US City eSIM Guide: NYC Subway Signal, OMNY Fares, BART Wi-Fi and 5G in LA and Chicago

If it’s your first independent trip to New York, this might sound familiar: Google Maps works perfectly while you’re walking around Manhattan, but the moment you head down into the subway and the train pulls into a tunnel, your messages just won’t send. It’s natural to wonder, “Did I buy a bad US eSIM?”

Not necessarily! Street-level 5G and underground rail coverage in big US cities are two completely different things. New York is still expanding signal in parts of its subway tunnels; San Francisco’s BART and LA Metro each have their own underground network projects; and in Chicago, a single “nationwide 5G ranking” won’t tell you what your ride will actually be like.

So the practical approach is this: for trips to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, check the partner carrier, data allowance and throttling terms before picking an eSIM. For the subway, have your route, exits and fare payment sorted ahead of time, and don’t expect 5G the whole way.

1. Traveling to the 4 biggest US cities: how to choose an eSIM

Here’s a quick table of the most common city transit situations.

Destination	Main transit	Most common connectivity issue	What to prepare
New York	MTA Subway, buses	Underground stations have service, but some tunnels may still drop out	OMNY payment, route screenshots
Los Angeles	Metro, buses, Uber	Coverage varies by underground segment and carrier	Check transfers and rideshare pickup spots first
San Francisco	BART, Muni	Some BART stations have free Wi-Fi, but not the whole system	Stations and schedules, offline backup
Chicago	CTA ‘L’, buses	Elevated, street-level and underground sections all differ	Route direction, transfers and schedules

If your whole itinerary is in the city, you’ll usually want to compare the right data allowance and a reliable partner network first, rather than just chasing the highest speed-test number.

2. Is there internet on the NYC MTA subway? Stations and tunnels are different stories

Let’s clear up a common myth first: “There’s no signal at all underground in the New York subway.”

In fact, New York’s underground stations got cellular service and free Wi-Fi quite a while ago. New York State government data confirms that these services were widely available in underground stations by 2017.

However, having signal on an underground platform doesn’t mean every stretch of tunnel after the train leaves the station has signal too. Once the train pulls out, it may enter a section that hasn’t been built out yet, and your messages will hang for a bit; they’ll go through again at the next station or once you’re back in a covered section.

Which lines got underground 5G upgrades in 2026?

In March 2026, AT&T and Boldyn Networks announced that cell service had been added to parts of the tunnels on the MTA’s 4/5 and G lines in New York:

• 4/5 lines: Around Borough Hall to Fulton Street, with new segments linking up to existing coverage.
• G line: The Court Square to Hoyt–Schermerhorn Streets section now has AT&T tunnel service.

This information applies to specific AT&T lines and specific sections. It doesn’t mean Verizon, T-Mobile and every roaming eSIM have the same tunnel service, and it certainly doesn’t mean every tunnel in New York is now connected.

Official announcement: AT&T and Boldyn 2026 tunnel network update.

No mobile data on the underground platform? Can I use Wi-Fi?

You can look for free public Wi-Fi in the station, such as TransitWirelessWiFi; the actual network name, login page and availability depend on what you see on-site.

When using public Wi-Fi, stick to HTTPS websites and official apps where possible. If you need to access your bank account, consider switching to trusted mobile data instead, and don’t ignore suspicious login pages or certificate warnings.

3. How to pay with OMNY on the NYC subway: 2026 fares and transfer tips

When you visit New York, you’ll be tapping in on the subway a lot. In 2026, it’s better to get familiar with OMNY rather than just hunting for old-style MetroCard machines.

What can you pay with on OMNY?

• Contactless credit or debit cards.
• Supported mobile wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Wallet.
• A physical reloadable OMNY card.

Just tap at the gate to enter; you don’t necessarily need to create an OMNY account in advance. Whether an overseas bank card works, though, depends on the card issuer and payment network requirements.

In 2026, the MTA’s base fare for the regular subway and local buses is US$3, and OMNY caps your spending at US$35 over seven days on the same card or device. To get the fare cap, make sure you pay with the same card and the same device every time; a mobile wallet and the physical card may not be treated as the same payment method.

If your Taiwanese credit card charges foreign transaction fees, those still apply according to your card issuer’s rules.

Official: OMNY fares and seven-day fare cap.

