Look, I’ve been traveling to the States for years now, and I’ve tried just about every way to stay connected – from those ridiculously expensive roaming charges to hunting down SIM cards at airport kiosks at midnight. Trust me when I say eSIMs have completely changed the game.
Let me walk you through everything you actually need to know about staying connected during your USA trip.
What Exactly is an eSIM? (And Why Should You Care?)
You know those tiny SIM cards we’ve been dealing with forever? The ones you inevitably drop on the floor while your flight is boarding? Yeah, forget about those.
An eSIM is basically a digital version that’s already built into your phone. No physical card to swap out, no tiny ejector pins to lose. You just scan a QR code, and boom – you’re set up with a local data plan.
Here’s the really cool part: your original SIM stays 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 swapping cards around.
If this is your first time using one, it really helps to understand how eSIM works before picking a data plan, especially if you’re switching from traditional physical SIM cards.
Why I’ll Never Go Back to Regular Roaming
I learned this the hard way on my first trip to New York. My phone bill came back at £400 for just one week. My partner nearly had a heart attack.
That’s when I discovered eSIMs, and honestly, there’s no going back. Here’s what makes them so much better:
You’re Connected Immediately
The second you land at JFK or LAX, your phone just… works. No scrambling for airport WiFi. No Google Maps panic attacks trying to figure out how to get to your hotel.
Your Wallet Stays Happy
I’m talking about paying maybe £20–30 for a week instead of hundreds. That’s money you can spend on actually enjoying your trip. More In-N-Out burgers, anyone?
You Keep Your Real Number
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 if you’ve eaten – all while using affordable local data.
Better Signal Than You’d Expect
Quality providers connect you to America’s best networks – we’re talking AT&T and Verizon here. These aren’t some dodgy third-tier carriers. You get proper 5G in cities and solid 4G even when you’re road-tripping through places like Nevada or Montana.
Can Your Phone Actually Do This?
Quick check: if you’ve got an iPhone from the last few years (XR or newer), you’re good. Most recent Samsung phones work too, along with Google Pixels.
The easiest way to check?
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → look for “Add Cellular Plan”
- Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → check for “Add eSIM”
One more thing – your phone needs to be unlocked. If you’re still paying off your phone through your carrier, give them a call. They usually unlock it pretty quickly once you ask.
What Actually Matters When Picking an eSIM Provider
After trying different options, here’s what I’ve learned actually matters:
Network Coverage That Works Everywhere
America is massive. Like, really massive. You want a provider that connects to multiple carriers – not just one. Coverage varies wildly depending on where you’re traveling.
Plans That Match Your Trip
Going for a long weekend in Miami? You need different data than someone road-tripping for three weeks. Good providers offer everything from small 1GB plans to much larger packages.
Real 5G Access
Not that fake “5GE” stuff AT&T tried to pull a few years back. Actual 5G that makes navigation instant and video calls smooth.
No Hidden Nonsense
Some providers show you one price, then hit you with activation fees, processing fees, breathing fees… Look for straightforward pricing. What you see should be what you pay.
Why easySim Has Become My Go-To Choice
I’m not getting paid to say this (wish I was!), but after testing multiple providers over the past couple of years, I’ve genuinely found easySim to be one of the best eSIM for USA travel, especially if you’re visiting multiple cities or heading beyond just the major urban areas.
It’s Part of the easy Family
You know easyJet? Same founder, Sir Stelios. They’ve been doing the whole “make things simple and affordable” thing for decades. That reputation matters when you’re trusting a company with your vacation connectivity.
They Actually Work with the Best Networks
easySim connects you to both AT&T and Verizon in the USA. Not just one – both.
Last summer in Yosemite, half my group couldn’t get a signal because they were using single-network providers. I was uploading photos while they were struggling to send texts. That dual-network access genuinely makes a difference.
Plus, you get proper 5G in cities. I was getting faster speeds in downtown San Francisco than I do at home in London.
Pricing That Actually Makes Sense
Plans start around £3–4, and even the larger packages are reasonably priced. I usually grab the 15GB plan for two weeks, costing about £30–35 – less than a single day of roaming with my regular carrier.
They also let you pay in pounds, euros, or dollars, so there are no surprise exchange-rate markups.
Plans for Every Type of Traveler
Whether you’re on a quick business trip or spending weeks exploring, USA travel eSIM options range from small 1GB plans to large 50GB packages, making it easy to choose what actually fits your trip.
Real Situations Where easySim Saved My Trip
That Time in the Grand Canyon
National parks are beautiful but usually have terrible phone coverage, which is why choosing the best eSIM for USA tourists matters even more once you leave 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 smooth. The 5G speeds were honestly better than my office WiFi back home.
California Road Trip Chaos
San Diego to San Francisco with constant GPS, Spotify, and Instagram. Reliable data the entire drive made everything far less stressful.
Lost in Brooklyn at 2am
Calling an Uber, messaging friends, and figuring out where I actually was – priceless.
Getting Set Up is Embarrassingly Easy
Seriously, if I can do it after three glasses of wine the night before a flight, anyone can.
- Go to easySim.global
- Pick USA as your destination
- Choose your data amount
- Pay
- Get a QR code by email
- Scan it
- Activate when you land
Pro tip: install it at home on WiFi. It won’t activate until you’re actually in the USA.
My Actual Tips from Using eSIMs in the USA
- Install before your flight
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM
- Track your usage
- Download offline maps
- Use WiFi when available
- Top up before you completely run out
eSIMs vs Everything Else (Spoiler: eSIMs Win)
International roaming is expensive and often throttled.
Physical SIMs are annoying, outdated, and easy to lose.
eSIMs are simpler, faster, and far more flexible.
Final Thoughts from Someone Who’s Actually Used This Stuff
Choosing the right eSIM genuinely makes USA travel better. No more shock phone bills, no more getting lost without data, and no more stress.
easySim.global has become my default recommendation to friends and family visiting the States. It works, it’s fairly priced, and it’s backed by real infrastructure.
Set it up before you leave, activate when you land, and forget about it. That’s how travel connectivity should work.
Based on personal experience testing multiple eSIM providers across 15+ USA trips between 2022–2024. Last updated December 2024.
