Airalo is a digital marketplace for eSIMs (short for “embedded SIMs”). Instead of inserting a plastic SIM card into your phone, you can download an Airalo eSIM directly onto your device to get mobile data coverage abroad.<\/p>\n
Airalo offers:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Local eSIMs for individual countries<\/li>\n
- Regional eSIMs that cover multiple countries in the same area (e.g., Europe or Asia)<\/li>\n
- Global eSIMs that work in 80+ countries<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The big benefit? You don\u2019t need to visit a store, switch SIM cards, or pay high roaming fees through your U.S. carrier.<\/p>\n
How Does Airalo Work?<\/span><\/h2>\n
You can browse, purchase, and install Airalo eSIMs directly from the Airalo website or app. Setup typically takes just a few minutes. Here\u2019s how it works:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Before your trip, purchase an eSIM for your destination via the Airalo app or website.<\/li>\n
- Install the eSIM by scanning a QR code or using the \u201cInstall eSIM\u201d button in the app.<\/li>\n
- Upon arrival, activate the eSIM and start using data.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Airalo eSIMs use local carrier networks, and many plans allow access to multiple networks within a country \u2014 offering better reliability than a single-provider solution.<\/p>\n
Airalo supports most modern smartphones with eSIM capability. Double-check your device is compatible using Airalo\u2019s compatibility list<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Why Use an eSIM Instead of Your Carrier or a Local SIM?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Using an eSIM isn\u2019t the only way to get online while abroad. You could stick with your existing cell plan. After all, why pay another company for connectivity when you already have a plan with another carrier?<\/p>\n
International connectivity options usually fall into three categories:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Your U.S. carrier\u2019s international plan:<\/strong> Easy but expensive or slow. AT&T and Verizon typically charge $12\/day abroad. T-Mobile includes some international data on premium plans, but speeds may be slow or capped.<\/li>\n
- Physical SIM cards:<\/strong> Often cheap but inconvenient. You\u2019ll need to find a store, swap SIMs, and possibly deal with activation issues. While many international airports have vendors selling SIM cards, they can often have additional fees since vendors know their target audience is international tourists who otherwise have to pay massive fees for their phone plan.<\/li>\n
- eSIMs:<\/strong> A digital alternative that\u2019s quick, easy, and often cheaper than other options. And if you\u2019re using a newer iPhone or Android device that doesn\u2019t support physical SIMs, eSIMs might be your only option.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
Buying an eSIM is the quickest and easiest way to have international data during your travels and is likely going to be cheaper than your existing domestic phone plan.<\/p>\n
Is Airalo Worth It? Pros and Cons<\/span><\/h2>\n
Pros of Airalo<\/span><\/h3>\n
- \n
- Affordable data in 190+ countries<\/li>\n
- Instant installation \u2014 no physical SIMs needed<\/li>\n
- Multi-network access in many countries (e.g., Vodafone and TIM in Italy)<\/li>\n
- Regional and global plans simplify travel across borders<\/li>\n
- Manage multiple eSIMs within your phone\u2019s settings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
![\"Airalo](\"data:image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\")
<\/h3>\nPotential drawbacks<\/span><\/h3>\n
- \n
- No phone number is included.<\/strong>\u00a0Friends and family won't be able to call or text you on your Airalo eSIM. So, use WhatsApp or similar apps for calls and texts.<\/li>\n
- Some plans have data caps.<\/strong> However, you can always top up your plan if you find yourself running out of data<\/li>\n
- Expiration dates.<\/strong> Airalo plans expire after a set period of time. You can't buy an eSIM for a country or region and use it again a year later. Instead, you'll need to buy a new one.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Who should use Airalo?<\/span><\/h3>\n
Airalo is ideal for frequent international travelers looking for affordable connectivity, remote workers who need high-speed mobile data abroad, travelers looking to avoid expensive roaming charges, and anyone who wants affordable data access immediately after landing.<\/p>\n
Airalo Pricing and Plans<\/span><\/h2>\n
Airalo\u2019s pricing depends on the destination, amount of data, and plan duration. Local plans start as low as $5 and are available in daily, weekly, and 30-day increments. Here's a pricing comparison between a local, regional, and global plan.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\nLocal plans<\/span><\/h3>\n
Airalo local plans are great if you are just planning on traveling to one country or a couple of countries in different parts of the world. For example, if you are planning an Italy and India vacation, it makes sense to buy an Italy eSIM and an India eSIM rather than a Europe regional eSIM and an Asian regional eSIM.<\/p>\n
