Best way to get SIM data in america

[Buffman]

Hi All,

I'm going to america (california) in may and would like a sim data package so that I can use google maps and general data for whatsapp etc.

What is the best way to do this /have reliable internet? I will be going for 16 days and doing quite a lot of driving so a fairly reliable connection would be good (I will download google maps beforehand!)

Willing to pay whatever it costs, but if theres an option that costs circa £40 with tethering that would be good (allow me and mrs to use phones when relaxing).

Currently we're both on BT mobile which doesnt offer good roaming options.

 

[Buffman]

What phone or tablet do you have?

I've got a huawei p20 Pro and a huawei m3 tablet (no sim). Mrs has a motorola g5 I think.
I assume they will have correct bands to pick up 3g signals?

I've heard mixed reviews about the 3 sims in America, im not bothered for speed (e.g streaming ) more just reliability. Any other experiences of 3 in California (recently?)

This! We've done it the last 3-4 times we've been over there... not blindingly fast, but does the job.

@The Craig try Waze over there as well... with the social element of it, it's damn good for getting about and being alerted to any incidents/fender benders etc.

Thanks I'll try waze (never use it in the UK) , can you download maps on it?

 

[Buffman]

Best thing to do is land, go straight to an AT&T store and ask for a tourist sim. Sure it's about 30-40$ but you'll get max 4g speeds nationwide.

It's just not worth making do when for a few quid more you get ~9GB data at 4g and then after that unlimited 3g or something like that.

We'll be doing another road trip in November and I'll be doing the same.

That sounds great mate. Are the stores in the Airports by any chance?

 

[Buffman]

Don't get a three sim. I've done four road trips now, three of those times I took a three sim and barely got 2g speeds.

Best thing to do is land, go straight to an AT&T store and ask for a tourist sim. Sure it's about 30-40$ but you'll get max 4g speeds nationwide.

It's just not worth making do when for a few quid more you get ~9GB data at 4g and then after that unlimited 3g or something like that.

We'll be doing another road trip in November and I'll be doing the same.

Realise im going in 2 weeks now , are the stores in airports?

 

[Buffman]

Alternative is i get something like this using T-Mobile. Anyone uzed similar?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07L9MMXHR/ref=cm_sw_r_wa_apa_i_3b1XCbMV179VG