Best USA SIM Cards for Tourists: Compare Plans and Pricing

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Travelling through the United States usually means relying on mobile data to access maps, rideshare apps, web searching and messaging. While roaming with your New Zealand provider is possible, it can get expensive, which is why many Kiwis choose to buy a local SIM card or eSIM for their trip.

In this guide, we will explain whether tourists can get a SIM card in the USA, compare roaming with getting a local SIM, and review some of the best SIM and eSIM options available to Kiwis travelling in the United States. We'll also introduce to you Wise Travel Card that can help you save on international transactions with currency conversions at mid-market exchange rates.

Can tourists get a SIM card in the USA?

The good news is, it’s pretty easy for tourists to buy SIM cards in the United States. Prepaid tourist SIM cards are widely available, and do not require a long term contract or proof of a local address. Most providers allow visitors to activate a plan with just a passport and compatible unlocked phone. Aside from physical SIM cards, there’s also eSIMs. An eSIM is downloaded directly to your phone from an eSIM provider, allowing you to set up a data plan before you even arrive in the USA. Just make sure you have an eSIM compatible phone, because not all models are.

Should you get a SIM card or roaming for the USA?

Many New Zealand mobile providers offer roaming data or roaming packages for the USA, but they tend to be relatively expensive. That said, roaming can be convenient if you only need data briefly or want to keep your New Zealand number active for calls and texts.

If you’re travelling for more than a few days though, or rely more heavily on phone data for messaging, maps and web searches, a travel SIM or eSIM often provides significantly more data at a lower cost. Instead of deciding one or the other, many travellers use a combination approach.

Tips on choosing your USA SIM card

When deciding which SIM or eSIM to use in the United States, there’s a few factors to consider.

• Which network offers the best coverage for the area you’re in, as it can vary across the United States
• What plan has enough data to support your navigation, rideshare app, social media, streaming, emailing and messaging needs
• Is your mobile phone eSIM compatible
• Match the data plan with the amount of time you plan to be in the USA
• Do you want access to calls and data, or just data
• For Unlimited Data plans, check if there is a daily speed cap after a certain amount of data has been used

Best USA SIM Cards for Tourists

Before delving into each provider in more detail, here’s a quick look at how the plans and prices compare for six of the best US SIM cards for tourists.

You’ll notice that most of the plans are in USD, rather than NZD. That’s because many SIM and eSIM providers don’t support NZD payments, so a currency exchange would be involved in the purchase. Consider that when deciding which card to use to pay.

SimCorner

SimCorner is a travel SIM provider that offers both eSIM’s and physical SIM cards.¹ Many travellers choose it because they can order a SIM card before leaving New Zealand.

• SIM cards delivered to your NZ home from Auckland
• eSIMs downloaded directly to your phone
• Data + Call and Data Only plans available for SIM and eSIM
• T-Mobile and AT&T prepaid SIM cards available

Most of the data plans on offer from SimCorner are Unlimited, valid for a set number of days after activation.

Nomad

Nomad is a well-reviewed travel eSIM provider that offers coverage in many countries, including the United States.³

• eSIMs downloaded directly to your phone
• Plan starts automatically when you connect to the USA network
• USA eSIM plans are Data Only
• Uses the T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon networks

Nomad only offers USA plans for up to 30 days, so if you’re staying past that, you’d need to renew.

Saily

Saily is another eSIM provider designed specifically for international travel.⁴

• Download one eSIM for all trips
• Plan starts automatically when you connect to the USA network or 30 days after purchase
• eSIM plans are Data Only
• Get Saily credit back on purchases

One of the benefits of Saily is you only have to download one eSIM, then apply plans for different destinations to that.

Airalo

Airalo is one of the most widely used global eSIM companies, offering a range of plans for the United States.⁵

• eSIMs downloaded directly to your phone
• Plan starts automatically when you connect to the USA network
• Data + Call + Text and Data Only plans available
• Uses the T-Mobile and Verizon networks

Compared to other eSIM providers Airalo is one of the most versatile, offering Standard Data, Unlimited Data, and Data + Calls + Texts plans.

