Airalo Review: Is It Still the Best Travel eSIM in 2026?

Airalo is one of the most talked-about eSIM providers out there. Over the past few years, I’ve used Airalo across 40+ countries and 6 out of 7 continents, testing single-country, regional, and global eSIMs while traveling as a digital nomad.

Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and whether Airalo is actually worth using for international travel.

Airalo Pros and Cons

Is Airalo Legit?

Yes, Airalo is a legitimate and established eSIM provider, used by 20+ million travelers worldwide. It's a U.S.-based company founded in 2019 (originally as AirGSM Pte. Ltd.) and was one of the first eSIM providers to go mainstream.

Personally, I’ve used Airalo across 40+ countries over 5 years, often back-to-back while crossing borders. In the vast majority of cases, it did exactly what it promised: installed quickly, connected to a local network, and gave me usable data almost instantly.

Where things get more nuanced (and where most criticism comes from) is reliability at scale. Airalo doesn’t own mobile networks as it resells access to local carriers. That means performance can be great in one country and less impressive in another. But that’s not an Airalo-specific issue, and it’s true for almost every eSIM provider on the market.

My Experience Using Airalo

I’ve broken down mini reviews from my own experience using Airalo eSIMs across 6 out of 7 continents, including the plans I used, real-world speeds, and where they made the most sense (and where they didn’t).

Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, Japan, etc.)

Asia is where I’ve probably used Airalo the most. I usually go with the Asialink regional eSIM, specifically the 5 GB plan, valid for 30 days, which usually costs $20. It was incredibly convenient as I was backpacking through the region!

In Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia, speeds were excellent in cities. I was usually getting 15–40 Mbps on 4G/LTE, which was enough for Google Maps, WhatsApp, hotspotting occasionally, and normal workdays. For my longer stays (2-3 months) in Chiang Mai and Da Nang, I sometimes switched to a single-country Airalo eSIM, which was a bit better value per GB.

I used a Japan-specific plan (around 10 GB for 30 days, roughly $25–$30), and speeds were consistently good in Tokyo and Fukuoka, often 30–50 Mbps. In metropolitan areas, Airalo now supports 5G speeds via the SoftBank and KDDI networks, though keep in mind that unlimited plans throttle down to 1 Mbps after the 3 GB/day fair-use threshold. For the best Japan eSIM comparison, see our best eSIMs for Japan guide. But the real surprise was China, where I would get around 30-40 Mbps without even using a VPN! Airalo connected to local networks without issues, and data worked reliably for maps, rides, and Chinese apps.

Europe (Portugal, Spain, Bulgaria, etc.)

I’ve used Airalo quite a bit around Europe, both with the Europe regional eSIM and single-country plans, depending on how long I was staying in one place.

For trips where I moved around a lot, the Europe regional eSIM was the easiest option. I usually went for 10 GB, valid for 30 days, which typically cost me around $37. Landing in a new country, the connection usually kicked in within a minute or two.

In Portugal and Spain, speeds were consistently good in cities like Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona, and Valencia. I was often seeing 25–60 Mbps on 4G/LTE, sometimes more, which was great for full workdays, video calls, and hotspotting when Wi-Fi wasn’t great. Coverage was solid even outside city centers.

In Bulgaria, I went with the unlimited data option, which worked well day to day. But it does come with a fair usage policy, something most eSIM providers have anyway. Once you hit that threshold, speeds can slow down, but for normal work, messaging, and browsing, it was still very usable. In general, speeds were a bit more variable depending on the area, but usually sat around 15–40 Mbps in places like Sofia and Bansko.

The Americas (USA, Mexico, Canada, Colombia, Brazil)

For trips across the US, Canada, and Mexico, the North America eSIM was genuinely one of the most convenient setups I’ve ever used. I typically went with 10 GB, valid for 30 days, usually costing around $46. In the US and Canada, speeds were usually strong, often around 30–60 Mbps, and in 5G-covered areas (T-Mobile and Verizon partner networks), I regularly saw 150+ Mbps in major cities. Mexico was a bit slower on average, but still very usable at 15–30 Mbps.

