Traveling to New York soon and looking for the best sim card to stay connected in the USA? If you are flying to Newark Airport EWR in New Jersey and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card for tourists at Newark Airport then this is your complete guide.
Find out everything you need to know about buying a sim card at Newark Airport EWR with up to date prices as per February 2025, where to buy a sim card, my recommendation, info about international and eSIMs for the USA and more.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in the USA, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling to the US.
Table of contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for USA
- EWR - Newark Liberty International Airport
- Where to buy a sim card at Newark Airport
- Prices prepaid USA sim cards at Newark Airport
- Best prepaid USA sim card at Newark Airport in 2025
- Best eSIMs for the USA
- Order a prepaid sim card for USA online
- My experience buying a sim card at Newark International Airport
- Vlog about buying a sim card at Newark Airport
Don't get stuck with high roaming charges on your trip to New York City. eSIMs and and local prepaid sim cards are an easy way to avoid this.
Traveltomtom also wrote a guide with everything you need to know before buying a tourist sim card in the USA in 2025 or a comparison of the best eSIMs for the USA in 2025.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Newark Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a prepaid USA sim card at Newark Airport. Why not? Ridiculously overpriced!
The cheapest tourist sim card at Newark Airport is $29 USD and gives you 1 GB data.
There are eSIMs for the USA that start from just $1 USD. An Airalo eSIM for the USA with 10 GB + 200 minutes is only $34.90 USD or a Jetpac eSIM for the United States with 10 GB data-only for $13 USD.
Check out my USA eSIM comparison for 2025 with many more eSIM offers.
When buying a prepaid sim card in New York City center at any AT&T, Verizon or T-Mobile store you will find much better prepaid sim cards for tourists. Check out my guide on how to buy a prepaid tourist sim card in the USA.
Traveltomtom also recommends international sim cards for the USA as they are cheaper than the sim cards sold at Newark Airport. Check out my article with a comparison of the best international travel sim cards for 2025 and find the one that suits your trip to New York.
Why buying a sim card for USA
Make sure you avoid high roaming charges at all times or end up with excessive high phone bills. Also don't opt for those slow and overpriced overseas data roaming plans, they reduce the data speed!
There are many reasons to stay connected when traveling to New York. Having a data connection on our phone makes life so much more convenient. Think about ordering an Uber, getting directions from Google Maps or looking for a nearby rooftop bar, it is not possible without a data connection on your phone.
Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc. Don't depend on public WiFi. There is no guarantee, it can be slow and keep in mind that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Getting connected is the first thing I do when traveling to a new country and as Traveltomtom is on a journey to visit every country in the world and likes to document everything about sim cards, you can find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Paris, Rome, Dublin, Madrid, Toronto, Johannesburg, Panama City, Nairobi, Istanbul, Cairo, Jeddah, Dubai, Brazil, Colombia, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, Australia and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!
EWR - Newark Liberty International Airport
Newark International Airport is a great hub for visiting New York City. When landing in New Jersey you can already see the magnificent skyline of Manhattan and New York City. Times Square is only a 20 minute taxi ride aways from Newark Liberty International (EWR) Airport.
All international flights arrive at Terminal B and there is only one exit door. Navigating Newark Airport Terminal B is very easy. There is free WiFi at Newark Airport for all passengers arriving and departing.
Where to buy a sim card at Newark Airport
It is very simple, as soon as you enter the door into the arrival hall and walk down the hallway, you will see a Sims on the GO shop on your right hand side, it is impossible to miss. There is only 1 shop and nothing else in the wide open hallway.
Another option for buying a sim card at Newark Airport is a sim card vending machine. You can find this sim card machine if you turn right under the big flag of the Unites States of America. Then it is just 30 meters straight in front of you next to the toilets.
Prices prepaid USA sim cards at Newark Airport
Don' expect to find the best USA prepaid sim card deals at Newark Airport. In fact that doesn't only count for Newark Airport but basically for all airports around the United States. Expect to find tourist sim cards for tourist prices.
Sims on the Go
Buying a prepaid sim card at Newark Airport costs $25 USD + tax in the Sims on the Go shop. This is just for the sim card and there is no credit included. Then on top you can buy one of the additional prepaid sim card data packages as shown in the picture above. All plans have unlimited calling and texting within the USA included.
T-Mobile prepaid sim cards
- 2 GB data = $35 USD
- 4 GB data = $45 USD
- 6 GB data = $55 USD
- 10 GB data = $60 USD
- Unlimited data = $75 USD
AT&T prepaid sim cards
- 1 GB data = $35 USD
- 15 GB data = $50 USD
- Unlimited data = $65 USD
As I mentioned before a prepaid sim card for the USA is expensive at Newark International Airport!
Sim card vending machine
When buying a USA sim card at the vending machine, you will have to activate the sim card yourself, there is no additional service. Meaning it is only adviced for those who know what they are doing.
You can find the following USA prepaid sim card deals at the vending machine:
- Travel SIM = $20 USD and comes with $10 credit
You will have to go online to the Travel SIM website and activate a data packages and/or a package for calling/texting. Starting price: 1 GB data = $19 USD. Reminder that an eSIM for the USA costs just $4.5 USD for 1 GB data. You can order them via Airalo.
