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.
Flysimio United States eSIM
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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.
Best eSIM for New York
New York City has full 5G on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. Flysimio routes through AT&T/T-Mobile, so you get 5G in Midtown, Lower Manhattan, Williamsburg, and Long Island City, plus 4G/5G in most MTA subway stations (in-tunnel coverage is rolling out line by line). JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark (EWR) all have strong signal at arrivals — your eSIM connects before you reach baggage claim. For a long-weekend NYC trip, 5 GB covers Google Maps, the MTA app, rideshare, and social; a week of heavy use is more comfortable on 10 GB.
Best eSIM for Los Angeles
Los Angeles has wide 5G coverage, with T-Mobile's mid-band especially strong across Downtown, Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Venice. Flysimio covers the sprawling LA metro — Beverly Hills, Pasadena, Long Beach — plus the freeway corridors you will inevitably sit in. LAX has full 5G at arrivals. Because LA trips involve a lot of driving and Google Maps, budget a little more data: 10 GB for a week is a safe choice if you are navigating constantly or day-tripping to San Diego or Joshua Tree.
Best eSIM for Las Vegas
Las Vegas has some of the densest 5G in the country — the Strip, Downtown/Fremont Street, and the convention centers (great for CES and trade-show visitors) are blanketed on all carriers. Flysimio gives you fast 5G the length of the Strip and at Harry Reid International (LAS), which sits minutes from the casinos. 5 GB is plenty for a typical 3–4 night Vegas trip of maps, rideshare, show tickets, and posting photos; add more only if you are streaming or tethering.
Best eSIM for Miami
Miami has strong 5G across South Beach, Brickell, Wynwood, and Downtown, with good coverage out to Coral Gables and the airport (MIA) corridor. Flysimio on AT&T/T-Mobile keeps you connected on the beach and in the Art Deco district, and along the causeways. For a beach-and-nightlife long weekend, 5 GB is sufficient; if you are driving down to the Keys or over to the Everglades, download offline maps — coverage thins on the more remote stretches of US-1 and in the Everglades interior.
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.
Which eSIM should I buy for the USA?
Flysimio's 5 GB / 30-day USA plan at $7.75 is the cheapest entry for a standard visit — it runs on the same AT&T and T-Mobile networks that direct carrier plans use at $15-$30+. Airalo charges $14+ for the same 5 GB.
Is an eSIM worth it for a short trip to the USA?
Yes — for visitors, a prepaid travel eSIM is nearly always cheaper than roaming or a US carrier plan. A 5 GB plan at $7.75 covers maps, messaging, and browsing for a typical one-to-two-week trip, and installs before you fly.
Sources & further reading
Maya Okafor
Senior Travel Connectivity Editor
Maya has tested eSIMs across 40+ countries over five years of full-time travel — from Tokyo subways to Patagonian backroads. She runs Flysimio’s hands-on network and speed testing.