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Complete Airalo Esim Review: An Honest Review Using It Abroad

Traveling internationally often means navigating the complexities of staying connected, and one of the best solutions I’ve found is using Airalo’s eSIM service. Over the past 1.5 years, I’ve used Airalo for every international trip I’ve taken, across five continents, and I can confidently say it’s been a game-changer. That’s why I’m so excited to share what I think with this helpful Airalo eSIM review!

From skipping the hassle of buying local SIM cards to avoiding sky-high roaming charges, Airalo has made staying connected on the go easier and more affordable than ever. In this review, I’ll share my honest experience with Airalo, including how the eSIM works, pricing details, key features, and the pros and cons based on my travels.

Whether you’re a light data user or need something more robust, I’ll help you figure out if Airalo is the right choice for your next trip abroad. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before you go!

Just a quick note: This page might include affiliate links. If you click and purchase anything from the links I receive a tiny commission to support this website. The good news? I only recommend products I actually use and believe in. So you're getting the best products at a super good price.

What is an eSIM?

Without getting too technical, an eSIM is essentially a sim card built directly into your phone. Instead of inserting a physical plastic card you create a profile with a carrier to attach your phone to a new network. This allows you to attach your phone to another carrier easily.

Look at it this way: You can keep your regular United States number active for receiving calls and messages while using another country’s data plan for internet. When you leave, you can easily disable the local plan and switch back to your primary carrier, or add a new eSIM plan for your next destination.

Plus, an eSIM is oftentimes cheaper than utilizing your phone carrier’s international data plan. Allowing you connectivity on the go at an affordable price point.

How does Airalo work?

If this is your first time using an eSIM, don’t worry—Airalo walks you through the process step-by-step. Getting started with Airalo’s eSIM is actually very easy. First, download the Airalo app—this is where you’ll find the country’s data plan and make payments.

Once it’s installed, open the app and browse through the data plans available for your destination. You can either pick a plan specifically for a country (like France) or choose a regional option (like Europe) if you’re hopping between countries.

Travel Tip! It’s a good idea to install your eSIM before you travel so that you’re all set to go once you land. That way, you won’t waste time scrambling for a local SIM card at the airport or trying to connect to the airport wifi.

After selecting your plan, purchase it, and Airalo will guide you through the setup. Installing the eSIM is simple: follow the prompts to activate the eSIM on your phone. You might need a few screenshots or instructions on hand, but Airalo provides them in-app to help.

Keep in mind: Not all phones are supported

Not every device supports eSIMs yet, so it’s worth double-checking compatibility. Generally, most newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy models, and Google Pixels are good to go, but Airalo’s site has a full list. Also some carriers (like T-Mobile) won’t allow you to use eSIMs unless your phone is paid off.

Fortunately, the app will let you know if the eSIM won’t work before you make your payment.

Is Airalo reliable?

I’ve been using Airalo for my data plans while traveling internationally for some time now, and I can assure you that their plans, pricing, and app user experience are top-notch. I love how easy it is to switch to a new carrier with their detailed, step-by-step instructions.

But more importantly, it works seamlessly. By connecting to a local carrier’s network, your phone taps directly into the same cell towers locals rely on, meaning your data is faster, more reliable, and available in places where other international roaming options might struggle.

Airalo pricing and data plans

Airalo eSIMs pricing varies country to country and also how much data you select in your international plan. Their plans can start as low as $5 for 1GB of data in some destinations. These plans are perfect for those who have downloaded their maps offline and just need to check a couple of emails on a trip.

For heavier data users or longer visits, plans with 5GB, 10GB, or even unlimited data options are available at higher prices, up to around $50 in many cases. These plans are made for those who want to upload photos and videos to social media.

Travel Tip! If you're traveling to multiple countries, consider Airalo’s regional eSIMs (like for Europe or Asia) for a discount. You’ll get access to data in several countries without needing multiple plans.

To get an exact price for your plan you’ll need to check your destination in the app. Airalo also offers regional plans that cover multiple countries, such as Europe or Asia, often at a discount. Prices are one-time fees, providing budget-friendly data without surprise charges.

Cost comparison to phone plans

eSims can be a lot cheaper than international data roaming plans that you can purchase with your US-based carrier. With roaming, most carriers charge per day or by megabyte, often costing $10+ per day or leading to high fees for data usage.

For example, on my trip to Ireland I purchased a $15 pass, which lasted the entire week. If I went through my carrier I would have paid $35 and only had less than 500 MB of high speed data per day.

All to say Airalo gives you upfront costs and faster connectivity for less. It makes using an eSim a great budget-friendly option when traveling internationally.

Key features and benefits

Ease of Use

You don’t need to find and purchase a physical sim card, which makes using it really seamless. Once you purchase a plan, you can activate your eSIM remotely, ensuring that you’re connected as soon as you land at your destination.

Global coverage

Airalo covers more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, so you will likely be connected anywhere you go. And because you can choose from a single country or multi-country option, you’ll find the best plan that works for your trip.

Flexible Data Plans

Airalo offers a variety of data plans that fit pretty much any trip length and destination. Their plans cater to different data requirements, allowing you to pick the one that works best for your data usage.

