- A
All data transfer into and out of AWS is free
Why wrong: Data transfer INTO AWS is free, but outbound data transfer to the internet and cross-AZ/cross-Region traffic incur charges.
- B
Data transfer into AWS from the internet is free; outbound data transfer to the internet is charged
AWS charges for data leaving AWS to the internet (egress). Inbound data transfer from the internet to AWS is free. Cross-AZ and cross-Region transfers also incur charges.
- C
Data transfer between EC2 instances in different Availability Zones is free
Why wrong: Cross-AZ data transfer (using public or Elastic IPs, or via private IPs) incurs a charge — typically $0.01/GB in each direction.
- D
Data transfer between AWS Regions is free because it stays within AWS infrastructure
Why wrong: Cross-Region data transfer incurs charges even though it stays on AWS infrastructure — it's priced differently from inter-Region traffic.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is that AWS data transfer pricing makes inbound data free while outbound data is charged. This is because AWS designs its cost structure to encourage data ingestion into its ecosystem, such as uploading files to Amazon S3 or migrating workloads, which costs you nothing. Conversely, outbound data transfer from AWS to the internet incurs per-GB charges because moving data out of the cloud consumes significant network infrastructure and bandwidth. On the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 exam, this concept tests your understanding of fundamental cost allocation principles, often appearing in scenario-based questions where you must identify which data flows are free versus billable. A common trap is assuming all data transfer is free or that inter-region transfers are identical to internet egress—remember, only inbound from the internet is free. For a quick memory tip, think “In is In for free, Out is Out of pocket.”
CLF-C02 Billing, Pricing, and Support Practice Question
This CLF-C02 practice question tests your understanding of billing, pricing, and support. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
Which statement about AWS data transfer pricing is correct?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Data transfer into AWS from the internet is free; outbound data transfer to the internet is charged
Option B is correct because AWS does not charge for data transfer into AWS from the internet, but it does charge for outbound data transfer from AWS to the internet. This pricing model is fundamental to AWS's cost structure, encouraging data ingestion while charging for egress. For example, data uploaded to Amazon S3 is free, but downloading that data to the internet incurs per-GB charges.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
All data transfer into and out of AWS is free
Why it's wrong here
Data transfer INTO AWS is free, but outbound data transfer to the internet and cross-AZ/cross-Region traffic incur charges.
- ✓
Data transfer into AWS from the internet is free; outbound data transfer to the internet is charged
Why this is correct
AWS charges for data leaving AWS to the internet (egress). Inbound data transfer from the internet to AWS is free. Cross-AZ and cross-Region transfers also incur charges.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
Data transfer between EC2 instances in different Availability Zones is free
Why it's wrong here
Cross-AZ data transfer (using public or Elastic IPs, or via private IPs) incurs a charge — typically $0.01/GB in each direction.
- ✗
Data transfer between AWS Regions is free because it stays within AWS infrastructure
Why it's wrong here
Cross-Region data transfer incurs charges even though it stays on AWS infrastructure — it's priced differently from inter-Region traffic.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume all data transfer within AWS is free, but AWS charges for inter-AZ and inter-region traffic, and only inbound data from the internet is free.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, AWS charges for outbound data transfer to the internet based on the source region and cumulative monthly volume, with tiered pricing (e.g., first 1 GB/month free for some services, then $0.09/GB for the next 9.99 TB for EC2). Inter-AZ traffic uses the AWS backbone but still incurs costs due to underlying network infrastructure and cross-zone bandwidth consumption. Real-world scenarios like migrating large datasets into AWS (free ingress) versus serving content to users (paid egress) directly impact cost optimization strategies.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A startup's cloud architect reviews their monthly bill and notices costs are higher than expected for a long-running batch job. Switching from on-demand instances to Reserved Instances — or using Spot/Preemptible VMs — can reduce compute costs by up to 72 %. Questions like this test whether you understand the tradeoffs between commitment, flexibility, and cost across cloud pricing models.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Billing, Pricing, and Support — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Billing, Pricing, and Support practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All CLF-C02 questions
1,024 questions across all exam domains
- →
AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner CLF-C02 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
CLF-C02 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related CLF-C02 practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Cloud Concepts practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Cloud Concepts.
Security and Compliance practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Security and Compliance.
Cloud Technology and Services practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Cloud Technology and Services.
Billing, Pricing, and Support practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to Billing, Pricing, and Support.
AWS shared responsibility model practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS shared responsibility model.
AWS IAM practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS IAM.
AWS pricing practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS pricing.
AWS support plans practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS support plans.
AWS S3 practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS S3.
AWS EC2 practice questions
Practise CLF-C02 questions linked to AWS EC2.
Practice this exam
Start a free CLF-C02 practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this CLF-C02 question test?
Billing, Pricing, and Support — This question tests Billing, Pricing, and Support — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Data transfer into AWS from the internet is free; outbound data transfer to the internet is charged — Option B is correct because AWS does not charge for data transfer into AWS from the internet, but it does charge for outbound data transfer from AWS to the internet. This pricing model is fundamental to AWS's cost structure, encouraging data ingestion while charging for egress. For example, data uploaded to Amazon S3 is free, but downloading that data to the internet incurs per-GB charges.
What should I do if I get this CLF-C02 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More CLF-C02 practice questions
- A company publishes a message each time a new product is added to its catalogue. Three services need to receive this mes…
- A media company stores frequently accessed video thumbnails in Amazon S3. The thumbnails are read multiple times every d…
- A company needs a service to translate domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses, check the health of their…
- A startup runs an application on AWS and receives a monthly bill that charges exactly for the number of compute hours us…
- A financial institution runs its core banking application on-premises due to regulatory requirements. It has connected i…
- A company wants to run a MySQL database in AWS without managing database software installation, applying patches, settin…
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This CLF-C02 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Amazon Web Services certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the CLF-C02 exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.