Best eSIM for USA 2026: Unlimited Data Guide for All 50 States
Holafly USA eSIM with unlimited data. Works in all 50 states, installs before you fly, activates immediately on landing. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off. Plans from $19 (5 days) to $99 (90 days).
Best eSIM for USA 2026: Holafly Unlimited Data (5% Off)
Photo by Dino Reichmuth on Unsplash
Whether you are visiting NYC for the holidays, doing a California road trip, or exploring national parks, staying connected in the USA is essential for navigation, ride apps, and finding restaurants. An eSIM gives you unlimited data from the moment you land without hunting for airport SIM kiosks or paying roaming fees. Here is what works best in 2026. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off Holafly USA eSIM.
Why use an eSIM for USA travel?
If you are visiting the USA from another country, you have a few options for staying connected: use your home carrier with roaming, buy a physical SIM at the airport, or install an eSIM before you fly.
Most international travelers find eSIMs easier because:
- Install at home before you fly - No airport kiosk hunting, no language barriers, no lines
- Works immediately on landing - Turn on the eSIM line and you have data within minutes
- Keep your home number - Physical SIM stays in your phone for calls and texts
- Predictable costs - Pay upfront, no surprise roaming bills after your trip
- Unlimited data - Use maps, rideshare, and restaurant apps without rationing gigabytes
For USA travel specifically, unlimited data matters because distances are huge. You will use navigation constantly whether driving between cities, finding subway routes in NYC, or locating trailheads in national parks.
Why Holafly is the best eSIM for USA travel
After using various eSIM providers across the USA, Holafly consistently works best for international visitors. Here is why:
Unlimited data that actually works
Holafly USA plans include truly unlimited data with no daily caps, no throttling after a certain amount, and no fair use policies that slow you down. This matters when you are uploading photos from the Grand Canyon, streaming music on a California road trip, or video calling home from your hotel.
Runs on T-Mobile and AT&T networks
Holafly eSIMs in the USA connect to major carriers like T-Mobile and AT&T, which means strong coverage in cities and decent coverage in rural areas. Not perfect everywhere (no carrier is), but reliable in the places most travelers actually go.
Hotspot capability
Most Holafly USA plans allow you to share your connection via hotspot. Helpful if you are traveling with family and want to share data, or if you need to connect a laptop for work.
Simple activation
Install the eSIM on WiFi before you fly. When you land in the USA, turn on the Holafly line, enable data roaming for that line, and you are connected. Takes about 2 minutes.
What we use
We use Holafly unlimited eSIMs for every USA trip because we do not want to think about data. Whether we are navigating NYC subways or uploading photos from Yellowstone, having unlimited data means we just use our phones normally.
Photos by Justin Snyder and Alex Azabache on Unsplash
Holafly vs Airalo vs T-Mobile for USA
Here is how the main options compare for international visitors:
| Provider | Data | Price (7 days) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holafly USA eSIM | Unlimited | $19 (5 days) $27 (7 days) |
Most travelers who want unlimited data and easy setup |
| Airalo USA eSIM | Fixed (1GB-20GB) | $4.50 (1GB) $11.50 (3GB) |
Very light users, budget travelers willing to monitor usage |
| T-Mobile Tourist SIM | Varies by plan | $30 (2GB/week) $35 (unlimited) |
Long-term visitors, those who need a local phone number |
| Home carrier roaming | Depends on plan | $10-15/day typical | Very short trips (1-2 days) if your carrier has good USA rates |
Why we recommend Holafly for most USA visitors
Airalo is cheaper if you only need 1-3GB total, but for a typical week in the USA, most people blow through 3GB just using Google Maps and uploading photos. Holafly unlimited costs $8-12 more but eliminates the stress of monitoring usage.
T-Mobile Tourist SIM requires going to a T-Mobile store after you land, which takes time and may require finding a store near your hotel. Holafly installs at home in 2 minutes.
Home carrier roaming at $10-15 per day adds up fast. A week costs $70-105, while Holafly is $27 for the same period.
USA eSIM pricing for different trip lengths
Holafly USA eSIM plans scale based on how long you are visiting:
Weekend trip (3-5 days)
Holafly 5-day plan: $19
Perfect for:
- NYC long weekend
- Miami beach trip
- Las Vegas visit
- Quick business trip
Unlimited data means you use maps, Uber, and Instagram freely without worrying about running out.
1-week vacation (7-10 days)
Holafly 7-day plan: $27
Holafly 10-day plan: $34
Perfect for:
- California road trip
- NYC + Boston + Washington DC
- Florida theme parks
- National park tour
Most common option for international tourists visiting USA.
2-week trip (15 days)
Holafly 15-day plan: $47
Perfect for:
- East Coast + West Coast combo
- Extended national parks trip
- Multiple city tour
- Visiting family + sightseeing
Long trip (30-90 days)
Holafly 30-day: $69
Holafly 60-day: $87
Holafly 90-day: $99
Perfect for:
- Extended vacation
- Working remotely
- Multi-month road trip
- Snowbird season
Use code STEPHANDPETE at checkout for 5% off any plan length.
Photos by Ferdinand Stöhr and Vitaly Sacred on Unsplash
Where does Holafly USA eSIM work?
Holafly USA eSIMs run on T-Mobile and AT&T networks, which means coverage in all 50 states with strong signals in populated areas.