For Colombia, I used a single-country Airalo eSIM while staying in Medellín and Bogotá. Plans were reasonably priced (around 10 GB for 30 days, roughly $28), and speeds were solid in cities, typically 20–40 Mbps. Coverage was reliable, and I had no issues working full days from cafes and apartments.

Brazil was similar. I used a country-specific plan for a few weeks, and performance in cities like Rio was good, usually 20–35 Mbps. Setup was instant, which saved time compared to dealing with local SIM registration.

Africa (Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, etc.)

Africa is where Airalo felt the most practical, especially when moving between countries. For multi-country trips, I typically use the Discover Global eSIM, valid for 30 days, usually costing around $24. Not super cheap, but convenient when crossing borders and not wanting to deal with getting a local SIM.

The Global eSIM I used also came with a phone number, but it was an Austrian number, so I didn’t really use it for local things like deliveries or registrations. Data was what I needed most, and that part worked well.

In Kenya (Nairobi and Diani Beach), speeds were generally decent, usually 10–30 Mbps on 4G/LTE. In more rural areas, speeds dropped, but connectivity was still usable for basics. For longer stays, a local SIM would’ve been cheaper, but Airalo worked reliably out of the gate.

Morocco was solid overall. In places like Marrakech and Taghazout, I was seeing 15–35 Mbps, with stable coverage and no setup issues. It was a good backup even when Wi-Fi was unreliable, which happened more often than I expected.

Egypt was more mixed. In Dahab, speeds were fine for everyday use (10–25 Mbps), but performance could dip depending on the neighborhood. Still, the convenience of being connected immediately after landing made it worth it for shorter stays.

My Personal Advice Using Airalo

What I normally do (and what I’d suggest to you) is use Airalo for the first days or weeks with a smaller data allowance, then top up if needed. Don’t overbuy data. “Unlimited” plans still come with fair usage limits, and I’ve hit those before without realizing how fast data adds up...

If you’re traveling between countries in the same region, the regional plans make a lot of sense. One install and you’re done.

And if you’re staying put for a month or more, a local SIM will almost always be cheaper. There’s no way around that. But Airalo is about keeping things simple when you’re on the move, and that’s why I still use it.

Airalo Regional Plan Showdown

Airalo's two most popular regional plans are the ones I reach for most. Here's a quick breakdown:

Asialink (Asia Regional)

The Asialink eSIM covers 14+ Asian countries including Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, South Korea, and Indonesia. Plans start at $5 for 1 GB and go up to $20 for 5 GB / 30 days. It's unrivaled for convenience when backpacking Southeast Asia, and 5G is available in select cities via SoftBank and KDDI in Japan. For a dedicated Japan comparison, see our best eSIMs for Japan guide.

Eurolink (Europe Regional)

The Eurolink eSIM stands out for its 42-country coverage, uniquely including Switzerland, Turkey, and the UK, which most budget European plans exclude. Plans start at $5 for 1 GB and go up to $31 for 10 GB / 30 days. 5G coverage is available on Vodafone and Orange networks in major cities. For a full Europe comparison, see our best eSIMs for Europe roundup.

Discover+ (Global with Voice & SMS)

For travelers who need more than just data, Airalo's Discover+ global plan provides a digital international phone number that supports traditional voice calls and SMS alongside global data coverage. This is a significant upgrade from standard data-only eSIMs, making Airalo one of the few travel eSIM providers where you can receive calls and texts on a single plan, without relying exclusively on VoIP apps like WhatsApp.

How to Activate an Airalo eSIM

Airalo’s setup has always been easy. I’ve installed their eSIMs so many times in different countries, often right before a flight or after landing tired and jet-lagged.

1. Download the Airalo app or visit the website: Create an account in the Airalo app (iOS / Android) or on their official website. Buying through the app is usually easiest.
2. Choose your eSIM plan: Pick a single-country, regional, or global eSIM, select your data amount and validity period, and complete the purchase.
3. Install the eSIM: You’ll be prompted to install the eSIM right after purchase. The easiest method is Direct eSIM Installation through the Airalo app (iOS and Android), where the profile downloads and configures itself with a single tap. No second device needed to scan a QR code. You can also use a QR code or manual activation code if you prefer.
4. Enable data roaming (important): Go to your phone’s cellular settings, enable the Airalo eSIM, and turn data roaming ON for the Airalo eSIM. This is required for it to connect to partner networks.

