How Do Travel eSIMs Work and Airalo Review
Nothing kills the excitement of arriving in a new country like realizing your phone does not work. I have been stuck hunting for SIM cards at airports, fumbling with cash, and worrying about getting ripped off. Roaming with my regular carrier was even worse. Once I came home to a bill bigger than the plane ticket.
That is when I tried Airalo. I now download and activate the eSIM right at the airport when I land or as soon as I get to wifi. Within minutes I have data, maps, and messaging ready to go. In this guide I will explain how travel eSIMs work, share my honest Airalo review, show you some lessons I learned the hard way, and compare it with other providers so you can see if it is worth it for your next trip.
What Is an eSIM and How Does It Work?
An eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card that lives inside your phone. Instead of swapping tiny plastic chips, you download a data plan through an app like Airalo.
- Download the app over Wi Fi before you leave home
- When you land, activate the eSIM in your phone’s settings
- Within a few minutes, your phone connects to the local network
On my first trip, I was not sure if the eSIM was actually working or if my regular SIM was still roaming in the background. The key is to go into your cellular settings and make sure the eSIM is set as your data plan. Once I learned that, it gave me peace of mind that I would not come home to hidden charges.
Is an eSIM Worth It for Travel?
For most travellers, yes. If you have ever landed late at night in a foreign airport, tired and jet lagged, you will understand why having an eSIM is definitely worth it.
One of the most frustrating things before I switched to eSIMs was keeping my phone in airplane mode for hours because I was afraid of roaming charges. That meant no maps, no texts, and no way to confirm a hotel pickup. Now I land, switch on my eSIM at the airport, and within minutes I can order a ride, check Google Maps, or send a message home.
This peace of mind is especially important for business travellers. Being able to avoid going “dark” and offline for hours when you arrive somewhere new makes the whole trip less stressful.
Benefits
- Download at home, activate as soon as you land
- Affordable compared to roaming
- Dual SIM lets you keep your original number active for WhatsApp or texts
- Peace of mind that you will not accidentally trigger roaming charges
Drawbacks
- It can be confusing the first time you activate it
- Not all phones support eSIMs
Airalo Review: My Honest Experience
Airalo has become my go to eSIM provider, but it was not perfect at first.
What Worked Well
- Affordable plans starting as low as five dollars
- Wide coverage across more than 200 countries
- Activation took only a few minutes once I landed
What Confused Me
- I worried my physical SIM might still be roaming, so I had to double check in settings
- It was not always obvious if the eSIM was active
- Understanding how much data I had left required opening the Airalo app
Despite these hiccups, once it was working it felt like magic. No lines, no language barrier, just data when I needed it.
Best Travel eSIMs Compared
Airalo is excellent, but it is not the only option. If you are wondering which is the best eSIM, it depends on your travel style.
| Provider | Best For | Price Range | Coverage | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Budget conscious travellers | $5 to $40 | 200 plus countries | Easy app, cheap data |
| Holafly | Heavy data users | $20 to $70 | 100 plus countries | Unlimited data options |
| Nomad | Short trips | $6 to $30 | 150 plus countries | Flexible daily plans |
For me, Airalo usually wins because I like affordable data and being able to add top ups easily. But if you are a digital nomad who works remotely and needs unlimited data, Holafly is also a good fit.
Tips for Setting Up Your Airalo eSIM
If it is your first time, here is what I recommend:
- Download the eSIM app while on Wi Fi at home
- When you land, if the airport has wifi purchase a plan and activate it
- Restart your phone if it does not connect right away
- Label your eSIM (for example “Airalo Japan”) so you know which one is which
- Turn off roaming on your physical SIM to avoid hidden charges
- Use the Airalo app to track your data balance
On one trip I forgot to label my plan and had two “Cellular Plan” entries in my settings which was very confusing and I wasn’t sure which was which.
Who Should Use Airalo (And Who Should Not)
Airalo is a great fit if you:
- Travel often to different countries
- Want cheap and easy data without hunting for SIMs
- Need peace of mind when landing so you are never stuck on airplane mode
It may not be the best fit if you:
- Need a local phone number for work or banking
- Spend months in one country where a local SIM might be cheaper
- Have an older phone without eSIM support
FAQs About Travel eSIMs
Are eSIMs safe?
Yes. They are encrypted and as secure as regular SIM cards.
Are Airalo eSIMs good?
They have worked reliably for me in multiple countries. Setup can be a little confusing the first time, but once it is active it runs smoothly.
Which is the best eSIM for travel?
Airalo is the most affordable and flexible, but Holafly is also a great option.
Are eSIMs data only?
Yes. Airalo plans are data only, but you can still make calls through apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, or Skype.
What if my eSIM does not activate?
First restart your phone, check that data roaming is enabled for the eSIM, and make sure Wi Fi was on during setup. If it still fails, Airalo’s customer support in the app responds quickly.
My Verdict on Airalo and Travel eSIMs
So, is an eSIM worth it? Absolutely. With Airalo, I have landed in airports across Europe, Asia, and Central America and had working data within minutes. No more staying in airplane mode for hours just to avoid roaming fees. Instead, I can text family, pull up directions, and even reply to work emails before leaving the terminal. That peace of mind makes travel so much easier.
Booking a Trip Soon? Here Are Trusted Resources I Use
- Find the best flight deals on Trip.com.
- Reserve budget stays with Hostelworld.
- Book hotels with Booking.com.
- Protect your trip with SafetyWing travel insurance.
- Plan trains, ferries, and buses with Trainline.
- Discover unforgettable activities with GetYourGuide.
- Compare car rentals worldwide on Rentalcars.com.
- Download my free International eSIM Setup Guide