How to Get Internet and a SIM Card in the US: Options

How do you get internet and a SIM card in the United States? The easiest route for tourists is a prepaid SIM or eSIM; a prepaid line is sold to anyone, and SSN and credit checks are required only for postpaid lines. An alternative is using roaming with your Turkish line. This page lays out the options, their differences, the steps, and the checklist to review before you leave.

In brief

• Prepaid SIM is sold to anyone; SSN and credit checks are required only for postpaid lines.
• The U.S. Pass eSIM is sold only within the US and activates as soon as you buy it; check other providers' terms separately.
• Hotspot data varies by package; it is 50 GB on the 30-day U.S. Pass.
• Roaming is meant for short-term use; learn the per-MB and daily fee system in advance.

Short answer: three options

There are three ways to get mobile internet in the US:

• Prepaid eSIM: Loaded digitally onto your phone; you may not need to visit a store.
• Prepaid physical SIM: Bought from a retailer or carrier store and inserted into your phone.
• Roaming with your Turkish line: You don't buy anything new, but usage is charged at the international rate.

If your phone supports eSIM, a prepaid eSIM is the most practical option for most travellers. If it doesn't, a physical prepaid SIM is the remaining option. Roaming makes sense for short-term, low usage. Whichever option you choose, decide on the duration and data needs based on the length of your trip.

Before making this choice, settle your visa: entry to the US for Turkish citizens requires a consular visa. See the US visa page for application and documents. Finalize your internet plan after your flight dates are set.

Prepaid eSIM: the U.S. Pass example

T-Mobile Prepaid's U.S. Pass eSIM is a package aimed at tourists. Packages are sold for 7, 10, 14, and 30 days, and each package includes 50 GB of premium 5G data. Unlimited talk and SMS in the US, Mexico, and Canada are included. Check the carrier's page for current prices.

No ID or documents are required for this package; a store visit is also not required.

Where to buy it

As of May 18, 2026, U.S. Pass eSIM plans can be purchased only within the US, and they activate as soon as you buy them. This means you cannot buy this package from Turkey in advance and activate it on the plane. Connect to Wi-Fi at the airport and complete the purchase and setup there. For other providers' eSIMs, the place of purchase and conditions may differ; check the provider's page.

Hotspot data

If you'll use your phone as a modem, hotspot data in the US varies by package: 14 GB on the 7-day plan, 20 GB on the 10-day plan, 28 GB on the 14-day plan, and 50 GB on the 30-day plan. On the 30-day package, hotspot data equals the total data; on shorter packages, it is lower than the total. In Mexico and Canada, 5 GB of high-speed data is provided. If you'll be working with a laptop, choose your package based on these limits.

Prepaid physical SIM: where, and do you need ID?

Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased by anyone. An SSN (social security number), tax ID, and credit check are required only for postpaid lines. As a tourist, your concern is the prepaid line.

Prepaid SIMs are available from most retailers or carrier stores. Most foreign credit cards are accepted in stores; still, confirm with your bank that your card is enabled for international transactions.

Note: Prepaid and postpaid SIMs are not interchangeable. Explicitly ask for "prepaid" at the store.

Physical SIM or eSIM?

• If your phone supports eSIM, you won't need to visit a store for setup.
• For a physical SIM, your phone must not be carrier-locked; if it is, ask your carrier in Turkey.
• With a physical SIM, since you'll remove your Turkish SIM, receiving SMS verification codes may become difficult. On a dual-SIM phone, you can keep both active together.

Package details change frequently; check coverage and package terms in-store before purchasing.

Roaming with your Turkish line: when does it make sense?

If you don't want to buy anything, you can use your Turkish line abroad. Turkcell's postpaid non-package international internet is valid in the US, and usage is billed per MB, with a tiered rate. Even maps, messaging, and food apps can consume hundreds of MB in a day, so the total amount rises quickly.

Under Turkcell's "Tarifen Yurt Dışında Geçerli Avantaj" option, a daily fee is charged for internet, minutes, and SMS usage from your Turkish plan while in the US. The fee is valid for 24 hours from the first use each day. The daily amount varies by country and package; check the current amount on your carrier's page.

When is roaming suitable?

• For a short visit of just 1-2 days.
• If your phone doesn't support eSIM and you don't want to swap SIMs.
• If your usage is already mostly Wi-Fi based.

Before you leave, read your carrier's terms for international usage and billing.

