Can you believe I am yet to travel to the US? For some reason, from all the countries I travelled to so far – and I’m close to 100 with my count – I haven’t made it to the States yet. New York and San Franscisco have always been on my bucket list. Two completely different cities, two very different experiences and a lot of new things to explore in each. However, this year it might be the year when I make it to the States. And it won’t be New York or San Franscisco. It will be… drumrolls… Nashville, Memphis and New Orleans! The home of soul music, epic barbecue joints, the too early departed Dolly Parton and memorable festivals.
Before planning my itinerary, I have to plan my connectivity whilst abroad. Long gone are the days when I would rely on hotel WiFi and dodgy restaurants internet connection. One of the things I am sorting out before booking a trip to the USA is my mobile data.
I haven’t travelled around the United States yet, so this isn’t an article where I’m going to pretend I tested every eSIM while driving across America. Instead, I’ve approached it in exactly the same way I would when planning one of my own trips. I’ve compared the main USA eSIM providers, looked at their prices, data allowances, networks and restrictions, and considered what I would actually want from an eSIM while travelling.
After comparing the options, Sim Local is the USA eSIM I would choose for my own trip. It has flexible data plans, unlimited options with up to 10GB of high-speed data per day, hotspot and tethering, and its USA Unlimited plans use T-Mobile. Sim Local also lets you install your eSIM before you travel, so you can arrive in the United States ready to use your phone.
But it isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone. If you’re only going to use a few gigabytes of data, a smaller plan can make more sense. And if having a US phone number is important to you, there are other options worth considering.
So, after looking at the main providers, here’s my guide to choosing the best eSIM for USA travel.
Table of Contents
Why an eSIM Makes Sense for Travelling in the USA
The United States is a particularly good destination for using an eSIM because of its size.
If you’re spending a few days in New York, you might be using Google Maps constantly, checking subway routes, booking restaurants, ordering an Uber and messaging friends. If you’re doing a road trip, like I will do around Tennessee, your phone becomes even more important. You might need navigation, hotel bookings, restaurant recommendations, roadside information and travel apps throughout the day.
The last thing I’d want to do after a long flight is arrive at the airport and start looking for a SIM card.
An eSIM lets you arrange your mobile data before you leave home. You download the plan onto your compatible phone and then activate it when you arrive. Sim Local says its USA eSIMs can be installed in a few minutes, with the plan starting when the eSIM first connects to a network in the destination.
It also means you don’t have to remove your normal SIM card. If your phone supports dual SIM functionality, you can keep your UK number available while using the USA eSIM for mobile data.
And, perhaps most importantly, you know what you’re paying before you travel.
How Much Does a Physical SIM Card Cost In the US?
Buying a physical SIM card in the United States is certainly possible, but it isn’t necessarily the easiest option for a short holiday. Prepaid SIM cards are widely available from mobile carrier stores and large retailers such as Walmart and Target, and you can also find them in some airports. However, prices and plan options vary depending on where you buy them. For example, T-Mobile currently offers a prepaid travel plan for $30 for 10 days or $50 for 30 days, plus taxes and fees.
The main issue is convenience. Airport SIM options can be more expensive, while buying one from a shop means waiting until you have left the airport and finding a retailer or carrier store. Recent travel research also notes that prepaid SIMs aren’t particularly common at US international airports compared with some other destinations, so I wouldn’t rely on being able to walk out of arrivals and immediately find a good-value SIM card.
Once you find a store, though, the process itself can be quite straightforward. You’ll need an unlocked, compatible phone, choose your prepaid plan and have the SIM activated.
For me, this is one of the biggest advantages of using a USA eSIM. I can buy it before leaving home, install it while connected to WiFi and have my mobile data ready to go when I land. I don’t have to spend the first part of my holiday looking for a shop, compare plans after a long flight or replace the physical SIM in my phone. For a short trip, that convenience is worth considering even if a local prepaid SIM can sometimes offer good value.
What to Look For in the Best eSIM for USA Travel
Not all USA eSIM plans are the same, and price shouldn’t be the only thing you compare.
Network Coverage
This is probably the first thing I’d check when choosing a United States eSIM.
The USA has three major mobile networks: T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Travel eSIM providers connect to one or more of these networks, so the provider you buy from can make a difference to your coverage.
Sim Local’s USA Unlimited plans use T-Mobile. The current plans advertise strong coverage in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami, while also warning that coverage can vary in remote and rural areas, including some national parks.
This is worth remembering if you’re planning a road trip. The United States is huge, and no mobile network can promise perfect coverage everywhere.
How Much Data You Get
Think about how you normally use your phone when travelling.
If you mainly use Google Maps, WhatsApp, email and occasional social media, you probably don’t need unlimited data.
If you’re uploading lots of photos, watching videos, making video calls or working from your laptop, you’ll use considerably more.
How Long the Plan Lasts
Make sure the validity period covers your entire trip.
If you’re travelling for 12 days, for example, I wouldn’t buy a seven-day plan just because it is cheaper. You don’t want to be trying to buy another eSIM while you’re in the middle of your holiday.
