E Sims | Tagged Posts
2022
12
May
Which SIM cards work best in Hawaii for a couple weeks with data?
12
May
Question:
Humans say...
Mark
I don't have any specific suggestions for Hawaii specifically. But I've used the Sim cards from Amazon many many many times with great success. In Europe now, and never had any issues with connectivity or lack of data, this is with hot-spotting a whole family of 4 for 2 weeks.
Kristen
Mark can I ask a dumb question about Amazon sim? Does it assign you a new number to use temporarily? Just trying to figure out if this is an option for me. I struggled with airalo when I tried to use it last year, but would love to escape roaming charges!
Chris
Amazon is just the seller. It depends on which SIM card it is, and who it is from (the carrier). But generally speaking physical sim cards do come with a temporary number and the ability to make traditional voice calls. And generally speaking e-sims do *not* come with a temporary number (they are usually data only). Although airalo is starting to add temporary numbers as an option to certain e-sims they sell.
Mark
Kristen yep as Chris above has said. Amazon is just the reseller. The sims come from legit companies like att or t-mobile etc. And yes come with a USA phone number. Usually calls are restricted to USA or Europe or whatever area you are in. But texts are international. And you just buy the GB data you will need for the days you will be on vacay.
Kristen
Mark thanks! Good to know
Noreen
Mark can I pm you? Questions on a physical SIM card I purchased for the USA. Think I messed up as they want to transfer my Cdn phone # ….
Mark
Noreensure.
Lindsay
Airolo is great! Make sure you get a referral code from someone before you buy it though, so you get $3 usd off!
Taunia
Ok newbie to esim sorcery. So I can buy a plan through airalo, download an app and voila I have 15 days of coverage in the USA for a fraction of what I would pay through my provider? No roaming charges? Omg where has this been all my life? Lol.
Going to the USA for 10 days in a couple weeks. Is this the one I should use?
Shelby
Taunia yep!! Consider it like data though. No regular phone calls.
Taunia
Shelby well this is a game changer for us! I cannot believe I have never heard of this before.
Chris
Taunia make sure your phone is eSim compatible before you buy or download.
Taunia
Chris ok thank you. Just checked I’m good! iPhone 12 Pro Max is compatible
and I’m unlocked as we all are now lol.
Davita
Taunia I just used it when I went to California and it worked great! I can send you a referral code if you'd like and it gives us both a $3 credit
Aydin
Taunia I used Holafly when I was in Spain and Turkiye this May worked well too and cheaper
Charlene
Taunia Also be aware that if travelling by land, you may not pick up service right at Canada/US border. We had to drive about 50 km before we picked up service.
Taunia
Charlene we have had both. Sometimes we pick up before we have even crossed. This time we are flying so should be ok. But thanks for the heads up!
Beverly-
Taunia if you want to call anybody out there (or back home!) I also download the Talkatone app (of course you can do wifi calling too or messenger calling but if you want to call a normal number ANYWHERE, it’s free). It uses the data from the airalo esim for the calls/texts (so you can text an android back home in Canada for free). They do only give a certain amount of free texts/calls before you have to pay…but the cost is like $4 unlimited for the month
Great deal!
Lise
I liked Airolo in Italy for data, but didn’t like that I had no phone service, should I have wanted to call a taxi or to make reservations for dinner. Otherwise we had data when we needed it for maps, texting using whatsapp, Facebook, etc.
Debbie
Lise I could be wrong but I think you can actually make calls using whatsapp or Messenger just using data. Or you can use Skype I think with just data. Someone else may know more about this?
Lise
Debbie, yes, that part was fine for my friends and family. However, some businesses don’t use whatsapp, so couldn’t call them using whatsapp or messenger.
Debbie
Lise oh ok. Maybe Skype would work? Not sure if they need to use Skype as well? I’m not very tech savvy
Ray
Debbie
Yes Skype works on data only.
