Internet in the United States: how to stay connected while traveling, the best solution

In the United States, you can wake up to the sight of New York’s skyscrapers lighting up in the morning. During the day, explore the lively neighborhoods of Manhattan or drive along the iconic Route 66 on the California coast. At sunset, be enchanted by the breathtaking landscapes of the Grand Canyon or relax on the beaches of Miami Beach, listening to the ocean. Every corner of the USA tells stories of culture, music, nature, and unforgettable scenery.

To fully enjoy this unforgettable experience, having a reliable Internet connection in the USA during your trip is essential. It will help you navigate with maps and apps, check bookings for tours, stay in touch with friends and family, and instantly share photos of spectacular sunsets.

In this article, we’ll explore how to get Internet in the USA while traveling, analyzing costs, advantages, and disadvantages to help you choose the best solution.

Network and operators in the United States of America

Let’s see what the network situation looks like in the USA.
The network quality is generally very good, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

• The 4G LTE network covers most of the territory, and 5G is available in urban areas such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, and Miami.
• In rural or remote areas, such as parts of the Midwest, the Rocky Mountains, or Alaska, coverage may be less stable or limited, with lower speeds or no signal in some isolated areas.

Main mobile operators in the USA:

• Verizon: wide national coverage, reliable 4G and 5G network.
• AT&T: good coverage, especially in cities and densely populated areas; also offers 5G plans.
• T-Mobile: strong urban presence, good 5G coverage, and interesting offers for travelers.

How to stay connected to the Internet in the United States while traveling

There are four main solutions for those who want Internet in the USA. Let’s look at the pros and cons of each option.

🌍 1. Activate roaming with your operator

Data roaming allows you to use your SIM abroad while keeping your number. It’s one of the most practical and immediate solutions, but probably not the cheapest.

• By activating roaming, extra charges may apply, sometimes including limits on data and connection speed.

• Costs can vary significantly, reaching up to USD/MB, so it’s always advisable to check your operator’s rates and conditions.

✅ Prons: no action required, instant activation
❌ Cons: expensive, limited data, often reduced speeds

📲 2. Buy a local or tourist SIM

One of the most traditional but impractical solutions to get Internet while traveling is to buy a local prepaid SIM card.

• In the early moments of the trip, you’ll be without connection, just when you might need it the most to find your way.

• You need to find a physical point of sale (available in airports, malls, or operator stores in the city), where there might be a language barrier.

• ID registration is required.

In the United States, tourist packages from the main operators start at about $10–20 USD for a few GB, up to around $40–60 USD for more generous packages with unlimited or nearly unlimited data.

✅ Prons: generally affordable prices, local operator coverage
❌ Cons: not instant, time-consuming, may require manual APN setup

🧩 3. Use public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is a free and practical option to access the Internet in the USA. It’s widely available in cafés, restaurants, hotels, airports, train stations, and other public areas. However:

• It is often slow or unstable with many users connected.

• It works in tourist spots, but is hard to find elsewhere.

• The security level of public Wi-Fi networks in the USA can vary: it’s not always high, making them vulnerable if you don’t use precautions such as a VPN.

• In some rural areas, it doesn’t exist at all or is very scarce.

✅ Pros: free, easy to use
❌ Cons: unstable, limited, privacy risks

💡 4. Use an international eSIM

The eSIM is an innovative technology that is gaining popularity among travelers. It’s a digital SIM integrated directly into your device, allowing you to activate a data plan without needing a physical card.

• You can buy it online, even before departure
• It activates in minutes and is ready to use at your destination
• No physical SIM, no registration
• Plans are prepaid, avoiding hidden or unexpected charges
• It works directly on your device and keeps your personal phone number
• Multi-country plans are often available
• They connect to local operators’ networks

❗️ Warning: eSIMs are only available for compatible phones, usually the most recent mid-to-high-end devices.

✅ Pros: fast activation, transparent pricing, no paperwork, excellent coverage
❌ Cons: requires a compatible device

The best connectivity solution: the eSIM for the United States of America

After reviewing all available connectivity options for the USA, let’s compare them quickly: