Best Tourist Sim Cards in USA in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in USA across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to the USA, having a sim card is essential for staying connected. With access to the internet while traveling, exploring new cities becomes effortless. Whether you’re searching for the finest dining options, navigating to your accommodation, booking a taxi, or sharing photos with your loved ones, having internet access on the go is extremely convenient.
While roaming is always an option, international fees can quickly accumulate, making it more cost-effective to opt for an eSIM or a local sim card that offers local phone rates. Fortunately, obtaining either an eSIM or a local sim card in the USA is a straightforward process.
To help you make the best choice, this guide provides all the information you need, including current pricing and the top recommended sim card for your needs.
Mobile plans in the US are expensive and travellers are likely to get a bit of a shock when they arrive. You’ll basically have three options: AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon who each offer similar prepaid phone plans.
The best physical sim card in the USA is the T-Mobile prepaid sim card combined with one of their simple prepaid phone plans. The cheapest option is the 10GB plan for $40 USD which also includes unlimited calls and texts. However, if you’re visiting America for a while I would usually recommend the $50 USD plan which is identical but includes unlimited data.
The sim card is usually free when you buy a plan, but there is a chance you’ll be required to buy the sim card for $10 USD.
In terms of network coverage, all three mobile network operators have very extensive networks and extremely fast internet speeds so you should choose the operator based on price and the proximity of a store. On that note, I recommend seeking out an official T-Mobile store to purchase your sim card. They’ll help to set you up properly.
With that said, I don’t actually recommend buying a physical sim card in the US. Airalo’s USA eSim is much better value and runs across the T-Mobile and Verizon networks so your coverage will be at least as good as if you went with any of the local sim card operators.
For most travellers I recommend the 10GB data plan which costs just $26 USD – almost half as much as buying a physical sim card in a store! Which is crazy considering eSims are better than physical sim cards in the first place. If 10GB isn’t enough data for you, you can buy 20GB for $42 USD which is still cheaper.
Or, if you’re a budget-oriented traveller, the 5GB plan costs only $16 USD. Just make sure to use the free wifi which can be found all over the main cities.
Pretty much all phones these days support eSims, including any iPhone produced after 2018. All you need to do is buy the eSim online here before you travel to America. The eSim will self-activate when you arrive in the United States of America. You won’t need to visit a store or do anything.
A Tourist Sim Card in USA costs $50 USD in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in USA will cost between $4.50 USD and $42 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting USA which includes 10GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $26 USD.
The United States of America is home to a large number of sim card providers, however, the three main mobile networks are T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon.
All three networks offer extremely strong mobile coverage and fast download speeds all across the country, however, T-Mobile has the best 5G network. No matter which one you choose, the coverage will not be an issue for you.
The prepaid tourist sim cards from all three providers are roughly comparable. I recommend opting for the standard $40 per month prepaid sim card from T-Mobile.
If you are looking for the best option for tourists, however, the Airalo eSim is significantly better value and much easier to set up. It works out cheaper than any of the local sim cards.
T-Mobile is a major telecommunications company in the USA and market leader in terms of market share. Their prepaid sim cards offer the best value (at least for physical sim cards) possible in the US for tourists.
T-Mobile’s network is pretty equal to their competitors, but with a slightly better 5G network overall – if this is important to you then definitely go with T-Mobile.
Plans are generally okay with sufficient data for most needs at a competitive price. Unfortunately, all physical sim cards are pretty expensive in the US so I recommend avoiding them where possible.
If that’s not possible, then T-Mobile is my top pick. Their combination of network, plans and price are the best of the bunch.
Although I recommend Airalo ahead of T-Mobile, you can also just download their mobile app before you go and purchase an eSim from them super easily without setting foot in a store.
The price of a T-Mobile tourist sim card in USA is $50 USD.
The plan offered by T-Mobile stores includes unlimited 5G data + unlimited calls and texts valid for 1 month.
AT&T is also one of the largest telcos in the USA and offers a prepaid sim card that competes directly with Verizon and T-Mobile.
Their plans are very similar to T-Mobile’s with just enough data on the lowest plan to get the job done, but again with pretty expensive prices compared to the rest of the world. I guess this is a common trend that tourists face when visiting the US.
Either way, AT&T is a good back up option and will work fine for tourists if a T-Mobile store is less convenient for you.
The price of a AT&T tourist sim card in USA is $65 USD.
The plan offered by AT&T stores offers unlimited 5G data + unlimited calls + unlimited texts valid for 1 month.
Just like T-Mobile and AT&T, Verizon is a massive telecommunications company in the USA.
Their mobile network is very extensive across the country with fast speeds all over. Their prepaid plans are the best bet for tourists and are comparable to the offerings of their competitors.
Overall, just like AT&T, Verizon is a perfectly acceptable alternative. Although I recommend T-Mobile, I wouldn’t go far out of my way for it. If Verizon is the easiest option for you, I’d say go for it.
The price of a Verizon tourist sim card in USA is $40 USD.
The plan offered by Verizon stores includes 5GB 5G data valid for 1 month.
Identify the mobile providers in USA: T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon are your best options in USA.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in USA. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in USA to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by T-Mobile that includes unlimited 5G data + unlimited calls and texts for $50 USD.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay $50 USD to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for USA at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in USA then you will be in luck. All major international airports in USA have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in USA are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in USA with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to USA. The Airalo USA eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $26 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in USA without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in USA is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to USA and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s USA eSim uses the T-Mobile and Verizon networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the T-Mobile and Verizon networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in USA.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s USA eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $8 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $11 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $16 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $26 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $42 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 10GB data plan for $26 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s USA eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s USA eSim uses the AT&T / T-Mobilenetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in USA
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s USA eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a virtual SIM card integrated directly into a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, it doesn’t require insertion or removal from the device.
Instead, the eSIM is part of the device’s hardware and can be programmed and enabled remotely by a mobile network operator. This offers users the convenience of quickly switching between different mobile networks or plans without physically changing SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers travelers and individuals who frequently switch networks or travel internationally, greater flexibility, ease, and convenience. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it simpler to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their network operator or manually enter activation details. Once activated, the device can easily connect to the preferred network and access voice, data, and messaging services just like with a regular SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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