If you’ve ever landed in a new country and immediately gone into panic mode trying to find Wi-Fi or a SIM card kiosk, you’re not alone. Staying connected while traveling used to mean juggling physical SIMs, outrageous roaming charges, or relying on sketchy café internet. That’s where Airalo comes in.
Airalo is an eSIM app that promises instant, affordable data in over 200 countries, no physical SIM, no stress. But does it actually deliver?
I decided to put it to the test on a recent trip, using Airalo as the primary source of data for my family of four while traveling across Europe.
Our trip was for 2 weeks across Greece and Albania. We planned to use the data most importantly for navigation since we would be renting cars twice and driving around Corfu and Albania including a trip from Saranda to Tirana. All of the locations we planned to visit including restaurants were saved in google maps so that would be an integral part of us getting around. And of course the kids would use the data for their apps and games.
Over the course of two weeks, I used Airalo daily—for maps, translations, restaurant searches, booking confirmations, and keeping in touch. Below, I’ll break down what worked, what didn’t, and whether I’d recommend it for your next trip abroad.
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What Is Airalo and How Does It Work?
Airalo is basically your digital SIM card hookup. Instead of popping into a shop to buy a physical SIM every time you land in a new country (which can be a pain), you just download an eSIM (embedded SIM) straight to your phone using the Airalo app.
We even downloaded our app a couple of days before our trip. No waiting in line, no swapping cards, no praying your phone doesn’t eat your SIM tray.
Here’s how it works in real life:
- Download the Airalo app (it’s free on iOS and Android).
- Browse for a data plan based on where you’re going. Options include individual countries, regions (like Europe or Asia), or even global plans.
- Buy the plan that fits your trip (data-only, no phone number).
- Install the eSIM with just a few taps—it walks you through it.
- Activate it when you land, and boom: you’ve got mobile data.
Airalo works in over 200 countries, and as long as your phone is unlocked and supports eSIMs (most newer iPhones and Androids do), you’re good to go.
No contracts. No hidden fees. Just data on demand.
Next up, I’ll walk you through why I picked Airalo over other options for our Europe trip—and where it made the biggest difference.
Why I Chose Airalo for My Europe Trip
We looked at a bunch of different eSIM options—Saily, Jetpac, Holafly—but Airalo came out on top for what we needed. The prices were solid, especially for the amount of data you get, and the regional Europe plan gave us coverage in both countries we were visiting without having to mess around with switching plans. For a two-week trip, it just made sense.
We started our trip in Corfu, Greece, then hopped over to Albania, with stops in Saranda, Tirana, and day trips to Berat and Gjirokastër. Some of the places we explored were pretty remote, like tucked-away beaches in Corfu or long stretches of countryside in Albania, so having reliable data came in clutch.
We also had layovers in London and Rome, and while airport Wi-Fi mostly did the trick, it was reassuring to have backup data ready to go just in case.
We’re a family of four, and between us we had an iPhone 14 Pro Max, an iPhone 11, and two Samsung Galaxy S22s. The eSIMs worked flawlessly on all of them, no weird compatibility issues or hiccups.
Most of the time, we used the data for Google Maps, looking up places to eat, checking opening hours, and figuring out directions when we were wandering around a new city.
I saved all our key spots and restaurants ahead of time on Google Maps, so I was constantly pulling that up. The rest of the crew used it more for Instagram, TikTok, and messaging apps, and everyone stayed connected without a problem.
Setup and Installation Experience
I installed the Airalo app and set up the eSIM a few days before we left, just to get ahead of any potential tech headaches. Super glad I did because the moment we landed in London for our layover, I flipped it on and had data within seconds. No drama, no fuss.
When we touched down in Corfu, the data kicked in immediately. That alone made a great first impression.
The initial setup took maybe 10 minutes, and that was with me figuring it out for the first time. After that, setting up the other three phones was a breeze, probably 5 minutes each. The app walks you through everything step by step, and it’s surprisingly intuitive.
Honestly, I thought using an eSIM for the first time would be complicated or frustrating, but it was the total opposite. It was quick, easy, and way less stressful than buying physical SIM cards abroad.
One thing to keep in mind: when you land, you might need to manually switch your data over to the eSIM. On our devices, we left our regular SIMs as the primary when at home and just toggled data over to the eSIM once we arrived.
Each phone is a little different, but it’s nothing a quick Google or in my case, a quick ChatGPT prompt couldn’t solve.
Performance: Coverage, Speed, and Reliability
This is the part that really matters, right? It doesn’t matter how easy an eSIM is to install if it flakes out the moment you need to load a map or book a ride.
And for this, Airalo delivered.
I used the Europe regional plan, which automatically connects you to local networks in each country. It’s basically roaming without the ridiculous price tag. I didn’t have to change anything in the app, my phone just switched to a new partner network each time we crossed a border.
