Airalo ESIM: My Favorite eSIM for Staying Connected When I Travel

Attention, globetrotters and adventure seekers! Tired of swapping SIM cards every time you travel? Do you yearn for a more seamless and convenient way to stay connected on your next trip to Turkey?

Say goodbye to the hassle! Discover how Airalo eSIMs have become my go-to solution for staying connected with ease and flexibility when I travel.

After years of swapping SIMs around the world, eSIM technology has completely transformed how I stay connected, giving me instant access without ever visiting a kiosk at the airport or dealing with salespeople trying to oversell.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through why eSIMs are essential for modern travel and how Airalo makes it seamless, whether it’s your first trip or your hundredth.

My favorite eSIM for travel internationally

What is an E-sim Card?

New to the game and not sure what an eSIM is? Don’t worry! I didn’t either when I first got started.

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a SIM card that’s directly built into a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch.

Unlike traditional SIM cards that leave you fumbling with tiny pieces of plastic and worrying about losing them, an eSIM is permanently integrated into the device’s hardware. Nothing to lose!

With this technology, you can activate cellular service and connect to a mobile network without swapping out a physical card.

Activation typically happens through a mobile carrier’s app or website, where you choose a plan and download the necessary network information onto the eSIM.

eSIMs also enable dual SIM functionality on supported devices, letting you use multiple mobile plans at once. Plus, they’re smaller and save space within a device, making them particularly useful for compact devices like smartwatches.

Who is Airalo?

Airalo, launched in 2019, was the first eSIM store and quickly established itself as an industry leader. Though relatively new, Airalo offers an impressive selection of eSIM data plans for a wide variety of countries.

Their mission is to provide global data connectivity for all travelers, aiming to free us from the high costs and limitations of traditional roaming fees.

With team members in over 20 countries and a presence on six continents, Airalo now proudly supports over ten million users worldwide.

Beyond connectivity, Airalo also invests in initiatives that benefit the planet.

They support a Clean Water Initiative in Cameroon, partner with Children International to sponsor children in developing countries, and contribute to relief funds for countries like Ukraine, Myanmar, and Australia.

They also prioritize diversity, inclusion, and equity. What’s not to love?

Check your phone for Airalo compatibility

There are a couple of ways to check if your phone is compatible. First, download the Airalo app—it will automatically verify compatibility when you select your preferred eSIM data package.

Alternatively, you can also look up your EMEI number if you have an iPhone.

• Go to Settings > General > About.
• Scroll down to Available SIM (iOS 15 or later) or Digital SIM (earlier iOS versions).
• If your phone supports eSIMs, you’ll see a 15-digit IMEI number. 

Apple Devices

• iPhone XR (model A2105, from 2018)*
• iPhone XS (model A2097, from 2018)*, iPhone XS Max (model A2101, from 2018)*
• iPhone 11 (model A2221, from 2019)*, iPhone 11 Pro (model A2215, from 2019)*
• iPhone SE 2 (model 2020)
• iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13 (dual eSIM), iPhone 13 mini (dual eSIM), iPhone 13 Pro (dual eSIM), iPhone 13 Pro Max (dual eSIM)
• iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Pro Max
• iPad Pro 11″ (model A2068, from 2020)
• iPad Pro 12.9″ (model A2069, from 2020)
• iPad Air (model A2123, from 2019)
• iPad (model A2198, from 2019)
• iPad Mini (model A2124, from 2019)

*iPhones purchased from China or Hong Kong are dual sim, with no eSIM.

Samsung Devices

• Samsung Galaxy S20*, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra
• Samsung Galaxy S21, Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21+ Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Fold
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
• Samsung Watch (through Samsung wearable application)

*The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G or 5G is not compatible with eSIM.

*Samsung Galaxy S20 Hybrid Dual SIM – Samsung produces both eSIM and no eSIM versions.

Google Phones

• Google Pixel 2 (only phones bought with Google Fi service), Google Pixel 2 XL
• Google Pixel 3 (not including phones bought in Australia, Taiwan or Japan. Phones bought with US or Canadian carriers other than Spring and Google Fi don’t work with eSIM), Google Pixel 3 XL
• Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL (purchased in South East Asia)
• Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 4 XL
• Google Pixel 5, Google Pixel 5a
• Google Pixel 6 Pro

*Pixel 3A purchased in South East Asia

Huawei Phones

• Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro
• Huawei P50 Pro
• Huawei Mate 40 Pro

*Huawei P40 Pro+ has no eSIM support.

Other Devices

• Motorola Razr 2019
• Nuu Mobile X5
• Gemini PDA
• Rakuten Mini
• Oppo Find X3 Pro
• Oppo Reno 5A
• Oppo Reno6 Pro 5G
• Microsoft Surface Pro X, Go 2, Pro LTE Advanced
• Acer Swift 3, 7
• Asus Mini Transformer
• Asus NovaGo
• Asus VivoBook Flip 14
• HP Elitebook G5
• HP Probook G5
• HP Zbook G5
• HP Specter Folio 13
• Lenovo Yoga C630, 520
• Lenovo Miix 630
• Lenovo Flex 5G
• Samsung Galaxy Book 2

Airalo eSIM Provider Pros

So now you know what an eSIM is. Now let me tell you why this one is the best option in my opinion.

