Best Travel eSim: Airalo eSim Review

In an age where seamless connectivity is more than just a convenience—it’s a necessity—innovations in mobile technology continue to redefine our digital experiences. Enter Airalo, a name that’s been making waves in the realm of eSIM solutions. As the digital era propels us toward a future where physical SIM cards might become a relic of the past, services like Airalo are stepping up to offer users a new way to stay connected

Join me on this Airalo eSIM review to see if it is worth it instead of a regular SIM card.

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At its core, an eSIM is a digital SIM card. Unlike the traditional SIM card that we’re all familiar with (a small, physical chip you insert into your phone), an eSIM is embedded directly into your device’s hardware. This means no more fiddling with tiny cards or worrying about misplacing them. Most devices now come pre-equipped with the ability to use an eSIM.

An eSIM will allow you to use data while visiting a different country. This allows you to stay connected to the digital world.

• Convenience: No need to physically swap or insert a SIM card into devices. Activation is often as simple as scanning a QR code or using an app. There is also no need to wait at the airport
• Simplicity: Most eSIMs have plans that will describe what is and is not included. There is no need to try to decipher this information at your destination, which is sometimes difficult with language barriers. 
• Multiple Profiles: Some devices support multiple eSIM profiles, enabling users to have different profiles for various purposes like business and personal use.
• It is Digital: You don’t need a physical product. There is no need to worry about misplacing or breaking your original SIM card.

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• Limited Adoption: Not all carriers or devices support eSIM technology. Users might face compatibility issues depending on their location or device.
• Device Dependency: Devices must have eSIM support built-in, which may limit the user’s choice of devices.
• Initial Setup: The initial setup process might be unfamiliar to some users, especially those accustomed to traditional SIM cards.

Many travelers, including myself, rely on having access to phone apps for maps, web surfing etc. while traveling. Wi-Fi is the usual go-to, but we all know that is not everywhere and phone data is needed. Turning on roaming in a different country than your phone’s data plan can be very expensive. So for people like myself I rely on getting a SIM card to have local data. 

I am no stranger to using SIM cards, but this year was the first year I decided to try an eSIM. Not only did I try it once, but I used it in 3 countries I was visiting this year. I used Airalo in Iceland, Thailand and Japan. Airalo supports over 200 countries and regions.

Choosing Airalo for my eSIM for this year’s travels came down to a few specific reasons versus some of the competitors. Firstly, the Airalo website has very clear instructions on how to install the eSIM before use. It is such a great perk to be able to pre-install the eSIM before arriving in your destination country. That way you are not spending 20 or 30 minutes when you land trying to install.

The only issue I did run into was when I was in Iceland, as I forgot to install my eSIM before departing. Once in Iceland I tried to use the airport wifi and I was getting an installation error. I am not exactly sure, but I am guessing there might have been some privacy measures with the airport wifi that would not let me install it. I made my way to a coffee shop where I was meeting some friends and was able to install and activate it with no problem.

A second reason Airalo is great is because of their customer service. They have a live chat function and 24/7 support. Sometimes at odd hours it did take a while to get a response, I would get an email notification that they had replied. In today’s world getting actual help with a problem can be difficult, but Airalo was able to sort everything out immediately. 

An additional feature that is great is the top up feature. I try to turn off all my apps that use data that I don’t need, otherwise data usage will be through the roof. This isn’t only a eSIM issue, but also just using a regular sim card. However, Airalo notified me multiple times when I was low on data and using Apple pay I was able to top up my data.

There are two major downsides I came across. One being the price of the eSIM. Some countries the prices were great and unbeatable. However, their global and regional passes seem to be expensive. If you are visiting multiple regions it might be smart to look into your current provider’s phone plans. For me I use Verizon, and they have a $100 package that would work great in this scenario that offers unlimited data. 

Secondly, the eSIMS I came across on my travels were data only. This means I did not have a local phone number. This is something typical that you will receive with a regular SIM card. For me it wasn’t a problem as iMessage works over data for iPhone users. My friends and family that are not iPhone users I was able to use WhatsApp. This may cause an inconvenience for some.

As we wrap up this Airalo eSIM review, it’s evident that the landscape of mobile connectivity is undergoing transformative changes. Airalo’s innovative approach to eSIM technology offers a glimpse into the future of how we’ll manage our digital identities and stay connected on the go.

While no solution is without its nuances, the convenience, flexibility, and potential environmental benefits of Airalo eSIMs present a compelling case for their adoption. I can tell you for all my near trips in the future I will be using the Airalo eSIM.