Can I keep my home number reachable while traveling?

Yes — and the cheapest way is usually just keeping your line enabled with data off. You don't have to roam to receive SMS; SMS is bundled with your registration, not your data plan. Three approaches, with trade-offs:

1. Home line on, data off

What it solves: SMS arrives normally. Voice calls ring through if your home plan allows international receiving (most do; some prepaid lines don't).

What it costs: nothing on most postpaid plans for receiving SMS. Some plans bill ~$0.10/SMS for incoming texts abroad; check before you fly.

What can break: if you accidentally enable roaming for that line, even one rogue background app's request can wake a $10/day pass. Use airplane mode + WiFi for everything except checking SMS.

2. Call forwarding to a VoIP number

Activate call forward when unreachable on your home line. Point it at a Google Voice / Skype / Twilio number you can pick up via WiFi or your travel eSIM's data.

Works for: voice calls.

Doesn't work for: SMS-based 2FA — most banks block forwarded numbers.

3. eSIM your home line onto the travel chip

Some carriers let you install your home line as an eSIM profile on a travel-friendly chip (including 9eSIM). Now both lines live on one programmable card, the home line keeps its number and SMS receipt, and you save a SIM tray slot.

This is the cleanest setup. Hassle: your home carrier needs to issue an eSIM profile (most postpaid US/EU carriers do; some prepaid still don't).

What about WhatsApp / iMessage / Signal

All three keep your home number's identity even when data flows over a different line. As long as one of your lines has data, your contacts can reach you at your normal address. SMS 2FA is the one thing they can't replace; for that, keep the home line registered.

Bottom line

Cheapest: home line enabled, roaming off, data off; receive SMS through the cellular signal. Most flexible: load both lines onto one 9eSIM card and swap as the trip needs.