Flexibility and Convenience

With their Turkey plan, there’s no need to switch carriers or change physical cards. This convenience is perfect for frequent travelers or those who regularly switch between networks.

You can even use the Airalo app across multiple trips, not just for Turkey but for all your adventures.

It is also nice to know you have trustworthy coverage if you decide to drive through Turkey. There is nothing worse than not knowing where you’re going in a foreign place.

Dual SIM Functionality

Many eSIM-compatible devices also support dual SIM, allowing you to use two mobile plans at once.

This feature is ideal for keeping a personal and work line or having both a local data plan and another for calls.

Switching between the two is as easy as setting one as primary. For instance, I use this to keep my Turkish line active while I’m abroad.

Space-saving and Durability

Since they are built directly into the device’s hardware, they eliminate the need for a physical slot, allowing for smaller, sleeker device designs.

This integration also means no risk of physical damage or loss, making them a more durable and reliable option.

Easy to top up

Topping up your eSIM with Airalo is simple—just open the app and select your desired data package!

Unlike traditional SIM cards that may require replacement for more data, Airalo allows you to recharge your existing eSIM easily.

And if you run into any issues, their customer support is ready to help.

Using an Airalo eSIM Cons

Limited Device Compatibility

Not all devices support eSIM technology.

While eSIM adoption is growing, especially in newer smartphones, tablets, and wearables, older or budget-friendly devices may lack eSIM compatibility.

If your device doesn’t support eSIM, you won’t be able to take advantage of its benefits. Fortunately, if you download the Airalo app, it will tell you if your device is compatible.

No actual phone number

With eSIMs, you’re generally purchasing only a data plan. Some providers may offer a phone number, but Airalo does not.

While some travelers might see this as a drawback, let me point out that when traveling, you often don’t speak the local language unless it’s your own.

For example, during my summer in the U.S., I missed having a traditional number at times, but I could make calls through my Google Voice number when needed.

Plus, WhatsApp is widely used globally and only requires data, making it easy to stay connected without needing a local number. If making local phone calls is a priority, however, an eSIM may not be the best fit.

Complexity and Potential Activation Issues

Although activating an eSIM is typically straightforward, some users may find it more complex than simply inserting a physical SIM card. #technology

The process involves downloading network information and activating the eSIM through a mobile carrier’s app or website. Activation steps can vary by carrier and device, and some users might run into technical issues or difficulties.

With the app, however, activation is simple as long as you have internet access. If you encounter any problems, just reach out to Airalo’s customer service, and they’ll help you get set up.

My Experience with Airalo eSIMs

When I traveled in the past, I typically bought a traditional SIM card and put it in a basic, old phone. It worked well enough, but carrying two phones quickly became annoying.

Eventually, I started using traditional SIM cards in my iPhone, but I was always terrified of losing that tiny piece of plastic and, with it, my phone number for good.

In 2022, everything changed. I embarked on an epic trip to Southeast Asia to celebrate turning 40 and needed to stay connected while visiting five different countries.

As I researched my options, I discovered that regional eSIMs existed. Intrigued, I kept digging, and that’s when I found Airalo.

I purchased a regional eSIM that lasted a month and, or so I thought, came with plenty of data. Towards the end of my trip, though, I started running low.

Adding more data was incredibly easy! All I had to do was open the app and buy a top-up package.

It was the simplest way I’d ever used a SIM. Best of all, I kept my WhatsApp number, and nothing else changed. I just set the eSIM as primary while I was abroad.

The best part? The eSIM stays on my phone until I delete it. This means if I go back, I can just add more data to the one I already have. iPhones, for instance, can store 5–10 eSIMs, depending on the device’s storage!

AIRALO’s eSIM Package Pricing

You can download the app for free. This allows you to see all the available packages for each country. They have global, country-specific, and local eSIMs.

The app will also tell you if your phone is compatible with an eSIM.

From there you can purchase the one you need and then once you get to Turkey (or wherever you’re headed), you can activate the eSIM while on a stable internet connection.

Easy peasy.

Alternatives to AIRALO

Of course, all that being said, perhaps you aren’t interested in an eSIM or maybe your phone just doesn’t work with an eSIM.

A recommendation for a regular SIM is DrimSim. They too do not provide a phone number but provide both eSIM data and normal SIM data cards.

The big difference with DrimSim is that you don’t buy a package, you only pay for what you use. For Turkey, the current price is 0.01€/MB.

FAQs About eSIMs

Final Thoughts: Airalo eSIM review

As you prepare for your trip to Turkey, don’t miss out on these 18 essential apps that you should have on your phone in addition to Airalo.

Embracing the power of this new technology while traveling abroad can truly elevate your travel experience. Say goodbye to the hassle of sourcing and swapping SIM cards in every new destination!

With eSIMs, you can easily connect to local networks, access data, stay in touch with loved ones, and even make calls—all with just a few taps on your device.

The flexibility and convenience allow you to roam freely, switch carriers seamlessly, and manage multiple phone numbers effortlessly.

If you’re looking for other things you need to make sure you pack as a woman traveling internationally, check my complete list here!

If you still have questions, feel free to reach out. Bon voyage and happy travels!