A trip to the USA is a dream come true for many travelers, and more and more people are choosing to visit the States for a vacation or a business trip. Whatever brings you there, solid preparation is key. Sorting out your US visa, packing, and planning your itinerary are just the beginning – you'll also want to ensure you have reliable internet access in the USA. Good connectivity makes getting around easier, enhances your sightseeing experience, and above all, keeps you in touch with people back home. How much does internet cost in the USA? What's the best way to get cheap internet in the States? How expensive is roaming in the USA? What is an eSIM USA card and is it worth buying? You'll find answers to all these questions right here.
Is the Internet Good Quality in the USA?
Modern life revolves heavily around internet access – not just for posting photos on social media, but for finding directions, booking accommodation, checking the weather, looking up public transport options, and buying tickets for events and attractions. Internet access in the USA also enables convenient, seamless communication through messaging apps, adding an important safety net during your travels. That's why it's worth sorting out your connectivity before you even board your flight.
The quality of internet in the United States depends on your location, but it's fair to say that the majority of the country is well covered by mobile networks. In major cities, internet access is excellent, while on the outskirts, in National Parks, and in smaller towns, mobile internet quality may be more limited – especially if you're relying on roaming from a European carrier. In the USA, a local SIM card or an eSIM specifically set up for use in the United States will perform significantly better. You can also count on solid Wi-Fi in hotels, restaurants, and chain cafés.
How Much Does Good Internet Cost in the United States?
Using your home carrier's data plan while abroad is very expensive, with prices far exceeding typical European roaming costs. Exact figures depend on your carrier, plan, and any packages you've purchased, but average unpackaged roaming rates in the USA look something like this:
SMS – from around €0.30 per message
MMS – from around €0.60 per message
Outgoing calls – from around €1.00 per minute
Incoming calls – from around €0.60 per minute
Data transfer (internet) – several euros per MB
As you can see, internet in the USA from your home carrier is very expensive – even a simple automatic app update can trigger substantial charges. Calls and messages will also cost significantly more than usual. Fortunately, there are better alternatives.
Looking for affordable internet in the USA? Check out our offer!
How Can You Get Internet in the USA?
You can use your home SIM card in the USA, but roaming charges tend to be high. Here's a breakdown of the main alternatives.
Wi-Fi in the USA
Wi-Fi in the States is widely available – most hotels, motels, restaurants, cafés, and service establishments offer free access. Sometimes you simply connect to the available network; other times you'll need a login and password from the staff. At major chain venues like Starbucks, you don't even need to make a purchase to connect. That said, Wi-Fi does have its limitations:
- Only available in specific locations – great for checking information, but useless for navigation or keeping up communication on the move;
- Not a secure connection;
- Frequent restrictions (time limits or data caps per device);
- In busy city centers or during peak hours, shared Wi-Fi in restaurants and cafés can be very slow.
As you can see, free Wi-Fi is a useful way to save some money, but for everyday use you'll want your own data connection in the USA that you can rely on anytime, anywhere.
Buying a SIM Card in the USA
Another popular option is buying a SIM card after you land. This will give you good internet access, but it's not the cheapest solution. All major US carriers offer prepaid "Internet on the Go" kits, providing temporary internet access (up to 30 days) without requiring a contract. Prices range from around $10 (2 GB) to $100. Some kits even come with a basic handset bundled with a data allowance, starting from around $65, though these typically include only 1.5 GB. The downside of this approach is that internet works only on that device (you can't use it on a laptop or share it with a companion). Plus, you won't have internet until after you've landed, bought the card, and registered it.
USA Internet – Roaming from European Carriers
Roaming in the USA is the most expensive option, but requires no additional action – it usually activates automatically once you land. Sometimes you'll need to toggle data on or restart your phone. So if you don't want to use it, make sure you've disabled mobile data from your home carrier. Carriers offer various USA internet packages, with out-of-package data rates being even higher and depending on your current plan.
Play – Internet World Package
Play offers 3 Internet World packages for use in the USA:
- 300 MB – 50 PLN
- 1 GB – 100 PLN
- 5 GB – 150 PLN
Each package must be activated before departure.
Orange – Roaming Data Packages
Orange offers a single GO 1GB roaming package, valid for 30 days, priced at 59 PLN for 1 GB of data. It can be activated via customer service, the My Orange app, or by SMS.
Plus – Atlantic Package
Plus offers the following USA internet options:
- 100 MB – 15 PLN
- 200 MB – 30 PLN
- 500 MB – 50 PLN
- 1 GB – 90 PLN
- 2.5 GB – 200 PLN
You can activate via SMS, the app, or the Plus website.
T-Mobile – Travel&Surf Data Packages
This package provides 1 GB of data for travelers to the USA. The Travel&Surf package costs 89 PLN, is valid for 31 days, and must be activated before your flight.
For comparison: the cheapest eSIM USA card in our store gives you 5 GB of data for just 68 PLN!
Cheap Internet in the USA – What Is an eSIM Card?
The simplest and most affordable way to get internet in the USA is our eSIM card. It lets you buy a data package before you leave home, so you have access to cheap internet in the USA from the moment you land, usable wherever there's US network coverage.
What exactly is a USA eSIM card? It works in the same way as a regular SIM card. More precisely, it's a digital SIM that enables mobile phone use and internet access without a physical card. Many phones support installing several eSIM cards simultaneously and using two numbers at once.
Do note that eSIM is a relatively new technology and not all phone models support it. Check before purchasing – here you can confirm whether your phone supports eSIM for the USA.