Coverage was solid pretty much everywhere we went, from major cities to random backroads. In Tirana, Saranda, and even while driving through small villages and along winding roads in Corfu, I had full bars.
I could stream, upload photos, and use Google Maps without a hitch.
Speeds were solid. I wasn’t running speed tests every five minutes, but apps loaded quickly, I could FaceTime back home, and Google Translate worked in real time when I needed to ask for extra gelato.
I didn’t notice any difference from my regular network speed so it was more than enough for travel needs.
Reliability was better than expected. I had zero app crashes, no strange drops in connection, and never ran out of data unexpectedly. Just keep an eye on your usage in the app if you’re traveling with kids who think YouTube is a basic need because it burns through data super fast. We found out the hard way!
Bottom line? Airalo felt dependable and that peace of mind made it way easier to just enjoy the trip no matter where it took us.
Airalo Pricing: Is It Really Cheaper?
Let’s be honest, one of the biggest reasons people try Airalo is to save money. Roaming fees from major carriers can be brutal, and even local SIM cards, while cheap, come with their own set of hassles.
Airalo keeps things simple. You pay upfront for a set amount of data, and that’s it. No surprise charges, no contracts, no extra fees for crossing borders (if you get a regional plan).
Here’s a quick look at what pricing typically looks like:
- Single-country plans: Starting around $4.50 for 1GB of data (valid for 7 days)
- Regional plans (like Europe): Around $13 for 3GB, or $20 for 5GB (valid for 30 days)
- Global plans: Higher cost, but cover multiple regions—great for long-term or round-the-world trips
The sweet spot for most travelers is the regional Europe plan. It gave me coverage in every country we visited without needing to switch eSIMs or buy a new plan every few days.
For my phone, I went with the 10GB, 30-day plan for $37, since I knew I’d be handling all the navigation. I used about 7.5GB over the course of the trip, so it ended up being the perfect amount.
For everyone else, I got the 5GB plan for $20 each, which worked great at first—but we ended up needing to top up both of the kids’ plans with another 5GB each. Looking back, I probably should’ve just started them off with the 10GB package too. That said, we got smarter about managing data as the trip went on, only watching YouTube when we were on Wi-Fi and keeping social media use in check
Compared to what we would’ve paid using international roaming through a major carrier, the savings were real. It’s not the absolute cheapest option out there if you’re staying in just one country for weeks but for multi-country travel or shorter trips, it’s incredibly cost-effective.
And the convenience? That’s worth something too.
Airalo Pros and Cons
Like most things in travel, Airalo isn’t perfect, but it gets a lot right. After using it daily across multiple countries, here’s the honest breakdown.
✅ Pros
- Instant access to data
No waiting in airport lines or trying to find a SIM card shop before your kids lose patience. - Super convenient for multi-country trips
One eSIM covered us in the UK, Albania, Italy and Greece without needing to swap or reinstall anything. - Affordable
Way cheaper than international roaming, especially if you just need a few gigs for maps, messages, and travel apps. - No need to remove your physical SIM
You can keep your regular number active (for texts or calls if needed) while using Airalo for data. - Easy to use
The app is beginner-friendly, and setup was surprisingly smooth, even for someone who usually dreads dealing with phone settings.
❌ Cons
- Data only, no phone number
If you need to make local calls or receive SMS messages (like for two-factor authentication), you’ll need a workaround like WhatsApp or Google Voice. - Customer support is limited
It’s all done via email or in-app chat, so if something goes wrong, there’s no hotline to call from a café in Rome. - Not ideal for heavy data users
If you’re streaming Netflix or uploading full YouTube videos from the Amalfi Coast, you’ll burn through your plan fast.
One of the things I really appreciated about Airalo was being able to set everything up before we even left home. Once we landed, all I had to do was go into the settings and flip it on. No need to find a kiosk or deal with a language barrier at a phone shop. In the past, we’ve used Vodafone, which worked fine—but it meant hunting down a store and going through the whole SIM card setup process. Airalo let us skip all of that.
That’s a huge win when you’re trying to navigate public transit or hop on the metro to get to your hotel or Airbnb. Having instant connectivity as soon as you land makes a big difference, especially when you’re in a new city with kids in tow.
Another big plus? The Europe regional plan. We were able to buy one plan that worked across multiple countries, so we didn’t have to switch anything when we crossed borders. It just worked.
Topping up and managing data was also super easy—straight through the app, no weird steps or surprises.
The only real downside was the lack of a phone number. That can get tricky if you need two-factor authentication via text. But I planned for that ahead of time and switched my logins to email-based verification where I could. I also used apps like WhatsApp and Google Voice for messaging, and everything I needed access to still worked just fine.
Airalo vs Holafly vs Nomad: Which One Is Best?
If you’ve been Googling travel eSIMs, chances are you’ve seen a few names pop up over and over again like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. They all promise data without the SIM card shuffle, but they’re not exactly the same.