Regional eSIMs<\/span><\/h3>\n
Regional eSIMs are perfect if you are visiting multiple countries near each other. A Europe eSIM is perfect for your Mediterranean cruise to Spain, Italy, and Greece. An Asian eSIM is great if you are planning a trip to Japan, Korea, and Taiwan. The Oceania eSIM is excellent if you are stopping over in Fiji for a few days on the way to New Zealand and Australia.<\/p>\n
Global eSIMs<\/span><\/h3>\n
Perfect for a worldwide adventure, the global eSIM is the best fit for you if you're traveling to a bunch of countries. Rather than buying multiple regional eSIMs, a global eSIM is a much better value on a vacation to Italy, Turkey, India, Thailand, and New Zealand since you would be encompassing many regions.<\/p>\n
How to Set Up Airalo on Your Device<\/span><\/h2>\n
Airalo has excellent guides, screenshots, and documentation for installing their eSIMs on iPhones<\/a> and Android devices<\/a>. But here's a quick step-by-step guide:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Purchase your eSIM from Airalo before your trip.<\/li>\n
- Install it by scanning a QR code or using the in-app install function.<\/li>\n
- Set it as your primary data source once you land.<\/li>\n
- Turn it on, and within a few minutes, you should be online.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
While you do need an Internet or data connection to purchase and install an eSIM, you do not need an Internet connection to activate and turn on your eSIM. This means that as soon as your flight lands in a new country, you can immediately turn on your eSIM and have a data connection within a few minutes.<\/p>\n
Troubleshooting tips<\/span><\/h3>\n
If your device does not immediately have a data connection when turning on your Airalo eSIM for the first time, wait a few minutes. Sometimes it takes more than a few seconds to get an eSIM to recognize networks and cellular connections in your area. If your eSIM still does not work after a few minutes, restart your device and verify that the eSIM settings in your phone's network preferences match the settings suggested by the Airalo app. Depending on the country you are visiting, the Airalo app may recommend certain settings to turn on for your eSIM to work.<\/p>\n
If your connection becomes spotty during your travels, you can try manually switching the network that the Airalo eSIM is connected to, which can be done in the network page of your device settings.<\/p>\n
Airalo Discount Codes<\/span><\/h2>\n
Airalo frequently offers promo codes on its website and app. One such promotion is their Free Welcome eSIM<\/a> for first-time users. Partner websites and travel influencers may also share exclusive Airalo discount codes from time to time. We keep the following post updated with the latest Airalo promo codes<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Also, Airalo occasionally offers seasonal discounts. You can also refer your family and friends to Airalo and earn Airalo credits for each referral. In addition, keep in mind that purchasing regional bundles can sometimes offer better value, especially if you are planning on visiting multiple countries during a trip.<\/p>\n
How to apply an Airalo discount code<\/span><\/h3>\n
Before completing your purchase, you will see a promo code box on your eSIM's checkout page. You can enter your promo code there, and assuming that your promo code is valid for the plan or country\/region you are trying to purchase an eSIM for, your promo code should be applied. Keep in mind the terms and conditions of your promo code, some codes may not work for all plans, while other codes are only meant for users purchasing their first eSIM.<\/a><\/p>\n
Airalo Reviews: What Users Are Saying<\/span><\/h2>\n
User ratings & testimonials<\/span><\/h3>\n
Airalo has over 100,000 reviews across the App Store and Google Play, with an average rating of 4.5 stars.<\/p>\n
Expert reviews<\/span><\/h3>\n
Most travel experts and tech reviewers love Airalo for its simplicity, well-polished user interface, and extensive documentation. However, Airalo offers very few unlimited data plans, and all of their plans expire after a set period of time.<\/p>\n
Common complaints<\/span><\/h3>\n
Customers have noted that when connecting to their eSIM for the first time, a data connection does not appear right away and can often take a few minutes. In addition, in some countries or plans, you may also have to slightly modify your eSIM or network settings to get a connection in the first place, which is not immediately clear during purchasing and installation. Some users report spotty connections in remote and rural areas, while others note that customer support response times can vary.<\/p>\n
Is Airalo the Best eSIM for International Travel?<\/span><\/h2>\n
