Best SIMs & eSIMs to Travel to the USA |Comparison 2026|

Public Wi-Fi in the USA

The cheapest option for internet access during your trip to the United States is to use public Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, bars and cafes, libraries, airports, etc.

Advantages of public Wi-Fi in the USA

• The price is usually free.

Disadvantages of public Wi-Fi in the USA

• Believe it or not, there're still accommodations in the United States that charge for Wi-Fi. It's no longer the norm, as it's considered a basic service, but to give you an example, many hotels in Las Vegas still have paid Wi-Fi or only provide free Wi-Fi to a specific number of users per room. It may also be the case that they only allow you to browse for a certain amount of time.
• If you rely on public Wi-Fi, there will be times when you need internet and can't access it: checking how to get from one place to another or what time the place you want to visit closes, reading reviews of a restaurant, ordering an Uber, etc.
• Browsing on public Wi-Fi networks is not secure, especially when it comes to using passwords or logging into banking apps. In these cases, it's advisable to connect to a VPN. You can check out the plans offered by NordVPN (the one we use).

eSIM for travel to the USA

The most convenient option for getting internet is to buy online an eSIM for the USA. Before purchasing one, make sure your phone is compatible!

An eSIM is an electronic SIM card that eliminates the need for a physical SIM card. It's a very quick process, both in terms of purchase and activation. Once you order it, you'll receive all the installation instructions by email. You can install it using a QR code or by pasting a code into your phone's settings: it takes less than two minutes.

You must always have the eSIM installed on your phone before boarding the plane, as you'll need internet for the installation. As soon as you arrive in the United States, you'll be connected!

Advantages of eSIM for the USA

• Quick and easy purchase and installation.
• You have internet access as soon as you get off the plane.
• The vast majority already allow tethering, although some companies very few data.
• The final price is the one shown on the website; there are no additional fees or taxes.

Disadvantages of eSIM for the USA

• Not all devices allow eSIM.
• Prices are sometimes high, but in the specific case of the USA, it's usually a cheaper option than a normal SIM card.
• The vast majority don't allow domestic or international calls neither sms.
  If this is a concern for you because you have a travel insurance for the United States and are wondering how to call them in case of a problem, with Heymondo (the insurance company we always travel with) you can call through the app using only data. Take advantage of our 5% discount! Likewise, below we give you an eSIM alternative with calls.

💡If you purchase an eSIM, remember to activate roaming on your mobile phone so that it can get coverage.

Best eSIMs for traveling to the USA

There are countless eSIM companies, and more are popping up all the time. So many that it's hard to choose! But we're going to show you the best eSIM plans for the USA. We know that the vast majority of content creators always recommend the same one, but we've decided to try others that are also interesting (and even cheaper). Below you can find all of them and a comparison table with their plans:

Holafly

It was one of the first companies to offer unlimited data in the United States and is arguably the most popular of them all. It only works with one internet provider (AT&T), which somewhat limits its coverage area. The price of its eSIMs is calculated per day, with options ranging from 1 day to unlimited (the more days, the cheaper it is).

We can offer you a 5% discount for being our reader, which is applied directly 😊

eSIMFlag

This company only offers unlimited data plans for the USA. In this case, it operates with two of the main US providers (AT&T and Verizon), resulting in a wider coverage area than Holafly.

With them you can buy eSIMs from 1 day up to a maximum of 30, with the more days you take being cheaper. We can offer you a 10% discount with the code TRIPTOUSA10, making the final price cheaper than Holafly.

SIM Local

What makes this company unique is that it offers both unlimited data plans and cheaper GB packs. We think it's ideal if you don't plan on using much internet during your trip and only need a few GB (or you want to combine with public Wi-Fi).

Furthermore, for the United States, they offer packs that also include calls and texts, which we think is a huge plus since you often need to make calls (to a hotel, a restaurant, etc.). We can offer you a 10% discount, which is applied directly, being for some plans the cheapest eSIM for the USA.

💡This comparison table of eSIMs for the USA shows you the plans and prices for each one. If you're reading on your mobile, swipe right to see the whole table.

