If you’re planning a trip, you might be thinking what the best way to connect to the Internet when you’re out of the country. Well, we’ve tried a lot of different things, and Airalo is one of the things we tried.
In this Airalo Review, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Airalo eSIM service so you can decide if it might be right for you when you move outside of your home country.
This will be based on our own experience using an Airalo eSIM in a number of different countries around the world, as well as our knowledge as long-term professional travelers who work on the road and need to stay linked. The Airalo eSIM is a great choice, but not everyone will want to use it. Let’s get started by looking at the basics.
What Is Airalo?
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store with a marketplace of data packages for travelers who regularly visit other countries like myself.
Airalo now has eSIM cards for over 190 countries and regions around the world, with many local and regional data plans to choose from. Regardless of where you’re going and what type of trip you’re taking, it’s very likely Airalo has the eSIM for you.
Airalo makes partnerships with local internet and cellular service providers from across the world to secure low-priced cellular plans for travelers like you.
But first, what are eSIMs and why are they superior to physical SIM cards?
Psst… I’m going to be real. While this is my honest review, we’re such fans that we’ve scored a deal for you from Airalo. If you’ve decided to purchase, use code “PILOT10” for 10% off your purchase, or use referral code “PILOT2992” when you first sign up to receive $3 off your first purchase!
What is an eSIM?
You probably already know what a SIM card is. It’s the small piece of tech inside our phones that lets us connect to our cell provider. It’s basically what makes you a subscriber to your mobile service and lets you make calls, send texts, and get online. SIM means Subscriber Identification Module.
SIM cards are not unique to smartphones. They can also be used in smart watches, mobile hotspots, and some computers and tablets. They all do the same thing, which is to let your network provider know what your device is and let you use the services you’ve paid for.
The eSIM does the same thing as email, which is a real thing that has been turned into an electronic one.
No longer do you have to find a bunch of different SIM cards from all over the world. Once you’ve bought your International eSIM from Airalo, all you have to do is scan the QR code or type in the information given to you.
This piece of technology is so helpful because the “e” in eSIM stands for “embedded.”
No more trying to connect your phone to the Internet by fumbling with tiny pieces of plastic or getting lost in language as you try to talk to someone. You can store all of your SIM cards in one place with an international eSIM.
This also doesn’t make it impossible for your device to have a real SIM card, so you can still use your home network.
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How Do eSIMs Work?
At least for Airalo, most eSIMs only have data on them. This means that you won’t get a phone number where you can call and be called, and you won’t be able to send or receive SMS texts. But you can use your data to call and text through apps that need internet services, like Gmail, iMessage, Facetime, or Zoom.
You might want to use a traditional physical sim card instead if you need a traditional phone number for work trips or if you need your phone line to always be open.
eSIMs are easy to use. Before your trip, all you have to do is follow the steps on Airalo’s app and download the credentials to your phone. When you get there, all you have to do is flip a switch to get service.
eSIMs are also great for traveling because some tablets and computers are now being made to work with them. This makes working abroad a lot easier.
How Does Airalo Work?
eSIMs from Airalo link to the local networks in the country you are in. There are different kinds of eSIMs with different amounts of data and different terms of use. Plus, you can quickly add more data to your eSIM if you need it.
You also get Airmoney every time you buy a new eSIM or add money to one you already have. You can use your Airmoney to buy more eSIMs or top-ups from Airalo.
In fact, if you follow the steps below, you can buy an Airalo eSIM plan in just a few minutes:
- Go to Airalo.
- Sign up for an Airalo account.
- You can either use the app or the PC version.
- Choose where you want to go and how you want to get there.
- Pay (use my referral code, ABB10, to get 10% off your first buy).
- Scan the QR code to set up your eSIM.
- Activate your Airalo eSIM.
How to Use Airalo?
Are you ready to use Airalo to stay in touch when you journey abroad? Get the Airalo app from the App Store or Google Play if you haven’t already. Once the app is launched, you can look at the plans and places that Airalo has to offer.
Airalo’s eSIMs come in three different types: local, regional, and global:
- With a local eSIM, you can get coverage in any of the more than 190 countries that Airalo offers. If you’re only going to be in one place, this is the best choice.