Jenny
I just downloaded the Ubigi app. Then I bought the proper country package. Quite cheap. Ended up using Ubigi in both USA and Japan this year. Both countries had super fast internet. In Japan I had 3 phones hot spotted to my phone and i didn’t notice them on my network.
Pat
airalo
Jess
I’ve had success with Airlo in Asia & EU but it was terrible in HI
Krista
airalo
View
Denise Tesan
Was in Hawaii in April and bought a TMobile card from Amazon. Was there for 3 weeks and no issues. My phone doesn't support esim so have to go with a sim. Getting ready to head to Vegas and just bought a Jethro Mobile card thru Amazon. They have options to keep the sim active if you travel to US frequently. It was super easy to activate the sim and already have my Vegas phone number. Jethro Mobile is Cdn.
Mikaela
I use airlo all the time, super easy, make sure you turn your Canadian sim off (or remove it) before turning your phone on airplane mode so that when you turn airplane mode back off to install the esim your Canadian one won't connect and cause roaming charges
Drew
Have a look at Jethro Mobile, out of WA, works the same as roam mobility and they cater for Canadians visiting USA. I like them
A.I. says...
Best SIM Cards for Hawaii: Airalo and Other Options
Best SIM Cards for Hawaii: Airalo and Other Options
When visiting Hawaii, having a reliable and affordable SIM card for your mobile device can be a game-changer. With the right SIM card, you can stay connected with your loved ones, access maps and local information, and even share your experiences on social media without worrying about exorbitant roaming charges. In this blog post, we'll explore some of the best SIM card options for your Hawaiian adventure, including the popular Airalo service.
Airalo: The Convenient eSIM Solution
Airalo is an innovative eSIM service that allows you to purchase and activate a data plan directly from your smartphone, without the need for a physical SIM card. This service is particularly convenient for travelers visiting Hawaii, as it eliminates the hassle of finding a local SIM card vendor upon arrival.
One of the main advantages of Airalo is its ease of use. Simply download the Airalo app, select your desired data plan, and activate it instantly. The app supports a wide range of devices, including iPhones and Android smartphones that are eSIM-compatible.
In terms of cost, Airalo offers competitive rates for Hawaii. For example, their 1GB data plan valid for 7 days costs around $5, while a 3GB plan for 30 days is priced at around $12. These rates are generally lower than what you would pay for international roaming with your home carrier.
Local SIM Card Options
If you prefer a physical SIM card or your device doesn't support eSIM, there are several local carriers in Hawaii that offer prepaid SIM card options. Some popular choices include:
- Hawaiian Telcom: Hawaiian Telcom offers prepaid SIM cards with various data packages, starting from around $10 for 1GB of data valid for 7 days.
- Verizon: Verizon has a strong network coverage in Hawaii and offers prepaid SIM cards with various data options, such as 5GB for $40 valid for 30 days.
- T-Mobile: T-Mobile's prepaid SIM cards can be a good choice if you plan to use your phone primarily for calls and texts, with moderate data usage. Their plans start at around $15 for 1GB of data.
Tips for Choosing the Right SIM Card
When selecting a SIM card for your Hawaii trip, consider the following factors:
- Data Needs: Evaluate how much data you'll need based on your planned activities, such as browsing the web, using navigation apps, and sharing photos/videos on social media.
- Coverage: Check the network coverage maps of the carriers you're considering to ensure reliable service in the areas you plan to visit.
- Compatibility: Make sure the SIM card you choose is compatible with your device's network bands and technology (e.g., GSM, CDMA, LTE).
- Activation Process: Consider the ease of activating the SIM card and setting up your data plan. Services like Airalo simplify this process.
Whichever option you choose, having a local SIM card or an eSIM service like Airalo can
Diana
I’m wondering about SIM cards for Hawaii. Would love to hear which ones work the best! Looking for a couple weeks that includes some data!
Any experiences with airalo? ease of use is ideal, as is cost! TIA