Hotspot and Tethering
This is easy to overlook, but it can be very useful. If you work while travelling, want to connect a laptop or tablet, or are travelling with someone who needs data, hotspot support can save you from having to buy a second plan. Sim Local includes hotspot and tethering with its USA plans.
Calls and Texts
Most travel eSIMs are data-only. That doesn’t necessarily matter. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger and other internet-based services can handle most calls and messages when you have data. However, if you specifically need a US phone number for calls or SMS, check the plan carefully before buying.
The Best eSIMs for the USA Compared
I looked at the providers that come up most often when researching the best USA eSIM, including Sim Local, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Saily and Ubigi.
| eSIM provider | Best for | Data options | Unlimited option | Network |
| Sim Local | Best overall | 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 18GB, 20GB and unlimited | Yes, up to 10GB/day high-speed | T-Mobile on USA Sim Local Unlimited plans |
| Airalo | Flexible travel plans | Multiple fixed-data options | Yes | Varies by plan |
| Holafly | Unlimited data | Unlimited plans | Yes | Varies |
| Nomad | Flexible data packages | 1GB to 100GB options | Yes | T-Mobile/AT&T/Verizon options |
| Saily | Budget plans | 1GB to 20GB | Yes | Local networks, depending on location |
| Ubigi | Fixed data plans | From smaller packages to larger allowances | Yes | Varies by plan |
Prices change frequently, so I would always check the current price before buying, that is why I didn’t add them in here. For example, Nomad currently lists USA plans from around €4.31 for 1GB, while Saily lists USA plans from €3.49 for 1GB. Ubigi currently lists a 10GB USA plan for US$14.
Sim Local: The best Overall eSIM for USA Travel
After comparing the options, Sim Local is the USA eSIM I would choose. I have used Sim Local on several trips before and I have first hand experience on how their eSIM behaves in different environments, like city versus countryside and nature.
The main reason is that it gives you a good choice of plans rather than forcing every traveller into an unlimited package. If you only need a little data, Sim Local currently has a 3GB seven-day plan for US$7.25, a 5GB 30-day plan for US$9.75 and a 10GB 30-day plan for US$17.50. There are also 20GB and unlimited options for heavier users.
For a typical sightseeing holiday, I’d probably look at the 10GB or 20GB plans first.
The 10GB plan is enough for navigation, messaging, social media, email and general browsing without paying for data you’re unlikely to use.
If you’re travelling for longer or know you’ll be uploading lots of photos and videos, the 20GB plan gives you more breathing room.
And then there are the unlimited plans.
Sim Local Unlimited vs Unlimited Pro
This is where things get a little bit interesting. Sim Local currently has USA Unlimited plans with either 5GB or 10GB of high-speed data per day. After the daily high-speed allowance is used, the connection continues at up to 1 Mbps until the allowance resets.
The 5GB/day plan is the standard Unlimited option, while the 10GB/day version is called Unlimited Pro. For example, the current seven-day Unlimited Pro plan costs US$36.25, while the 15-day version costs US$52.25. The standard Unlimited plan is currently US$26.50 for seven days and US$38.25 for 15 days.
I actually like the fact that the high-speed allowance is clearly explained. “Unlimited” doesn’t mean you can use unlimited amounts of data at maximum speed every day. Instead, you get a large daily high-speed allowance and then remain connected at a reduced speed.
For most holidaymakers, 5GB of high-speed data per day is already a lot. If you’re working remotely, streaming regularly, using hotspot heavily or travelling for an event where you’ll be uploading lots of video, I’d choose the Unlimited Pro with 10GB/day. And because hotspot and tethering are included, you can also use the connection with other devices.
If you do end up choosing a Sim Local plan, you can use my code “MYPOCKET” to get 5% off your purchase. You’re welcome. 😊
Airalo: A Good Option for Flexible Travellers
Airalo is one of the best-known travel eSIM providers, so it naturally comes up when looking for a USA eSIM.
Its USA plans include both fixed-data and unlimited options, with prices and validity varying depending on the package. Airalo’s current USA page includes plans starting from around US$4, as well as unlimited packages for different trip lengths.
I’d consider Airalo if you already use the app for other trips and like having your eSIMs managed in one place.
The main reason I wouldn’t automatically choose it over Sim Local for the USA is that I’m more interested in the underlying network and exactly how much high-speed data I get from an unlimited plan.
For me, those details matter more than simply seeing the word “unlimited” on the package.
Holafly: Best if You Want an Unlimited-Data Plan
Holafly is another major name in the travel eSIM market and is particularly well known for its unlimited-data plans.
Its USA eSIM provides unlimited data and access to 4G, LTE and 5G where available. Holafly also points out that coverage can become unstable in mountainous or desert areas, including areas around the Grand Canyon, which is a useful reminder that unlimited data doesn’t mean unlimited network coverage.
Holafly is worth considering if your priority is simply having an unlimited plan and you don’t want to think too much about data allowances. However, I’d still read the fair-use information before buying. Holafly explains that network operators can temporarily reduce speeds under a Fair Usage Policy.
