Travelling internationally has always come with a common headache: staying connected easily without breaking the bank. I‘ve juggled between expensive roaming charges, hunting down local SIM cards, or simply accepting I’d be offline until I found Wi-Fi. That all changed when I discovered Airalo and e-SIMs.
After using Airalo across Canada, the USA, Bermuda, various European countries, and New Zealand, I’m confident in saying it’s a game-changer.
Just a heads up: Some of the links on this post may be affiliate links. That means if you make a purchase through them, I might earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). I only recommend products I genuinely like and think you’ll find useful. Thanks for supporting the blog!
What is an e-SIM Anyway?
Before diving in, let’s clarify what an e-SIM actually is. Unlike physical SIM cards, an e-SIM (embedded SIM) is built directly into your phone. Essentially, an e-SIM enables you to activate a data plan without the need to insert a physical SIM card.
Important note: Please verify that your phone is e-SIM compatible before getting started. I have an iPhone 11, which is reasonably old, and it works for me. But better to be safe than sorry and check your specific model first, so you don’t waste any money!
My Airalo Experience
As soon as I land overseas for my trip (usually on the airport wifi while waiting for my next transfer), I simply:
- Open the Airalo app (or go to their website).
- Choose my destination.
- Select a data package that fits my needs (how many gigs, or duration of the trip).
- Install and activate the e-SIM according to the app’s instructions.
What I particularly love is maintaining access to my Australian phone number while travelling. Gone are the days of missing important texts or calls while overseas – I stay connected to home while having data for my destination. (phewph because I definitely missed a few crucial things back in the day before this)
The Flexibility Factor
One feature that has saved me repeatedly is the ability to easily top up data through the app. On my trip through Europe last year, I initially purchased what I thought would be enough data, but too many TikToks on a bus ride almost made me run out (oops). Rather than stressing about connectivity, I was able to simply add more data through the app in seconds.
More benefits
The real value of e-SIMs comes from eliminating common possible problems:
- No more hunting for local SIM cards at foreign airports.
- No more swapping physical SIM cards and potentially losing them.
- No shocking roaming charges from your home provider.
- No language barriers when trying to purchase SIMs in countries where you don’t speak the language.
Final Thoughts
After using Airalo across three continents, it’s become my go-to solution for data while travelling. The peace of mind knowing I’ll have it sorted the moment I land, combined with keeping my Australian number accessible, has genuinely improved my travel experiences.
If you’re interested in trying e-SIMs for your next trip, you can check it out here.
Also try out these promo codes to get a discount!!
Katrina’s Compass Rating:
Airalo e-SIMs 9/10
Other SIM options
Drimsim – I have not used Drimsim personally, but it is a physical SIM card that works in 190 countries. It is not connected to any particular operator.
Yesim – Again, I have not personally used Yesim as I always use Airalo, but Yesim is another eSIM provider and may be worth checking out!