Here’s a quick breakdown of what makes each one stand out:
✈️ Airalo
- Best for: Budget-conscious travelers and multi-country trips
- Data type: Prepaid plans with set data amounts (1GB, 3GB, etc.)
- Pros: Cheap, flexible plans; great coverage in over 200 countries
- Cons: No unlimited data, data-only (no calls/texts), support is limited to chat/email
🌍 Holafly
- Best for: Heavy data users or travelers who don’t want to worry about running out
- Data type: Unlimited data (in select countries)
- Pros: Unlimited data in many destinations, good for social media addicts
- Cons: Pricier, and some users report throttled speeds after heavy use
🌐 Nomad
- Best for: Short trips and casual data use
- Data type: Pay-as-you-go or limited data packs
- Pros: Slick app, decent pricing, works in 100+ countries
- Cons: Fewer regional plans, not always the cheapest
So… Which One Should You Choose?
If you’re a family hopping between countries and just want reliable data for maps, bookings, and staying in touch Airalo is a solid bet. It’s affordable, simple to set up, and perfect for trips like ours where we moved around a lot.
If you’re planning to stream or work remotely while abroad, Holafly’s unlimited data might be worth the extra cost.
And if you’re just popping over to one country for a weekend or two, Nomad might do the trick without overcomplicating things.
Best Tips for Using Airalo Successfully
Airalo isn’t complicated—but like most travel tech, it helps to know a few tricks ahead of time so you’re not fumbling with settings in the middle of a jetlagged airport moment.
Here are some tips to make your eSIM experience smoother than your passport stamp game:
📲 1. Install It Before You Leave
Seriously, don’t wait until you land. Install the eSIM at home while you have solid Wi-Fi and no pressure. You don’t have to activate it right away, it’ll just sit there waiting for your signal to go live when you’re ready.
🌍 2. Double Check Phone Compatibility
Not all phones support eSIMs, and not all carriers unlock devices by default. Make sure your phone is both unlocked and eSIM-ready before buying a plan.
📶 3. Keep Your Physical SIM In
If you want to keep your regular number active for calls or texts (especially for banking apps or two-factor logins), just disable data roaming on your physical SIM and let Airalo handle the data side.
🔋 4. Track Your Data Use
The Airalo app makes it easy to see how much data you’ve used. Keep an eye on it, especially if you have kids streaming YouTube in the backseat while you’re trying to navigate to your Airbnb.
The app made it super easy to keep track of everything. I bought all of our plans under my account, so I had a handy dashboard that showed each eSIM in real time and how much data was left on each one. It made managing data for the whole family simple, no guessing, no surprises.
🌐 5. Choose Regional Over Single-Country Plans
If you’re hitting multiple countries in one trip (like we did), the regional plans are way more convenient. No need to switch eSIMs or buy new plans every time you cross a border.
✈️ 6. Turn It On After You Land
Once you arrive, go into your settings and activate the eSIM. If it doesn’t connect right away, restart your phone, that usually does the trick.
With just a little prep, Airalo can make staying connected on the road practically effortless.
Final Verdict: Is Airalo Worth It?
So after two weeks of using Airalo across Europe with my family, here’s the bottom line:
Yeah it’s worth it. Especially if you’re hopping between countries and want data that just works without the drama.
It’s not perfect. You won’t be making calls with it, and if you’re expecting lightning-fast speeds in every remote corner of the continent, you might be a little disappointed. But for most travelers, especially families juggling Google Maps, restaurant searches, transit apps, and the occasional YouTube clip, Airalo more than holds its own.
Here’s what I loved:
- I never had to hunt for a SIM card.
- The app was easy enough to use mid-espresso.
- We stayed connected in every country without switching plans.
Would I recommend it? Without a doubt. Especially if you’re traveling with kids and want to cut down on the chaos. Airalo is one of those rare travel tools that just works, it runs quietly in the background, keeping you connected without demanding your attention.
After how smoothly it worked for us this time around, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it again for our next Europe trip. It took one more thing off my mental checklist so I could focus on the actual experience.
And honestly, when you’re juggling luggage, bookings, and making sure everyone’s fed and accounted for… that kind of simplicity is gold.
Related Resources + Final Thoughts
If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably serious about staying connected without the hassle and honestly, Airalo made that possible for us in a way that felt effortless. It wasn’t just about checking email or uploading a reel; it was about navigating new cities, translating menus, booking last-minute ferries, and texting our Airbnb host when plans changed.
It let us travel like locals, without constantly hunting for Wi-Fi or getting hit with roaming charges when we forgot to turn off cellular data (because let’s be real, that happens).
You can check out Airalo here if you’re thinking about trying it on your next trip
Looking for more help planning your travels? Here are a few posts that might come in handy:
- How to Pack a Carry-On for Two Weeks
- Best Tips for Planning a Trip to Europe
- Our Full 2-Week Europe Itinerary
Safe travels—and may your signal always be strong ✌️
