Airalo eSim – Tried in Four Countries & Works like a Charm!
Staying connected through our phones is a necessity, and when you are traveling. Having data access can help you plan activities on the go, buy and store tickets for attractions, tours, and other experiences on apps like Headout, use maps for directions, share your travels on social media (just don’t geotag yourself in real-time for safety!), and well, everything else. An Airalo eSim allows you to do just that!
However, even though data access has come a long way, roaming access through your regular phone service can be expensive, spotty, or unavailable everywhere you may want to travel. We travel a lot, so finding a reliable, inexpensive, widely available data package option is essential. We’ve tried several options over the years. Still, Airalo is the most reliable, widely available, and best value-for-the-money eSim data package you can get.
In this article, we will go over the basics of Airalo and how it works. We cover the different data package options you can get through Airalo, and our personal experience using Airalo in other countries. Let’s begin.
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What is Airalo and how it works
Airalo’s mission is to “provide worldwide data connectivity for all travelers.” We love the simplicity of this mission statement, and in our experience, they are succeeding in making this possible. Airalo was founded in 2019 and, as of August 2023, has over 5 million users. Airalo is still a company in the growth process. However, the fact that they offer coverage services in over 200 countries is simply impressive.
Airalo provides digital eSIM cards, allowing you to access data in the country or region of the eSIM. Most smartphones nowadays support multiple eSIMs, making running your Airalo data package easy. You can access Airalo products from their website and app (available on iOS and Android). You also earn ‘Airmoney’ each time you purchase a sim. You can use this Airmoney to purchase a new Airalo eSim or to top up a current one!
Types of eSIM data packages available through Airalo
Airalo has different types of data packages: local, regional, and global. We have only used the local ones, so we refer to local packages when we speak about our experience. However, we’re including all the options you have available through Airalo so you can choose the one that fits your travel needs the most.
1. Individual country Airalo eSim data packages
If you’re going to travel to only one place, this is the option that makes the most sense. Simply choose the country in question on the Airalo website or app, and select a package with enough gigabytes for your needs and days of validity. We have used Airalo data packages in Turkiye, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Jordan. The app will walk you through installing the eSIM on your phone, which is very easy. Here is how we do it:
- We buy a package before heading out on the Airalo app. Simply search for the country and pick the data package you want. You can pay with a credit card or a digital wallet like Apple Pay.
- Once we reach our final destination, we hop on airport WiFi to activate the eSim. That allows us to access services like Uber, for example, right when we arrive. If you can’t get airport WiFi to work, try at your hotel or rental.
It’s important to remember that in many phones, like iPhones, you can only have one eSIM switched on at a time (however, you can have an eSim and a physical sim both active). So, if you need to switch off your eSIM to activate your Airalo package, you must go to Settings < Cellular, and scroll down to your eSIMs to turn on your new Airalo eSIM that you will use as you travel.
2. Regional Airalo eSim Data Packages
If you travel across multiple countries in a region, it could be worth looking into a regional data package, allowing you only to use, top up, and keep track of one eSIM at a time. Currently, Airalo has data packages for the following regions: Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East & North Africa region. Before you buy, we recommend checking the countries included in the coverage of each regional package to ensure it will be as helpful as possible.
From what you can see on the Airalo website, the Africa package covers 26 countries, the Caribbean package covers 24 countries, the Latin America package covers 19 countries, North America covers Canada, the US, and Mexico (2026 FIFA World Cup anyone?), the Asia package covers 14 countries, primarily focused on East and Southeast Asia, the Europe package covers a whooping 39 countries. The Middle East and North Africa package covers 15 countries.
As mentioned, this could be an excellent package for you if you’re traveling for an extended period across a specific region. This means you don’t have to worry about switching to a different data package in every place you visit. The glaring exception in these regional packages is the absence of an Oceania package of any variety. You can buy country-specific packages for Australia, New Zealand, and several Pacific islands, for example, Samoa, Fiji, and French Polynesia.
3. Global data packages
Airalo’s Global Data packages are worth mentioning because they offer plain data packages like country-specific and regional ones and packages with data, calls, and texts. The fact that the Global Data packages work in 130 countries (!!!) sounds appealing, and we suggest reading the fine print to evaluate if it’s the best option for you. But it’s always good to know what options you have available. This option could be a good fit if you travel for an extended period and want something that will work in most countries.
Our personal experience using Airalo eSIM data packages
As of December 2023, we have used Airalo data packages across four countries in the Middle East. We look forward to using Airalo in Europe for the first time this upcoming winter! Here are the aspects of these data packages we find the most useful:
- It is straightforward to purchase, install, and top up, with various price points to access data when needed.
- The Airalo app consistently shows you how much data you have used and how many days of validity your package has left. Your top-up options are available immediately if you want to add more data to your package.
- Data is reliable and works consistently across the countries/cities you use.
- One-stop shop for your data needs; the fact that there is an Airalo data package for almost every country in the world (if not every single one!) means that when you travel, you just have to open your Airalo app, choose your country, and get yourself online within minutes of landing.
Final thoughts
Airalo has become our go-to data package service. No more trying to figure out SIM cards in other languages, finding a mobile service shop, or even paying for roaming on our regular phone plans. With an Airalo eSim, we have an entire world of data packages at our disposal. We only get the data we need when needed, with a straightforward installation process and partnering with incredibly reliable networks worldwide.
We are beyond happy with the different packages we have tried, and we invite you to give an Airalo eSim a try on your next trip! Simply use our link to purchase your next Airalo package, and leave us a comment below or on our socials telling us about your experience! We’d love to hear it! You can also check out more travel information on our travel guide page!