- Regional eSIMs serve the whole country or continent. For example, the Eurolink regional eSIM covers 39 countries in Europe, while the Island Hopper regional eSIM covers 24 islands in the Caribbean. Africa and Asia also have their own eSIMs. This is the right eSIM for you if you are traveling to more than one country in the same area. I decided to buy the Eurolink regional eSIM for my trip to France and Germany.
- The Global eSIM works in 84 countries and can be used for 7–180 days with 1–20 GB of data. If you plan to visit several countries in different parts of the world, you might want to get a Global eSIM.
Prices for Airalo eSIMs depend on where they can be used, how much data they have, and how long they are good for. You can also buy deals that let you add money to your eSIM. Once you’ve decided which eSIM will work best for your trip, you can buy it through the Airalo app.
You can also buy the eSIM from Airalo’s website and use a QR code to link it to your phone.
As soon as you buy the eSIM, it will show up in your list of My eSIMs. From here, you can put the eSIM on your phone and turn on the data.
The Airalo app will show you step-by-step how to install and activate the device. Once the internet plan is turned on, you’re ready to use it!
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eSIMs vs. Traditional SIM cards: What’s the Difference?
Nearly 80% of the world is now covered by cell phone service, making it easy to talk to anyone, no matter where you are. But that doesn’t mean that standard phone companies have become cheaper and easier to use. I’m already sold on the idea of eSIMs, but I understand that not everyone will like them.
Here are some of the best things about eSIMs and what they can do for you:
- area data plans from area providers
- There are no problems with keeping plastic SIM cards.
- You can keep your number and still change your internet plan.
- Better deals at affordable prices
- No international fees that are too high
- Ready to use right away and easy to set up.
- You can quickly switch from a local plan to a continental plan or an international plan.
Now that you know what eSIMs can do for you, let’s find out how to get started with Airalo.
What Products Does Airalo Offer?
Airalo has a variety of eSIMs for sale. There are three types of these, depending on where you’re going:
- Local eSIMs. These are for one country and are usually the cheapest choice if you are only going to one or two countries.
- Regional eSIMs. These are about a certain area, like Europe, the Caribbean, or Latin America. Global eSIM can be helpful if you’re going to be in several countries in a short amount of time. With the global eSIM, you can connect in about 80 of Airalo’s most famous countries. It doesn’t cover every country, though, so if you’re thinking about getting it, you should find out which ones it does cover.
You need to choose the type of eSIM card you want, as well as how long it will be good and how much data it will have. Most Airalo eSIMs can be used for anywhere from 7 days to 30 days and have anywhere from 1GB to 20GB of data. This does change from country to country, though, and the Global SIM can be used for up to 180 days.
One thing to keep in mind is that most Airalo eSIMs, as well as most trip eSIMs, do not come with voice minutes. They only give out facts. We usually don’t mind this because we usually use WhatsApp to talk to each other when we’re on the road. We use Skype over data when we really need to make a call. But if you plan to use voice minutes for a lot of phone calls, Airalo might not be the best choice for you.
How Much Does Airalo Cost?
The price of Airalo varies a lot based on where in the world you are going and how much data costs there. The price will also depend on how much data you choose and how long the deal lasts.
Buying more data for a longer amount of time is usually cheaper, but you should still only buy what you need.
As a rough idea, here are some prices as of June 2023:
- The UK charges $15 for 5GB of internet which is good for 30 days.
- $20.50 in Tanzania gets you 3GB of internet that works for 30 days.
- $20 gets you 5GB of internet that works for 30 days in 39 European countries like the UK, Spain, France, and Italy.
- $5GB of data that can be used for 30 days in the US costs $16.
- $20 gets you 5GB of internet that works for 30 days in 13 Asian countries like Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, and Cambodia.
- As you can see, prices are, for the most part, very fair. From what we’ve seen, the most expensive choices are on the continent of Africa.
From what we’ve seen and what we’ve learned, Airalo tends to be cheaper or the same price as other trip eSIMs. They also have a program for regular customers that can save you more money over time.
Also, it’s important to note that Airalo is usually a bit more expensive than getting a physical SIM card in the country you’re visiting, but it’s usually easier to set up and use.
Pros and Cons of Using Airalo
Airalo is one of the best companies that offer eSIM cards. That doesn’t mean, though, that everything is perfect. Here is an Airalo Review of the good and bad things about Airalo:
Pros:
- Instant Connection
- Easy to Set Up
- Multiple eSIM Access
- Short + Long Term Plans Available
- Worldwide coverage
- Competitive Local Rates
Cons:
- No Local Phone Number
- data-only eSIMs for Most Countries
- Data and voice available for limited countries
Best Airalo Alternatives
Airalo is a good eSIM provider to think about, but it’s not your only choice. You can get online in other ways when you move, and there are also a number of other eSIM providers.
