Why eSIM Beats Physical SIM
International roaming from your home carrier typically costs $10-15 per day in the USA — $150+ for a 2-week trip. A US eSIM gets you the same service for $20-40 total. You can install it at home before your flight, and it activates the moment you land.
No store visits, no SIM card swapping, no risk of losing your home number. Your home number stays active on your primary SIM — the eSIM is a second line just for data.
Airalo
Best overall value. From $4.50 for 1GB/7 days.
Airalo is the most popular travel eSIM. Works on AT&T or T-Mobile in the USA. Plans from 1GB ($4.50) to 20GB ($42). Activation is instant. App-based management. Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off your first order.
- Plans: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB
- Validity: 7, 15 or 30 days
- 5G: Yes (on T-Mobile network)
- Hotspot / tethering: Yes
- Voice calls: No (data only)
- Top-up: Yes, in-app
Best for: most travelers. Good value, simple to use, works everywhere.
Holafly
Unlimited data plans. From $19 for 5 days.
Holafly offers truly unlimited data plans (many competitors throttle after a cap). Most plans do NOT offer hotspot/tethering, which is the big trade-off. Great for heavy streaming/Google Maps users.
- Plans: 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 or 90 days
- Data: Unlimited (may throttle after 5GB/day)
- 5G: Yes
- Hotspot: NO on most plans
- Voice: No
Best for: solo travelers who want unlimited streaming/maps and don't need to share data.
Nomad
Competitive prices, slick app. From $6 for 1GB.
Nomad is a newer entrant, competing directly with Airalo. Prices are similar to Airalo. Very clean app. Regional "Americas" plans cover the US plus Canada/Mexico for slightly more.
- Plans: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB
- Validity: 7, 15 or 30 days
- 5G: Yes
- Hotspot: Yes
- Voice: No
Saily
Owned by NordVPN. From $3.99 for 1GB.
Saily is the newest option and currently one of the cheapest. Part of the NordVPN family so bundle discounts available with NordVPN. Quality is good but the provider is newer with less reviews.
T-Mobile Prepaid
Physical SIM option. $50/month for 10GB + unlimited talk/text.
If you want a US phone number with voice calls — say, for restaurant bookings or calling Uber drivers — a physical T-Mobile prepaid SIM is the best option. Activate at any T-Mobile store on arrival with your passport. Mint Mobile (MVNO on T-Mobile) is cheaper at $15-30/month but requires 3+ month commitment.
Which to Pick
| Your trip | Best eSIM | Why |
|---|
| Under 1 week, light user | Airalo 3GB ($11) | Cheapest for short trip |
| 1-2 weeks, moderate user | Airalo 10GB ($27) or Nomad | Best balance |
| Heavy streaming / unlimited data | Holafly unlimited | No caps |
| Need US phone number | T-Mobile prepaid | Voice + data |
| Budget tight | Saily | Cheapest option |
| 1+ month stay | T-Mobile or Mint Mobile | Better value at scale |
How to Install
- Step 1: Buy the eSIM on the provider's website before you fly
- Step 2: Receive a QR code via email
- Step 3: On your phone, go to Settings > Cellular (iPhone) or Network (Android)
- Step 4: Scan the QR code to install the eSIM
- Step 5: Keep your home SIM as primary, set the US eSIM as your data line
- Step 6: Enable "Data Roaming" for the US eSIM on arrival
- Step 7: Connect the moment you land
📱 Pro tip: Install the eSIM at home on WiFi before your flight. Do NOT activate it until you are in the US — activation starts the plan timer on most providers.
Our pick for most travelers: Airalo 3GB or 10GB plan. Reliable, cheap, works on landing, and the app is the best in class.
Why eSIM Beats Physical SIM
International roaming from your home carrier typically costs $10-15 per day in the USA — $150+ for a 2-week trip. A US eSIM gets you the same service for $20-40 total. You can install it at home before your flight, and it activates the moment you land.
No store visits, no SIM card swapping, no risk of losing your home number. Your home number stays active on your primary SIM — the eSIM is a second line just for data.
Airalo
Best overall value. From $4.50 for 1GB/7 days.
Airalo is the most popular travel eSIM. Works on AT&T or T-Mobile in the USA. Plans from 1GB ($4.50) to 20GB ($42). Activation is instant. App-based management. Use code NEWTOAIRALO15 for 15% off your first order.
- Plans: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB
- Validity: 7, 15 or 30 days
- 5G: Yes (on T-Mobile network)
- Hotspot / tethering: Yes
- Voice calls: No (data only)
- Top-up: Yes, in-app
Best for: most travelers. Good value, simple to use, works everywhere.
Holafly
Unlimited data plans. From $19 for 5 days.
Holafly offers truly unlimited data plans (many competitors throttle after a cap). Most plans do NOT offer hotspot/tethering, which is the big trade-off. Great for heavy streaming/Google Maps users.
- Plans: 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60 or 90 days
- Data: Unlimited (may throttle after 5GB/day)
- 5G: Yes
- Hotspot: NO on most plans
- Voice: No
Best for: solo travelers who want unlimited streaming/maps and don't need to share data.
Nomad
Competitive prices, slick app. From $6 for 1GB.
Nomad is a newer entrant, competing directly with Airalo. Prices are similar to Airalo. Very clean app. Regional "Americas" plans cover the US plus Canada/Mexico for slightly more.
- Plans: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB
- Validity: 7, 15 or 30 days
- 5G: Yes
- Hotspot: Yes
- Voice: No
Saily
Owned by NordVPN. From $3.99 for 1GB.
Saily is the newest option and currently one of the cheapest. Part of the NordVPN family so bundle discounts available with NordVPN. Quality is good but the provider is newer with less reviews.
T-Mobile Prepaid
Physical SIM option. $50/month for 10GB + unlimited talk/text.
If you want a US phone number with voice calls — say, for restaurant bookings or calling Uber drivers — a physical T-Mobile prepaid SIM is the best option. Activate at any T-Mobile store on arrival with your passport. Mint Mobile (MVNO on T-Mobile) is cheaper at $15-30/month but requires 3+ month commitment.
Which to Pick
| Your trip | Best eSIM | Why |
|---|
| Under 1 week, light user | Airalo 3GB ($11) | Cheapest for short trip |
| 1-2 weeks, moderate user | Airalo 10GB ($27) or Nomad | Best balance |
| Heavy streaming / unlimited data | Holafly unlimited | No caps |
| Need US phone number | T-Mobile prepaid | Voice + data |
| Budget tight | Saily | Cheapest option |
| 1+ month stay | T-Mobile or Mint Mobile | Better value at scale |
How to Install
- Step 1: Buy the eSIM on the provider's website before you fly
- Step 2: Receive a QR code via email
- Step 3: On your phone, go to Settings > Cellular (iPhone) or Network (Android)
- Step 4: Scan the QR code to install the eSIM
- Step 5: Keep your home SIM as primary, set the US eSIM as your data line
- Step 6: Enable "Data Roaming" for the US eSIM on arrival
- Step 7: Connect the moment you land
📱 Pro tip: Install the eSIM at home on WiFi before your flight. Do NOT activate it until you are in the US — activation starts the plan timer on most providers.
Our pick for most travelers: Airalo 3GB or 10GB plan. Reliable, cheap, works on landing, and the app is the best in class.