A travel eSIM is the simplest way to get mobile data on a US trip. You buy it online, scan a QR code, and it starts working when you land. You keep your home SIM active in the other slot, so your usual number keeps working for calls and codes.
Travel eSIMs are data-only. They do not give you a US phone number, so they can't receive US SMS verification codes. For that, see Choosing a US number.
Price comparison (USA plans)
As of September 2026. Prices change often and promotions are common. Check each official site.
| Provider | Sample US plans | US networks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Unlimited: 3 days $11.50, 7 days $25, 30 days $68. Fixed-GB plans also sold | T-Mobile + 1 other | Also sells some data + calls/texts products |
| Holafly | Unlimited: 3 days $11.90, 7 days $27.50, 30 days $73.90 | AT&T / T-Mobile | Hotspot sharing limited to about 1 GB/day |
| Nomad | ≈$4–5 for 1 GB/7 days, ≈$8–10 for 3 GB/30 days, ≈$35 for 20 GB/30 days | T-Mobile / AT&T / Verizon | Data only |
| Ubigi | $4 for 1 GB/7 days, $14 for 10 GB/30 days, $25 for 7 days unlimited | Varies | Monthly and 12-month plans also available |
| Saily | Around $4–5 for 1 GB, around $9 for 3 GB (sources differ) | T-Mobile / AT&T | "Unlimited" plans have a daily high-speed cap |
Rules of thumb: for a short trip with light use (maps, messaging), 1–3 GB is plenty. For heavy video or hotspot use, compare unlimited plans against fixed 10–20 GB plans. "Unlimited" plans usually slow down after a daily or fair-use cap.
Travel eSIM vs other options
| Option | Cost for a 1–2 week trip | US number? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Travel eSIM (data only) | About $4–30 | No | Easiest. Keep your home SIM for calls |
| Home carrier roaming pass | Varies, often $5–15/day | Your home number | Convenient but usually the most expensive |
| US prepaid SIM (e.g. Tello, Mint, T-Mobile prepaid) | About $5–30/month | Yes | Useful if you also want a US number afterwards |
| US carrier with roaming (e.g. US Mobile) | From about $10/month | Yes | Only if you'll keep the line long-term |
If you plan to keep a US number for 2FA after the trip, buying a US prepaid line for the visit can do both jobs. Activating it inside the US may also avoid some carriers' restrictions on lines activated abroad.
Is your phone compatible?
- Carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to a carrier won't accept another company's eSIM. Check with your carrier or in your phone settings.
- eSIM support. On iPhone, eSIM starts with the iPhone XS, XS Max and XR. Most recent Pixel and Samsung Galaxy flagships support eSIM. Some regional variants don't.
- Mainland-China iPhones. Many iPhone models sold in mainland China use two physical nano-SIMs instead of eSIM. Check your model's SIM support before buying.
- US-sold iPhones are eSIM-only from iPhone 14 onward, with no SIM tray. Apple lists the iPhone 17 and 18 families as eSIM-only in the US, Canada, Mexico, Japan and several other markets, and iPhone Air as eSIM-only everywhere.
How to install and use
- Buy the plan before your trip, over good Wi-Fi.
- Install via QR code or the provider's app. On iPhone, go to Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM.
- Label it "Travel data." Keep your home line on for calls and SMS, and set Cellular Data to the travel eSIM.
- Turn on Data Roaming for the travel eSIM only. Many travel eSIMs technically roam on US networks. Keep data roaming off for your home SIM to avoid surprise bills.
- Check whether the plan's validity starts at installation or on first connection in the US.
The IP address caveat
Many people assume a US travel eSIM gives them a US IP address. Often it doesn't.
- Many eSIM resellers send traffic through a hub in another country (for example the Netherlands or Singapore) before it reaches the internet. One 2026 analysis found 386 of 392 plans exited in a country other than the one they were sold for.
- The IP you get depends on the provider's setup, not on where you are standing.
- If you need US-region access for a bank app or streaming, don't assume a travel eSIM will provide it. Check your IP after connecting (search "what is my IP"). US carrier SIMs roaming abroad are often routed through the US, but this varies by carrier and is not guaranteed.
Bank apps may also flag logins from unexpected countries. Log in once from a familiar network before your trip, and keep your 2FA methods working.
Pitfalls
- Wrong region plan. Buy a "United States" or "North America" plan, not a global plan with poor US coverage.
- Deleting the eSIM. Many eSIMs can't be reinstalled once deleted. Don't remove it until the plan is used up.
- Hotspot limits on unlimited plans.
- No phone number. You can't receive US SMS codes on a data-only eSIM.
FAQ
Can I use a travel eSIM to receive my home-country OTP? Yes, indirectly. Keep your home SIM active for SMS, or use its Wi-Fi Calling over the eSIM's data.
Can I keep the eSIM for my next trip? Some providers let you top up the same eSIM. Others issue a new one each time.
Sources
- https://www.airalo.com/united-states-esim
- https://esim.holafly.com/esim-usa/
- https://www.nomadesim.com/united-states-eSIM
- https://cellulardata.ubigi.com/rates-and-coverage/usa-data-plans/usa-unlimited/
- https://saily.com/esim-united-states/
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/118669
- https://support.apple.com/en-us/118569
- https://ipregistry.co/blog/travel-esim-ip-geolocation-home-routing
