Best Prepaid Sim Card USA For Tourists 2023
Finding out and preparing to buy a travel sim card is no stranger to travel enthusiasts, especially for those who are about to have a trip to an expensive country like the United States. The best prepaid sim card USA for tourists is a topic of great interest to learn.
Sim 4 USA will synthesize The top 8 best prepaid sim card for tourists in USA 2023 and help find the most suitable sim for each person’s needs.
Why Should Tourists Buy A Sim Card In The USA?
The United States is a huge country, and I’m sure you’ll want to stay connected while you’re there, both when you’re out and about and at your hotel.
Consider utilizing an app to call a cab, locate local suggested eateries, use Google Maps for directions, and just keep in contact or check social media apps and email.
It might be too costly to use your mobile phone in the United States without a sim card. You will be charged exorbitant roaming costs if you do not have a sim card.
These charges may rapidly build up, and you might spend a lot of money for just a few minutes of phone use.
Having access to the internet makes traveling more simple and safer! Don’t get trapped anywhere because your phone has no data connection.
This may be quite useful if you’re attempting to make plans with someone who doesn’t have an international phone plan.
A local phone number allows you to contact companies or restaurants in the United States without paying long-distance costs.
It’s easy to get a SIM card in the United States; the process takes just a few minutes, and you may start using it right away.
You insert the sim card into your phone and it immediately starts working.
Also, avoid using public WiFi. There is no guarantee, and internet speed varies. Remember that accessing the web on public WiFi is an UNSECURED connection. A VPN is advised in these situations.
E-Sim For Traveling In USA
An eSIM is a digital SIM that enables you to activate your carrier’s cellular plan without using a physical nano-SIM.
Your smartphone has an integrated eSIM, which you may activate by scanning a QR code or downloading an operator profile.
When visiting the United States, you may utilize your eSIM to connect to a local carrier and avoid roaming fees. You’ll need to buy a local SIM card and activate it on your eSIM to do this.
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone after you’ve landed in the United States.
- Tap Cellular, followed by Add Cellular Plan.
- Scan QR Code or Download Profile, then follow the on-screen instructions.
- If a confirmation code is required, enter the code supplied to your email address or phone number.
Your iPhone may now connect to the local carrier’s cellular data network. You may make and receive calls and SMS, as well as utilize data, just like at home.
You may erase the plan from your iPhone after you’ve finished utilizing the local carrier’s network.
Mobile Internet Operators In USA
Mobile internet service providers in the United States are rapidly delivering services to customers.
According to a recent estimate, the number of mobile internet service providers in the United States has expanded by 33% over the last year. This is because the demand for mobile internet services is expanding.
Mobile internet service providers provide a variety of services such as data, phone, and text messaging. Subscribers may choose the finest service provider based on their needs.
In a nation of over 300 million people, it seems nearly unfathomable that there are just four major mobile internet service providers:
- T-Mobile
- AT&T
- Sprint (bought by T-Mobile)
- Verizon
If you want to purchase a sim card for the United States, you may already forget about Verizon and Sprint.
These two mobile internet service providers in the United States employ a different technology than the rest of the world: CDMA.
That is, they do not utilize a sim card and overseas phones are not compatible with their networks.
For travelers visiting the United States, this means just two options: a prepaid sim card from T-Mobile or AT&T.
Best Prepaid Sim Card USA For Tourists For Travelers And Tourists 2023
Ultra Mobile Tourist
Ultra Mobile is an MVNO on T-network Mobile’s so you’ll receive excellent T-Mobile coverage at a cheaper cost.
Our Ultra Mobile review revealed excellent coverage and speeds. Though Ultra Mobile has its own prepaid plans, the Ultra Mobile Tourist plan is ideal for anybody visiting the United States for three weeks or less.
This is a more standard travel SIM, and it will expire after 21 days, which is excellent for anybody who does not want to deal with the trouble of canceling.
On the same point, you won’t be able to recharge your Ultra Mobile SIM card, so don’t plan on staying much longer.
For $30, you can get a SIM card good for unlimited talk, text, and up to 3GB of 4G LTE data.
You’ll also receive 100 minutes to use to call 80+ overseas locations, allowing you to phone friends and family without using a third-party app.
You may get an Ultra Mobile Tourist plan either online or at a T-Mobile shop. There is also a store finder on Ultra Mobile’s website that you may use to discover Ultra retailers near you.
Mint Mobile – Best For Extended Stays And Low Prices
Mint Mobile is one of the top MVNO providers available today, and it operates on T-4G Mobile’s LTE and 5G networks, making it an excellent prepaid SIM card to get if you want to remain in the United States for at least three months.
