I have family scattered around the world, which is great for planning cheap holidays, but terrible for organizing Christmas plans.
I’m used to planning holidays with my Android phone, but while each trip has unique complications, I’ve never worried about staying connected since I discovered Airalo.
I put off switching to an eSIM app for years, as I found the international travel plans offered through my carrier sufficient for my needs.
However, expensive rates and inflexible options led me to explore alternative methods for staying connected abroad.
There are plenty of alternatives, which I’ll discuss at the end of this article, but Airalo is my number one recommendation.
What does Airalo do?
eSIMs you can start using in minutes
Airalo provides eSIMs compatible with mobile networks in most countries. When you purchase an eSIM through the app, you can immediately download and start using it.
Airalo provides data-only eSIMs, so it’s not suitable for local or international calls or texts, but in this era of WhatsApp and FaceTime, this is barely a hindrance.
I’ve used Airalo while traveling through Europe and the United States, and I’ve tested its ability to provide consistent coverage, top up my data when needed, and support me when something goes wrong.
My experience has been broadly positive, but I recommend Airalo for its convenience, affordability, and flexibility.
Airalo offers plans and prices for every situation
From continent-spanning adventures to weekend holidays
My trips range from three-day jaunts to Portugal to multiple-week holidays in the US. Sometimes, I travel solo for days at a time, while at others, I’m never separated from friends or family.
I know how quickly travel expenses can add up, so I take every opportunity I have to reduce my spending.
If I know I’m sticking with family, I’ll pay as little as possible for an eSIM. If I’m traveling solo, I’ll spend exactly what I need to cover my travels.
Airalo accommodates my flexibility with a staggering array of plans. For example, let’s look at Germany, the next country on my travel plans for 2026:
As you can see, Airalo offers a range of eSIM options that cover me for up to 30 days with data caps ranging from 1GB to unlimited. The prices vary accordingly.
For just £3.50, I can have coverage for three days. This sounds small and unnecessary, but if you’re taking a two-day stopover on your way to see family like I have, these tiny plans, priced at less than a cup of coffee, are lifesavers.
I’ve never felt the need to use one of Airalo’s unlimited plans. I tend to download any streaming content well ahead of my trip.
I also don’t see the need. I use data daily to stream music and browse the internet at home, and I’ve never come close to needing an unlimited plan.
Airalo offers top-ups, and while they are slightly more expensive than buying upfront, they’re easy to purchase.
I underestimated my data usage while on holiday in the US, but it only took me a minute to add an extra gigabyte of data to my plan to make my journey home stress-free.
However, while Airalo is fantastic when it works, it’s not perfect. In my time with the service, I’ve had to establish workarounds for a few problems.
Airalo’s customer service is effective, but slow
Don’t leave installing your eSIM to the last minute
I’m familiar with eSIMs, but after watching my dear father attempt to download and install one, I recognize that it still isn’t an intuitive process.
Airalo tries to help with step-by-step instructions, but even I had moments when I couldn’t figure out why it wasn’t working.
Airalo’s customer service helped solve my problems, but it was a frustratingly slow experience as I waited for responses over the company’s live chat.
This wasn’t a problem as I was at home, but I can imagine how stressful this would be if I were waiting in an airport on a tight schedule. Thus, I’ve always checked that my eSIM is working in advance.
While my phone displays an error message that I’m not in the right country, preventing me from checking the connection, the process irons out any installation problems with the eSIM before I travel.
Airalo is a lifesaver, but prepare accordingly
Apart from the app’s slow customer service, I’ve never encountered a significant issue with Airalo.
The app clearly indicates which carrier networks you will use, allowing you to check coverage maps ahead of your trip.
I’ve explored alternative eSIM providers like Jetpac and Holafly, and unless you’re traveling for the first time, I recommend trying these apps as they offer subscriptions, more unlimited plans, and airport perks, which can save you more money.
But if you, like me, value a stress-free journey, Airalo is the best option. Pair it with a Pixel phone for easy translations.
