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Roaming
Traveling in the USA? Staying connected is easy but can be costly. Roaming works with most carriers, though eSIMs or local SIMs are often cheaper. This guide will break down costs, plans, and alternatives to help you stay online affordably.
Roaming in the USA is supported by most international carriers, so keeping your usual number and plan active is possible. Costs depend on your carrier, whether your plan includes roaming, you use a roaming pass, or pay as you go.
Alternatives like eSIMs or local SIM cards can offer more affordable ways to stay connected. They provide flexible data plans without high roaming fees, making them practical for short or long stays in the United States.
Note *All pricing information in this article is accurate as of November 26, 2025. Prices are subject to change at any time, so we recommend checking directly with the provider for the most up-to-date details before making a purchase.*
Roaming lets you stay connected while traveling, but how it works and what it costs can vary depending on your mobile provider.
Roaming allows you to use your phone on a foreign network while traveling, so you can make calls, send messages, and use mobile data without changing your SIM card. It keeps you connected through your home carrier’s agreements with local networks.
Most international carriers support roaming in the USA. When you use your phone, your carrier connects you to a local network, and charges depend on whether your plan includes roaming, you purchase a roaming pass, or you pay as you go. This is often called roaming for USA.
Roaming is often more expensive because your carrier must coordinate with the foreign network and cover additional fees. Local SIM cards or eSIMs bypass these extra charges, offering more affordable rates for calls, texts, and data during your stay in the USA.
Roaming costs in the USA vary by country and provider. This section breaks down typical costs for travelers from Canada and the UK, helping you compare providers and find the most affordable option.
These major Canadian providers generally include roaming options, making connectivity easier. Without inclusive roaming, a daily pass is usually cheaper than pay-as-you-go, which can get expensive for data.
Travelers who rely heavily on data or plan to stay in the USA for several days may find a local physical SIM or eSIM more cost-effective. These options often provide larger data allowances at lower rates than roaming, helping you stay connected without high fees.
| Provider | Roaming costs for USA | Inclusive roaming for USA | Pay-as-you-go / non-pass rates |
| Rogers | $16/day $60/14days $70/30days | Yes | $1.45/minute $0.75/text $12.00/50MB |
| Bell | $13/day $60/14days $70/30days $100/14days $110/30days | Yes | $1.99/minute $0.99/text $6.00/MB |
| Telus | $16/day | Yes | $1.60/minute $0.75/text $5.00/MB |
Major UK networks such as EE, O2, Three, and Vodafone offer roaming options for the USA, making it simple to stay connected while traveling. Daily roaming passes can be purchased, but pay-as-you-go rates, especially for data roaming, are often high.
For those who need more data or are visiting for several days, using a local physical SIM or eSIM can be much cheaper. These options usually provide better data allowances at lower costs, helping travelers stay online without paying steep roaming fees.
| Provider | Roaming costs for USA | Inclusive roaming for USA | Pay-as-you-go / non-pass rates |
| EE | £5/24 hours £25/7 days | Yes | £1.20/minute £0.60/text Data - only with roaming pass |
| O2 | £7/day | Yes | £3/minute £1/text Data - available only with add-ons |
| Three | £12.50/3 days £30/7 days £60/14 days | Yes | £1.40/minute £0.15/text £0.10/MB |
| Vodafone | £7.86/day | Yes | £0.60/minute £0.08/text £0.12/MB |
| Lebara | £5/8 days £10/15days | No | £1.99/minute £0.49/text £93.00/1GB |
Note: *Roaming prices, passes, and plan inclusions may change at any time. Always check with your carrier for the latest rates and terms before travelling or purchasing a roaming add-on.*
For travelers, eSIMs can offer significantly cheaper data than traditional roaming, particularly for longer trips or heavy data users. They allow you to stay connected without paying high pay-as-you-go roaming fees.