- Unlimited Data* Talk & Text
Don't get fooled by the name, the unlimited data just means that if you use your bundle, you will get unlimited data at E-network speed. Meaning barely enough to even use WhatsApp or receiving emails.
There are 3 different packages available: for $60 USD you get 2 GB data, for $80 USD you get 5 GB data and for $100 USD you get unlimited 4G speed data.
Best prepaid USA sim card at Newark Airport in 2025
If you really want to buy a prepaid sim card at Newark Airport then the cheapest option is a 'Travel SIM' from the sim card vending machine in the arrival hall.
But that is just because someone has to win this award of best sim card. The Travel SIM is the cheapest prepaid sim card at Newark International Airport. You pay $29 USD you get 1 GB data.
You will have to do the registration yourself and go online to their website to sign up, create a profile, add extra credit with your credit card and then activate a data package. Calling & texting is extra charge.
I am sure this all sounds like way too much work and I totally agree! Therefore Traveltomtom already came to the conclusion that buying a sim card at Newark Airport is NOT recommended.
There are eSIMs for the USA that start from just $1 USD. An Airalo eSIM for the USA with 10 GB + 200 minutes is only $34.90 USD or a Jetpac eSIM for the United States with 10 GB data-only for $13 USD.
Check out my USA eSIM comparison for 2025 with many more eSIM offers.
Or if you want to buy a prepaid sim card in the USA wait till you get to New York city center and hop into a Verizon, AT&T or T-Mobile store. You will find much better tourist sim cards. For more info check my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in the USA in 2025.
Best eSIMs for the USA
Traveltomtom strongly recommends eSIMs to stay connected when traveling to the the USA. The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to New York/New Jersey is by ordering an eSIM for the USA on the internet.
No need to buy an overpriced tourist sim card at Newark Airport EWR, with an eSIM you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Order an eSIM for New York directly on the internet, you process the payment, receive a QR code, scan it, follow the instructions and instal the eSIM in a couple simple steps. You are all set in less than 2 minutes.
For much more detailed info check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for the USA.
Here are some of my USA eSIM recommendations.
Jetpac
After extensively testing Jetpac the Traveltomtom Team came to the conclusion that Jetpac is more than just an eSIM solution. Check out our honest review about Jetpac eSIMs.
Jetpac also offers a free VPN subscription and much more services. But the main reasons why Jetpac is listed as one of the best eSIMs for USA are their competitive prices.
Check out the Jetpac eSIM plans for USA in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
- 50 GB data for 10 days = $25 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for the United States.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the promo code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
The Jetpac USA eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Data is valid in USA only and the Jetpac eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of T-Mobile USA. 5G is supported.
Airalo
Airalo is another recommended eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo eSIMs uncountable times all around the world. Airalo has now data-only eSIMs as well as eSIMs for the USA including data/calls/text.
Check out the following Airalo data-only eSIM plans for the USA:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $42 USD
And here are the Airalo data/text/calls eSIMs plans for the USA:
- 1 GB data + 20 minutes + 10 sms for 7 days= $7 USD
- 2 GB data + 40 minutes + 20 sms for 15 days= $12.5 USD
- 3 GB data + 60 minutes + 30 sms for 30 days= $16 USD
- 5 GB data + 100 minutes + 50 sms for 30 days= $22.5 USD
- 10 GB data + 200 minutes + 100 sms for 30 days= $34.5 USD
- 20 GB data + 400 minutes + 200 sms for 30 days= $49 USD
Click here to order a USA eSIM directly via Airalo or find more info.
The Airalo eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Verizon and T-Mobile and are 5G ready.
Before ordering an eSIM for the USA make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible.
For a complete guide about using eSIMs when traveling to the USA and a comparison of the best eSIMs for USA in 2025 click on the link and read all my tips, including more eSIM offers from Roamless, SimOptions, Sim Local, Nomad, Holafly, etc.
Order a prepaid sim card for USA online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible you can always order a physical prepaid sim card online. These global travel sim cards are pre-activated and will be delivered to your home address before your trip to the USA.
SimOptions offers the following international sim card deals with coverage in the USA:
- 10 GB data valid in 56 countries for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data valid in 124 countries for 30 days = $49.90 USD
Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in the USA via SimOptions.
Another reminder that you can also order an eSIM for the USA directly online if your phone is eSIM compatible. You fix it all within a couple minutes and you keep your own phone number.
My experience buying a sim card at Newark International Airport
As you can guess already I did NOT buy a sim card for the USA at Newark Airport.
However, on arrival I actually used the free WiFi of Newark Airport to get myself an eSIM for the USA. It took just a couple minutes and I ordered a Jetpac eSIM with 3 GB data for just $5 USD.
To me it is still shocking that the USA barely has sim card facilities in place for tourists. Buying prepaid sim cards at international airports in the USA is a nightmare.
In Los Angeles and San Fransisco the cheapest sim card at the airport is around $80 USD for 15 GB data. Can you believe it? Similar prices you will find in New York JFK and Miami.
Vlog about buying a sim card at Newark Airport
To make it even easier, you can watch my YouTube video about my arrival and buying a sim card at Newark Airport in New Jersey.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a tourist sim card at Newark International Airport were helpful for your upcoming trip to New York. If you have any questions please leave me a comment below.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of February 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to New York!