This 5G connection is powerful, and its phone compatibility is among the finest in the nation, as we discovered in our Mint Mobile review.
If you’re a student on a study abroad exchange or your employer has transferred you for a few months, Mint Mobile will provide you with excellent coverage at a low cost. You also don’t have to keep filling up your data on a weekly or monthly basis.
Mint requires you to pay at least three months of service in advance. Following that, the finest rates are available when you sign up for six or twelve months.
The unlimited plan is $90 for three months and includes unlimited talk, text, and data, 5GB of mobile hotspot, and free calls to Mexico and Canada.
Instead of paying to friends in other countries by the minute, you can talk to them for free with only your data and an app like WhatsApp or Line.
Joining Mint Mobile is simple, and you can even sign up for a free Mint Mobile SIM card by signing up for a trial online.
It’s particularly simple if your phone supports eSIM since you may activate the SIM directly from your phone and then continue your service if you like it. Mint SIM cards are also available at Target, Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon.
AT&T
AT&T, known for its strong coverage, is also an excellent provider to consider buying a SIM card from while visiting the United States, as well as one of the finest prepaid phone plans.
It has stronger coverage in rural regions than other carriers, making it an excellent choice if you intend to spend a lot of time on the road.
For $30 (plus taxes and fees), AT&T Prepaid provides 5GB of high-speed internet that will reduce to 128Kbps. Before signing up, you should always verify your device’s compatibility with AT&T online.
This package allows you to utilize your mobile hotspot and SMS to over 100 countries. In Mexico and Canada, you’ll also be able to chat, text, and utilize data (though data speeds may be slow).
If you believe you will want more than 5GB of data, you can always upgrade to a 15GB prepaid plan for $40, which is a fantastic price and well worth considering.
You may get an AT&T SIM card and a prepaid plan online or in person at an AT&T shop. Other shops, including Target, Best Buy, and Walmart, offer AT&T SIM cards for roughly $10, which is a little more than you’d spend online but is always an alternative.
T-Mobile – Best Prepaid Data Plan
T-Mobile not only provides some of the greatest mobile phone plans available today, but it also has an outstanding prepaid alternative that will meet the requirements of most visitors and tourists visiting the United States.
Because T-network Mobile has dramatically improved in recent years, and its 5G network has some of the most extensive coverage and quickest speeds in the country, you’ll most certainly have good service when traveling to big cities during your stay.
There are four T-Mobile prepaid plans to pick from, but the best option for most tourists is T-10GB Mobile’s prepaid plan for $40 a month.
This plan provides unlimited domestic call and text, up to 10GB of high-speed internet, free mobile hotspot data, and a limitless music feature that ensures that whatever music you listen to does not use your data.
Add $15 for international calling or travel to Mexico or Canada for a few days and get 5GB of data and unlimited texting for an extra $5.
Taxes and fees are not included, so you may spend more than $50 on this package. Additionally, a SIM card may cost an additional $10 once activated.
However, if you want unlimited calling, texting, and downloading, it’s still a great option.
T-Mobile Connect is available for $15 per month if you don’t anticipate using a lot of data during your visit.
You won’t receive the same foreign add-on options as with the Simply Prepaid plan, but you will get unlimited talk and text as well as 2.5 GB of data (or 5.5GB for $10 extra).
T-Simply Mobile’s Prepaid Unlimited and Simply Prepaid Unlimited Plus plan cost $50 and $60 per month, so if you anticipate using a lot of data, you may upgrade for those prices.
Three Prepaid SIM
Surprisingly, one of the finest SIM cards for US travel is also one we suggest for European travel.
One of the best international prepaid SIM card alternatives in the United States is the Three Prepaid SIM Card with 12GB of data, which is also available from SimOptions here.
The company that owns this SIM card is based in the United Kingdom, but it may be activated anywhere and the 12GB of data can be utilized in as many as 71 different countries, including the United States.
This means that if you are from one of these countries, you may test the SIM card before leaving for your vacation to offer yourself an additional piece of mind.
This SIM card promises calls and messages, but the small print states that they are only accessible in the United Kingdom and Europe, so you won’t be able to use them in the United States.
The data is good for 30 days after activating the card, and you can only reload if you have a UK credit card.
Thus this SIM card is also ideal for visitors who will only be in the United States for a limited period of time.
It is also worth mentioning that this SIM card cannot be used as a mobile hotspot.
If you’re planning a longer vacation to the US, you can get a Three SIM Card with 12GB of data and 1-year validity here. These SIM cards, however, do not include any call or SMS credits.
While the Three Prepaid SIM Card has certain limits, it is a wonderful offer if you are just visiting the USA for a short time and need a data SIM card for the USA.
