If you’re heading to the States, investing in an eSIM will enable you to roam like a local without paying hefty network charges.
Here, we look at the best eSIMs for travel to the USA, including Revolut, which offers a sign-up bonus of £20.
First, you’ll need to check whether your mobile phone is eSIM compatible. If it is, you can go ahead and buy an eSIM from your chosen provider. This is usually quick to do online or through the provider’s app.
Buying an eSIM online is often a lot easier than sorting out a physical SIM, and if you get everything ready in time, you’ll be able to start using your data as soon as you land in the USA. Just be sure to give some thought to how much data you’re likely to use while you’re travelling as you can usually select from different data plans.
| Provider | Key features | Data options | Coverage duration | Price range | Offers/bonuses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | Data-only plans. £20 cashback bonus when you sign-up. | 1 GB – 100 GB | 7 – 60 day plans | £2.50 – £35 | £20 sign-up bonus |
| Holafly | Data-only, customisable plans. | Unlimited | 1 – 90 day plans | £3.79 – £116 | No bonus |
| Nomad | Offers both data-only eSIMs and plans with calls. Free trial eSIM for new users. | 1 GB – Unlimited | 7 – 30 day plans | £3.76 – £36.82 | No bonus |
| Saily | Data-only plans. New security features and 115+ virtual locations you can choose from. | 1 GB – Unlimited | 7 – 30 day plans | £3.01 – £54.29 | No bonus |
| Maya Mobile | Data-only plans. Offers plans up to 180 days, plus a money-back guarantee if it doesn’t work. | 5 GB – Unlimited | 5 – 180 day plans | £4.99 – £152.99 | No bonus |
| Jetpac | Data-only plans. Free access to Whatsapp Chat, Uber, Grab and Google Maps when your data runs out. | 1 GB – 100 GB | 7 – 30 day plans | £3.50 – £54.50 | No bonus |
| Airalo | Offers both data-only eSIMs and plans with calls and texts. | 1 GB – Unlimited | 3 – 30 day plans | £3.50 – £53.50 | No bonus |
Revolut is a financial app that can make travelling abroad a lot easier. As well as offering fee-free overseas spending on your card, you can buy an eSIM plan for the USA. Customers can choose from several data plans ranging from 1GB for 7 days up to 100GB for 60 days.
Getting set up through the app is easy and you’ll be able to select which plan works best for you, or even upgrade when required. You’ll also be able to track your usage and redeem any existing RevPoints against your data plan.
Revolut eSIMs use the 1GLOBAL network in the USA.
As an additional bonus, new Revolut customers get a £20 reward when they sign up.
Avoid roaming charges with an eSIM from Holafly. It offers unlimited data plans for more than 160 countries, including the USA. Its North America eSIM also includes coverage in Canada.
Simply select your destination and how many days you’re travelling for, install and activate your eSIM and then connect to speeds of 4G and 5G as you travel around.
Holafly eSIMs use the AT&T network in the USA.
Nomad offers eSIMs for more than 200 countries, including the USA. Plans range from 1 to 30 days, with a variety of data options including unlimited. You also have the choice of a data-only plan or one that includes texts and calls.
Some plans also work in other countries, which could be ideal if you’re planning a stopover elsewhere or heading to another destination after the USA. Alternatively, if you’re heading to both America and Canada, select the North America eSIM to get seamless data coverage during your travels.
Nomad eSIMs use the AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile networks in the USA.
With Saily, you can select an eSIM for the United States only or an eSIM for North America if you’re also travelling to Canada. Data plans range from 1GB to unlimited, while plans last from 7 to 30 days. Alternatively, if you’re setting off on a global adventure, check out the Saily Ultra plan which gives you unlimited international eSIM data plus perks like cashback.
Saily’s big selling point, however, is that it comes with a host of security features to help you stay connected and protect your browsing while you’re travelling.
Saily eSIMs use the T-Mobile, AT&T networks in the USA.
Maya Mobile offers several different eSIM plans for those travelling to the USA, with fast 4G/5G data. But unlike many of its competitors you can select plans that range up to 180 days, making it a great option if you’re planning to travel extensively – you’ll even have the option to extend your cover if it’s not enough.
