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eSIM for upcoming US Holiday

Personally used a Three PAYG SIM for most recent visit to the US (New York). Just ordered one off their website and when it arrives, register it and convert it to an eSIM on My3. US roaming is inclusive on their PAYG plans. Speed was decent, good enough for browsing, maps, FaceTime and streaming.

If you need more than the fair use, just get more then one SIM/eSIM.

Had both 5G and 4G everywhere, don’t recall which networks - I think I saw a bit of TM, AT&T and Verizon.
 
BNESIM, 20GB USA for £16.27 with code 6FXB06SV. It's on T-Mobile, and you should be fine without B71 in cites and most towns.

If you can put an address and order locally, then Visible (Verizon) unlimited data for $20 is a good option imo. The speed is deprioritised on the $20 plan, but thats unlikely to be an issue as you can get 5G on it.
 
You mentioned you're visiting for 3 weeks?

I'd be inclined to suggest Visible (Verizon MVNO) or T-Mobile prepaid - both offer eSIM and work as local SIMs.

I only suggest as such because a lot of the "roaming" SIMs don't come with a local number ergo no calls etc. I find myself using Doordash, Uber, Lyft, Veo, Bird, Lime etc. when I'm over there and they all want a local number, so I now just keep my T-Mobile eSIM active.
 
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With Tello you can sign up before you travel using your UK address. Their plans are very cheap and flexible, as many minutes and GB as you want. The 30 day plan can be easily cancelled before the renewal day. It works on the T-Mobile network and you can use it anywhere in the world over wifi too.
 
I change devices fairly often, and it can only be used once per device but sometimes when i visit the US i use a T-Mobile network pass, which are free for 3 months, especially if i know i'll be visiting a few times in that period (work for a company based there).

I have a US mobile number that i use that i think i bought from more-mins or someone like that for £1 or so, so in the end i got 50+GB of data a month for 3 months for £1.

In order to do this you'll need a US version of the t-mobile app, I have a US google play account that I use.

(and yes as it's work i'd have the right to expense - but if I can do something cheaper with no real negatives, then i'll do that every time)

and you do get a US number.
 
As a semi regular traveller to the US, I tend to pick up an eSIM from whoever has the best offer at the time. That said, I’m usually only there for 4/5 days and typically have access to WiFi. I’m over on Monday and have nabbed a free eSIM from a deal on HUKD that came with 1GB and covers the US. Prior to finding that, I was going to use BNE eSIM which is £1.38 for 1GB valid for 30 days. They offer larger allowances too.

I wasn’t aware of tello and visible so will look into whether they are more cost effective.
 
Also, I wouldn't personally spend any money for it, but the Firsty eSIM covers the US and can be useful as a backup. Not sure what networks it would have access to, but if you watch an ad every hour, you have 0.1mbps of browsing time which may come in handy.
 
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Have a look at US Mobile: https://www.usmobile.com/plans

I go to the US regularly and use the Unlimited Starter Warp option when I'm there for a couple of weeks. $25 per month for unlimited data.

There are cheaper options too if you need less data.

Warp uses the Verizon network which works fine with my iPhone 15, I got 5G everywhere I went. The GSM option uses T-Mobile and I think some of the bands are missing on a UK/Europe iPhone so you might not get full coverage everywhere.

Alternatively, you can try Verizon's "Free Trial" which gives you 30 days of unlimited service if you've never used their network before: https://www.verizon.com/plans/free-trial/

You have to jump through some hoops to get it though - the app is only on the US app store so you need to change your location or set up a separate apple account. Also, you can only activate it once you're actually in the US.

It is handy having a US phone number though, which most "global esims" don't give you. Many restaurants will ask for a phone number when you arrive to text you when your table is ready.
Quick Q - I have an iphone 14 pro, the wife an iphone 15 pro. Why would you choose the GSM option?
 
Also.. I completely forgot to mention I am in Canada for 3 days at the start of the trip!

So any provider would need to have a 'roaming in canada' option
 
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Quick Q - I have an iphone 14 pro, the wife an iphone 15 pro. Why would you choose the GSM option?
Non US iPhones don't have the mmWave bands which Verizon uses for some of their 5G coverage in built up areas (US Mobile Warp uses Verizon masts).

Personally, I haven't found it a problem with my UK iPhone in the places I've been to but if you are in dense built up areas where demand is high you might notice you struggle to get 5G signal.

"GSM" uses T-Mobile masts instead of Verizon and T-Mobile don't use mmWave.
 
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