From what we’ve seen, Airalo has some of the best prices and works in most countries of all the eSIM companies we know of. But, based on your needs, some of these other providers might be better for you.
- Nomad – Nomad is another eSIM provider. It doesn’t cover as many countries as Airalo, but you can buy a lot more data, including choices for unlimited data. So, if you use a lot of info, this is one to think about.
- Alosim – Another eSIM service is Alosim. They also fly to fewer places than Airalo, but sometimes their prices are a little better. So you should compare based on where you are going.
What to Do If Airalo Is Not Working?
If you’re having trouble with Airalo when you enter a new area, you can always call customer service to find out how to fix the problem.
I’ve had it happen to me a few times. Every time, they answered me very quickly!
In short, they suggest the following steps:
- Under Mobile Networks in the settings of your device, your eSIM is turned on.
- This eSIM has data turned on for it.
- Data Roaming is When a new APN is added and saved as global data (The other fields can be left blank)
- The APN that was just made and saved is chosen.
- In your phone’s carrier settings, you directly connect to a network provider.
- You did not remove your eSIM from your device
We hope that the steps above will help you figure out what could go wrong with your eSIM cards.
Conclusion
In the last part of Airalo Review, we can say that it is a good way to buy cell data abroad. You can buy mobile internet in almost every country in the world if you have a phone that works with eSIM. This will often save you money compared to buying an international roaming plan from your carrier, and it will save you time compared to buying a local plan at a phone store when you get to a new country. It’s not always as cheap as the second option, but I think the time savings make it worth it for short trips.
Still, it can be hard to get Airalo eSIMs to work sometimes. I’ve never had one fail totally, but sometimes I have to turn on and off airplane mode on my iPhone or manually choose a mobile network for the eSIM to work. But the experience is great once it’s hooked up. When you next go abroad, you might want to try the Airalo app. And if you’re going on a long trip with many stops, you might want to buy a regional or world plan that covers all of your planned stops.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Airalo Review
Is Airalo eSIM Legit?
Yes! Airalo is a real, safe, and cheap app that you can use to get an eSIM for your next trip. I’ve used Airalo on several trips and never had any problems. Before buying, just make sure your device is suitable.
Is there a downside to using eSIM?
One of the biggest problems with using an eSIM like Airalo is that they don’t always come with the ability to make calls. But this won’t be a problem if you set up an app that lets you make calls, like WhatsApp.
Can I use WhatsApp with Airalo?
Yes! Since most Airalo eSIMs don’t include calling, one of the best ways to use Airalo’s mobile internet to make calls or send texts is to use WhatsApp. Just make sure to set up WhatsApp before you leave your home country because you’ll need to be able to get text messages on your regular phone line.
Does eSIM drain the battery?
Nope! In fact, eSIMs use less battery power than regular SIM cards, so using an Airalo eSIM can save you some juice!
Does Airalo use my phone number?
An Airalo data plan is totally different from the mobile plan you have at home, so you can keep using your home phone number for calls and texts (as long as you have an international plan with your normal carrier) while also using an Airalo eSIM data plan.
Does Airalo eSIM give you a number?
This depends on the internet plan you buy for your Airalo eSIM. Most of them don’t come with a local phone number, but some, like the Airalo Czech Republic eSIM, do. Under “Additional Information,” each eSIM will say if it has a phone number or not.
Should I install eSIM before or after travel?
You can set up your Airalo eSIM either before or after you get there. Depending on the eSIM, the eSIM will either work right away or when you get to a place where the eSIM works. Because of this, I suggest you wait until you get there to finish the download. Just find a place with good WiFi in the airport or train station.
Does Airalo need Wi-Fi?
To buy, install, and use your Airalo eSIM, you’ll need a stable Wi-Fi link. After it’s enabled, as long as there’s service for the provider the eSIM uses, you’ll be able to use apps like WhatsApp without Wi-Fi to browse the web, post to social media, and make calls and texts.
Does Airalo support iMessage?
Yes, an Airalo eSIM can be used with iMessage. Since your phone number is tied to your home carrier, the emails you send from your iCloud account might come from that address.
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