Can’t use OMNY without internet?

You can. Contactless payment works according to the offline payment conditions of the fare system, card and device, so you don’t need to open a web page or turn on your travel eSIM every time you tap. You should still check your battery, wallet authorization and available balance, though.

We recommend taking screenshots of the subway lines you’ll ride, your destination station and exit info in advance, so even if you briefly lose data in a tunnel, you won’t be stuck waiting for the map to reload mid-transfer.

4. Does LA Metro have 5G underground?

Los Angeles is huge, and many visitors use Uber or rent a car in addition to Metro.

LA Metro has been steadily expanding its underground cellular network in recent years. In 2025, Metro officially confirmed that some underground stations and tunnels on the K Line now support AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon service. Metro’s official 2026 safety and service page also shows coverage progress by line segment and carrier.

So you can’t say “LA Metro has no signal anywhere,” but you also shouldn’t assume every line has 5G.

If you’re heading to Hollywood, Universal Studios or connecting to airport transit, save your route before you go. When calling an Uber, walk to the designated pickup area shown in the app before requesting your ride, so your driver isn’t waiting for you at the wrong exit.

Official: LA Metro underground network and safety information.

5. San Francisco BART and Muni: why underground reception differs

On a trip to San Francisco, you’ll often ride BART between the airport and downtown, and you might take Muni around the city too.

These are two separate rail systems, so you need to look at their network info separately.

BART: free Wi-Fi at designated stations

According to BART’s current official information, BART Wi-Fi is available at San Francisco International Airport, Powell Street, Embarcadero, Civic Center, West Oakland and several other stations.

Connect to the designated SSID and follow the login page. BART says each session lasts about 20 minutes, and you may need to reconfirm to keep using it.

Don’t mistake the nine stations with Wi-Fi for free internet across the entire BART system, in every tunnel and on every train. The rollout is still in progress.

Muni: 5G added on some underground routes

BART’s official wireless page confirms that 5G infrastructure has been completed in SFMTA (Muni) underground tunnels and stations. Whether your travel eSIM can actually connect still depends on your provider’s support, your phone’s bands and the signal on-site.

Official: BART free Wi-Fi information.

6. Will you have signal the whole way on Chicago’s CTA ‘L’?

Chicago’s CTA ‘L’ is famous for its elevated trains, but it also has underground and street-level sections.

For example, when you ride the elevated tracks around the Loop, your phone may pick up city cell towers more easily; but once you go underground or get blocked by large buildings, the signal can still vary.

Without real-time tests on the same route, with the same phone and the same plan, you can’t say whether T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon is fastest at every CTA station.

The practical approach: look up schedules, platforms and transfer stations while you’re on a stable connection at the station or your hotel, then board. If there are temporary route changes, follow CTA’s official service alerts.

Official: CTA Chicago Transit Authority.

7. Which US carrier has the fastest 5G? How to read the 2026 data

If you’re looking for a high-speed US eSIM, you can refer to research firm Opensignal’s 2026 US mobile network experience report.

According to the report published in July 2026, based on user data collected from April to June, T-Mobile leads in nationwide average download speed and 5G download speed in the US, Verizon leads in the overall Coverage Experience metric, and AT&T stands out in the Time on Network metric.

But keep three things in mind:

1. These are nationwide user statistics, not JEKO eSIM’s own tests, and not a speed test at “one particular NYC subway station.”
2. Speeds are affected by location, time of day, device, band, congestion and roaming partner settings.
3. T-Mobile being faster on average nationwide doesn’t mean it’s faster than other carriers at every underground station in Los Angeles.

Further reading: Opensignal US mobile network experience.

If you just want to check maps, call rides and pull up e-tickets, a stable connection and the right amount of data usually matter more than the highest Mbps.

8. What to do when you lose signal on the NYC subway: 5 things to do before you go

First: save your route maps. Screenshot the subway lines, station exits and transfer directions you’ll need, or check the official MTA map or app.

Second: download Google Maps offline maps. But note that Google officially states offline maps don’t offer offline directions for public transit, walking or cycling; they mainly support offline driving navigation within a downloaded area. So don’t treat “downloading offline maps” as full offline subway navigation.

Third: save your bookings and e-tickets. Store your hotel address, airport transfer details and attraction QR codes ahead of time so nothing fails to load in a tunnel.

