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ESIM GUIDE

Best eSIM for the United States for Canadian travellers

A week of roaming with Rogers or Telus in the United States costs about $112. A travel eSIM covering the same week starts around US$12.5. Here's what the plans cost, what's different about staying connected in the United States, and how to set it up before you fly.

By the Viorvo team · Checked

Our pick for a week in the United States

Simple one-week planAiralo 5 GB for 7 days · US$12.50A week of roaming with Rogers or Telus costs about $112. Install the eSIM at home before you fly.
Get this eSIM ↗

Roaming vs eSIM for a week in the United States

Roaming, 7 days$1127 × $16 US (Rogers/Telus); Bell 7 × $13 = $91. CAD before tax.
Travel eSIM, 7 daysUS$12.5Airalo Change 5 GB / 7 days

Daily rates from MobileSyrup (March 2026): Rogers and Telus $16 a day in the US and $18 internationally, Bell $13 and $16. United States is billed at the US rate.

Compare plans

eSIM plans for the United States

PlanDataPriceNetwork
AiraloChange 1 GB1 GB3 daysUS$4.00T-Mobile (+1 other) · 5GView ↗
YesimUSA 5 GB5 GB30 daysUS$10.195GView ↗
AiraloOur pickChange 5 GB5 GB7 daysUS$12.50T-Mobile (+1 other) · 5GView ↗
AiraloChange+ 5 GB (with +1 calls/SMS)5 GB7 daysUS$17.00T-Mobile (+1 other) · 5GView ↗
AiraloChange 10 GB10 GB30 daysUS$22.50T-Mobile (+1 other) · 5GView ↗
YesimUSA UnlimitedUnlimited (fair use)7 daysUS$22.995GView ↗

Prices in US dollars as shown on esimdb.com on September 30, 2026. esimdb also lists new-user promo codes, so the price at checkout can differ slightly. Plans are data-only unless the provider says otherwise. Viorvo may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

What to know about staying connected in the United States

  • Canadian carriers charge less for the US than elsewhere: $16/day with Rogers or Telus and $13/day with Bell.
  • Airalo's US eSIM runs on T-Mobile. Its Change+ plans add a US +1 number for calls and texts.
  • Cell service in US national parks varies and can drop even where carrier maps show coverage, so check the park's Basic Information page before you go.
  • Rogers customers on a Canada+US+Mexico plan pay no daily Roam Like Home fee in the US.

How to set up your eSIM

Do this at home on Wi-Fi, a day or two before you fly, so you land connected.

  • To check if your iPhone is unlocked, go to Settings > General > About. If Carrier Lock says 'No SIM restrictions', it's unlocked. Only your carrier can unlock it.
  • An iPhone can store eight or more eSIMs. To add one from a QR code, scan it with the Camera app, tap 'Cellular Plan Detected', then tap Add Cellular Plan.
  • On arrival, choose which line your iPhone uses for data in Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data. If your home line stays on, you might still be charged roaming fees by your home carrier.
  • Data Roaming on iPhone is under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options. It lets you use data on networks outside your carrier's coverage.
  • On Samsung Galaxy phones, add an eSIM in Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, by QR code or activation code. Even listed models may not support eSIM depending on country of origin.
  • Pixel 7 and later can use two eSIM profiles at once. Google suggests using a prepaid international eSIM and activating it when you arrive to avoid roaming charges.
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Questions

Common questions

How much does roaming cost in the United States with a Canadian phone plan?

Rogers and Telus charge $16 a day and Bell $13 a day for their daily roaming add-on in the United States (CAD, before tax, as of March 2026). A 7-day trip comes to about $112 with Rogers or Telus.

How much is an eSIM for the United States?

The cheapest plan we found was Airalo 1 GB for 3 days at US$4.00. For a typical week, Airalo Change 5 GB / 7 days costs US$12.5 (prices checked September 30, 2026).

Will a travel eSIM give me a local phone number?

Usually not. Most travel eSIMs from Airalo and Yesim are data-only. Apps like WhatsApp still work over data, and you can keep your Canadian line switched on for texts, but calls or data on your Canadian line can trigger your carrier's daily fee.

Sources

Checked September 30, 2026. Prices, rules and fees change, so confirm before you travel.

eSIM for the United Statesfrom US$4 ↗