Our top plans for U.S. visitors
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Best overall US Mobile 5GB By the Gig → 5GB high-speed data and unlimited international calls to 180+ countries → $15/month |
View at US Mobile |
| Best for longer stays Mint Mobile Unlimited (3-month plan) → 50GB of high-speed data at 5G and 4G LTE speeds → $15/month (New customer deal) |
View at Mint Mobile |
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Best for short trips Tello 2GB plan → 2GB of high-speed data and unlimited international calls to 60+ countries → $9/month |
View at Tello |
Visiting the United States can get expensive, and the last thing you want is a huge cell phone bill when you get home. Whether you're here for a week-long vacation or a three-month work assignment, choosing the right visitor plan or North American data plan can save you hundreds of dollars. US Prepaid SIM card options and short-term phone plans give the most value for tourists because they require no contracts, no credit checks, and you can cancel anytime without penalty.
We specifically evaluated U.S. mobile plans for tourists and USA prepaid cell phone options that deliver reliable service without long-term commitments.
- US Mobile's 5GB By the Gig plan is the overall best for most visitors. It includes 5GB of high-speed data and unlimited international calls to 180+ countries for just $15/month. Plus, you can add more data at just $2/GB.
- Mint Mobile's 3-month Unlimited plan is perfect for longer stays with 50GB of premium data at an unbeatable $15/month intro price. Don’t forget that you sign up for three months at a time, so in total you’ll pay $45.
- Tello's 2GB plan is ideal for short trips at only $9/month, including 2GB of high-speed data and unlimited international calls to 60+ countries.
Read on for more details on our lineup of the best plans for U.S. visitors and learn how to choose between physical SIM cards and eSIMs.
Why you can trust WhistleOut
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15+
years of mobile industry experience
900+
published wireless guides
35+
firsthand carrier reviews
We've been around since the birth of the iPhone. Along the way, we've learned how to spot the best deals for your wallet (and your sanity). We spend our days researching informative guides and writing insightful reviews on every kind of wireless plan, distinguishing what matters from what doesn't. We played around with these plans before recommending them, ensuring they're worth your hard-earned money.
Want to know more? Check out how we review every cell phone plan we rank.
Best plans for U.S. visitors
1. Best overall: US Mobile 5GB By the Gig Plan
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US Mobile
5GB By the Gig Plan
$15.00/mo
Taxes and fees included
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US Mobile's 5GB By the Gig plan offers the best balance of price, data, and perks for U.S. visitors.
Reasons to buy
- 5GB of high-speed data
- Unlimited international calls to 180+ countries
- Free international texting
- Add data at only $2/GB
Reasons to avoid
- Limited data compared to unlimited plans
Why it's the best plan
U.S. Mobile's 5GB By the Gig plan is the most practical choice for U.S. visitors. You get 5GB of high-speed data which covers your navigation, social media, video calls, and browsing throughout your visit. Since most Americans only use 10GB per month, 5GB is plenty for a trip. The unlimited international calls to over 180 countries mean you can check in with family back home as often as you want without worrying about extra charges. And at only $15/month with taxes and fees included, you're paying less than what most tourists spend on coffee in a day.
The plan runs on US Mobile’s Warp speed network (Verizon’s network), offering the most consistent and reliable coverage across the country. That way you won’t notice many coverage gaps if you plan on visiting. Plus, if you run low on data during your trip, you can easily add more through the US Mobile app for only $2 per GB, all without changing plans.
The bottom line
US Mobile's 5GB plan delivers excellent value for visitors who want reliable data and international calling without overpaying for unlimited data they won't use.
2. Best for longer stays: Mint Mobile 3-month Unlimited plan
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Mint Mobile
Unlimited Data Plan
$25.00/mo
$75.00 upfront payment for 3 months (equals to $25.00/month). Intro pricing for new customers only.
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Mint Mobile offers one of the most affordable unlimited plans in the United States, making it the perfect choice for visitors planning extended stays.