Holafly offers unlimited data plans and flexible daily or multi-day packages for the USA. Plans can range from 3GB to unlimited depending on duration and usage needs. Travelers can choose plans tailored for short trips or extended stays, making it easy to select the right data amount without worrying about overage charges.
| Plan | Price | Data |
| 1-day | $3.90 | Unlimited |
| 7-day | $27.30 | Unlimited |
| 14-day | $47.90 | Unlimited |
| 30-day | $74.90 | Unlimited |
Compatibility: Works with most eSIM-enabled smartphones, including iPhone XS or later, Google Pixel 3 or later, and selected Samsung Galaxy models. Activation is simple and can be done remotely, so you don’t need to visit a store or swap physical SIMs.
Nomad provides pay-as-you-go data plans for travelers to the USA. You can select from daily, weekly, or monthly data allowances ranging from 1GB to 10GB. Nomad’s plans allow travelers to top up easily if they need extra data mid-trip, giving flexibility for both light and heavy users.
| Plan | Price | Data |
| 7-day | $5.00 | 1GB |
| 30-day | $15.00 | 10GB |
| 7-day | $23.00 | Unlimited |
| 10-day | $31.00 | Unlimited |
Compatibility: Compatible with eSIM-supported devices such as iPhones, Google Pixels, and select Samsung Galaxy phones. Nomad also supports multiple devices on a single account, making it convenient for families or small groups traveling together.
Airalo offers a variety of USA eSIMs, including regional and nationwide options. Data packages range from small (1GB) to large (up to 10GB) allocations for short or extended stays. Some plans are designed specifically for visitors who need consistent high-speed data across multiple states, making it convenient for road trips or business travel.
| Plan | Price | Data |
| 3-day | $8.50 | 3GB |
| 7-day | $13.00 | 5GB |
| 15-day | $22.50 | 10GB |
| 30-day | $37.00 | 20GB |
| 7-day | $21.00 | Unlimited |
| 30-day | $51.75 | Unlimited |
Compatibility: Airalo is supported on most eSIM-capable devices, including modern iPhones, Google Pixel devices, and Samsung Galaxy phones. It also allows multiple profiles on a single device, so travelers can switch between home and travel plans easily.
Staying connected in the USA doesn’t have to mean paying high roaming fees. There are several alternatives that can keep you online without breaking the bank.
Best for travelers who want a fast setup with no physical SIM card and instant activation. eSIMs can be purchased and activated directly on your device before or during your trip. Holafly is a popular option, offering flexible data plans for short or extended stays in the USA.
Local SIM cards are widely available at airports, convenience stores, and mobile carrier shops throughout the USA. They provide local rates for calls, texts, and data, often at a fraction of the cost of roaming. This option is especially useful for longer stays or if you need a lot of data.
Pocket WiFi in the USA can provide portable internet for multiple devices at once, but they come with higher costs, refundable deposits, and battery considerations. They’re ideal for travelers who need to connect multiple devices or share internet with family or colleagues.
Free Wi‑Fi is available at many cafes, hotels, airports, and public spaces. While convenient, it’s not always secure or reliable, so sensitive tasks like online banking should be done with caution or using a VPN.
Roaming should be on if you want to use your mobile data, calls, and texts through your home carrier while in the USA. If you want to avoid unexpected charges, keep roaming off and use Wi-Fi, an eSIM, or a local SIM instead.
You can avoid roaming fees by using an eSIM, buying a local SIM card, connecting to Wi-Fi, or using a pocket WiFi device. Turning off data roaming in your phone settings also prevents accidental charges.
Roaming usually activates automatically when you arrive. If not, go to your phone’s Mobile Network settings and switch Data Roaming on. Some carriers require you to enable roaming through their app or support page before you travel.
The cost depends on your carrier. Many providers offer daily roaming passes, while others charge pay-as-you-go rates that can get expensive, especially for data. Checking your provider’s roaming rates before traveling is the best way to avoid surprises.
Yes. US Mobile charges for data roaming outside the USA unless you have a plan that includes international data. Rates vary depending on location and plan type.
Yes. Roamless supports data service in the USA and offers top-up options through its app, making it a flexible alternative to traditional roaming.
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