ESIM for the USA: how to choose a plan and not overpay for roaming

Free roaming in Europe ends right at the US border. Your home SIM card in America turns into an expensive meter, and a week of travel with active internet can easily run into hundreds of euros.

We gathered eSIM plans from nearly twenty providers and broke down what to check before you fly. The cheapest 20 GB package for 30 days costs about 8 € (as of 06/2026, heise.de plan comparison). That is enough to avoid hunting for a store on your first day and paying roaming charges.

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ESIM for the US: how it works

An eSIM works like a regular SIM card, just without the plastic. You buy a data package in advance and install it on your phone via a QR code or an app. You do not need to remove your home carrier's physical card: it stays in the slot, and calls and messages keep coming to your usual number.

Your phone can hold several digital profiles at once. You can keep a US package and your home plan active at the same time and switch between them in settings. Activation takes a couple of minutes: the provider sends a QR code to your email, you scan it with your camera and confirm the installation. Internet only turns on when you allow the profile to connect to the network yourself.

💡 In short:

• Check whether your phone supports eSIM.
• Compare packages based on your trip length: for two weeks, unlimited is a better deal; for a month, a 20 GB package is cheaper.
• Check separately whether the plan covers Alaska.
• Plans and conditions: 06/2026, verified in the heise.de comparison

Why roaming in the US costs more than in Europe

Within the EU, you use your home plan with no extra charges. That is how the "Roam like at home" rule works, and it applies to all EU countries, but not to Switzerland and Turkey (according to heise.de, 06/2026).

There is no such rule in the US. Your home carrier buys traffic from American networks and passes the cost on to you. That is why even a short trip with active internet ends up noticeably more expensive than you would expect based on past trips within Europe.

There are two options. First: buy a local SIM card on arrival. Second: set up a digital eSIM in advance. The second option is cheaper and does not require hunting for a store on the first day of your vacation.

Figure out in advance how much data you use. If you burn through about 10 GB per month at home, get a package with some headroom for your trip: navigation, maps, and photo uploads consume more than you think. That way you will not run out of internet in the middle of your route.

ESIM or physical SIM: which is more convenient

The choice affects price, time, and which number people can reach you on. Here is how the two options differ.

You can buy a physical card at airports, as well as at Walmart, Best Buy, and Target. At T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon stores, keep in mind the activation fee. The catch with this kind of card: with an American number, you are no longer reachable on your home number (according to the Süddeutsche Zeitung review).

An eSIM is more convenient for a short trip. You install it at home and turn it on when you land. No extra app is required, although it helps you track your remaining data. The catch: it does not work on every phone, and you need internet to activate it.

Choose a US package for your dates.

How much eSIM plans for the US cost

The price per gigabyte drops when you buy more data and a longer validity. Below is a 20 GB package for 30 days, from cheapest to most expensive (as of 06/2026, heise.de tables).

20 GB packages for 30 days

Unlimited plans for 15 days

If you watch videos and work from a laptop, unlimited is a better deal. Some packages throttle speed after the first few gigabytes, so check the conditions on the right.

The prices in the tables are a reference point. Promotions and exchange rates change, so check the amount with the provider before buying. The longer the validity and the larger the volume, the lower the price per gigabyte.

Plan your budget around your trip length. For a short 5-7 day trip, a 10 GB package is enough if you do not watch videos. For a two-week vacation with maps, navigation, and social media, get 20 GB or more, or unlimited. The difference between adjacent rows in the table is often less than two euros, and extra data comes in handy on the road.

Important: Alaska is not included in most US packages. Separate coverage for it is offered, for example, by Yesim (according to heise.de, 06/2026).

Compare Yesim US plans.

What to check before buying an eSIM

First, make sure your phone or tablet supports eSIM. Newer models support the standard by default, but there are exceptions. Open your network and SIM settings: if there is an option for a digital card, your device is ready.

Check the frequency bands. American networks operate on different frequencies, and some older European phones do not support them. This is especially important for a physical SIM: the card may simply not work. For eSIM, frequencies also matter, and the device itself must support a digital profile.

Then estimate how much data you need. Usage benchmarks (as of 06/2026, traffic usage heise.de):

If you are unsure, get a couple of extra gigabytes. Topping up data during your trip is usually more expensive than getting a plan that covers the entire duration from the start.

Estimate a plan for your usage.

How to choose a provider

Do not look only at the price. Here is what to pay attention to before buying.