Airalo is not the only international eSIM provider out there. Some top competitors include Holafly, Nomad eSIM, GigSky<\/a>, Ubigi, and FlexiRoam<\/a>. We have a detailed post on choosing the best eSIM for international travel<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Compared to its competitors, Airalo has excellent coverage. Furthermore, in countries with a lot of cellular providers, you have the option to choose which network on your plan provides the strongest signal. Airalo also offers service in more regions and a variety of pricing and geographical options to help you determine which plan is right for you.<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAiralo FAQ<\/span><\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIs Airalo eSIM legit?<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes, Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider used by travelers worldwide.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
What are the disadvantages of Airalo?<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAiralo does not offer unlimited data plans. Some regions may also only have limited data coverage.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Should I install Airalo eSIM before traveling?<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYes, installing the eSIM before departure means you'll be able to connect shortly after arrival.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
Does Airalo use your phone number?<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNo, Airalo eSIMs are data-only and do not include a phone number.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
How does an Airalo eSIM work?<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAiralo connects your cell phone to a local carrier without requiring a physical SIM card.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
How reliable is Airalo eSIM?<\/span><\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAiralo offers reliable data services in most urban areas, though coverage may vary by region.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/b><\/h2>\n
Page Contents<\/p>
- What Is Airalo?<\/a><\/li>
- How Does Airalo Work?<\/a><\/li>
- Why Use an eSIM Instead of Your Carrier or a Local SIM?<\/a><\/li>
- Is Airalo Worth It? Pros and Cons<\/a>
- Pros of Airalo<\/a><\/li>
- Potential drawbacks<\/a><\/li>
- Who should use Airalo?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Airalo Pricing and Plans<\/a>
- Local plans<\/a><\/li>
- Regional eSIMs<\/a><\/li>
- Global eSIMs<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- How to Set Up Airalo on Your Device<\/a>
- Troubleshooting tips<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Airalo Discount Codes<\/a>
- How to apply an Airalo discount code<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Airalo Reviews: What Users Are Saying<\/a>
- User ratings & testimonials<\/a><\/li>
- Expert reviews<\/a><\/li>
- Common complaints<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li>
- Is Airalo the Best eSIM for International Travel?<\/a><\/li>
- \t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAiralo FAQ<\/a>
- Is Airalo eSIM legit?<\/a><\/li>
- What are the disadvantages of Airalo?<\/a><\/li>
- Should I install Airalo eSIM before traveling?<\/a><\/li>
- Does Airalo use your phone number?<\/a><\/li>
- How does an Airalo eSIM work?<\/a><\/li>
- How reliable is Airalo eSIM?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Want affordable international data without swapping SIM cards? Airalo offers eSIM plans in 190+ countries \u2014 and setup takes just minutes. In this Airalo review, we cover how it works, what it costs, and how to activate your eSIM before your next trip.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":77,"featured_media":197428,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wpscppro_dont_share_socialmedia":null,"_wpscppro_custom_social_share_image":0,"_facebook_share_type":"default","_twitter_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type":"default","_pinterest_share_type":"default","_linkedin_share_type_page":"","_instagram_share_type":"default","_medium_share_type":"default","_threads_share_type":"","_google_business_share_type":"","_selected_social_profile":[],"_wpsp_enable_custom_social_template":false,"_wpsp_social_scheduling":{"enabled":false,"datetime":null,"platforms":[],"status":"template_only","dateOption":"today","timeOption":"now","customDays":"","customHours":"","customDate":"","customTime":"","schedulingType":"absolute"},"_wpsp_active_default_template":true},"categories":[12054],"tags":[12628],"coauthors":[36397],"class_list":["post-197196","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tips","tag-travel-experience"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"
Airalo Review: How Airalo eSIMs Work for Travelers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Our Airalo review shows how this eSIM service works, what it costs, how to activate it, and when it\u2019s worth using for international travel.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Airalo Review: Everything You Need to Know About Airalo eSIM\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Our Airalo review shows how this eSIM service works, what it costs, how to activate it, and when it\u2019s worth using for international travel.