Common mistakes

• Assuming every eSIM is sold under the same rule. The U.S. Pass eSIM is sold only within the US. If you're considering another provider, check its purchase conditions separately.
• Leaving data roaming on. Your phone may pull data automatically in the background. Turn off roaming on your Turkish line, connect to Wi-Fi first, then set up your plan.
• Requesting a postpaid line. Postpaid lines require an SSN and credit check; as a tourist, prepaid is sufficient.
• Overlooking the hotspot limit. Hotspot data varies by package; it's 14 GB on the 7-day plan versus 50 GB on the 30-day plan. If you'll use a laptop, factor this in when choosing a package.
• Having a card not enabled for international transactions. Payment may be declined in-store or online; check with your bank before you leave.
• Forgetting about dual SIM. If you'll keep your Turkish line active for banking verifications, learn the roaming fees in advance.

For any rule you're unsure about, check your carrier's current terms.

Step by step: getting online on arrival

1. Before you leave: Check whether your phone supports eSIM and whether it's carrier-locked. Have it unlocked if necessary.
2. Set up your Turkish line: Turn off data roaming. If you'll need SMS verification, keep the line active but data off.
3. Connect to Wi-Fi after landing: The airport's free Wi-Fi network is usually sufficient.
4. Buy an eSIM: Open the carrier's app or page, choose the duration (7, 10, 14, or 30 days for U.S. Pass), make the payment, and follow the installation instructions. The plan activates as soon as it's purchased.
5. Or go to a store: For a physical SIM, ask for prepaid at a retailer or carrier store and insert the card.
6. Test your phone: Open maps, send a message, and connect a device to the hotspot if needed.

If you're on a tour, ask your guide about the group's Wi-Fi situation. On multi-city routes such as Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and San Francisco Western America Route, hotel Wi-Fi can vary; having your own package makes things easier.

Checklist before you leave

• [ ] Has your US visa been approved? Check the visa page for the process and documents.
• [ ] Does your phone support eSIM, and is it carrier-locked?
• [ ] Is data roaming turned off on your Turkish line?
• [ ] Have you learned the international usage fees from your carrier?
• [ ] Is your bank card enabled for international transactions?
• [ ] Is your Turkish line reachable for SMS verification codes?
• [ ] Have you downloaded maps and tickets offline?
• [ ] Have you chosen a package duration suited to your hotspot needs?

You can compare routes and accommodation information on the international tours page. All open programs for the US are listed under this country's tours.

Frequently asked questions

Do you need ID to get a SIM card as a tourist in the US?

Prepaid SIM cards can be purchased by anyone; SSN, tax ID, and credit checks are required only for postpaid lines. No ID or documents are required for T-Mobile's U.S. Pass eSIM either.

Can I buy the eSIM in advance from Turkey?

T-Mobile U.S. Pass eSIM plans can be purchased only within the US as of May 18, 2026, and they activate as soon as purchased. With this package, you need to connect to Wi-Fi and set it up after arrival. For other providers, check the conditions on the provider's page.

What's the difference between prepaid and postpaid SIM?

Prepaid is a line paid for in advance with a package, and anyone can buy it. Postpaid is a billed line; SSN and credit checks are required only for this line. The two are not interchangeable.

Is using internet in the US with my Turkish line expensive?

Under Turkcell's postpaid non-package usage, charges are per MB, and the total rises quickly as usage increases. Under the daily-fee option, the charge is valid for 24 hours from first use. Check your carrier's page for current amounts.

Can I buy a SIM card with a credit card in the US?

Most foreign credit cards are accepted in stores. Still, confirm with your bank that your card is enabled for international transactions.

Which package is enough for hotspot use?

On the U.S. Pass eSIM, hotspot data in the US is 14 GB on the 7-day plan, 20 GB on the 10-day plan, 28 GB on the 14-day plan, and 50 GB on the 30-day plan. On the 30-day package, hotspot data equals the total data. If you'll often work on a laptop, choose a package with higher hotspot data.

Sources

• T-Mobile Prepaid US Pass eSIM: For Travelers on the Go — prepaid.t-mobile.com
• T‑Mobile Prepaid Launches U.S. Pass eSIM for International Travelers — t-mobile.com
• How to get a physical SIM for foreigner. — t-mobile.com
• Turkcell International Standard Package — turkcell.com.tr
• Turkcell Tarifen Yurt Dışında Geçerli Avantaj — turkcell.com.tr