• Network coverage. AT&T and T-Mobile are strong in cities, while Verizon holds a signal better outside the city. For a long road trip, choose a provider that supports Verizon, such as Saily, Airalo, or Sim Local (according to heise.de, 06/2026).
• Data allowance and tethering. If you share internet with a laptop, check the tethering terms. Holafly limits tethering to 500 MB per day, and unlimited plans often prohibit it entirely (according to heise.de, 06/2026). Ubigi has no tethering restrictions, and Sim Local allows unlimited tethering.
• Flexibility. Check the validity period and renewal terms. Some providers throttle the speed after you use up your package, while others cut off internet entirely. You can almost always buy more data, sometimes without installing a new eSIM. If you are traveling through several countries, choose a plan that is not tied to a single country.
• Security. Find out how the provider protects your data. Some services block ads and phishing sites and let you change your virtual location.
• Support. Live chat helps when the internet does not work upon landing. BNESIM offers support around the clock, and Monty eSIM answers questions at any time (according to heise.de, 06/2026).
• App. A simple app saves time during activation and shows how much data you have left.
• Extra services. VPN, cloud storage, and bonus programs add value to a package. Sometimes such an option outweighs a small price difference.

Checklist before traveling to the US

Set up your eSIM at home, not at the airport. In the US, you may need internet right after landing, and it will not appear instantly.

• Turn on data roaming. In network settings, allow data transfer for the eSIM, otherwise it will not connect to the local network.
• Set a data limit. Set the threshold slightly below your package size so you get a warning before the internet runs out.
• Install the eSIM before departure. At home you definitely have a connection, while Wi-Fi at the destination airport may not work. Activate the profile upon arrival so the package validity does not start early.
• Keep your home SIM in the phone. That way calls and messages to your regular number keep coming through.

© Porterhse · CC BY-SAPhoto: Porterhse, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0), Wikimedia Commons

Get an eSIM before departure.

US phone number: when you need one

A US number with the +1 code is useful if you visit the US often, work remotely for an American company, or maintain contacts there.

Having your own US number gives you several benefits:

• registration and two-factor authentication on many American platforms;
• better acceptance for bookings when a service calls you back, such as Uber, Lyft, or Airbnb;
• local call rates instead of expensive roaming on European cards.

You can add such a number as an option to an eSIM. It is offered by Airalo, Simbye, and travSIM, as well as the American carriers Tello Mobile and T-Mobile US (according to heise.de, 06/2026). Your home SIM stays active, so you are reachable under two numbers.

US Mobile stands out separately: when you sign up, you choose the network your number will run on. That can be Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T. This is useful if your route passes through places where one network holds a signal better than the others.

Connect a US number to eSIM.

ESIM for frequent flights and business trips

If you fly constantly, look at annual plans. Since late July 2025, Saily has offered a plan for roughly 63 € per month (as of 06/2026, annual plan on heise.de). It includes unlimited data in 113 countries, with 30 GB at high speed, after which the speed drops to 1 Mbps. Plus 8% cashback on your balance and priority support.

This plan pays off if you fly at least once a month and don't want to buy a package for every trip. For one trip a year, it costs more than a regular 15-day plan.

See the annual plan.

Roaming during a layover in Europe

If you have a layover in Europe on your way to the US, don't blindly rely on your home plan. Within the EU, data usually works without extra charges, but the amount you can use abroad may be limited. A plan with unlimited data at home sometimes cuts your gigabytes while traveling (according to heise.de, 06/2026).

Check the terms in advance so you don't get a bill before you even take off. If you have a small EU allowance left, use it only for maps and messengers, and save heavy downloads for the US. That way you won't burn through your package before the flight.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Does a US eSIM work on my phone?

Check your network and SIM settings. Many newer models support eSIM, but some phones work without it. If your settings have an option for a digital SIM, your device is ready. If you're unsure, check the list of compatible models on the provider's website. Without support, a physical SIM card remains your option.

Is Alaska included in US packages?

Usually not. Most US packages cover only the continental part, sometimes along with Hawaii. Alaska is excluded because of its expensive network, and some providers sell a special package for it. If you're going to Alaska, buy two packages or choose a provider with coverage in that state.

How much data should I get for a trip?

Calculate based on your usage. Browsing websites and messengers use little data, while video eats gigabytes. An hour of 1080p video takes about 2 GB. For a week with navigation, maps, and social media, a 10 GB package is enough; for streaming, get a 15-day unlimited plan.

Can I use an eSIM together with my own SIM?

Yes. An eSIM works in parallel with your home SIM. You keep your SIM in the slot, and data in the US goes through the eSIM. Calls and texts to your home number come through as usual if voice roaming isn't turned off. This way you stay reachable on two numbers.

Which is cheaper: a physical SIM or an eSIM?

In most cases, an eSIM is cheaper. A digital package often costs less, and you can buy it in advance. A physical SIM is convenient if your phone doesn't support eSIM or you need a local number specifically for calls. But it's usually bought on arrival and comes with an activation fee.

Do I need an eSIM if my plan already includes roaming?

Look at the price per gigabyte. Home roaming in the US is often more expensive than an eSIM package. If your carrier gives you little data abroad, a digital package will cost less. You don't need to turn off your home SIM; both cards work together.

In short: what to book

The choice depends on your travel scenario. If you have a short week-long trip and only need data for maps and messengers, get a 10 GB package. If you watch videos and work from a laptop, get a 15-day unlimited plan.

Set up your eSIM in advance: install it at home, activate it on arrival, and use data without roaming bills. See US plans.