AT&T

AT&T is one of the largest mobile networks in the United States, offering services for locals and foreigners alike.⁶

• Physical SIM cards picked up in store or delivered to a US address
• eSIMs downloaded directly to your phone
• Data + Calls + Texts available for SIM and eSIM
• Uses the AT&T network

One of the benefits of buying from a US carrier is that you can go into the store and have a customer service representative help you set it up and test that the SIM is fully functional on the spot.

T-Mobile

One of the other major providers in the USA, is T-Mobile.⁷ They offer prepaid plans to locals and tourists, with calls, texts and data.

• Physical SIM cards picked up in store
• eSIMs downloaded directly to your phone
• Data + Calls + Texts available for SIM and eSIM
• Uses the T-Mobile network

Be aware that both T-Mobile and AT&T have tiered Unlimited data plans, with differences in usage allowance before a speed reduction applies, as well as set hotspot data allowances.

Where to get a travel SIM card for USA

There are a few different places to get a SIM card for travelling in the United States.

Pre-order before leaving New Zealand

Some companies, like SimCorner, allow you to order a physical SIM card online and have it delivered before departure. It’s a convenient option that ensures you have connectivity as soon as you land, but make sure you look into the provider before buying to ensure they're legitimate.

Download an eSIM

eSIM’s can be downloaded onto compatible phones either in New Zealand, or once you’re in the USA. All that’s needed is a Wi-Fi connection, and mainstream providers like Nomad, Airalo and Saily make the process fairly straightforward and easy to understand.

Buy a SIM card in the United States

It’s also possible to purchase a prepaid SIM card after arriving in the USA, at an airport kiosk, electronics store or carrier store, like AT&T or T-Mobile. Keep in mind prices at the airport can be more expensive, so finding a city carrier store can often be the most cost effective choice.

Summary: Choosing the Best USA tourist SIM card for you

There are many SIM and eSIM options available for travellers visiting the United States from New Zealand. The best choice depends on you and your travel style, budget and phone compatibility.

Travel eSIMs such as Nomad, Saily and Airalo are convenient because they can be activated instantly and do not need a physical SIM card. SimCorner works well if you’d prefer to order a physical SIM before leaving New Zealand, while local providers like AT&T and T-Mobile offer prepaid plans with calls, texts and in-person support.

While sorting out your mobile data is important, it’s also worth thinking about how you’ll pay for things while travelling. The United States uses US dollars, so exchange rates and fees can affect how much you actually spend. Rather than relying on your NZ bank, you can be better off working with an international money specialist, like Wise.

Heading to the US? Bring along the Wise card to get more USD for your NZD

The Wise card is a simple way to save up to 8x when you're spending internationally. You can spend in 150+ countries at mid-market rate — basically the rate you see on Google. With no foreign transaction fees and low, transparent pricing, Wise usually gives you the best value for your money.

Simply create a Wise account for free, order a card and top-up NZD to get started. Having a physical Wise card allows you to make chip and pin payments, as well as make some free ATM withdrawals each month for when you're abroad. You can get digital cards and add to your Google or Apple Pay wallet for instant use. Spend directly with the Wise account in NZD and let auto-conversion do the trick or convert in advance to your desired currency. You can hold and exchange 40+ currencies in your Wise account and spend the currencies you hold for free.

Wherever your travel takes you, the Wise card makes spending money abroad cheaper and easier.

🚀 Get your Wise card

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This general advice does not take into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs and you should consider if it is appropriate for you. Savings claim based on our rates vs. selected New Zealand banks and other similar providers in Jan 2025. To learn more please visit https://payout-surge.live/nz/compare%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E

Please see Terms of Use and product availability for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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Sources:

1. SIMCORNER - Prepaid USA Sim Cards for Aussie Travellers | SimCorner AU
2. SIMCORNER - USA SIM Card With Unlimited Data
3. Nomad - USA eSIM
4. Saily - eSIM USA
5. Airalo - United States eSIM
6. AT&T - Prepaid Phone Plans
7. T-Mobile - Compare Our Best Prepaid Phone Plans

Date: 8 March 2026