Airalo eSIM Review: My Favorite Travel eSIM

My favorite eSIM for travel internationally

What is an e-SIM card?

If you have never used an eSIM before, it is basically a digital SIM card built directly into your phone.

Instead of removing your physical SIM card every time you travel, you simply download a mobile data plan directly to your device.

For me, the biggest benefit is convenience. I no longer have to hunt down airport SIM kiosks, change the physical SIM cards, or worry about losing my regular SIM while traveling.

Most newer smartphones now support eSIM technology, and many allow you to use both your normal SIM and a travel eSIM at the same time.

Who is Airalo?

Airalo is one of the most popular eSIM providers for international travel, was one of the first companies focused entirely on travel eSIMs, and now proudly supports over ten million users worldwide.

Through the app, you can buy country-specific, regional, or global data plans without needing to visit a mobile store or mess with tiny SIM trays.

I personally started using Airalo in 2022 while traveling through Southeast Asia and have continued using it for trips ever since, especially when traveling through Turkey and Europe.

Using Airalo in Turkey

One of the places where I have found Airalo especially helpful is Turkey.

Landing in Istanbul can already feel a little overwhelming, with the crowds, traffic, and trying to figure out transportation after a long flight. Having data immediately available as soon as I land makes the entire arrival process dramatically less stressful.

Instead of hunting down a SIM card kiosk at the airport or dealing with overpriced tourist packages, I can simply turn on my eSIM and immediately access Google Maps, message my accommodation, or order an Uber or BiTaksi directly from the airport.

This became even more important once I started road-tripping around Turkey more often.

Having reliable data while driving through smaller towns and unfamiliar areas has been incredibly useful for navigation, translation apps, checking hotel reservations, and even finding restaurants or gas stations while on the road.

And honestly, there have been quite a few moments in smaller towns where having Google Translate available immediately made communication much easier.

One thing I especially appreciate is that I can activate everything before I even leave home. That means when I land in Turkey, I am already connected instead of relying on airport WiFi or trying to figure things out while exhausted from an international flight.

For me, that convenience alone has made Airalo worth it.

Airalo Pros and Cons

After using Airalo across multiple countries and trips, these are the biggest advantages and drawbacks I have personally noticed.

Pros

• Easy setup directly from your phone without visiting a SIM kiosk
• No physical SIM card to swap, damage, or lose
• Works across multiple countries with both regional and global plans
• Allows you to keep your normal WhatsApp number active while traveling
• Topping up data through the app only takes a few minutes
• Great for road trips and navigation while traveling through Turkey
• Dual SIM support allows you to keep your home or work line active
• Much more convenient than dealing with airport SIM card salespeople

Cons

• Airalo data plans usually do not include a local phone number
• Not all phones support eSIM technology yet
• Setup can feel slightly confusing if you are not very tech-comfortable
• Heavy hotspot users may go through data fairly quickly
• Local SIM cards can sometimes be cheaper for long-term travel
• You need internet access initially to activate and install the eSIM

One thing to know before using Airalo is that most plans are data-only, meaning they typically do not come with a traditional phone number.

Personally, this has rarely been an issue for me because I mostly use WhatsApp while traveling, and I can still make calls through my Google Voice number when needed.

If you rely heavily on local phone calls though, a traditional SIM card may still make more sense for your trip.

The Airalo app will also quickly tell you whether your phone supports eSIM technology before purchasing a plan.

Airalo vs Physical SIM Cards in Turkey

Before I started using eSIMs, I almost always bought a physical SIM card after landing in Turkey.

And honestly? It was always a hassle.

After a long international flight, the last thing I wanted to do was stand around comparing tourist SIM packages at the airport while exhausted and trying to connect to unreliable airport WiFi.

At larger airports like Istanbul Airport (IST), there are multiple SIM kiosks available, but prices for tourists are often significantly higher than what locals pay for similar plans.

There can also be a bit of pressure at some kiosks to purchase larger packages than you actually need, especially if there is a language barrier involved.