Orange Holiday World
The Orange Holiday World SIM Card is another great option for those visiting the United States, since it provides 10GB of using in the United States in addition to 66 other countries, such as Canada and Mexico.
The credit on the Orange Holiday World SIM Card is only good for 14 days. However, you may register your SIM card online and fill it up as required. This SIM card also functions as a mobile hotspot and for WiFI tethering.
One of the biggest disadvantages of this SIM card is that it does not enable calls or messages.
Therefore, it is most appropriate for long-distance travelers primarily interested in data and charging capabilities.
It’s also important to note that although this SIM card may be used in almost any country, the amount of data it provides varies according on location.
For example, in Zone 2 nations, they provide 5GB, 1GB in ‘Zone 3’ countries, and 50MB everywhere else in the globe.
The Orange Holiday World SIM Card is a terrific alternative for travelers who don’t need calls or messages and only want to be able to access data across devices and quickly reload if their credit runs out.
Cricket Wireless – Best Data Only
A data-only plan from Cricket Wireless, an MVNO on AT&T’s network, might be worth considering if you don’t anticipate using many voice minutes while in the United States.
You may acquire 20GB of storage for $35 per month or 100GB for $55.
Again, since this plan does not include minutes, you must be certain that you are comfortable utilizing applications like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Skype to communicate with family or friends.
It includes text and photo messaging within the United States, as well as used in Mexico and Canada if you intend on visiting those countries as well.
It’s ideal for someone who will be spending a lot of time on the road and wants to be able to stream, download, and browse at fast speeds.
A data-only plan from Cricket Wireless, an MVNO on AT&T’s network, might be worth considering if you don’t anticipate using many voice minutes while in the United States.
Other well-known shops, like Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart, will offer Cricket Wireless Universal SIM card activation kits.
The good thing is that if you run out of minutes, you can simply switch to another Cricket plan using the same SIM card.
Lycamobile – Best Value
Lycamobile is unusual in that it is a worldwide MVNO as well as an MVNO on T-network Mobile in the United States.
The simplest way to see whether your phone is compatible is to enter your IMEI number into Lycamobile’s website. However, most GSM-unlocked smartphones should work.
Lycamobile has numerous options to choose from and is ideal for individuals who want unlimited countrywide talk and text as well as international talking and messaging to 75+ countries.
Each plan includes these services at no extra cost, making this the ideal plan for anybody who wants to be able to phone overseas anytime they choose.
When it comes to data, you have many choices ranging from 2GB to 60GB. The lowest 2GB package is $19, while the most expensive unlimited data plan is $50.
The 2GB plan is only accessible to new subscribers, so if you’re currently a subscriber, you’ll get 1GB of data.
Each plan has somewhat different extra features, so you’ll have to decide which one is best for you.
Fortunately, Lycamobile SIM cards are rather simple to get. Lycamobile
SIM cards are available online at Lycamobile.com and Amazon, but you may also get them in 7-Eleven, pharmacies, and local convenience shops.
When in doubt, utilize the online shop finder to discover the closest retailer to you.
FAQs About Prepaid Sim Card USA For Tourists
Can a tourist get a SIM card in the USA?
There are no limits on who may purchase an American SIM card from the mobile network providers (AT&T and T-Mobile), the Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) (Boost Mobile, Cricket Wireless, and Metro by T-Mobile), in-person at their retail locations, or via resellers.
How much does a SIM cost in the USA?
In the United States, a SIM card normally costs $10. Depending on your carrier and where you are, this may change. If you buy a SIM card online, certain carriers will give you a discount.
Can I use my cell phone in the US?
You just need to use your smartphone when traveling after contacting your cellular operator to enable daily roaming to the U.S.
After your phone has automatically connected to an American cellular partner, you may use your wireless data or make calls from any location inside the United States or Canada.
Can I just purchase a SIM card?
You can probably get a new SIM card for your current phone if it utilizes GSM technology. Simply make sure it is “unlocked” before using it.
Software that connects the SIM card and the phone’s serial number is included by certain carriers. The phone won’t function if the two don’t match.
How can I buy data in the USA?
An eSIM data plan is the simplest to purchase for the US since you may activate it quickly and avoid paying shipping costs. Once you are in the US, all you need to do is purchase the service and activate it.
Conclusion
In general, all sorts of sims have the same advantage of being easy to activate and use at a low cost.
Although the price is a bit higher than other sims, genuine T-mobile / AT&T sims have all the features and are not limited to high-speed data.
Therefore, if you need a US travel sim card with full features, good signal quality, and a genuine sim at an affordable price, you should consider a US travel sim from T-mobile or AT&T!