The verdict: what to buy
For visitors to the US: Flysimio's 5 GB / 30-day USA plan at $7.75 is the lowest-cost entry for a standard trip. T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon all operate eSIM plans directly, but at $15–$30+ for similar data. Airalo charges $14+ for 5 GB. The US is one of the most expensive eSIM markets globally due to high carrier costs — choosing the right provider saves $30–$60 on a 2-week trip.
USA eSIM comparison table (2026)
| Provider | Plan | Price | Carrier | Price/GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flysimio | 5 GB / 30 days | $7.75 | AT&T / T-Mobile | $1.55/GB |
| Flysimio | 10 GB / 30 days | $14.50 | AT&T / T-Mobile | $1.45/GB |
| Airalo | 5 GB / 30 days | $14.50 | AT&T | $2.90/GB |
| Saily | 5 GB / 30 days | $11.99 | T-Mobile | $2.40/GB |
| Nomad | 5 GB / 30 days | $10.00 | T-Mobile | $2.00/GB |
| Holafly | Unlimited / 30 days | $57.00 | T-Mobile | Unlimited |
| T-Mobile (direct) | Pay-as-you-go | From $15 | T-Mobile | Variable |
Which US carrier to choose and why it matters
The US has three national carriers — T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon — plus hundreds of MVNOs running on top of them. For eSIM travelers, the carrier your plan uses determines rural coverage and 5G quality.
- T-Mobile: Best 5G coverage in more than 300 cities. Leads in mid-band 5G (the fast kind). Excellent for cities, decent for highways. Weaker in very rural Midwest and Appalachia.
- AT&T: Best rural 4G LTE coverage — critical for national park visits (Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Glacier). Good in Texas, Southeast US. 5G expanding but behind T-Mobile.
- Verizon: Deepest rural penetration nationally. Best choice for Alaska, Montana, and remote highway routes. Slower 5G expansion than T-Mobile.
Which USA eSIM plan for your trip
| Trip type | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| NYC, LA, Chicago city break (5–7 days) | Flysimio 5 GB / 30 days ($7.75) | City navigation, Uber, social — 5 GB easily covers a week. |
| Cross-country road trip | Flysimio 10 GB / 30 days ($14.50) | Navigation, music streaming, Google Maps — 10 GB is safer for 2–4 weeks driving. |
| National parks tour | Flysimio 5 GB + AT&T routing | Download offline maps before entering parks. Coverage is patchy in backcountry. |
| Remote work from US (1 month) | Flysimio unlimited daily plan | Daily quota with 1 Mbps after cap — usable for video calls and browsing. |
| Visiting multiple US states + Canada | Separate US + Canada eSIMs | Buy country-specific plans. US plans do not cover Canada. |
5G coverage in major US cities
- New York City: 5G on all three networks throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
- Los Angeles: 5G coverage throughout metro area; strong T-Mobile mid-band.
- Las Vegas: Exceptional 5G on the Strip and surrounding resort areas.
- Chicago: Dense 5G in downtown Loop and suburbs.
- Miami: Strong coverage across Miami Beach, Wynwood, and airport corridor.
- National parks (Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Yosemite): 4G in visitor centers and main lodges. Backcountry trails: expect gaps. Download offline maps before entering.
When Flysimio is not your best option
- You want a US phone number: eSIMs are data only. For a temporary US number, consider Google Voice or Skype — works over Flysimio data.
- You need Verizon specifically: Flysimio routes through AT&T and T-Mobile. For Verizon's rural coverage specifically, buy directly from Verizon.
- You need unlimited with no throttle: Holafly's $57 unlimited plan has no speed throttle. Flysimio's unlimited daily plan caps at 1 Mbps after the daily quota.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for visiting the USA?
Flysimio's USA 5 GB / 30-day plan at $7.75 is the lowest-priced option for most trips. For heavy data users, the 10 GB plan at $14.50 offers better value. Airalo and Nomad work well but cost significantly more for the same data.
Does a US eSIM work in Hawaii and Alaska?
Yes, both are included in US eSIM coverage. Hawaii has excellent 4G LTE across all major islands (Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Big Island). Alaska has reliable 4G in Anchorage, Fairbanks, and major towns; remote wilderness areas and small villages may be offline.
Can I keep my home phone number while using a US eSIM?
Yes. Using dual SIM (your physical home SIM + the US eSIM), your home number stays active for incoming calls and SMS. Set the US eSIM as your data line in Settings → Cellular.
Does the USA eSIM work in US territories like Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands are typically included in US eSIM plans. Guam varies by provider — check before purchasing if Guam is your destination.
Is a USA eSIM cheaper than international roaming from my home carrier?
Almost always, yes. Most international carriers charge $10–$15 per day for US roaming. Flysimio's 30-day USA plan costs $7.75 — that is less than a single day of most roaming plans.