Looking to ditch roaming charges AND SIM cards on your next trip? This Airalo review might be for you.
Staying connected while travelling has long moved past a “nice to have” and has become a necessity. Being able to navigate and communicate thanks to your smart device has removed so many of the stresses that come with travel. That said, how we keep connected has become a stressful endeavour of its own. From international SIM cards to high roaming fees to spotty mobile hotspots, I’ve had my share of fun when it comes to international data. With the introduction of eSIMS, these issues are a thing of the past.
In this Airalo eSim review, we’ll take a look at what eSIMs are, why you should use them, and what sets Airalo apart from the competition. Will also look at the expansive Airalo coverage map.
Airalo eSIM Review 2024 Update
Since my first Airalo review, I have gone on to use the product on several trips through the USA and Africa. Thanks to the expansive Airalo coverage map, I had flawless service across four countries in Africa. My initial review holds up and highly recommend it for any international travel. So easy to use and will always have it with me going forward!
What’s an Airalo eSIM?
Before diving into this Airalo eSIM review, let’s look at what an eSIM is and what it is not.
An electronic SIM (subscriber identification module) is, essentially, software that replaces the need for a physical and traditional SIM card in your phone or mobile device. This has several benefits including being able to order and install a new service on your phone without the need to physically go to a store to pick up a physical SIM card.
This technology particularly lends itself well to travel. Depending on your mobile device, you can also install multiple eSIMs meaning you can have separate services for different countries or locations.
What is Airalo?
Airalo has taken the benefits of eSIMs and applied them to travel. They are the world’s first eSIM store and offer data coverage in over 190 countries. Through their app, you can purchase, download, and manage eSIMS for your destinations. Better yet, if you are visiting multiple countries on your trip, you can purchase packages that cover regions such as Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
My Airalo Review Experience
On my first international trip since the pandemic started, I took Airalo with me and really put it to the test. I covered eight countries on three continents and used three different Airalo eSIMs along the way – all of them with ease and impressive results.
Ordering Airalo eSIMs
The first thing I did when ordering my eSIM through Airalo was a search for the countries I was visiting to ensure I could get coverage. This included;
- Mexico (3 days)
- Panama (1 day)
- Georgia (8 days)
- Azerbaijan (3 days)
- Turkey (5 days)
- UAE (5 Hours)
- Bahrain (1 day)
- Oman (4 days)
- UK (1 day)
I then found that all countries except Bahrain and Oman were covered on their Global eSIM package. Adding up the days visiting I opted for their 10 GB 30-day Global package for $59 USD.
This left Bahrain and Oman. Since I was only in Bahrain for the day I purchased their 1 GB package for $6 USD. Lastly, for Oman, I settled on 3GB for for $18 USD.
Installing an Airalo eSIM
Installing the Airalo eSIMs is very easy. It all starts with downloading their app. From there you can manage all of your eSIMs, top them up with data, and order new ones. There are easy-to-follow instructions to install and switch between SIMs.
Issues Encountered
For the bulk of my trip, the eSIMs worked flawlessly. I turned off my home service to avoid any roaming notifications and charges and updated my iMessage to work with my email address. After that, it was largely seamless between countries.
In Georgia, I did have an issue where the eSIM would only work on 3G. It would connect to 4G but data was not flowing. Turning on 3G only fixed this and was not intuitive to try. Knowing this in advance is a timesaver so a heads up there if you ever have issues.
Azerbaijan, however, provided very limited service. Through the app, I was able to remain in contact with their tech support but had to be connected to Wi-Fi which is counterproductive. That said, they were able to assist. They pointed to local carrier issues and service was restored on the last day.
Airalo eSIM vs. Roaming – Cost Savings
The simplicity of Airalo is one thing, but does it save you money?
Taking my trip as an example, my carrier charges a flat $15 CAD/day which would have totalled a whopping $450 CAD! On top of that, it would have burned through my plan’s data and likely would have opened up the possibility for further overage charges.
Airalo, on the other hand, cost me just $83 USD total for my month-long trip. On top of the savings, my data at home was untouched. Win-win!
Airalo Coverage Map
With a presence in 200+ countries, the Airalo coverage map is expansive. As of posting this update, the Airalo coverage map includes countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America.
To see which countries are covered, navigate to Airalo’s homepage and select the tab that says “Local eSIMs.” If the country is listed you can ensure that you will be covered in the major centers of that location.
Please note, that specific areas, however, are up to the local providers that Airalo partners with so you would have to navigate to those specific coverage maps to make sure your desired location is included. To find out which providers Airalo eSIM uses in your destination, reach out to the helpful support channel by clicking on the chat bubble in the lower right-hand corner of their homepage.
Final Thoughts on this Airalo Review
Minor issues aside, the simplicity and joy of taking your phone off of aeroplane mode in a new country and having it work instantly is a beautiful thing. In the past, I have used global SIMS and hotspots with varying success. Airalo really eliminates so many headaches and adds simplicity while removing stress from travel. I highly recommend it and will be using it on all of my trips going forward!
Get a head start on your next trip by searching Airalo’s coverage and packages here!
Can Airalo be trusted?
Yes! Airalo is a company that offers reliable eSIM cards for travellers.
What are the disadvantages of Airalo?
The primary drawback, apart from the higher expense, with the Airalo eSIM, was its inability to facilitate phone calls or text messaging as it is a data SIM only. This can pose challenges for essential local calls, however, there are plenty of VoIP solutions such as FaceTime and Skype.
Can I use WhatsApp with Airalo?
Yes, you can use WhatsApp with an Airalo eSIM if you have an active data plan. Airalo provides data-only eSIMs, which allow you to access the internet and use data-reliant apps like WhatsApp. However, please ensure that you have a data plan or internet access available through your Airalo eSIM to use WhatsApp effectively. Be sure to check for any specific terms or restrictions that may apply to your eSIM plan.
Does eSIM slow down your phone?
No, an eSIM will not slow down your phone. The leading factor influencing mobile internet speed is the network infrastructure. Network speed is contingent on various elements, including your location, carrier, available frequency bands, and network traffic. Neither eSIM nor physical SIM directly influences network speed.
What say you?
Thoughts on this Airalo eSim Review?
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NOTE: I was provided with a complimentary eSIM for this Airalo review. I also use affiliate links for the products listed in this post. This helps me fund this site and continue to provide travel content.
As always the experience, opinions, and photos are my own.
Been using Airalo for a couple months now. It’s hit and miss in some countries but overall quite good. i believe a lot of customer complaints come from differing APN settings. Will keep using till i find a better esim deals as there are many competition out there.