SIMs for US holiday

[AliMonkey]

We're travelling to US for nearly a month (mainly California, mix of cities, road trip, national parks), first time we've been. The roaming charges on our phones are extortionate for US so looks like we'll need to purchase US SIMs as we know we'll want to be able to use our phones to check directions, opening times, etc, as well as just the usual things we might want to use them for (particularly as we have teenagers!)

Can anyone recommend what SIMs we should go for and anything we need to be careful about? Is it reasonable to just go for the cheapest or do some have better coverage? Would we be better getting a selection of networks to get the best coverage between us? Will they all work with all iPhones? I have a 2GB data allowance normally but as we're away I guess it would be safer to go for at least 5GB, maybe 10GB, each, and would need at least 24 days.

Or is there an alternative option to purchasing US SIMs?

Hi Op. I've been Looking at similar. I can't do a link but I've been Googling and come across Eric's New York travel guide and he writes about an esim. Hope this photo is of use.
We haven't used it but I'm going to look into it before we go

Which network are you? With EE unlimited calls and texts in USA and back and fwd to UK plus 50GB data as a bolt on to your plan for £15 for a month

I’m American. Every time I go home I just buy a SIM card in the airport when I get there or I stop at a Verizon or other mobile store on the way home. It’s usually around $60 for enough data and minutes to last a month if you are relatively careful and use Wi-Fi where possible. Just make sure to bring a paper clip or something to open up the SIM card slot on your phone and make sure you keep your UK SIM in a safe place!

I would check with your mobile phone network before you travel.

For instance 3 and Verizon are not linked in any way so you could be charged for using their internet services. 3 are linked with both A t and t and t mobile in the USA.

Esim. Although I've not used one in the US, I did in Aus. Much less fiddly than fading around changing SIM cards. You can also set it up so that data goes via the esim and texts/calls via your usual sim so that contacts know it's you texting or calling.

Thanks all. We’re with a mixture of GiffGaff and Vodafone. I only pay £6 a month normally (don’t download films or anything, use WiFi most of the time) so the thought of spending £60 per phone for a month is a bit of a shock, though I guess it’s not much in the context of the holiday cost.

Esims look like the way to go though a quick google found me a $64 option and a $13 option so is one dodgy?! Recommendations of providers would be good.

@AttilaTheMeerkat I don’t understand your point re checking with provider- I assumed that if I bought a US sim or esim it wouldn’t matter who my current provider was?

Was wondering if your UK based provider can give you some sort of deal hence checking with them beforehand?.

In the US esims are supported by A T and T, T Mobile and Verizon.