US Phone in China: Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T Roaming vs eSIM (2026)

Short answer (25 October 2026): Verizon TravelPass and AT&T Day Pass cost $12 a day in China. For a 2-week trip a China eSIM is much cheaper: Simbye 20 GB / 30 days is $21.24 with NOMADCHINA15.

Option	Price in China	Data
Verizon TravelPass	$12/day	Your US plan’s data
Verizon International Monthly	$100/month	20 GB high-speed, then 3G speed
AT&T International Day Pass	$12/day (max 10 fees per bill)	Your unlimited plan’s data
T-Mobile (most plans)	Included	256 kbps; 5-15 GB high-speed on Experience plans
Simbye China eSIM	$21.24 (20 GB, 30 days, with code)	Routed via Singapore

Prices from each carrier’s own page, 25 October 2026. T-Mobile: China not confirmed on its destination list today.

Our eSIM pick for China

Simbye eSIM for US phones in China

20 GB, 30 days: $24.99$21.24 with NOMADCHINA15 · mainland, Hong Kong, Macao · checked 25 Oct 2026

Works next to your US line. Routed via Singapore, so Google and WhatsApp work without a VPN (Simbye, 7 Oct 2026).

See Simbye China plans · 15% off →

Affiliate link: we earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. How we earn

Cost for a 14-day trip

• Verizon TravelPass: 14 × $12 = $168, or $100 with the monthly plan.
• AT&T Day Pass: capped at 10 fees = $120.
• Simbye 20 GB: $21.24 with NOMADCHINA15.

What to check

1. Your phone is carrier-unlocked. US carriers lock some phones; ask before you buy an eSIM.
2. Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi. It starts when it first connects in China.
3. Keep your US line on for calls and SMS codes, data roaming off, so no day pass starts.
4. Where data exits: roaming data usually exits outside China, but check with your carrier. Simbye routes via Singapore.

Ready? Simbye China plans, 15% off (affiliate link).

FAQ

How much is Verizon TravelPass in China?

$12 a day, or the $100 International Monthly Plan with 20 GB of high-speed data (Verizon, 25 Oct 2026). TravelPass is included on Unlimited Plus and Unlimited Welcome.

How much is AT&T International Day Pass?

$12 a day on land, $6 for each extra line the same day, and at most 10 daily fees per line per bill (AT&T, 25 Oct 2026).

Does T-Mobile work in China?

T-Mobile says most plans get unlimited data at 256 kbps in 215+ destinations, with up to 15 GB high-speed on Experience Beyond 2.0. We did not confirm China on T-Mobile's list today; check it in T-Life.

Is an eSIM cheaper than US roaming in China?

For trips over two days, usually. A 14-day trip on a $12 day pass costs $120 (AT&T caps at 10 fees). Simbye 20 GB / 30 days is $21.24 with NOMADCHINA15.

Can I keep my US number with an eSIM?

Yes. Keep your US line on for SMS codes with data roaming off, and use the eSIM for data.

Related: UK phone in China, German phone in China, unlimited data eSIM for China, Alipay and WeChat Pay.