I’m travelling to the US (from Canada) in a couple weeks, and my carrier charges $15 a day for roaming which I obviously don’t want to pay. What would be the best ESim options that have both good coverage and rates?
I use Airalo in the US - coverage is decent and it’s only $4.50 for 1 GB over 7 days. Only issue is that hot-spotting doesn’t seem to work with it.
MobiMatter is a eSIM search engine to find you all options that will suit your needs. Used them a couple of times for a couple of trips. No issue.
Since you are from Canada, why not change your plan or carrier. Freedom offers inexpensive plans that cover Canada-US-Mexico.
@Sal
I use this too! You can also get cashback or a discount with them so for travellers is the best option in my opinion.
My wife is with Rogers and her plan is Canada only so she used Airalo on our recent trip to California and it worked well, we would use them again.
We went with the 1GB plan for 7 days I think it was, and we used about 60% of the data, so was plenty for our needs.
We downloaded the T Mobile app before we left Australia and then used that to purchase an eSIM using free wifi once we landed. Took about 10 mins and had no issues for the 3 weeks we were there.
Do Canadian plans not cover the US by default? My nothing special US plan includes both Canada and Mexico.
Haru said:
Do Canadian plans not cover the US by default? My nothing special US plan includes both Canada and Mexico.
No, not by default and we already pay so much. It’s $15/day with only access to whatever your plan covers (how much data), so if you are gone say 10 days you pay for more than your whole month’s bill and still only have access to your plan.
Haru said:
Do Canadian plans not cover the US by default? My nothing special US plan includes both Canada and Mexico.
Not by default but Canada-US plans have come down in price significantly in recent years so anyone that crosses the border should probably get one by now.
They provide data-only options, but you can use Talkatone for US calling.
I use eflysim.com. Great coverage.
Depending on your carrier, I’m with Rogers, there is a plan that will charge you $5/month more to use your phone in the US.
T-Mobile has their prepaid option for like $50 unlimited everything for the month.
Helium. $20 for the month and unlimited.
Also so you know - if you just get data and a phone call comes in or a text you will be charged by your Canadian phone company.
If you have to have an eSIM, Public Mobile has plans that include both US and Canada. I use Fizz but they only offer pSIMs.
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