankings or recommendations, which are based solely on our independent evaluation criteria.

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