Travel SIMs for the USA

If you're not convinced by eSIMs or your phone isn't compatible, the most traditional alternative for getting internet access in the United States without relying on Wi-Fi is to buy a SIM card for travel to the USA. Although in other countries this is a cheaper option than eSIMs, in the case of the US this isn't usually the case.

In most countries, it's common to buy a prepaid SIM card at the airport upon arrival so that you can have internet access as soon as possible, but the peculiarity of the USA is that many of its airports don't have physical phone stores. Some only have SIM card vending machines, which offer quite expensive plans.

For this reason, it's very likely that in the US you'll have to wait until you arrive in the city to buy your SIM card.

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Advantages of prepaid SIM cards in the USA

• They allow you to make national calls and send sms. Sometimes also to Mexico and Canada, and with extra charges to other countries.

Disadvantages of prepaid SIM cards in the USA

• You have to worry about finding a store where you can buy a SIM card when you arrive, as well as communicating in English (if you aren't fluent) and understanding what plans are available.
• In the US, they tend to be more expensive than eSIMs.
• Prices never include taxes or fees (this is standard throughout the US), so the cost you see on websites is not the final price.
• Sometimes long-term contracts are drawn up and then it's a hassle to cancel the service. Be very careful with this because otherwise they'll continue to charge you month after month and once you're at home it's very difficult to make a claim.

There're 3 internet providers in the US: T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Ideally, you should go directly to one of their official stores, as they're familiar with their plans and can help you with activation. You can easily find them using Google Maps. For example, all three are located in Times Square in New York City.

⚠️Remember that to purchase a SIM card in any country, you must bring your passport to register. The company will keep a copy.

Another alternative is to buy a SIM card for USA for tourists at supermarkets such as Walmart or 7-Eleven. These stores usually sell SIM cards from prepaid mobile operators called MVNOs (Mobile Virtual Network Operators), which use the coverage of one of the three main companies. There're several (Racfone, Straight Talk, Mobile X, Mint Mobile, Boost, Lycamobile, etc.), although this is usually a more expensive option.

Here are the plans and prices offered by each of the 3 companies, although it's best to check their respective websites in case there have been any changes:

T-Mobile plans and prices

These are T-Mobile's prices and plans. Remember that there is a $10 activation fee (ask if there is any way to avoid paying it) and taxes and fees may be added. All plans include calls and texts within the United States. For us, T-Mobile is the best and cheapest sim card for the USA!

• Starter: $45 for 15GB, then unlimited data at 2G speed.
• Unlimited: $50 for unlimited data with 50GB of premium data (at faster speeds).
• Unlimited Plus: $65 for unlimited data with 50GB of premium data + international text messages + unlimited calls and text messages to and from the US, Mexico, and Canada.

Verizon plans and prices

These are Verizon's prices and plans. Remember that there is a $35 activation fee (ask if there is any way to avoid paying it). All plans include calls and texts within the United States (remember that taxes and fees may be added):

• 15GB Plan: $45 for 15GB.
• Unlimited: unlimited data for $60.
• Unlimited Plus: unlimited data for $70. Includes unlimited calls to Mexico and Canada + 180 minutes to another country of your choice.

AT&T plans and prices

These are AT&T's prices and plans. Remember that there is a $15 activation fee (ask if there is any way to avoid it) and taxes and fees may be added:

• 15GB Plan: $40 with 15GB of data and unlimited calls/texts.
• Unlimited Essentials: $50 with unlimited data, calls, and texts.
• Unlimited MAX: $65 with unlimited data, calls, and texts + 25GB to share.

Roaming in the USA with your provider

Did you know that some national internet providers offer roaming in the United States? If you have a contract with one of them, check the conditions for browsing in the United States and see if it's worth it or not.

Of course we don't know every company in the world, as every country has its own providers, so we can't show you case per case. Usually, in their websites they have all the information regarding roaming!

💡If you decide not to buy an eSIM or SIM card and just use Wi-Fi, remember to disable roaming on your phone. Otherwise, it'll connect to the local network and you'll start using data without meaning to. The prices are no joke!

We hope we've cleared up your doubts and that you can choose the best SIM card for the USA!