Best US SIM Only deals for Travelling in America in 2022

Finally out of lockdowns and ready for your next working holiday or family trip to the USA? Can’t contain your excitement? Neither can we!

Planning for a USA trip can be hectic and tricky at times, not to mention the hefty roaming fees imposed by local telcos. However, getting prepped-up before you board your flight may just be what you need to make your travel journey smooth and hiccup-free!

Getting a local USA sim card surely would have crossed your mind if you’re travelling any time soon, so you can enjoy the benefits of being connected as soon as you land without worrying about roaming costs! Here’s a rundown of frequently asked questions and the variations in USA sim cards that you can plug into your smartphone and avoid international roaming charges.

What is a Prepaid US sim card?

A prepaid US sim card is a pay as you go sim card that you can insert into your UK mobile phone for the United States, so they'll work in the US and possibly Canada or Mexico. If they're US-based SIM cards from US carriers such as T-Mobile or AT&T like the ones we sell at SimCorner, they'll get assigned a USA phone number. If they're not US-based SIM cards, they might be roaming sim cards. They will still work in the USA but be assigned another number, such as a UK number or Estonian number, etc. 

The best USA Sim are the local sim card options. As they already include unlimited calls, unlimited SMS, and data allowance, and usually get better coverage and data speeds.

Also with Prepaid USA SIM only deals, you do not sign up to a contract, as they are pay as you go options. The USA Sim only deals we sell at SimCorner are all 30 day SIM options that come with set features that last 30 days. This means no hidden fees or charges.

Will my phone work in the US?

Most UK citizens flying to the States should remember that network providers in the US use different frequencies to those back home. If you want to use your phone over there, you'll need to double-check what frequencies it supports before deciding to purchase a sim card for USA. You can go to a mobile phone shop, or you can use the contact us link above to get in touch with us, and we would be able to check if your phone is compatible with the prepaid sim cards from T-Mobile or AT&T.

You will also need to make sure your phone is unlocked. If your phone is on a post-paid plan or contract with your local carrier it doesn't mean your phone is locked. But if you are unsure, please check with your current service provider.

Choosing the best USA Sim Card

How do you pick the prepaid USA sim card for your travel needs? The first step should be checking who the carrier is for the prepaid sim you are about to purchase. In the USA, there are 3 big carriers: Verizon, AT&T, and T-Moble.

T-Mobile - One of the most competitive cell phone carriers in the US, T-Mobile is an excellent choice for picking cheaper SIM options with good coverage across the vast amount of mainland America and Hawaii.

AT&T - Another one of America's biggest carriers, AT&T is a popular choice as it offers the most coverage across the USA and its territories including Alaska and Hawaii. 

Verizon - The last big mobile carrier is Verizon, which also provides excellent coverage. But this may not be an option for most travellers, as Verizon is only able to be used in conjunction with specific phones—mainly USA phone models. You don’t want to make the mistake of getting a Verizon SIM that doesn’t work in your UK phone model.

Similar to here in UK, the US also offers a range of smaller phone carriers such as LycaMobile or Lebara. While these are still local sim cards, these run on one of the main phone networks noted above but offer their own services. These include Metro and Ultra, which both run on the T-Mobile network.

Although these smaller phone providers use T-Mobile's network, they have some limitations in order to reduce prices. They may not span the whole network, and coverage may be limited in many places. This would mean you would not get the best coverage, as compared to other country-specific sim cards. In addition, Metro also has strict limitations on video streaming in its data.

This is why we recommend choosing a sim card from one of the two main carriers in America when buying USA sim cards, as they offer coverage in most of the main cities and/or tourist areas.

Can I buy a US SIM Card in United Kingdom?

To get USA travel Sim cards in UK, you'll need to buy the sim card online. Fortunately, there's an easy way now. At SimCorner we sell a range of prepaid USA SIM cards for UK travellers. Best of all, every US SIM card we sell is a local sim card, from T-Mobile or AT&T, so they will be assigned a USA number and includes data, unlimited calls, and unlimited SMS. We also do not charge any extra cost for the activation fee. Everything you need for your stay in the USA!