Cost-Effectiveness

I love Arialo primarily because of the cost. It’s clearly a budget-friendly alternative to expensive international roaming charges with your US-based carrier. By paying for data upfront, you avoid surprise fees and huge costs. Using the app you save money on your mobile data abroad.

Instant Connectivity

One of the standout features of Airalo is its instant connectivity. As soon as you arrive at your destination, you can activate your eSIM, ensuring you’re ready to go. From landing at the airport – you’re ready to go!

Visiting Country Data Speeds

Airalo provides faster and more reliable data by connecting your phone to the local carrier’s network in the country you’re visiting. Since you’re using the same cell towers as locals, your data speeds will be comparable to those of residents, rather than being throttled or slowed down as with international roaming plans.

My honest Airalo eSIM review

I’ve used Airalo on every international trip for the past 1.5 years, and overall, I’ve had a positive experience. During this time, I’ve traveled to five continents and dozens of countries, all of which were covered by Airalo.

I love that I can plan ahead by purchasing an eSIM before I arrive. This makes it so much easier to navigate transportation and get connected as soon as I step off the plane. I’ve found the internet to be reliable, and the setup process is quick and easy.

That said, there’s a slight learning curve to using eSIM technology. For example, I had to disable my primary carrier to get the best coverage, and occasionally, my phone would send texts as regular messages rather than iMessages. I also had issues getting my phone back to its US-based settings upon arrival, which required me to reset my default settings manually.

These aren’t major issues, but they’re something to keep in mind. And I’ve found their customer service to have helpful FAQs and forums to solve these issues quickly, too.

Despite these small frustrations, the advantages of fast, reliable, and affordable internet far outweigh any minor inconveniences.

Airalo eSim pros

  • Global Coverage: Airalo offers eSIMs for over 190 countries, making it easy to stay connected no matter where you’re traveling.
  • No Physical SIM Card Needed: Once the eSIM is activated, you don’t need to swap out your physical SIM, which saves you time and eliminates the risk of losing or damaging the card.
  • Cost-Effective: Airalo offers affordable data plans for various regions, often cheaper than roaming charges or local SIM cards from mobile carriers.
  • Easy Setup: Setting up the eSIM is relatively simple. After purchasing, you can download and install the eSIM profile directly on your phone.
  • Multiple Plans Available: You can choose from different data packages (small, medium, large), and some plans allow you to buy additional data as needed during your trip.
  • No Activation Fees: Unlike some carriers, Airalo doesn’t charge extra fees for activation or for receiving a physical SIM card.
  • Convenient for Multiple Destinations: Airalo provides regional and global eSIMs, so if you’re traveling to multiple countries, you can buy one eSIM that works in many places.

Airalo eSIM Cons

  • Limited Voice and SMS Support: Airalo primarily offers data plans and doesn’t include voice calls or SMS in most cases, though some plans may provide basic support for them (often at an additional cost).
  • Compatibility Issues: Not all devices support eSIM technology, so you’ll need to check whether your phone is compatible before purchasing.
  • Coverage Gaps: While Airalo covers many countries, there may still be regions with limited or no coverage, especially in remote or less-traveled areas.
  • No Immediate Support: Depending on where you’re traveling, customer support might not be as accessible or fast compared to traditional mobile carriers.
  • Data-Only Focus: For travelers who need a full mobile experience (voice, data, and text), Airalo might not be sufficient unless paired with other services or local alternatives.
  • Activation Delays: Some users report a delay in activation, meaning you might not have instant access to data when you arrive at your destination.

    How to use Airalo

    Installing Airalo is honestly super easy! Once you’ve downloaded the Airalo app, you’re all set to get connected. Start by browsing the available data plans for your destination, whether it’s a single country like Japan or a regional option for Europe. The app makes it easy to compare different plans and prices, so you can choose what fits your needs.

    After selecting a plan, you’ll purchase it through the app, and Airalo will guide you through the eSIM setup process. It’s mostly just following the on-screen instructions, which include scanning a QR code to install the eSIM onto your phone.

    Once your eSIM is activated, you’re good to go. The best part? You can activate it before you even leave for your trip, ensuring you’re connected as soon as you land. You can even keep your phone in airplane mode until you land, ensuring no extra charges for roaming.

    No hunting for SIM cards at the airport, no surprise roaming fees—just instant access to data the moment you need it.

    eSIM FAQs

    Is Airalo eSIM reliable?

    Yes, having used Airalo for over a year on dozens of international trips Airalo has been very reliable with coverage and data connectivity abroad.

    Are there any hidden fees with travel eSIMs?

    With Airalo, all fees associated with the length of your eSIM and amount of data is displayed before purchasing your plan. Keep in mind that you’ll only be covered based on those criteria. So though they aren’t hidden fees, being mindful of your data will ensure it lasts for your trip duration.

    What is the advantage of eSIM over a normal SIM?

    eSIMS make it easy to connect pretty much anywhere in the world without having to add a physical SIM card to your phone. The largest advantages are the price and ease of installation, making them the better choice for using your phone abroad.

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