Reasons to buy
- 50GB of high-speed data
- Unlimited talk and text
- Mobile hotspot included
- $15/month for new customers
Reasons to avoid
- Requires paying for 3 months upfront ($45 total)
- No multi-line discounts
Why it's the best for longer stays
If you're spending several weeks or months in the U.S., Mint Mobile's 3-month Unlimited plan gives you the freedom to use your phone without worrying about running out of data. Pay as little as $15/month for the first three months to snag cheap unlimited data on the best 5G network in the United States. You get 50GB of premium high-speed data per month before any potential slowdowns, which is more than enough to share vacation photos, make reservations, and navigate new cities.
Mint Mobile uses T-Mobile's network, which offers excellent 5G and 4G LTE coverage in all major U.S. cities and tourist destinations. However, if you're planning backcountry trips to national parks in states like Utah or Nevada, check T-Mobile's coverage map first.The bottom line
Mint Mobile's 3-month Unlimited plan is unbeatable for visitors who need reliable data for an extended U.S. stay. At $45 total for three months, it costs less than most carriers charge for a single month of service.
Download these essential travel apps before your trip
Make your U.S. visit easier with the right apps:
- Google Maps is non-negotiable for navigation. It provides turn-by-turn directions, shows real-time traffic updates, and lets you download offline maps so you won't get lost even without data.
- Uber or Lyft are essential for getting around U.S. cities since public transportation can be limited (and oftentimes unreliable). Both apps let you book rides, see upfront pricing, and pay with your phone.
- Google Translate helps bridge language barriers with instant text translation, voice conversation mode, and the ability to translate signs by pointing your camera at them. It’s honestly the best museum guide, so skip the private tour and get to scanning.
Download these apps before you arrive and set up your accounts to save time and data once you land.
3. Best for short trips: Tello Unlimited Text, 500 Minutes, and 2GB Plan
Tello's 2GB Plan is the cheapest option for short U.S. visits when you just need the basics to stay connected.
Reasons to buy
- 2GB of high-speed data
- International calls to 60+ countries included
- Free calls and texts within the U.S.
- Cheapest plan on the market
Reasons to avoid
- Small data allowance
- Expensive data add-ons at $5/GB
Why it's the best plan for short trips
For a quick vacation or business trip, Tello's $9 plan covers all the essentials without breaking the bank. You get 2GB of high-speed data, plus 500 minutes of calls and unlimited texts within the United States. Also included is free international calling to over 60 countries. That way you can check in with family back home without worrying about being charged by the minute.
Tello runs on T-Mobile's network, which provides lightning-fast speeds in all major U.S. cities and urban hubs. However, it’s important to note that adding more data will cost you an extra:
- $5 for 1GB
- $10 for 3GB
- $15 for 5GB
Make sure you use Wi-Fi whenever possible, otherwise consider getting US Mobile’s plan for more data.
The bottom line
Tello's 2GB plan is the most budget-friendly option for visitors who need basic connectivity for a short U.S. trip. At just $9, you're getting excellent value with enough data when you’re in a pinch.
Prepaid vs. postpaid: Which is better for visitors?
- Prepaid plans are almost always the better choice for U.S. visitors. They require no contract, no credit check, and you pay upfront for your service period. You can cancel anytime when your trip ends, and the price usually includes taxes and fees.
- Postpaid plans require a credit check (difficult for non-U.S. residents), come with monthly billing and potential surprise charges, and usually lock you into a long-term contract. They're only worth considering if you're a frequent visitor who spends several months per year in the United States.
Stick with prepaid plans unless you split significant time between the U.S. and another country.
U.S. carrier plans vs. international eSIM providers: Which is better?
When getting connected in the USA, you have two main options:
- Sign up with an actual U.S. mobile carrier (like the ones we recommend above),
- Or use a third-party international eSIM provider like Airalo or Holafly.
U.S. carrier plans are better because they give you direct network access with priority data, while third-party eSIMs include deprioritized data that slows down when networks get busy.
The prepaid plans we recommend come directly from U.S. carriers, which means you get the same network priority as local customers. Third-party eSIM providers don't own their own networks—they purchase wholesale data that's always deprioritized. In busy areas like airports, tourist attractions, or city centers, third-party eSIMs can slow to a crawl while U.S. carrier plans maintain consistent speeds.
