United States eSIM at a glance
United States eSIM plans start at €2.63 for 500MB over a day and reach €52.49 for unlimited data over 30 days. Coverage runs on T-Mobile and AT&T, two of the three major US carriers. 5G is in every major metropolitan area. 4G LTE is nationwide, including most rural highway corridors. Activation takes around 90 seconds: scan the QR code and you'll be online before you clear customs at JFK, LAX, MIA, or ORD. Works on iPhone XS and newer, Pixel 4 and newer, and the Galaxy S20 series and newer, with hotspot and tethering on every plan.
Networks
T-Mobile, AT&T (4G / 5G)
Activation
Under 90 seconds via QR
Currency
USD ($)
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Plug type
Type A / Type B (120V)
Best time
It varies a lot by region. April to June and September to October are optimal for most cities. December to March suits Florida and the desert Southwest. Summer is the only realistic window for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.
United States eSIM plans
Most-picked plans for United States. Prices adjusted for local network costs. All plans include hotspot and tethering.
How a United States eSIM compares
Carrier roaming
~€15/day
≈ €210 for 2 weeks
Typical international roaming charge from major EU/UK/US carriers in United States. Caps often activate after €60/month and throttle to dial-up speeds.
Local SIM at airport
€15 to €40
one-time plus setup hassle
Walmart, Target, and Best Buy sell US prepaid SIMs for $30 to $50 covering 7 to 30 days. Most require a US billing address for activation, so eSIM is usually the only practical option for short visits.
RoamingFlex eSIM
€8.39
3GB / 15 days
Same plan covers 2 weeks of travel in United States. QR code in under 90 seconds. No app, no airport queue, no passport scan.
How much data you actually need in United States
Tourists in United States average 450MB/day. US tourist data usage runs higher than most destinations, averaging 400 to 500 MB per day. American Google Maps and Apple Maps tiles include traffic data that pulls heavily, Uber and Lyft are everywhere, and US-specific apps like Yelp and OpenTable take care of the restaurants. Free WiFi is common in coffee shops (Starbucks, Peet's) and most hotels, spotty in airports, and unreliable in transit. Source: RoamingFlex 22-destination data usage dataset (CC BY 4.0).
Insider tip
Pre-load offline Google Maps for any National Park you plan to visit (Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Zion). Cell coverage inside park boundaries is patchy regardless of carrier, rangers won't let you wander off-trail to find signal, and there's usually no service at the trailheads either.
How to activate your United States eSIM
- 1
Buy a United States plan
Pick a plan above based on your trip length. Pay by card or wallet. Checkout takes under a minute.
- 2
Receive your QR code
You'll see the QR code on screen the moment payment clears and get a copy by email within 2 minutes.
- 3
Open your phone's eSIM settings
iPhone: Settings, then Mobile Data, then Add eSIM, then Scan QR. Android: Settings, then Network, then Add Mobile Plan or SIM, then Scan QR.
- 4
Land in United States and turn on data roaming
Turn on data roaming for the new eSIM line (this is local data, not international roaming. The toggle is just how the OS routes traffic). You'll be online within 60 seconds of arrival.
United States eSIM frequently asked questions
Does the US eSIM work in Hawaii and Alaska?
Yes. T-Mobile and AT&T cover Hawaii (all main islands) and the populated parts of Alaska including Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Juneau on 4G LTE. 5G is limited in Alaska to a handful of urban centres. Remote wilderness has no cell coverage on any US carrier. Pack a paper map if you're going off the highway.
Will my eSIM cover road trips between cities?
Yes. Highway coverage on the Interstate system is solid on both T-Mobile and AT&T. You'll see continuous 4G LTE on I-5, I-95, I-10, I-80, and I-90, with intermittent 5G in metros. Expect occasional dead zones in rural Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, and Texas Hill Country.
How much data do I need for a 2-week US trip?
10GB is the safe pick for most 2-week itineraries. US apps run data-hungry and Maps plus Uber dominate the day. For Florida beach trips or NYC city-only stays, 5GB is enough. For cross-country drives or multi-park national park loops, the 20GB or Unlimited plan is wiser.
Does the plan include calls to US numbers?
No, data only. For calls to US restaurants, Uber drivers, or local contacts, use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Voice, or your home carrier's Wi-Fi calling. Many US businesses accept text and SMS through their websites too.
Will it work with Uber, Lyft, and DoorDash?
Yes. All major US apps run normally. Install and set up your account and payment before you fly. A few US apps trigger fraud checks on the first install from a non-US IP, which is annoying to deal with from a hotel lobby at midnight.
Can I use the eSIM in Puerto Rico, USVI, or other US territories?
Yes for Puerto Rico, where T-Mobile and AT&T both have full LTE and 5G coverage. USVI and Guam coverage is patchier and varies by carrier, so expect 4G in port towns and weak signal elsewhere.
How fast is US 5G compared to Europe?
T-Mobile's mid-band 5G in big US cities is among the fastest in the world, with 300 to 700 Mbps download being typical. AT&T's 5G+ in select cities also delivers 200 to 500 Mbps. Outside the top 50 metros expect 5G to fall back to 4G LTE at 30 to 80 Mbps, which is still excellent for any travel app.
Does tethering and personal hotspot work?
Yes. Every RoamingFlex US plan includes hotspot and tethering at no extra cost. Useful for laptop work in a coffee shop or sharing your connection with someone you're travelling with.
More Americas destinations
Ready to travel United States with mobile data?
QR code in 90 seconds. No app. No carrier shop.
Last updated 23 May 2026. Operated by Vektor Utility Holdings Limited (UK company 17174994).