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If you’re still skeptical and wondering are eSIMs reliable or not, I’ll explain the answer to that for you too.
This article will explain why an eSIM for travel in the USA is your best option, not to mention how convenient it is to download within minutes to your device. Long gone are the days of wasting precious vacation time trying to get connected after arriving in a new country.
There are a few reasons why the best eSIM for USA is Airalo. Let me explain why these USA eSIM data plans are your cheapest and most convenient option to stay connected on your upcoming trip.
An eSIM is a virtual SIM or digital version of your physical SIM card. An eSIM allows you to activate a cellular plan from a carrier without using a physical SIM. Technology is a beautiful thing!
Essentially, your device or phone already has a microchip installed that allows you (or your newly purchased eSIM data pack) to install multiple eSIM profiles. It’s equivalent to having several physical SIM cards with phone numbers and data plans plugged into your phone simultaneously.
The best sim card for visitors to USA is the one that ticks all of the boxes.
A few years ago, the best SIM card for visitors to USA would have been hard to answer, as so many big companies compete. And, of course, they’re still out there.
However, the game-changer for the best SIM card for the USA and beyond is technology.
Now you can ditch the standard SIM card and get connected with eSIM in the USA. It’s the way of the future.
That’s an easy question to answer. eSIM for travel in the USA is your best option. There are 6 x eSIM data packs to choose from. All data packs are well-suited for your trip to the United States of America.
If you’re a visitor planning to travel to the USA, you must choose the best eSIM for your individual needs. The best eSIM depends on how long you plan to spend in the country.
Furthermore, it would help to consider how much data you are likely to use to get the best value from your eSIM for USA.
If you regularly use wifi during your travels (hotels and restaurants usually offer these free of charge), you might want to go with the smaller plan ($11 for 3GB of data, valid for 30 days).
Yet, if you depend on cell phone coverage for your data, you might want a plan that includes more data. I’d recommend either this $26 for 10GB eSIM or the 20GB data pack for $42. Both data packs have 30 days of validity.
The below list may also be the cheapest eSIM plan USA you will find online – and they work like a dream!
CHOOSE FROM 6 x ESIM DATA PACKAGES FOR THE USA:
Suppose you’re visiting the USA as part of a bigger adventure that may include nearby countries such as Canada or Mexico. In that case, a Global eSIM may be what you’ve been searching for.
These Global eSIM Data packs will save you lots of money and effortlessly connect you in multiple countries as you travel.
My favourite thing about being a world traveller, is the Global eSIM. It covers a staggering 87 countries included in one eSIM, and they start at just $9 for 1GB, valid for seven days.
The most significant data pack available is 20GB for $89, valid for 180 days! This combines the best eSIM USA with 86 other countries. Wow!
CHOOSE FROM 5 x GLOBAL eSIM DATA PACKS
I use Global eSIM frequently as I travel the world. Even if it’s just a few days, it offers peace of mind to stay connected in 87+ countries. Now, that’s pretty amazing.
Do you agree that this is the best SIM card for visitors to USA yet? Honestly, eSIM is my new favourite travel product for the past few years – it’s unbeatable!
I even wrote this Airalo eSIM product review for 2022 to explain why.
Absolutely! But before you go ahead and buy an eSIM for USA or even a Global eSIM for travel (that includes the USA), remember to double-check that your device is compatible. So, what phones are eSIM compatible?
Is iPhone 11 eSIM compatible? How about compatibility with iPhone 14 eSIM?
You can check if it’s compatible here. In saying that, most devices will support eSIM, but a handful does not.
Once you have checked that your device supports eSIM, you can go ahead.
Download the Airalo App, purchase your selected data package and follow the steps to activate the eSIM for the USA just before your arrival.
Before you arrive in the USA, be sure you switch from your home mobile provider to the eSIM provider.
Once your eSIM is activated, I recommend that you turn off data for all apps you don’t use daily, and apps that use a lot of data: Netflix, Instagram, and TikTok will eat up your data quickly. Try to leave social media scrolling when you get connected to Wi-Fi at your hotel or cafe.
Your data will last much longer.
And, if you don’t care too much about churning through your data, eSIM is perfect for you. You can easily top up your eSIM with more data whenever you’ve reached your limit.
I told you it’s fantastic!
If you travel to the USA, you certainly still have the option to purchase a local SIM card at any major airport or phone store/provider.
Of course, this allows you to make calls and send text messages within the country where you purchased the SIM card. It also gives you access to local calling rates and data. Buying a sim card in the USA at the airport will usually cost much more than getting a sim card in the city centre, so be aware of that.