How Does Our eSIM USA Offer Work?
Our USA Internet eSIM card is a simple and intuitive solution that gets you cheap internet in the USA. Everything is handled online from the comfort of your home, and purchasing and activating the card takes just a moment – no technical expertise required. If you do run into any issues during installation, our step-by-step guide walks you through the entire process.
In our store you'll find a range of internet packages:
- 5 GB for 30 days – 68 PLN
- 10 GB for 30 days – 87 PLN
- Unlimited data for 5 days – 99 PLN
- Unlimited data for 10 days – 139 PLN
- Unlimited data for 15 days – 157 PLN
As you can see, the prices are far lower than what you'd pay for roaming or a local US SIM card. With our offer, you pay less and get more!
How to Buy and Install an eSIM from eSIM5.com
Buying and installing an eSIM on our website is straightforward. Just a few steps and you're set for cheap internet in the USA.
- Check whether your phone supports eSIM cards.
- Choose and purchase the package that suits you.
- Check your email – you'll receive a QR code from us. Scan it.
- Make sure you have Wi-Fi access – eSIM installation requires a stable internet connection and cannot be interrupted!
- On your phone, go to: Settings → Mobile Networks → SIM Cards (or Settings → Connections → Mobile Networks → SIM Cards, depending on your model).
- Tap "Add eSIM" and select "Use QR Code."
- Follow the on-screen installation steps as prompted.
- In the eSIM settings, enable data roaming.
- Just before your flight, turn off your main SIM card and switch on the installed eSIM (via your settings).
- Disable "Mobile Data Switching" to ensure you don't accidentally use data from your home carrier.
- Enjoy cheap internet from the moment you land in the USA!
If you encounter any problems during installation, visit our step-by-step guide for a full walkthrough.
How to Use Internet in the USA – Tips and Advice
Before traveling to the United States, there are a few things worth sorting out to make your internet usage cheap and convenient.
- Disable data from your home carrier. Do this at the airport before you depart.
- Check with your carrier whether a spending cap is set on your account. This is the best way to avoid high bills.
- Before your flight, buy a USA eSIM card. Alternatively, consider buying a local SIM card – but bear in mind it will be more expensive.
- If your phone doesn't support eSIM, check the roaming packages available from your carrier.
FAQ – Internet in the USA
Is using an eSIM card in the USA safe?
Yes! The USA Internet eSIM card is completely safe and easy to use. After choosing your package, you receive a QR code by email. Scan it to activate the card on your phone. After landing, disable roaming and switch on the eSIM (in your mobile data settings) – no additional charges will be applied, and you can monitor your data usage on eSIM5.com.
How can I use internet in the United States?
There are several ways to get internet in the USA: a SIM card bought in the United States; Wi-Fi in your hotel, restaurant, or café; a data roaming package from your home carrier; or an eSIM card bought before you travel.
Who is an eSIM card suitable for?
A USA eSIM card is ideal for anyone planning a trip to the United States, whether it's a business trip or the holiday of a lifetime. Affordable internet will make everyday life much easier on the road, and an eSIM ensures you have a data package ready. Best of all, with an eSIM you'll have internet access from the moment you land in the US – fast, convenient, and affordable.
Which eSIM Internet plan should I choose?
At eSIM5.com, you can buy eSIM cards with internet access for over 196 countries! Visit the store, choose your destination, and browse the available packages. They vary in size and validity period (from 5 to 30 days), so you can easily find one that fits your trip.
Is it worth buying an eSIM for the USA?
Internet access in the USA is extremely helpful for getting around, sightseeing, and navigating major cities. It also enables easy and affordable communication. Wi-Fi isn't available everywhere, and roaming in the USA is expensive. That's why buying an eSIM for the USA is the most cost-effective choice.
What's better – a SIM card or an eSIM?
An eSIM is significantly safer than a traditional physical SIM card. You don't need to insert anything into your phone (the QR code comes by email), so there's no risk of losing it or having it stolen. It's also more convenient – no need to swap cards or remember to change them.
Does the USA eSIM Internet card work on every phone?
The USA eSIM works on most modern phones. To confirm whether your specific model supports eSIM, dial *#06# and call. If an EID number appears, eSIM is supported. You can also check the list of compatible phones here.
Does roaming work in the United States?
Yes, you can use calls and internet data via roaming in the USA. However, a much cheaper solution is an eSIM card with a USA internet plan.
How much does roaming in the USA cost?
Roaming prices in the USA vary depending on your plan and carrier. It gives you constant internet access, but costs can be very high. Pre-purchased roaming packages are somewhat cheaper, ranging from around 59 to 100 PLN per GB depending on the operator – but without a package, costs can reach around 30 PLN per MB!
Should I turn off roaming in the USA?
We strongly recommend disabling roaming in the United States, as charges can be very high – even if you're not consciously using the internet, your phone may automatically connect to the network to check your location, weather updates, or app notifications, which can result in bills running into hundreds or even thousands.
Fun fact and cautionary tale: In 2024, the world heard the story of an American tourist who spent his holiday in Switzerland and forgot to turn off roaming. After returning home, he received a bill for $143,000 – nearly $600,000 in some currency equivalents! And all for just 9.5 GB of data. Fortunately, with the help of a good lawyer, the bill was eventually cancelled.
How can I make cheap calls from the USA to Europe?
The easiest and cheapest way to call home from the USA is over the internet. Use popular messaging apps like Messenger or WhatsApp – they use your data package but support text messages, voice calls, and video calls, giving you seamless communication at no extra cost.