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"AwardWallet Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AwardWallet\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2025-06-09T23:59:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-08T14:17:12+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1365\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1092\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ajay Jain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@theajayjain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@AwardWallet\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ajay Jain\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"8 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ajay Jain\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/7ea180f05215c2a7117be9c6dda6aa4d\"},\"headline\":\"Airalo Review: Everything You Need to Know About Airalo eSIM\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-09T23:59:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:17:12+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\"},\"wordCount\":1623,\"commentCount\":2,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Travel Experience\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Other Tips\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\",\"name\":\"Airalo Review: How Airalo eSIMs Work for Travelers\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2025-06-09T23:59:14+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-04-08T14:17:12+00:00\",\"description\":\"Our Airalo review shows how this eSIM service works, what it costs, how to activate it, and when it\u2019s worth using for international travel.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg\",\"width\":1365,\"height\":1092},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Airalo Review: Everything You Need to Know About Airalo eSIM\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"AwardWallet\",\"description\":\"Maximize your credit card rewards, airline miles, and hotel points. Choose the best rewards cards, earn more points and miles, get top travel deals!\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"AwardWallet\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/AwardWallet_logo_horizontal.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/AwardWallet_logo_horizontal.png\",\"width\":5000,\"height\":601,\"caption\":\"AwardWallet\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AwardWallet\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/AwardWallet\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/7ea180f05215c2a7117be9c6dda6aa4d\",\"name\":\"Ajay Jain\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/31ed88e692adcb58f08d381d0a0fc085\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f3afc4956ebf83cd298b6deddeab0c31c9224c59ffe173de449f98f2520458c9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f3afc4956ebf83cd298b6deddeab0c31c9224c59ffe173de449f98f2520458c9?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Ajay Jain\"},\"description\":\"Ajay is a freelance writer and software engineer who grew up minutes from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and was interested in aviation from a very young age. After a family trip during his freshman year of college with flights in premium cabins, Ajay decided to learn how to use points and miles to fund his own trips. In 2022, he used miles to go to Turkey as well as for a six week trip across Europe, and in 2023, he has redeemed miles on a trip to Japan, Hong Kong, Helsinki, and Paris. When Ajay is not traveling or writing about points and miles, he can be found exploring his new home of Washington, DC, cooking new vegetarian and vegan recipes, watching Succession, and taking up a recent hobby of oil painting.\",\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/theajayjain\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/theajayjain\"],\"url\":\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/author\/ajay-jain\/\"}]}<\/script>","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Airalo Review: How Airalo eSIMs Work for Travelers","description":"Our Airalo review shows how this eSIM service works, what it costs, how to activate it, and when it\u2019s worth using for international travel.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Airalo Review: Everything You Need to Know About Airalo eSIM","og_description":"Our Airalo review shows how this eSIM service works, what it costs, how to activate it, and when it\u2019s worth using for international travel.","og_url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/","og_site_name":"AwardWallet Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AwardWallet\/","article_published_time":"2025-06-09T23:59:14+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-04-08T14:17:12+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1365,"height":1092,"url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ajay Jain","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@theajayjain","twitter_site":"@AwardWallet","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ajay Jain","Est. reading time":"8 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/"},"author":{"name":"Ajay Jain","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/7ea180f05215c2a7117be9c6dda6aa4d"},"headline":"Airalo Review: Everything You Need to Know About Airalo eSIM","datePublished":"2025-06-09T23:59:14+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-08T14:17:12+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/"},"wordCount":1623,"commentCount":2,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg","keywords":["Travel Experience"],"articleSection":["Other Tips"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/","url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/","name":"Airalo Review: How Airalo eSIMs Work for Travelers","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg","datePublished":"2025-06-09T23:59:14+00:00","dateModified":"2026-04-08T14:17:12+00:00","description":"Our Airalo review shows how this eSIM service works, what it costs, how to activate it, and when it\u2019s worth using for international travel.