If you’re travelling to multiple countries, you can also select the global eSIM which helps you stay connected in 119 countries, including the USA. And if you change your plans or your eSIM fails to work, Maya Mobile offers a 180-day money-back guarantee.
Maya Mobile eSIMs use the Verizon, AT&T networks in the USA.
You can choose from several data plans with Jetpac, with its unlimited plans starting from 3 days and going up to 30 days. You’ll also benefit from free access to WhatsApp Chat, Uber, Grab and Google Maps even when your data runs out. Choose from eSIMs for just the USA or for North America.
Jetpac eSIMs use the Verizon, AT&T networks in the USA.
Airalo offers a straightforward eSIM for the United States, or you can select its North America eSIM which covers you in the USA, Canada and Mexico – ideal if you’re planning to travel around. Global eSIMs are also available if you want to travel further afield.
Plans range from 7 to 30 days and offer data, calls and text or you can pick a data-only plan if you prefer. Unlimited data plans are also available but cost more.
Airalo eSIMs use the T-Mobile, Verizon networks in the USA.
If you’re heading to the USA for a week, it’s likely you’ll be looking for a 7-day USA eSIM. Here’s a comparison of the main options:
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data (largest package) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | 7 days | £3 | 1 GB |
| Holafly | 7 days | £24 | Unlimited |
| Nomad | 7 days | £17.28 | Unlimited |
| Saily | 7 days | £3.01 | 1 GB |
| Jetpac | 7 days | £22.50 | Unlimited |
| Airalo | 7 days | £22 | Unlimited |
If you’re going to the USA for a month, it’s likely you’ll be looking for a 30 day USA eSIM. As most providers now offer multiple 30-day plans, we’ve chosen to compare each provider’s largest data package. Check out our comparison of the main options below:
| Provider | Plan | Price | Data (largest package) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut | 30 days | £32 | 20 GB |
| Holafly | 30 days | £60 | Unlimited |
| Nomad | 30 days | £21.79 | 50 GB |
| Saily | 30 days | £54.29 | Unlimited |
| Maya Mobile | 30 days | £48.99 | Unlimited |
| Jetpac | 30 days | £54.50 | Unlimited |
| Airalo | 30 days | £53.50 | Unlimited |
If you’d prefer to buy your eSIM from a provider based in the USA rather than a global eSIM provider, our 3 top picks are as follows:
Established in 1983, AT&T is one one of the largest and most trusted telecommunications providers in the USA. It has an extensive network, enabling you to stay connected throughout your trip to the States. You can choose from a range of prepaid eSIMs, but you’ll either need to buy one through a third party provider before your trip, or have an address in the States that you can have it sent to if you want to buy directly through the AT&T website.
All plans include unlimited talk and text, and you’ll then select how much data you require.
T-Mobile is a major mobile carrier in the USA and operates under the T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile brands. You can choose eSIM plans that range from 5 days to 15 days, with unlimited data, making them ideal if you’re only staying in the States for a short while. Alternatively, you can pick from a range of monthly plans if you’re planning to stay longer or visit Mexico and Canada as well as the States. All of these plans can easily be bought online.
Verizon is another major American telecommunications company, so you shouldn’t have any problems staying in touch during your trip with a Verizon eSIM. You’ll need to download the Verizon app to get started, choose the plan that works best for you and then verify you’re in the US and activate your eSIM. All plans include talk, text and data in Canada and Mexico as well as the USA, and options include 15GB or unlimited data. Note that these are prepaid monthly plans.
If you’d prefer not to buy an eSIM online or via an app, there are options for buying one in person. You’ll often find carrier kiosks at airports when you arrive, where you can pick up a prepaid eSIM for your trip. Alternatively, you may be able to buy an eSIM activation kit at your chosen mobile operator’s store or in shops like Target and Walmart.
Before investing in an eSIM it’s essential to check whether your device is compatible. If you have a modern smartphone, such an iPhone, Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel model, it should support eSIMs. But if you have an older handset, it probably won’t.
Buying an eSIM can make staying connected much cheaper while you’re travelling around the USA. It enables you to connect to the local mobile network and saves you from paying expensive roaming fees charged by your UK mobile network. However, it’s important to take the time to research your options, thinking about how much data you’re likely to need on your trip and which option works out to be the most cost-effective.
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