That is one of the biggest reasons I eventually switched to using Airalo instead.

With an eSIM, I can activate my data plan before I even leave home and land in Turkey already connected. That means I can immediately open Google Maps, call a BiTaksi or Uber, message my hotel, or look up directions without stopping at a kiosk first.

I also really like that I can keep my regular SIM card active while using Airalo for data. This makes it much easier to continue receiving texts, using WhatsApp normally, or accessing banking verification codes while abroad.

That being said, physical SIM cards can still make sense for some travelers, especially if you are staying in Turkey long term or need a local Turkish phone number for calls.

For shorter trips though, I personally find eSIMs dramatically more convenient.

When Airalo Might NOT Be the Best Choice

Even though Airalo has become my favorite travel eSIM, I do not think it is the perfect solution for every traveler.

If you are staying in Turkey long term, need unlimited data, or rely heavily on local phone calls, a traditional Turkish SIM card may make more sense financially.

Airalo is also probably not ideal for travelers who are very uncomfortable with technology, since the setup process can feel a little intimidating the first time you install an eSIM.

And while I personally love the convenience, heavy hotspot users may burn through data fairly quickly depending on the package they choose.

For shorter trips, though, especially if convenience matters more to you than getting the absolute cheapest data possible, I still think Airalo is one of the easiest options available.

How Much Does Airalo Cost?

Airalo pricing varies depending on the country, region, and amount of data you choose.

In general, I have found Airalo to be significantly cheaper than paying international roaming fees through my home carrier, especially for shorter trips.

That being said, local physical SIM cards can sometimes be slightly cheaper if you are staying somewhere long-term.

For me though, the convenience is usually worth the small extra cost. Being able to land in a new country already connected without dealing with airport kiosks or swapping SIM cards has honestly made travel much less stressful.

Airalo also offers both country-specific and regional plans, which can be especially useful if you are visiting multiple countries on the same trip.

How to Set Up Airalo

One of the things I like most about Airalo is that the setup process is surprisingly simple once you do it for the first time.

Here is the basic process:

1. Download the Airalo app
2. Choose the country or regional eSIM plan you want
3. Purchase and install the eSIM directly through the app
4. Activate the eSIM before or after landing
5. Turn on the eSIM in your phone settings when you are ready to use data

I personally prefer setting everything up before I leave home so that I land already connected.

The app also includes step-by-step installation instructions for both iPhone and Android devices, which makes the process much less intimidating if you are new to eSIMs.

Alternatives to Airalo

Although Airalo is my personal favorite travel eSIM right now, it is definitely not the only option available.

If your phone does not support eSIM technology or you simply prefer a physical SIM card, I have also heard good things about DrimSim. Unlike Airalo, DrimSim charges based on usage instead of requiring you to purchase a set data package upfront.

I have also used T-Mobile’s international roaming while traveling, and it can work surprisingly well in some countries for basic navigation, messaging, and light browsing.

That being said, I personally would not rely on it alone if you need consistently strong data coverage, especially while road-tripping through Turkey or traveling through smaller towns and rural areas.

For me, having a local SIM card or eSIM simply provides much more reliable and faster data overall.

FAQs About Airalo eSIMs

Is Airalo Worth It for Travel?

After using Airalo across multiple countries and trips, it has honestly become one of my favorite travel tools.

Being able to land in a new country already connected without hunting for airport SIM cards or swapping tiny pieces of plastic has made traveling feel dramatically less stressful.

I especially love using it in places like Turkey, where having reliable access to Google Maps, translation apps, ride-sharing services, and WhatsApp makes day-to-day travel so much easier.

Also, you can check out my article on my favorite travel apps.

That being said, I still do not think Airalo is perfect for everyone. Travelers staying somewhere long-term or needing a local phone number may still prefer a traditional SIM card.

But for shorter trips and travelers who prioritize convenience, flexibility, and staying connected immediately after landing, I personally think Airalo is one of the easiest options available right now.