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Verizon eSIM for tourists: Best SIM and eSIM options for tourists in the US

Coming to the US? Get a Verizon eSIM tourist guide to stay connected when you arrive - plans, costs, pros and cons explored.

If you’re heading to the US on a vacation or business trip, you’ll want a simple way to keep connected during your stay. Verizon is a major US telecoms provider, so it’s no surprise that it offers some of the best tourist eSIM options as well.

This guide contains all you need to decide if Verizon’s SIM/eSIM is a good fit. We’ll also touch on the dedicated travel eSIM from Holafly as an alternative to the Verizon eSIM, with flexible durations, low costs, and unlimited data for tourists going to the US.

Already a Verizon customer, looking for a Verizon eSIM to use while traveling abroad? Take a look at our dedicated guide to the Verizon international eSIM packages available to you, to help you avoid using your Verizon roaming.

In this article

Does Verizon offer a tourist eSIM or SIM plan?

Yes. There is a Verizon eSIM tourist option, which has three different plans covering different customer needs.

These are prepaid plans, available as either a physical SIM or eSIM. The minimum length of time you can have a Verizon tourist plan is 30 days — that means you have to commit for a month, even if you’re only visiting for a few days or a couple of weeks.

That said, there are still reasons why a Verizon eSIM for USA travel may appeal. Getting an eSIM can end up cheaper than using your data roaming, for example.

Let’s take a closer look at what Verizon’s prepaid SIM for the US has to offer.

Verizon tourist eSIM & SIM: Plans and pricing

When you sign up for a Verizon tourist eSIM plan, you can choose from three options, each with a different data allowance and features:

Plan	Cost	Data allowance	Features
15 GB	$45 USD for month one, $35 with Autopay	15 GB	Mobile hotspot available
Unlimited	$60 for month one,$50 with Autopay	Unlimited	Mobile hotspot available with 5 GB of 5G/4G LTE data
Unlimited Plus	$70 for month one, $60 with Autopay	Unlimited	5G ultra wideband Premium hotspot features Free calls to one additional country

Verizon eSIM not working for you? Get trouble shooting tips for Verizon here.

Where to buy a Verizon tourist SIM or eSIM

Let’s look at where to buy a Verizon tourist SIM or eSIM if you’re about to head off to the US for a visit.

Online via Verizon

If you want an eSIM, buying it through the Verizon website is the easiest option. You’ll need to check if your phone is unlocked, then download the My Verizon app and select your preferred plan before paying online with a card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay.

Official Verizon stores

Verizon has over 6,000 stores in the US and offers a handy store locator tool to find the right place based on your travel plans. You can call into a store or make an appointment in advance to get help setting up your phone and Verizon travel eSIM if you need it.

Supermarkets or convenience stores

Verizon physical SIM cards are stocked by major retailers like Walmart and Best Buy. You can also find them in smaller convenience stores. You can buy your card when you pick up your groceries and install it yourself following the online instructions.

Airport kiosks and vending machines

You may also be able to pick up your physical Verizon SIM at the airport through a SIM kiosk or vending machine. There are no Verizon stores in airports, but most airports do have resellers that stock a broad range of tourist SIMs to meet different customer needs.

Not sure if your phone will work in the USA? Get our handy guide on how to check.

How to activate a Verizon tourist eSIM/SIM card

Here’s how to activate a Verizon tourist eSIM/SIM card if you’ve decided that Verizon is the right provider for your trip to the US.

Verizon tourist SIM card activation guide

Staff can help you activate your Verizon tourist SIM at official Verizon stores. If you bought your SIM online or from a third-party retailer, here’s how to set it up:

Remove your existing SIM card if required
Insert the Verizon tourist SIM
Log in to your Verizon account on the My Verizon app
Tap on the Activate or Switch Device page
Follow the activation steps given on screen

This can only be completed in the US — if you have your card prior to arrival, you can get set up once you touch down or cross the border.

Verizon tourist eSIM activation guide

If you have a Verizon tourist eSIM, you can activate it in-app using the My Verizon app or in-store. As with the physical SIM, you must be in the US to activate your Verizon eSIM, but you do not need a permanent US address.

Here’s a full Verizon tourist eSIM activation guide:

Open the My Verizon app, tap the Menu icon, then Devices, and Add device
Tap Another device and select the type of device you’re adding
Enter the Device ID and the SIM ID and tap Next.
Choose a plan for your new line, then tap Got it
Select whether you want an international plan, then select a payment method
Enter any requested payment information and tap Confirm
Agree to the Terms & Conditions and tap Confirm

Need more info? Learn how to install an eSIM on an iPhone and how to install and activate an eSIM on Android devices here.

How to avoid running out of data on your Verizon tourist eSIM

Finally, let’s work through some handy tips to avoid running out of data on your Verizon tourist eSIM:

Think about how much data you need for your trip before you select your plan, so you can get the most suitable one
Keep an eye on the data you’ve used so far in the My Verizon app, so you’ll know when you reach a fair usage limit
Disable apps you won’t use while you’re away and stop automatic updates
Avoid using your data for streaming, large downloads, or uploads
Consider switching to an unlimited data eSIM like Holafly for low cost, unlimited data during your trip to the US

Enjoy unlimited data with the Holafly eSIM for the USA

Instead of signing up for a minimum of a month on Verizon, check out the Holafly eSIM for the USA, which has unlimited data and an adjustable usage period of 1-90 days.

The price you pay with Holafly goes down the longer period you sign up for, and can be as little as $1.55/day for a 90 day plan. Installation and activation is simple, and there’s 24/7 customer support should you ever need it.
Plans offer peace of mind, as you can buy before you travel and activate on arrival — hitting the ground running, and ready to make the most of your US break.

Disclaimer: The data in this review is accurate as of August 18, 2025, and is subject to change.

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哈囉我是來自台灣的 Wen，平常最喜歡旅遊，也喜歡將旅遊的種種化成文字跟大家分享，希望大家能在我的文章中找到有用的資訊，加上 Holafly 的 eSIM，讓你的旅程更美好！✈️✈️✈️ Hi! I'm Wen, a passionate content writer and travel enthusiast from Taiwan. I transform my wanderlust adventures into engaging stories and practical guides, helping fellow travelers make the most of their journeys.Through my articles, I strive to provide travel tips while introducing how our eSIM technology can enhance your travel experience - keeping you connected wherever your adventures take you!

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