U.S. carrier plans
- Direct network access with high-speed data
- Full U.S. phone number for calls and texts
- Better pricing for longer stays
- Available as a physical SIM or eSIM
Third-party eSIMs
- Convenient for very short trips (2-3 days)
- Instant activation
- Deprioritized data that slows in busy areas
- Data only (no phone number)
- Limited international support
For most U.S. visitors, carrier plans offer better speeds and more affordable pricing. Other international eSIMs work well for short trips when you only need the bare minimum.
For a detailed comparison of international eSIM providers, check out our guide to international eSIMs.Best data-only plans for tablets and laptops
If you only need internet access for a tablet or laptop during your U.S. trip, T-Mobile's data-only plans are your best option. T-Mobile offers two straightforward choices depending on how much data you need.
Both plans give you access to T-Mobile's nationwide 5G and 4G LTE network, ensuring reliable coverage in all major U.S. cities and tourist destinations. However, the data allowance makes all the difference.
T-Mobile 2GB data-only plan—$10/month
For light users who just need to check email, browse the web, and stay productive on the go, T-Mobile's 2GB data-only plan costs just $10/month. It gives you enough data for basic tasks without overpaying for data you won't use.
See at T-MobileT-Mobile Unlimited data-only plan—$20/month
If you stream a lot of Netflix on road trips or watch YouTube while on a train, opt for T-Mobile's unlimited data-only plan for $20/month. You get unlimited high-speed data with 50GB premium before potential slowdowns, high-definition video streaming, and bonus perks like unlimited textic
See at T-MobileExpert tips for a seamless U.S. mobile experience
1. Understand U.S. taxes and fees
Unlike many countries, U.S. mobile plans don't always include taxes and fees in the advertised price. Prepaid plans usually do (what you see is what you pay), but postpaid plans may add 10%–20% in taxes depending on your location. Always confirm whether your plan price includes taxes before signing up.
2. Consider a burner phone for extra security
If you're worried about losing your expensive smartphone while traveling, consider buying a cheap prepaid phone (often called a "burner phone") for your U.S. trip. Carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile sell basic smartphones for $40–$100 that work perfectly for calls, texts, and navigation.
3. Check if your phone is unlocked
Before you buy a U.S. SIM card, make sure your phone is unlocked. Most international phones work on U.S. networks, but your device needs to be carrier-unlocked to accept a new SIM. Contact your home carrier to unlock your phone before traveling.
4. Know the difference between data-only and full-service plans
Data-only plans (like many eSIMs) give you internet access but no U.S. phone number for calls or texts. Full-service plans include a U.S. number, unlimited calling and texting, plus data. If you need to make restaurant reservations, call hotels, or receive verification codes via SMS, you'll want a full-service plan.
5. Download offline maps before you arrive
Even with a data plan, it's smart to download offline maps for the cities you're visiting. Google Maps and Apple Maps both let you save areas for offline use, so you'll never be lost even if you run out of data.
6. Use Wi-Fi whenever possible
Hotels, coffee shops, restaurants, and airports all generally offer free Wi-Fi in the U.S. Connect to Wi-Fi whenever you can to save your mobile data for when you really need it.
7. Be cautious with international add-ons from your home carrier
Your home carrier may offer international roaming packages for the U.S., but these are almost always more expensive than buying a local prepaid SIM card. Compare the costs before relying on international roaming.
How we picked the best plans for U.S. visitors
Our mobile experts evaluated every major carrier's short-term and prepaid options using the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we recommend that you not overpay for data that you won't use.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras & perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
After hands-on testing and extensive research, we picked the plans we feel meet the needs of most U.S. visitors.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to dive deeper into how we evaluate plans and carriers, and how to pick the right plan for yourself or your family.
Best phone plans for U.S. visitors: FAQs
- Verizon has the most extensive nationwide coverage, especially in rural areas.
- T-Mobile offers excellent 5G coverage in major cities and along highways.
- AT&T falls somewhere in between with solid coverage in most populated areas.
Not sure if your phone’s unlocked or will work with the U.S. carrier? Follow our step-by-step guide to unlocking your phone and switching carriers.
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