Excellent coverage in
- Major cities: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Philadelphia, San Antonio, San Diego, Dallas, Miami, Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, San Francisco
- Tourist destinations: Las Vegas, Orlando, New Orleans, Nashville, Austin, Denver, Portland, Savannah
- National parks: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Zion (main areas), Great Smoky Mountains
- Interstate highways: I-95, I-5, I-10, I-80, and other major routes
Spotty coverage in
- Deep backcountry and wilderness areas
- Remote sections of Montana, Wyoming, Nevada deserts
- Very rural areas far from towns
In practice, if there are people around, you probably have coverage. The gaps are in genuinely remote areas where even locals struggle to get signal.
Winter sports note
If you are visiting ski resorts like Aspen, Vail, Park City, or Lake Tahoe, coverage is generally good at resort bases and lodges. Signal can be weak on chairlifts and in backcountry areas. Download offline maps before heading out.
Seasonal travel coverage
USA eSIMs work year-round, but here is what to expect in different seasons:
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Excellent in cities (NYC, Chicago), good at ski resorts, spotty in remote mountain areas
- Spring (Mar-May): Peak national park season - coverage good at visitor centers, weaker on trails
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Road trip season - coverage along major highways, download maps for remote scenic routes
- Fall (Sep-Nov): Great coverage for leaf peeping routes in New England, city tourism
How to install your USA eSIM
The process is identical to installing eSIMs for other countries. If you have used Holafly before for Japan or Caribbean, this will feel familiar.
Before you fly (at home on WiFi)
- Buy your USA eSIM at stephandpete.co/holafly
- Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off
- Check email for QR code (arrives within minutes)
- Screenshot the QR code for offline access
- Go to Settings and scan QR to install eSIM
- Label it "Holafly USA" or "Travel"
- Keep it turned off until you land
After landing in the USA
- Turn on airplane mode briefly, then off
- Go to Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or SIMs (Android)
- Turn on the Holafly eSIM line
- Set mobile data to Holafly
- Enable data roaming for Holafly only
- Wait 1-2 minutes for connection
- Test by loading a webpage or Google Maps
Troubleshooting if no connection
- Toggle airplane mode on and off again
- Confirm data roaming is ON for eSIM, OFF for home SIM
- Restart your phone completely
- Check if there is a carrier update available (Settings → General → About on iPhone)
- Contact Holafly support via their app (24/7 available)
For detailed setup instructions with screenshots, see our 7 eSIM Mistakes guide.
USA eSIM FAQs
What is the best eSIM for USA travel?
Holafly USA eSIM with unlimited data is the best option for most international visitors. It works in all 50 states, installs before you fly, and costs less than daily roaming charges from most home carriers. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off.
How much does Holafly USA eSIM cost?
Holafly USA eSIM pricing ranges from $19 for 5 days to $99 for 90 days. The most popular 7-day plan costs $27. Use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off any plan length.
Is Holafly USA eSIM worth it?
Yes, Holafly USA eSIM is worth it if you want unlimited data without monitoring usage. At $27 for 7 days, it costs less than home carrier roaming ($70-105/week) and eliminates the need to find airport SIM kiosks or manage data limits.
Does Holafly USA eSIM work in all 50 states?
Yes, Holafly USA eSIM works in all 50 states including Hawaii, Alaska, and US territories like Puerto Rico. It runs on T-Mobile and AT&T networks with strong coverage in cities and decent coverage in rural areas.
Can I use hotspot with Holafly USA eSIM?
Yes, most Holafly USA plans allow hotspot usage. This lets you share your connection with laptops, tablets, or family members' devices. Check your specific plan details to confirm.
Will my WhatsApp still work with a USA eSIM?
Yes. Keep your home physical SIM in your phone for calls and texts. Set the Holafly eSIM for data only. WhatsApp, iMessage, and all messaging apps continue working on your regular number using the eSIM's data connection.
How much data do I need for a week in the USA?
Most travelers use 5-10GB per week with normal usage (maps, photos, social media). Heavy users (streaming music, uploading videos, video calls) can use 15-20GB. Unlimited data eliminates the need to calculate or ration usage.
Do I need an eSIM for USA if I have T-Mobile international roaming?
If your T-Mobile plan already includes free USA roaming with good speeds, you do not need an eSIM. But most international carriers charge $10-15 per day for USA roaming, making a $27 Holafly eSIM much cheaper for a week.
Can I use my USA eSIM for calling and texting?
Holafly eSIMs are data-only. They do not include a USA phone number. For calls and texts, use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Skype, or similar apps over your data connection. Your home number stays active for receiving calls and texts.
Is there a Holafly discount code for USA eSIMs?
Yes, use code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off all Holafly USA eSIM plans at checkout.
What happens if I run out of days on my eSIM?
Your eSIM stops working when the plan expires. You can top up or buy a new plan through the Holafly app if you need to extend your stay. It is easier to buy more days than you think you need initially.
Can I share one eSIM between multiple people?
No, each eSIM is tied to one phone. But you can use hotspot to share your data connection with traveling companions. One person with unlimited can usually support 2-3 others for basic usage.
Ready for your USA trip?
Get your Holafly USA eSIM before you fly. Install at home, works immediately when you land in any of the 50 states.
Get Holafly USA eSIMUse code STEPHANDPETE for 5% off. See our complete Holafly guide for other destinations.
Related guides: Best eSIM for Japan • Caribbean eSIM • Frequent Travelers Guide • 7 eSIM Mistakes to Avoid
Affiliate disclosure: I may earn a commission if you purchase through my links at no extra cost to you. We use Holafly for USA travel and only recommend products we actually use and trust.