Forum Discussion

JohnTuc_2168813's avatar
JohnTuc_2168813
SMARTY Pioneer
03-06-2026

USA Data

I intend to use my iPhone as Sat Nav in Canada and USA. Most on here recommend an Esim. Is this good for data, how much is the cost when using as Sat Nav in Canada & USA? Thanks 

Add-ons
Data
eSIM
Roaming

1 Reply

  • MSF's avatar
    MSF
    SMARTY Guru
    03-06-2026

    JohnTuc_2168813​ I have recommended using an esim on a number of occasions.

    The cost of roaming data in the USA is absolutely horrendous at 10pence per Megabyte. Given that a Gigabyte is 1024Megabytes, this means £102.40 per Gb !!!!!

    I have personal experience of using Airalo and Roamless. 

    I first used Airalo and it was fine BUT they have a 'use it or lose it' plan and charge an amount for a fixed amount of data over a fixed period. Currently they want £10.50 for 5Gb for 15 days.

    I moved to Roamless as they work in a different way. You add credit to your account and then get charged a rate per Gb for the country you are visiting. Currently, they are charging $1.95 per Gb on a pay as you go basis. They do offer plans and a 30day plan with 10Gb would be $17.95 - a bit cheaper. The main thing for me is that I do not use a lot of mobile data when away as I often have wifi; this means that my account holds the credit left over from my pay as you go activity until I travel again.

    There are now many other providers of Esims, but I cannot comment on others as I haven't used any of them.

    A quick internet search suggests that satnav can use up to 10megabytes an hour, so that may assist your calculation.