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Michael-Sala-Unsplash-Iphone-Featured.jpg","width":1365,"height":1092},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/travel\/airalo-review\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Airalo Review: Everything You Need to Know About Airalo eSIM"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/","name":"AwardWallet","description":"Maximize your credit card rewards, airline miles, and hotel points. Choose the best rewards cards, earn more points and miles, get top travel deals!","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"AwardWallet","url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/AwardWallet_logo_horizontal.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/AwardWallet_logo_horizontal.png","width":5000,"height":601,"caption":"AwardWallet"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/AwardWallet\/","https:\/\/x.com\/AwardWallet"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/7ea180f05215c2a7117be9c6dda6aa4d","name":"Ajay Jain","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/31ed88e692adcb58f08d381d0a0fc085","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f3afc4956ebf83cd298b6deddeab0c31c9224c59ffe173de449f98f2520458c9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f3afc4956ebf83cd298b6deddeab0c31c9224c59ffe173de449f98f2520458c9?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Ajay Jain"},"description":"Ajay is a freelance writer and software engineer who grew up minutes from Chicago O'Hare International Airport and was interested in aviation from a very young age. After a family trip during his freshman year of college with flights in premium cabins, Ajay decided to learn how to use points and miles to fund his own trips. In 2022, he used miles to go to Turkey as well as for a six week trip across Europe, and in 2023, he has redeemed miles on a trip to Japan, Hong Kong, Helsinki, and Paris. When Ajay is not traveling or writing about points and miles, he can be found exploring his new home of Washington, DC, cooking new vegetarian and vegan recipes, watching Succession, and taking up a recent hobby of oil painting.","sameAs":["https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/theajayjain","https:\/\/x.com\/theajayjain"],"url":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/author\/ajay-jain\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197196","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/77"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197196"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197196\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":257047,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/197196\/revisions\/257047"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/197428"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197196"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197196"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197196"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=197196"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}} - What are the disadvantages of Airalo?<\/a><\/li>
- Expert reviews<\/a><\/li>
- Airalo Reviews: What Users Are Saying<\/a>
- Airalo Discount Codes<\/a>
- Regional eSIMs<\/a><\/li>
- Potential drawbacks<\/a><\/li>
- How Does Airalo Work?<\/a><\/li>
- What Is Airalo?<\/a><\/li>
- Some plans have data caps.<\/strong> However, you can always top up your plan if you find yourself running out of data<\/li>\n
- No phone number is included.<\/strong>\u00a0Friends and family won't be able to call or text you on your Airalo eSIM. So, use WhatsApp or similar apps for calls and texts.<\/li>\n
- Physical SIM cards:<\/strong> Often cheap but inconvenient. You\u2019ll need to find a store, swap SIMs, and possibly deal with activation issues. While many international airports have vendors selling SIM cards, they can often have additional fees since vendors know their target audience is international tourists who otherwise have to pay massive fees for their phone plan.<\/li>\n
- Your U.S. carrier\u2019s international plan:<\/strong> Easy but expensive or slow. AT&T and Verizon typically charge $12\/day abroad. T-Mobile includes some international data on premium plans, but speeds may be slow or capped.<\/li>\n
![\"Airalo](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/Screenshot-2025-05-03-at-12.47.56-PM.png\")
<\/h3>\n![\"Local,](\"https:\/\/awardwallet.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/local_regional_global_airalo_plans-300x92.png\")
<\/p>\n