Airalo Airmoney: The Loyalty Reward Program

Every purchase you make on Airalo earns you Airmoney, the platform's built-in cashback reward currency. The standard rate is 5% cashback on every eSIM purchase for all registered users. If you reach a higher membership tier through continued usage, the rate can climb up to 10% cashback, meaning a significant portion of every plan you buy comes back to you as credit for your next trip.

Airmoney never expires and can be applied directly at checkout, making Airalo one of the more compelling loyalty propositions in the travel eSIM market for frequent travelers.

Airalo Customer Service

Airalo offers 24/7 support through live chat in the app or website, email, and also WhatsApp, which isn’t something every eSIM provider offers.

In my case, WhatsApp support actually came in handy more than once, especially in Africa. I remember being in Kenya, moving between Nairobi and Mombasa, when my data suddenly stopped working even though I still had plenty of data left. I messaged Airalo on WhatsApp, got the usual automated reply first, and then a real person jumped in a few minutes later. They suggested switching networks manually and resetting mobile data, and that fixed it almost immediately.

Disadvantages of Airalo: What You Should Know First

Airalo is genuinely reliable, but it has a few recurring pain points worth knowing before you buy:

• No emergency physical swap: If your phone runs out of battery or breaks abroad, you cannot pull the eSIM and slot it into a friend's phone. Your active data plan stays locked to the device it was installed on.
• Carrier-locked phones will fail: This is the most common complaint from new users. If your smartphone is still contract-locked by your home carrier (common with US and UK phones bought on payment plans), the Airalo eSIM will fail to install. You must request an unlock from your carrier first.
• Unlimited throttling kicks in at 3 GB/day: Airalo's unlimited regional plans are convenient, but speed is capped at approximately 1 Mbps once you exceed the daily fair-use threshold. For digital nomads doing heavy uploads or video calls, a fixed high-speed plan often makes more sense.
• No local phone number by default: Standard Airalo data eSIMs are data-only. You will need to use VoIP apps (WhatsApp, FaceTime) for calls. Only the premium Discover+ global plan includes a real phone number with voice and SMS.

Alternatives to Airalo eSIM

While Airalo is a very affordable choice overall, depending on your travel needs, some other eSIM providers might just hit the sweet spot for you. Here are some eSIM providers I've personally tested, and I would recommend checking out:

Holafly

Holafly comes with a steeper price tag than Airalo. But this is because they offer unlimited data plans, which is a very tempting choice for travelers who don't want to worry about running out of data mid-journey.

Yesim

Another great budget-friendly alternative is Yesim, which generally offers better prices in certain regions, like Southeast Asia. One of their most interesting features is their pay-as-you-go global plan, which totally removes the need to commit to a large data package upfront. They also have a referral program that lets you earn credits (called "Ycoins") to put towards future eSIMs just by recommending the service to your friends. I used this a lot.

Saily

Saily is one of the best value-for-money alternatives to Airalo, especially for fixed-data travelers. Their Europe regional plan covers 35 countries starting at $4.49 for 1 GB, and their global plans include true unrestricted hotspotting, which makes them a better pick than Airalo for nomads who need to tether a laptop. Use code FREAKINGNOMADS10 for 10% OFF.

Ubigi

Ubigi is the go-to pick for travelers heading into rural or off-the-beaten-path destinations. Their dual-network connection to NTT Docomo and KDDI au in Japan makes them the best eSIM for mountain hikes and countryside travel. Their Europe Extended plan covers 55 countries including the Western Balkans and Turkey, making it unmatched for long-haul nomads crossing borders Airalo's Eurolink misses.

Nomad eSIM

Although they don’t cover as many countries as Airalo, Nomad offers the option to buy more data, and sometimes also offers unlimited data options. This is a cool feature for those who have hefty data needs like me. Unlike Airalo, Nomad eSIM also offers SMS-only plans and two providers to choose from in the USA.

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