Product info
Chicago eSIM plans
| Unlimited data · 5 days | $17.99 | Buy eSIM |
| Ohayu recommendsUnlimited data · 10 days | $33.99 | Buy eSIM |
| Unlimited data · 15 days | $39.99 | Buy eSIM |
| 3GB prepaid eSIM · 14 days | $8.49$2.83 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 5GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $13.49$2.70 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 10GB prepaid eSIM · 30 days | $21.49$2.15 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 15GB prepaid eSIM · 60 days | $27.79$1.85 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 20GB prepaid eSIM · 90 days | $34.49$1.72 / GB | Buy eSIM |
| 50GB prepaid eSIM · 90 days | $73.49$1.47 / GB | Buy eSIM |
You can install your eSIM before the trip and activate it when you arrive in United States. Validity starts after eSIM activation.
Plan details
How much mobile data you need
What's the best eSIM for Chicago?
Long weekend – 3 GB
Maps, transit apps, restaurant bookings.
A week – 10 GB
Daily navigation and calls.
Chicago and New York – 20 GB
Two cities on one plan.
Business week – Unlimited
Tethering from the Loop or West Loop.
Coverage and network
Coverage above and below ground
United States mobile networks
Chicago packs a very large daytime workforce into a small downtown, so the Loop is built for load and handles it. What makes the city unusual for a traveller is how much time you can spend underground or indoors in winter, and the network has largely been extended to match. (Speedtest by Ookla, June 2026)
Speedtest Global Index · Mobile · United States · June 2026
Download
197.34 Mbps
Upload
10.35 Mbps
Latency
27 ms
Global rank
#10 of 98
Chicago, specifically
- The Loop and River North: Strong throughout, and it holds up between the taller buildings where you might expect shadowing.
- The L and the Pedway: Coverage on the elevated lines is continuous. The subway sections under State and Dearborn have been fitted out, and the Pedway tunnels are largely covered - which matters in February.
- The lakefront and Lake Shore Drive: Fine the length of the path and the drive, including out at Montrose and the museum campus.
- Out toward the Dunes and Wisconsin: Covered along the interstates. Backroads through northern Indiana and the Michigan shoreline get thinner.
Chicago and the other 49 states
The plan is nationwide, so a Chicago trip that adds New York or a drive to Michigan needs nothing more.
How to install eSIM
Connected in 3 steps
- 01
Buy before you fly
Choose your data plan before your trip.
- 02
Download & install
Log in to your account, tap your eSIM, and follow the on-screen instructions.
- 03
Land & activate
Activate when you arrive in United States. Turn on roaming for the eSIM and it connects to a local network.
Before you buy, make sure your phone supports eSIM — see Ohayu compatible devices list or dial *#06#. It's a free request to your phone's settings. If you see the EID number — your phone is eSIM-compatible.
Arriving in Chicago
Airport Wi-Fi at ORD and MDW
O'Hare's free Wi-Fi is open across all terminals. Midway asks for an email address first.
Side by side
Chicago eSIM Comparison
Indicative comparison based on publicly listed USA plans as of July 2026. Competitor pricing and policies change - check their sites for current terms.
Frequently asked questions
Where to buy a SIM card in Chicago?
O'Hare has AT&T and T-Mobile kiosks in the international terminal at around $35-60. Target or Best Buy in the city costs less. An eSIM avoids both.
Any ID required to buy prepaid here?
No. The US registers no prepaid lines, and an eSIM purchase is checked no further than the card payment.
Does it work on the L and in the Pedway?
Yes to both. The elevated lines have continuous coverage, the downtown subway tunnels have been fitted with it, and most of the Pedway is served. You can stay online walking underground between Loop buildings in bad weather.
eSIM not working in Chicago?
Check the Ohayu eSIM is set as your data line, roaming is enabled for it, then toggle Airplane mode to prompt a fresh network search. Chat and support@ohayu.com are available 24/7.