However, I believe purchasing an eSIM card for the USA is a much better option than buying a local SIM in the USA:
You can download an eSIM before your departure from home, instead of purchasing one in the USA. If you’ve got a prepaid eSIM activated upon arrival, then you can get online as soon as you touch down in the USA! Avoid the crowds, exit the arrivals hall and go and explore straight away!
It’s incredibly convenient. This virtual e sim card for the USA is the way forward.
You can start exploring the 15 Best Places to Travel in the USA right away!
Get 15% off your first eSIM purchase with my referral code: NOMAD15
SAVE cash when you buy an eSIM for USA or any other Airalo eSIM. Use my referral code: NOMAD15 to get 15% off your first purchase!
If you’re an existing Airalo User, use code NOMAD10 to get 10% off your next purchase.
We have so many tips to help you travel more!
These 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you stretch your hard-earned dollars further.
Read our top 6 travel hacks to save money and the 20 best travel apps to make travel easier!
For food lovers, don’t miss our top 10 best countries for foodies. And, if history is your thing, these 30 amazing historical places worldwide will fascinate you!
We have many tips to save money for travel and consider these 20 jobs that PAY YOU to travel the world to help you travel longer.
If you become a trusted housesitter, you can also get FREE accommodation worldwide. Read more about how this works.
Check out our ultimate packing list for travellers, and remember to pack travel insurance! We recommend these two travel insurance companies for excellent coverage.
Our 12 essential tips for safe travel in any country are worth a read.
You’ll need to stay connected while travelling the world. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries, or consider a Global eSIM if you travel to multiple countries or regions. This eSIM connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM.
The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.
If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour.
Check our Group Tours first for any upcoming trips you may be interested to join, or view these deals on worldwide group tours with Tourradar.
Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.
✈️ Flights: We use Skyscanner to book cheap flights worldwide.
🏨 Accommodation: Booking.com is our preferred platform for booking hotels and accommodation. We use Vrbo to book apartments and long-term stays.
🏥 Travel Insurance: We recommend Heymondo (Get 15% off Heymondo) & SafetyWing
🚌 Transportation: Trainline is the best website to reserve trains. We use Omio to book transport worldwide. For travel in Asia, we use 12Go.
🚘 Car Rental: We use DiscoverCars to book rental cars worldwide.
👫 Group Tours: We now offer Group Trips; view them here! Alternatively, we recommend searching the Tourradar website. For Europe, Expat Explore is a good choice. *Get 5% off when you quote code VERYHUNGRYNOMADS to your Expat reservations agent. (*Valid for new clients only).
📸 Day Tours & Trips: GetYourGuide & Viator are the only two platforms you need.
📚 Lonely Planet: The Best Range of Travel Guides & Ebooks, and FREE Shipping! (use code RACHELDAVEY10 for a 10% discount)
🎒 Luggage: Osprey Farpoint 40L Backpack or Samsonite Luggage Range.
🛄 What to Pack: Don’t forget your Universal charger and a good power bank. To help you pack the essentials, here is our ULTIMATE Packing List for all Travellers.
🐶 Become a House Sitter: Join Trusted Housesitters and enjoy FREE accommodation worldwide. Use our invite to receive 25% off your new membership.
💰 Send Money Anywhere: WISE & Revolut are the best online accounts that let you send money, get paid, and spend money internationally. Both are so easy to use and way cheaper than any bank transfer.
📶 Stay Connected: Airalo eSIM lets you get connected when you land at your destination. We LOVE this product! Use code MARTIN9009 to get $3 off your first Airalo eSIM (new users only) OR click here to SAVE 15% off your eSIM(valid till 31/12/2025).
✅ Check out our Travel Gear and Travel Resources for more valuable tips to save you money!
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4 Comments. Leave new
Thank you! Just wondering, do I turn data roaming off on my daughters phone before leaving for the USA while using eSIM? I don’t want to occur roaming fees etc but I still want to call her or FaceTime etc. (14 and leaving Canada for the first time alone )
Hi Becky,
Yes. Before leaving, turn OFF the data-roaming on your daughters phone (and ask her to leave it off while she’s there), then turn ON the data roaming on her USA eSIM.
You don’t mention which ones come with a local number. While travelling N America we have relatives that live in the US that may wish to call us, a local number is essential.
The best thing about downloading an eSIM is that you can keep your own number. The eSIM for USA is data only, which means you can easily communicate (call/text) with relatives in the USA, however, do it through an App that uses data such as WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.