If you’re heading to New York City soon, one of the most useful things you can do before you land is set up an eSIM for instant mobile data. No hunting for Wi-Fi, no overpriced airport SIM cards — just scan, activate, and you’re online.
One of the names travelers keep mentioning lately is Saily. It’s an eSIM designed for international travelers who want quick, affordable, and secure data access without the hassle of roaming or contracts. So, let’s take a closer look at how it performs for travelers visiting NYC, what it costs, and how much data you actually need.
🗽 What Is Saily?
Saily is a digital eSIM provider that lets you buy data online and get connected in minutes — no physical SIM card needed. You simply purchase a plan, scan the QR code they send, and you’re online instantly.
It’s data-only, which means you don’t get a phone number or SMS. But for most travelers in 2025, that’s not a problem — everything from WhatsApp and Telegram to iMessage and Uber works perfectly over data.
Saily also includes:
- A built-in ad blocker to save bandwidth
- Web protection and optional virtual location for extra privacy
- A 30-day activation window (so you can buy before your flight and activate later)
- Compatibility with iPhones and most modern Android devices
Saily’s eSIM Plans for the USA (New York)
Saily currently offers two main options:
- USA-only plan — the best for visitors staying in NYC or anywhere in the United States.
- North America plan — covers the US, Canada, and Mexico (for multi-country trips).
Here are the typical USA plan prices:
Data | Validity | Price (USD) |
---|---|---|
1 GB | 7 days | $3.99 |
3 GB | 30 days | $8.99 |
5 GB | 30 days | $13.99 |
10 GB | 30 days | $22.99 |
20 GB | 30 days | $36.99 |
Unlimited | 10–30 days | from $48.99 |
If your trip is limited to New York, the USA plan gives better pricing per GB than the regional one.
💡 How Much Data Do You Really Need in NYC?
This is the question every traveler asks — and the answer depends on what kind of traveler you are. To make it clear, here’s a breakdown of real-world data consumption based on typical travel behavior.
Activity | Data per Hour | Notes |
---|---|---|
Google Maps navigation | 5–10 MB/hr | Very light usage |
WhatsApp / Messenger / Email | <10 MB/hr | Texting is minimal; video calls ~200 MB/hr |
Social Media Browsing (Instagram, TikTok, etc.) | 150–250 MB/hr | Depends on videos |
YouTube / Netflix (HD) | 500–1000 MB/hr | 1 hour video ≈ 1 GB |
Web browsing / TripAdvisor | 30–60 MB/hr | Moderate usage |
Uber / Lyft / Yelp searches | 10–30 MB per use | Negligible |
Uploading photos | 2–5 MB/photo | Higher for HD or stories |
Now let’s apply that to a 7-day New York trip:
Use Case | Daily Average | Weekly Total |
---|---|---|
Navigation, searches, reviews | 150 MB | 1 GB |
Social media & sharing | 300 MB | 2.1 GB |
Messaging, email, uploads | 100 MB | 0.7 GB |
Occasional video clips / FaceTime | 100 MB | 0.7 GB |
Total estimate | — | ≈ 4–4.5 GB / week |
✅ What This Means for Travelers
If you’re staying in NYC for about a week, here’s what makes sense:
- 3 GB plan ($8.99) → Enough if you’re careful and use hotel Wi-Fi.
- 5 GB plan ($13.99) → Ideal for most tourists — safe, flexible, and affordable.
- 10 GB plan ($22.99) → Best for heavy users, influencers, or anyone who doesn’t want to think about limits.
- 20 GB+ or Unlimited → Only worth it if you stream daily or work online.
So yes — the 3 GB and 5 GB plans are usually enough for maps, social media, and daily browsing, but it’s smart to go 5 GB if you want freedom without worrying about data alerts.
💰 Price Efficiency (Cost per GB)
When you compare the value across plans, the price per GB gets cheaper as you go higher:
Plan | Price | Cost per GB |
---|---|---|
3 GB | $8.99 | $3.00/GB |
5 GB | $13.99 | $2.80/GB |
10 GB | $22.99 | $2.30/GB |
20 GB | $36.99 | $1.85/GB |
The sweet spot for most travelers is still 5 GB — fair price, comfortable limit, and solid coverage across NYC.
🚀 Activation Tips
- You can buy and hold your plan for 30 days before activating — perfect for pre-trip planning.
- Activation is instant via QR code or the Saily app.
- If you land at JFK or LaGuardia, activate while waiting for your bags — it’ll be live by the time you walk out.
- You can hotspot from your Saily eSIM to other devices if needed.
🧠 Data-Saving Tips
You can stretch your plan much further if you apply a few habits:
- Turn on Low Data Mode (iPhone) or Data Saver (Android)
- Download offline Google Maps before your trip
- Disable auto-play videos on social apps
- Use messaging apps instead of SMS
- Rely on Saily’s ad blocker to cut down invisible background data use
⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind
- No phone number — Saily is data-only
- Network quality depends on local carrier partners (usually major US networks)
- Some users report small hiccups in setup — usually fixed through the app
- Unlimited plan may have a fair-use speed cap after a certain limit (not clearly defined)
- Refunds typically not available once activated
So while Saily isn’t perfect, it’s a reliable choice for short-term trips — especially if you just need fast, secure data for exploring New York.
🏆 Recommended Saily Plans for NYC Travelers
Traveler Type | Plan | Why It Works |
---|---|---|
Weekend getaway | 1 GB / 7 days | Enough for basic navigation and messaging |
City explorer (5–10 days) | 5 GB / 30 days | Perfect balance between cost and comfort |
Heavy social media user | 10 GB / 30 days | Handles stories, uploads, and streaming |
Long-stay visitor / remote worker | 20 GB / 30 days | Great value per GB |
Power user | Unlimited | Only if you truly need it daily |
Final Verdict: Is Saily Worth It for New York?
Absolutely — for most travelers visiting NYC, Saily is one of the smartest and easiest ways to stay connected. The 3 GB and 5 GB USA plans stand out as the best overall deals, giving you enough data for maps, social media, and travel apps without breaking your budget. Activation is simple, prices are fair, and their built-in security tools are a nice bonus.

🎁 Exclusive Discount for Our Readers
Here’s a nice bonus — if you decide to give Saily a try, you can save 5% on any plan with our exclusive code NYTIPS.
Just enter the promo code NYTIPS at checkout on Saily’s official site
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