By purchasing one of our awesome ranges and having it shipped straight to your home address or work address, you can be sorted even before you step on the plane! We offer free shipping UK-wide with regular mail or express 1-3 business day services if needed for urgent travel plans. Buying sim cards online has never been easier.

The 5 Best Prepaid SIM Card USA

These prepaid SIM cards are from major carriers in the USA and we have ranked them as the top options based on their customer feedback, price, coverage, and popularity.

For T-Mobile SIM card options:

• Best Value - 6GB USA Travel SIM Card - For travellers looking for the right mix between staying connected while on their next holiday or adventure trip, this 6GB T-Mobile prepaid sim option is the perfect pick. The 30-day access comes with unlimited calls and unlimited SMS feature within USA to all USA mobiles and landlines. Incoming calls are free and allow you to remain in touch always.
• While you might argue that the 6GB data may not be enough for all your Netflix or FaceTime needs, it can be enough if you are keen to just remain connected. Finding locations on Google Maps, checking emails for emergency work comms, or asking for a recommendation for the best hairstylist in the city on Facebook can all be sorted!
• Best Data Value - USA Unlimited Data SIM Card - If you can’t afford to run out of data at any time of the day or night while on your trip to the USA, get your hands on the Unlimited mobile data card right away! This is the best SIM card with 30-days access to unlimited 4G data, unlimited calls, and Unlimited SMS within USA and Hawaii to all mobiles and landlines. What’s more, if Canada or Mexico is part of your travel itinerary, you can get 5GB of data with unlimited text and call features to use in Canada, Mexico for only 10 AUD extra!
• The unlimited data connection can solve all your travel connection needs. Work while you’re on-the-go, binge-watch on your favourite Netflix series, download latest tracks from Spotify, or make international calls using FaceTime to your friends and family while you’re ticking off your bucket list at the Grand Canyon or even at Las Vegas. The unlimited mobile hotspot at 3G speed is an added advantage—you no longer have to worry about Baby Shark eating up your data while your toddler is at it on the Tab!
• Unlimited Data Only for iPads and Tablets - This one may be a little bit higher on the price range, but it packs a punch. With unlimited, high-speed 4G data and mobile hotspot/tethering allowed, this travel sim card is great if you don’t need to text or call anyone in the USA and need data on your iPad or tablet—perfect for families or those travelling in groups! Whether you need to upload new memories on Google Photos in real-time, or need to share data with your whole travel group for work purposes, this will do just the trick.

For AT&T Mobile SIM card options:

• Best Value - 15GB AT&T SIM Card - The 8GB USA sim cards are ideal if you are on a working holiday or a family cross-country trip to some remote areas. The sim card comes with 30-day access covering 8GB worth of 4G data and unlimited calls and SMS across USA, Canada, and Mexico.
• The 8GB Att US SIM may not be enough for streaming movies on Netflix or playing games with friends across the globe. However, it’ll be enough to fulfil your need to stay connected with Google Maps, check emails, surf through your Instagram feed on your local and cross-country travel journeys.
• Best Data Value - USA Unlimited Data SIM Card - If you don’t want the added stress of running out of data or being more selective about your usage, just go for the unlimited data option. While it is a bit more than the other prepaid sim card options above, it’s definitely great value for money, especially when compared to data roaming costs and other roaming options. This card offers 30 days access to unlimited 4G data, unlimited calls and unlimited SMS to not just USA, but also to Canada, Hawaii, Mexico and Alaska. Overall, this is a fantastic North America Sim Cards plan. What’s more, you get unlimited international texts to over 100 countries including, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and more. Mobile hotspot is limited to 10GB in the USA only for an extra $10.
• The unlimited data pack can solve your need to remain connected at all times, both for work and pleasure. You never have to worry about using up the data even if the kids stream 20 movies or play Fortnite for 8 hours in a row! The only downside is that unlimited data can keep eyeballs glued to screens, so watch out for that!

Get USA Sim Cards that are right for you!

Now that you have the Sim Card for USA options laid in front of you, you would have already made up your mind on the data card that is ideal for you in terms of your travel itinerary. Though all the sim cards are available in three sizes and fit most phones, it’s always good to check the specifications and compatibility before getting one that would be right for you. Why not, check out all the options that we offer at SimCorner and get a USA sim card for your next trip to USA.