For me, Sim Local’s clearly stated daily high-speed allowance makes it easier to understand exactly what I’m buying.
Nomad: A Good Choice for Flexible Data Packages
Nomad is another strong alternative, particularly if you don’t want to commit to an unlimited plan.
Its current USA plans range from 1GB packages through to larger 50GB and 100GB plans. It also has unlimited options, and its USA service can connect to T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon depending on the plan.
Nomad’s current unlimited plans also have a daily high-speed allowance, after which speeds are reduced to 512kbps until the next reset.
I like Nomad for travellers who want a lot of choice. It is especially useful if you’re trying to work out exactly how much data you need rather than automatically buying unlimited.
How Much Data Do You Need for a Trip to the USA?
This is one of the questions I would ask myself before buying an eSIM. But there is no clear answer because it depends on how you travel. If you use your phone mainly for Google Maps, WhatsApp, email and checking information online, you can get by with a relatively small amount of data.
If you are constantly uploading photos, watching videos, using TikTok, making video calls or working remotely, your usage will be much higher.
As a rough guide:
| Type of traveller | Data I’d consider |
| Short city break, light phone use | 3–5GB |
| One to two-week holiday | 10–20GB |
| Frequent social media, photos and video | 20GB+ |
| Remote work, streaming or heavy hotspot use | Unlimited |
These are only guidelines. Downloading Netflix shows, Spotify playlists and Google Maps over WiFi before leaving your hotel can make your mobile data go much further. For a normal sightseeing trip, I wouldn’t automatically pay for unlimited data. But if you are going to be using your phone as your main internet connection every day, unlimited becomes much more attractive.
Is Unlimited Data Worth it for USA Travel?
For some travellers, yes. For others, no.
I would consider an unlimited USA eSIM if:
- you’re working remotely
- you regularly make video calls
- you stream films or music
- you upload lots of photos and videos
- you use your phone as a hotspot
- you’re travelling with several devices
- you simply don’t want to think about data usage
For everyone else, a 10GB or 20GB plan can be perfectly adequate.
This is why I like Sim Local’s range of options. You don’t have to buy the most expensive plan just because it is available.
The 5GB/day Unlimited plan should be plenty for most people who want unlimited connectivity, while the 10GB/day Unlimited Pro makes more sense for heavy users. And after the high-speed allowance is used, the connection doesn’t simply stop. It continues at up to 1Mbps until the next daily reset.
How to Install an USA eSIM
The exact process varies slightly between iPhone and Android, but the basic idea is very simple.
First, buy your USA eSIM and follow the installation instructions.
Then install the eSIM while you are connected to reliable WiFi. I would do this at home before flying rather than leaving it until you land. When you arrive in the United States, select the travel eSIM as your mobile data line and make sure your settings allow it to connect to the local network.
With Sim Local, the plan activates when the eSIM connects to a network in the USA. If it hasn’t connected, the current plan information says it will automatically activate 60 days after purchase.
The whole point is to make the process easier, not more complicated.
Do You Need a US Phone Number With Your eSIM?
Probably not for a normal holiday. Most travellers can use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger or other internet-based services for calls and messages.
However, there are situations where a US number can be useful. You might need one for a business trip, a longer stay, a local booking or certain services.
Sim Local’s USA Unlimited plans are data-only and don’t include a local US phone number. Calls and texts are available through VoIP apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and FaceTime.
If a US number is essential, I would choose a different type of plan rather than buying an eSIM and discovering afterwards that it doesn’t offer the feature you need.
My Verdict: What is the Best eSIM for USA travel?
After comparing the main providers, Sim Local is the USA eSIM I would choose for my own trip.
Not because it is the cheapest option because it isn’t. And I wouldn’t choose an eSIM simply because it uses the word “unlimited” in its marketing. What matters to me is having a good choice of plans, a clear idea of how much high-speed data I’m getting, hotspot support, easy installation and a reliable network.
Sim Local currently offers everything from small 3GB plans through to 10GB and 20GB packages and unlimited plans. Its USA Unlimited plans use T-Mobile, include hotspot and tethering, and offer either 5GB or 10GB of high-speed data per day before speeds are reduced to up to 1Mbps.
If I were going to the USA for a week and mainly sightseeing, I’d probably choose a 10GB or 20GB plan.
If I were working remotely, travelling for a big event or planning to use my phone heavily throughout the day, I’d go for Sim Local Unlimited Pro with 10GB/day of high-speed data.
And if I were doing a long road trip, I’d check the coverage along my exact route before leaving and download offline maps as a backup.
Could you find a cheaper USA eSIM? Yes.
Would another provider make more sense if you need a US phone number? Yes.
Would I still choose Sim Local overall? Yes.
For me, the best eSIM for USA travel is the one that gives me enough data, works without unnecessary hassle and lets me arrive with one less thing to worry about.
And that’s exactly what I’d want from my USA eSIM.
For more similar articles, check out my recommendations below:
- How to choose the best eSIM for Japan
- How to choose the best eSIM for Italy
- How to choose the best eSIM for Canada
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