eSIM & Mobile Data · Updated July 2026
Airalo Review: The eSIM Store That Ended Roaming Bills
Our editorial rating
Airalo is the largest travel eSIM marketplace, selling prepaid data plans for 200+ countries and regions. Install the eSIM before you fly, switch it on when the plane lands, and your phone has local-rate data while the people around you queue at the SIM kiosk.
It is the eSIM we link to by default on our trip pages, because it combines the widest coverage with consistently low prices.
thumb_up What we like
- check_circleCoverage in 200+ countries and regions
- check_circlePlans from ~$4.50; huge savings versus roaming
- check_circleInstant delivery and in-app top-ups
- check_circleKeep your home SIM active for calls and 2FA texts
thumb_down What could be better
- remove_circle_outlineMost plans are data-only (no local number)
- remove_circle_outlineRequires an eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone
How it works
Buy a plan in the app, scan or tap to install, and set it as your data line on arrival. Your physical SIM keeps receiving calls and texts while data flows through the local network at a fraction of roaming prices. Setup takes five minutes and requires an eSIM-capable phone, which covers effectively every flagship since 2019.
Plans range from 1GB single-country packages around $4.50 to regional and global plans. Regional plans (like a single Europe eSIM covering 39 countries) are the sweet spot for multi-stop trips.
Prices versus roaming and local SIMs
Against carrier roaming there is no contest: Airalo is routinely 80 to 95 percent cheaper than daily roaming passes. Against a local physical SIM, prices are comparable and occasionally slightly higher, but you skip the airport queue, the passport registration and the tiny plastic tray tool.
Top-ups happen in the app, so running low on a beach does not involve finding a phone shop.
verifiedOur verdict
Airalo is the simplest and usually cheapest way to stay connected abroad. Install before departure, land with data, and never think about roaming again.
Try Airaloopen_in_newAiralo: Frequently Asked Questions
Does my phone support Airalo eSIMs?expand_more
Any eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked phone works: iPhone XS and newer, most Samsung flagships since the S20, Google Pixels since the 3. Airalo checks compatibility in the app.
Do Airalo eSIMs include a phone number?expand_more
Most plans are data-only. Your regular SIM stays active for calls and texts, and apps like WhatsApp keep working over the eSIM data.
When should I install the eSIM?expand_more
Install at home on Wi-Fi before you fly, then activate the data line on landing. Most plans start counting validity on activation, not installation.
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