Fourth: check official service changes before you ride. NYC’s MTA, LA Metro, BART and CTA each have their own service alerts.

Fifth: don’t let your battery run too low. If you’re relying on Apple Pay, ride-hailing and navigation on your phone, bring a power bank. Some mobile payments have a low-battery backup feature, but don’t count on it always working.

9. US city travel safety: what matters more than “dangerous neighborhood rankings”

You’ll often see articles online claiming “this area is a no-go zone, never go there at night,” but city safety depends on specific streets, times, surroundings and recent events. You can’t label an entire district dangerous based on its name alone.

Here’s our more useful advice for travelers:

• When riding at night, check train schedules, station exits and how you’ll get back first.
• On the platform, stay in the safe waiting area and keep away from the edge of the tracks.
• Keep your phone, wallet and bags where you can control them, and don’t get absorbed in your phone.
• If you feel uneasy or think you’re being followed, move to a well-lit area with staff or other people around, and ask station staff or the police for help.
• In an emergency, call 911 per local rules, and don’t expect internet to work in every underground tunnel.

Whether to take public transit at night should depend on your actual itinerary, the latest official notices and your own needs, not just rumors on social media.

10. Choosing a US city eSIM: high-speed, unlimited or a local phone number?

JEKO’s US products come with a range of partner networks and plan types, so don’t just look at whether the product name says “5G.”

JEKO plan type	Best for	What to check
Data-only plans on Verizon/T-Mobile partner networks	City navigation, rideshare, social media	Roaming partner, FUP, exit IP, hotspot terms
Verizon/AT&T daily or total-data plans	Travelers who can estimate their data use	GB per day, whether speed is throttled or data cut off after the limit
AT&T native US +1 number plans	Travelers who need local US calls or SMS	Activation date, phone compatibility, calling and hotspot rules

Does unlimited mean high speed on the subway all the time?

No. Unlimited plans may come with a high-speed data threshold, a fair usage policy (FUP), or speed and hotspot limits.

And if the train passes through a tunnel without partner-network signal, even the most expensive unlimited plan may temporarily lose connection.

Do you need a native US IP?

If you only need Google Maps, Uber, social media and messaging apps, a data-only plan is usually worth comparing first.

Only if you need a US +1 number, regular calls and SMS should you consider an AT&T native plan that clearly includes a phone number. Having a US IP doesn’t necessarily mean you get a US phone number, and there’s no guarantee you’ll receive OTPs from every third-party platform.

Before buying, also make sure your phone is unlocked, supports eSIM and US bands. Note that the IP labeling on some current JEKO products may differ by SKU, so go by the specs of the plan you select and the information confirmed by the provider.

See all JEKO US eSIM plans

Further reading: T-Mobile vs AT&T vs Verizon in the US, plus national park coverage

FAQ: Staying connected in big US cities

Traveling to big US cities: connectivity isn’t just about the fastest 5G

For New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago, the most practical move isn’t hunting for a SIM that claims to be “the fastest in the US.” It’s picking the right partner carrier, understanding unlimited-plan throttling, and saving your subway and attraction info before you go.

Wi-Fi on an underground platform doesn’t mean signal through the whole tunnel; and a carrier topping a nationwide speed report doesn’t mean your eSIM will be the fastest at any given station.

Get OMNY, your subway routes, e-tickets and travel eSIM ready ahead of time, and once you’re in the US you can spend more time actually exploring, not waiting on the platform for your phone to load!

See JEKO US eSIM plans

Official sources

1. MTA/OMNY 2026 fares and seven-day fare cap
2. New York State MTA Wi-Fi service data
3. Transit Wireless public Wi-Fi in underground stations
4. AT&T/Boldyn 2026 MTA tunnel signal announcement
5. LA Metro official network and safety services
6. LA Metro — K Line underground cellular service (2025)
7. BART free Wi-Fi and station list
8. SFMTA — Muni underground tunnel cellular service
9. CTA official transit information
10. Google Maps offline features and limitations
11. Opensignal US network research (July 2026)
12. JEKO US eSIM products

This article is based on public information available as of October 2026 and is not a JEKO on-site city speed test report. Network coverage, OMNY fares and travel eSIM specs may change, so please check official information on the day you travel.