However US airports are quite bad in terms of providing arriving international travellers with US SIM cards; you may need to go to a ATT or TMobile store once you reach your hotel.
You may also consider buying a US SIM card from SIM corner, if you are flying via Sydney, or ordering one online if you still have time.
SimCorner has now closed both of its kiosks at SYD & MEL, and operates online only. Whilst you pay a small premium by ordering from them, plus paying for shipping, their range of SIMs for other countries is increasing, and you have the benefit of being able to connect immediately upon touching down.
I noticed last week that T-mobile travel sims can be purchased from the best buy electronic kiosks at SFO. They are the same as the ones i would normally get from simcorner, not sure how they would be activated, but certainly an option for when you land.
I've used usaprepaidsimcard.com.au in the past to get a sim card. A little pricy upfront and you need to order at least 2 weeks out from travel. I have had the service active for 2 years since my original purchase as I travel frequently between Australia and the US. Service is on AT&T's network which has good coverage. Once you get to the US set up the online account management so you can top it up using a credit card or prepaid travel money card. You can also use online services like recharge.com to also add credit.
I am usually on the $45/month plan when I am state side but change it to the 25c / minute plan when I am not there to keep the costs down and forward calls to my US office number. A $100 USD recharge will give you 12 months activation credit and the cost / month will be down to what plan you pick.
If you can get to a t mobile store they have a $30 USD plus taxes tourist sim. 3 weeks unlimited calls messages etc plus 2 GB high speed data then unlimited slooow data. You can’t extend the plan. At the end throw away the sim and get another. There are some slightly cheaper plans elsewhere but there are harder to find.
I
am curious as to why you don’t use roaming. For my last leisure trip to the USA I made
sure that mobile data was turned off and diversion to voicemail was cancelled. I
communicated via SMS, didn’t answer incoming calls except one where I
recognised the number and made a few local calls at $1 per minute. The total cost of this
was $20 which beats the cost of a local SIM card.
Wifi is everywhere and there is rarely a need to use a phone.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on
Buying a Sim card at San Francisco Airport
akronflyer
akronflyer
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 29 Jul 2014
Total posts 145
dimi
dimi
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 13 Jul 2012
Total posts 154
There is free wifi at SFO.
Phil Young
Phil Young
Qantas
Member since 22 Oct 2012
Total posts 253
SimCorner has now closed both of its kiosks at SYD & MEL, and operates online only. Whilst you pay a small premium by ordering from them, plus paying for shipping, their range of SIMs for other countries is increasing, and you have the benefit of being able to connect immediately upon touching down.
mcglynp
mcglynp
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
Member since 20 Jan 2016
Total posts 48
I noticed last week that T-mobile travel sims can be purchased from the best buy electronic kiosks at SFO. They are the same as the ones i would normally get from simcorner, not sure how they would be activated, but certainly an option for when you land.
btaus
btaus
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 15 Dec 2016
Total posts 171
Haven't seen any stores selling SIM cards in LAX and JFK on arrival. Perhaps the best option is go to downtown first and buy it afterwards.
townaz
townaz
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 31 Jan 2018
Total posts 17
I've used usaprepaidsimcard.com.au in the past to get a sim card. A little pricy upfront and you need to order at least 2 weeks out from travel. I have had the service active for 2 years since my original purchase as I travel frequently between Australia and the US. Service is on AT&T's network which has good coverage. Once you get to the US set up the online account management so you can top it up using a credit card or prepaid travel money card. You can also use online services like recharge.com to also add credit.
sydunipete
sydunipete
Member since 31 Dec 2014
Total posts 3
If you can get to a t mobile store they have a $30 USD plus taxes tourist sim. 3 weeks unlimited calls messages etc plus 2 GB high speed data then unlimited slooow data. You can’t extend the plan. At the end throw away the sim and get another. There are some slightly cheaper plans elsewhere but there are harder to find.
bigken
bigken
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 02 Nov 2014
Total posts 3