Do you have to have a data plan to use facetime on an ipad?

You could. but note, that Wi-Fi unlike the cellular service is not available everywhere.

You would need to find a Wi-fi network to connect to when away from home, or use Facetime only while at home or office where you have access to Wi-Fi.

That’s right. Find a wi-fi network to connect.

Phil0124 wrote:

You could. but note, that Wi-Fi unlike the cellular service is not available everywhere.

You would need to find a Wi-fi network to connect to when away from home, or use Facetime only while at home or office where you have access to Wi-Fi.

No, Facetime works over Wi-Fi too.