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Roaming in the USA: Costs, plans, and alternatives
Learn everything you need to know about roaming in the USA, including plans, pricing, coverage, and the best alternatives to consider.
Most cell service providers worldwide offer roaming in the USA, which means you can use your phone abroad just as you would at home. However, the roaming costs and plans can differ significantly, depending on the provider you’re using and where you’re traveling from.
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at some of the top roaming options in the USA, how you can get them, and introduce you to Holafly — a travel eSIM that offers unlimited data in the USA at an affordable price.
Connect to the fastest networks
International eSIMs, local networks. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Holafly.
Roaming costs in the USA
The price of roaming in the USA depends on whether your pay-monthly plan offers inclusive roaming, if you need to get a roaming pass, or if you’ll be opting for pay-as-you-go roaming charges instead.
Inclusive roaming plans have higher monthly costs, but no extra fees for roaming. Roaming passes cost around $7 to $15 per day, while pay-as-you-go is almost always the most expensive way to get mobile internet in the USA, unless you barely use your phone at all.
Let’s take a look at what some of the top providers in Canada and the UK have to offer for those visiting the USA.
Roaming costs in the USA for Canadian travelers
With Canada having a direct border with the USA, travel from one country to the other is very frequent. To make life easier, many Canadian cell service providers offer data roaming, calls, and texts in their monthly plans. If your plan doesn’t have inclusive roaming, you can still use your phone in the USA with a roaming pass or pay-as-you-go roaming.
| Provider | Roaming pass costs | Pay-as-you-go costs | Roaming inclusive plans for the USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers roaming USA | CAD$14/dayOr CAD$60 for 30 days | CAD$1.45/minuteCAD$0.75/textCAD$12.00/5 MB | ✅ |
| Bell roaming USA | CAD$13/day | CAD$1.99/minuteCAD$0.99/textCAD$6.00/MB | ✅ |
| Telus roaming USA | CAD$14/day | CAD$1.60/minute CAD$0.75/text CAD$5/MB | ✅ |
| Koodo roaming | CAD$16/day | CAD$1.60/minuteCAD$10 for 100 textsCAD$10 for 100 MB | ✅ |
With inclusive plans, you can access your regular call, text, and data allowance in the USA, though some providers may have a fair usage policy that limits mobile data usage. If you use a roaming pass, you may either access your regular allowances or get unlimited data, calls, and texts while in the USA.
As is usually the case, pay-as-you-go roaming is the most expensive option, so it’s recommended to get a roaming pass if you don’t have an inclusive plan.
Roaming costs in the USA for UK travelers
Those visiting the USA from the UK can also use their mobile phone, whether it’s with inclusive roaming plans, a daily roaming fee, or pay-as-you-go rates.
| Provider | Roaming pass costs | Pay-as-you-go costs | Roaming inclusive plans for the USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE roaming USA | £5/day£25/week | £2.34/min£0.93/messageData available only with add-ons | ✅ |
| O2 roaming USA | £7/day | £3/min£1/messageData available only with add-ons | ✅ |
| Three roaming USA | £12.50 to £60 for 3 to 14 days | £1.40/min£0.35/message£0.10/MB | ✅ |
| Vodafone UK roaming USA | £7.86/day | £0.60/min£0.08/message£0.12/MB | ✅ |
| Giffgaff roaming USA | Not available | £1.00/min£0.30/message£0.20/MB | ❌ |
| Lebara roaming USA | £5 for 3 GB or £10 for 6 GB | £1.99/min£0.49/message£93.00/GB | ❌ |
Lebara and Giffgaff don’t offer inclusive data roaming plans for the USA. However, Vodafone UK, EE, O2, and Three do, allowing you to access your UK data allowance while in the USA. All providers have pay-as-you-go rates for staying connected, but these are quite expensive, while all but Giffgaff also offer roaming pass options.
Are you based in the USA and looking to travel the rest of the world? Check out our articles on the international roaming options offered by major US cell service providers.
Get unlimited data in the USA for less with Holafly
Mobile data abroad doesn’t have to be expensive. With Holafly’s eSIM for the USA, you can get unlimited data in the USA for US$1.55 to $3.90/day, depending on the duration of your plan. You also get up to 1 GB of data sharing daily, as well as 24/7 customer support, ready to help you out in case you have questions or encounter any issues.
Since Holafly connects you to local network providers in the USA, you get the same quality of coverage while avoiding unexpected roaming charges.
If you plan to travel the world for a while longer, Holafly Plans offers an eSIM subscription with coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide. Plans start at $49.90/month and don’t require long-term commitments, which means you can travel across the top world destinations for as long as you like and cancel the plan anytime at no extra cost.
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Join over 10 million Holafly customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
How to avoid data roaming charges in the USA
Don’t feel like paying extra just to use your regular plan data, call, and text allowance in the US? Let’s take a look at some alternatives to keep you connected during your trip:
- eSIM: Using an eSIM is a simple, convenient, and affordable way to get data in the USA. It only takes minutes to buy and set up, and you can do so from anywhere in the world, as long as you have an internet connection. Holafly’s eSIM for the USA can cost as little as $1.55/day, making it cheaper than any roaming pass.
- Travel SIM: Don’t have an eSIM-compatible phone? You can get a travel SIM card in the USA, pop it into your phone, and enjoy near-instant coverage. Such cards are available at most international airports within the USA, as well as dedicated service provider stores, and even convenience stores.
- Pocket WiFi: While only 3.3% of all travelers use pocket WiFi nowadays, it can still be a solid option for groups of travelers. Pocket WiFi in the USA has a higher upfront cost, but allows you to keep multiple devices connected at all times, and you can simply split the bill at the end of the trip.
Holafly eSIMs vs. data roaming in the USA: Which one should you choose?
Still unsure if roaming or eSIMs are the way to go for you? Let’s give a quick look at how they compare against one another.
| Holafly eSIM | Roaming in the USA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price range | $1.55 to $3.90/day | $5 to $15/day for a roaming pass |
| Data sharing | Yes | Depends on the provider |
| Unlimited data | Yes | Depends on the provider |
| Calls/texts | No | Yes |
| 24/7 support | Yes | No |
All in all, Holafly eSIMs offer a way to avoid unexpected roaming charges, offering unlimited data at a cheaper rate than a roaming pass. Holafly offers data-only plans, which means texts and calls are not included, but you can put the unlimited data to good use and make international calls or send texts via VoIP apps such as WhatsApp or Messenger.
Connect to the fastest networks
International eSIMs, local networks. Enjoy the best of both worlds with Holafly.
If you’re in the USA, you might also want to check roaming guides for nearby destinations.
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
