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AT&T eSIM for tourists: Best SIM and eSIM options for tourists in the US
There is no dedicated AT&T tourist eSIM, but you can get a prepaid monthly plan. Discover available plans, plus alternatives aimed at tourists in the US.
Planning on visiting the United States? It’s a good idea to think about how you’ll stay connected on your travels. Coming from a major cell phone provider in the US, an AT&T tourist eSIM might seem like an obvious choice for your trip.
However, AT&T offers limited eSIMs for tourists, so you may want to explore other options – like an unlimited data travel eSIM from dedicated international providers like Holafly. Let’s take a look at all your options with AT&T and dedicated eSIM providers in this guide.
If you are an American planning on travelling abroad, check out our article on AT&T international eSIMs instead.
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Does AT&T offer a tourist eSIM card?
AT&T does not offer a dedicated eSIM for tourists visiting the US. However, they do sell prepaid monthly plans, which may work for you.
These monthly plans are available both as an eSIM or physical SIM card, meaning you don’t have to have an eSIM-compatible phone to get online with AT&T in the US.
This said, as the minimum duration is a month, you will pay for data – and days – you don’t need if your visit is short. Additionally, if you’re buying an AT&T tourist eSIM online, you’ll need a US phone number, address, and device verification.
AT&T tourist eSIM: Plans and pricing
AT&T has a range of prepaid eSIM plans that you can use for your trip to the US. All plans offer unlimited texts and phone calls, and you can choose between a physical SIM or an eSIM.
Below is an overview of AT&T’s SIMs for tourists in the US:
| Plan | AT&T unlimited Level Up | Unlimited + 10GB hotspot data | Unlimited basic | Unlimited MAX + 25 GB hotspot data | Unlimited MAX Plus + 35 GB hotspot data | 5GB Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum price per month | $50.99 | $25 | $45 | $55 | $65 | $30 |
| Talk, text and data in Mexico and Canada | Yes | Talk and text only | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Requires upfront payment of $300 | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Additional hotspot data | Option to add on 5 GB for $15 | 10 GB | No | 25 GB | 35 GB | No |
Some plans require a $300 upfront payment, such as the Unlimited + 10 GB hotspot data plan. Make sure that you aren’t paying for several months of data upfront if you only plan on using it during a short trip.
Where to buy an AT&T tourist SIM and eSIM for the US
Whether it’s a prepaid SIM card for the US or an eSIM version, you can buy an AT&T travel plan both online and in person. Here are some specific locations to look out for:
Airports
You’ll find AT&T stores in most major international airports within the US, allowing you to get cellular data before leaving. However, not all airports have an AT&T store, so it’s a good idea to double-check online before starting to wander around the airport looking for an AT&T store.
Depending on the airport you are arriving into, you may be able to buy an AT&T tourist eSIM from an AT&T store directly. However, many airports have third party kiosks, such as SIMs on the Go, which offer SIMs from a range of providers, including AT&T. SIMs on the Go is typically a green kiosk, which will display the cell phone carriers it offers SIM cards for.
Official stores
AT&T has official stores across the country, so you’ll likely be able to pick up a tourist eSIM nearby where you are staying. You can check if there’s a store near you using the store finder on their website.
AT&T has almost 6,000 stores across the US, in all the states on the mainland. You can use the store finder on their website to look for one near you.
Supermarkets or convenience stores
Some supermarkets such as Target, Walmart, and BestBuy offer prepaid SIM and eSIM kits. These allow you to set up your phone with your SIM or eSIM before buying a prepaid plan. You can pick these up in person or have them delivered to where you are staying.
Online
You can also buy an AT&T prepaid monthly plan online by going to their official website and selecting the prepaid plan that works best for you. You’ll need to give an address, and even if you order an eSIM, they’ll deliver an activation kit within 1 and 3 business days. This means you can’t activate it instantly.
How to activate an AT&T prepaid plan as a tourist
If you buy your AT&T prepaid SIM card kit in an official store, they will help you to set the SIM card up on your phone.
However, if you bought your AT&T tourist SIM from a third-party vendor or online, you’ll have to activate it yourself. Here’s how to do it:
How to activate an AT&T prepaid SIM card
- Insert SIM: Take out your regular SIM, and replace it with the AT&T SIM. Make sure you keep your normal SIM, as you’ll need it when you return home.
- Go to the AT&T official website: You can activate your prepaid eSIM or SIM card online, using the dedicated page on AT&T’s website.
- Find codes on packaging: You’ll need to give AT&T your ICCID or SIM number and your IMEI number. Both of these can be found on a white label on your device packaging, or on your SIM or eSIM activation kit.
- Activate your plan online: Accept the terms of service, give your email address, and choose your payment options. Here, you will have the option to use a prepaid retail card, if you have already paid for your plan.
- Restart your device: You may need to restart your device to allow it to find the new mobile network.
How to activate an AT&T prepaid eSIM card
- Scan QR code or find codes on packaging: If you have an iPhone, open your camera app, and scan the QR code. If you have a Samsung phone, navigate to settings, and go to networks, connections, or a similar page. Locate the add a new eSIM option, and follow on-screen instructions to scan the QR code.
- Activate your plan online: If you bought your eSIM activation kit from somewhere other than AT&T, you’ll need to activate it online, using the activation page on their website.
- Follow steps on your mobile: You will receive a free welcome text, which will give instructions to set a password for your account. You can use your account to make payments, keep track of how much data you have used, and see when it will expire.
If you’re still having trouble setting up your SIM card, check out our full guide and troubleshooting for AT&T eSIMs.
If you can’t activate your AT&T eSIM on iPhone or Android, there are a few steps to take:
- Check your device compatibility on the network.
- If you got the device from a different provider, make sure your cell phone is unlocked to be used on other networks.
- Contact AT&T customer support.
How to avoid running out of AT&T tourist eSIM data
Running out of data can cause a lot of worry and stress, particularly if you are out and about, without access to WiFi. However, this is easily avoidable with a few simple steps:
- Choose a plan which has more than you are likely to need, and regularly check how much you have left. Many AT&T prepaid plans, such as AT&T unlimited Level Up, offer unlimited data, so you won’t run out.
- Consider how much data the apps you are using will need. Consider which apps use the most data, and how much you plan on using them. Some apps use significantly more than others: YouTube, for example, uses 193 MB in only 5 minutes of streaming
- Rather than streaming, download movies and music on wifi before you leave
To save yourself from the worry of running out, or the stress and difficulty that comes with using all your data, consider an unlimited data plan with a company like Holafly.
Holafly offers unlimited data with all eSIM plans, meaning you don’t need to worry about how much you’re using and can enjoy your travel without constantly checking.
Enjoy unlimited data with the Holafly eSIM for the US
As a tourist in the US, you can get a prepaid monthly plan to give you data as you travel. There are several plans to choose from, and you can choose either a physical SIM card or an eSIM to let you use your phone in the US.
Yet with limited plan duration options and potential $300 upfront payments, these prepaid plans haven’t been designed with tourists in mind.
Instead, why not choose a dedicated travel eSIM from Holafly? Holafly’s eSIM for the USA comes with unlimited data, 24/7 customer support, and a duration of your choosing (from 1-90 days). Plans start at $6.90 for 1 day, and reach as low as $1.55/day for long-term trips!
Regional plans like the eSIM for North America give you data even as you cross borders, while the Holafly Plans monthly subscription gives unlimited data in 170+ global destinations with prices ranging from $39.90/month to $64.90/month – no SIM switching or new lines needed as you travel the world.
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Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
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