Look, I’ve been traveling to the United States for years and I’ve tried almost every way to stay connected, from those ridiculously expensive roaming rates to searching for SIM cards at airport kiosks at midnight. Believe me when I say that eSIMs have completely changed the game.
Let me explain everything you really need to know to stay connected during your trip to the United States.
What exactly is an eSIM? (And why should you care?)
You know those little SIM cards we’ve been dealing with forever? The ones you inevitably drop on the ground while boarding your flight? Yeah, forget about those.
An eSIM is basically a digital version that is already built into your phone. No need to change any physical cards or lose small ejector pins. Simply scan a QR code and boom: you’re set up with a local data plan.
Here’s the really interesting part: your original SIM remains in your phone. So you can still get those important texts from your bank or calls from your family, while using local data that actually works and doesn’t cost a fortune.
Think of it like having two phone plans at once, but without the hassle of carrying two phones or exchanging cards.
If this is your first time using one, it will be very helpful to understand it. how eSIM works before choosing a data plan, especially if you are switching from traditional physical SIM cards.
Why I will never go back to regular roaming
I learned this the hard way on my first trip to New York. My phone bill was back to £400 for just one week. My partner almost had a heart attack.
That’s when I discovered eSIMs and honestly, there’s no turning back. This is what makes them so much better:
You are connected immediately
The moment you land at JFK or LAX, your phone just… works. You won’t have to worry about airport WiFi. There will be no panic attacks on Google Maps trying to figure out how to get to your hotel.
Your wallet stays happy
I’m talking about paying £20-£30 for a week rather than hundreds. That’s money you can spend to really enjoy your trip. Anyone want more In-N-Out burgers?
You keep your number real
Remember how I mentioned keeping your original SIM? This is huge. You can still get your WhatsApp messages, your 2FA codes for banking, and calls from worried parents checking to see if you’ve eaten, all while using affordable local data.
Better sign than you would expect
Quality providers connect you to the best networks in the United States: here we are talking about AT&T and Verizon. These are not some dodgy third-tier operators. You get adequate 5G in cities and solid 4G even when traveling through places like Nevada or Montana.
Can your phone really do this?
Quick check: If you have an iPhone from within the last few years (XR or newer), you’re fine. Newer Samsung phones also work, along with Google Pixels.
The easiest way to check it?
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → find “Add cellular plan”
- Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → check “Add eSIM”
One more thing: your phone must be unlocked. If you’re still paying for your phone through your provider, give them a call. They usually unlock it pretty quickly once you request it.
What really matters when choosing an eSIM provider
After trying different options, here’s what I’ve learned that really matters:
Network coverage that works everywhere
The United States is huge. Really huge. You want a provider that connects with multiple carriers, not just one. Coverage varies greatly depending on where you are traveling.
Plans that match your trip
Are you going to spend a long weekend in Miami? You need different data than someone who travels by road for three weeks. Good providers offer everything from small 1GB plans to much larger packages.
Real access to 5G
It’s not that fake “5GE” stuff that AT&T tried to retire a few years ago. Current 5G that makes browsing instant and video calls seamless.
No hidden nonsense
Some providers show you a price and then charge you activation fees, processing fees, breathing fees… Look for simple pricing. What you see should be what you pay for.
Why easySim has become my preferred option
I’m not getting paid to say this (I wish I was!), but after trying several providers over the last few years, I’ve actually found easySim to be one of the The best eSIM for traveling to the United Statesespecially if you visit multiple cities or go beyond major urban areas.
It’s part of the easy family
Do you know easyJet? Same founder, Sir Stelios. They’ve been doing that whole “making things simple and affordable” thing for decades. That reputation is important when you trust your vacation connectivity to a company.
They really work with the best networks
easySim connects you to AT&T and Verizon in the US. Not just one, both.
Last summer in Yosemite, half of my group couldn’t get a signal because they were using single network providers. I was uploading photos while they struggled to text. That dual network access really makes a difference.
Plus, you get adequate 5G in cities. I got faster speeds in downtown San Francisco than at home in London.
Prices that really make sense
Plans start between £3 and £4, and even the larger packages are reasonably priced. I usually take the 15GB plan for two weeks, which costs between £30 and £35 – less than a day of roaming with my usual provider.
They also allow you to pay in pounds, euros or dollars, so there are no surprise exchange margins.
Plans for each type of traveler
Whether you’re on a quick business trip or spending weeks exploring, US travel eSIM Options range from small 1GB plans to large 50GB packages, making it easy to choose what really fits your trip.
Real situations where easySim saved my trip
That time at the Grand Canyon
National parks are beautiful but usually have terrible phone coverage, so choose the Best eSIM for US tourists It matters even more once you leave the major cities. While others had no signal, I had usable coverage for trail maps and weather updates.
Business trip to Chicago
Video calls, presentations, emails – all seamless. Honestly, 5G speeds were better than my home office WiFi.
California road trip chaos
From San Diego to San Francisco with constant GPS, Spotify and Instagram. Reliable data throughout the trip made everything much less stressful.
Lost in Brooklyn at 2 am
Calling an Uber, messaging friends, and finding out where I was was truly priceless.
Setting it up is embarrassingly easy
Seriously, if I can do it after three glasses of wine the night before the flight, anyone can do it.
- Go to easySim.global
- Choose the USA as your destination
- Choose your amount of data
- Pay
- Get a QR code by email
- Scan it
- Activate when you land
Pro tip: set it up at home with WiFi. It won’t activate until you are in the US.
My real tips on using eSIM in the USA
- Install before your flight
- Disable data roaming on your home SIM
- Track your usage
- Download offline maps
- Use WiFi when available
- Recharge before you run out completely
eSIM vs. everything else (Spoiler: eSIMs win)
international roaming It is expensive and often strangled.
Physical SIMs They are annoying, outdated and easy to lose.
eSIMs are simpler, faster and much more flexible.
Final thoughts from someone who has actually used this stuff
Choosing the right eSIM really makes traveling to the United States better. No more shocking phone bills, no more getting lost without data and no more stress.
easySim.global has become my default recommendation for friends and family visiting the United States. It works, is reasonably priced, and is backed by real infrastructure.
Set it up before you leave, activate it when you land, and forget about it. This is how travel connectivity should work.
Based on personal experience testing multiple eSIM providers on 15+ trips to the US between 2022 and 2024. Last updated December 2024.
