My Airalo eSIM Review After Testing it in 8 Countries

After downloading and using Airalo eSIMs in eight countries around the world on my own, I was recently offered the opportunity to officially review their travel eSIMs and share my experience with you—my lovely readers.

If you’ve ever landed on a foreign tarmac and immediately had to figure out how to get data, you already know how annoying the process can be.

Between unreliable airport wifi, dragging your luggage to SIM card kiosks, and hoping that your home plan doesn’t hit you with insane roaming charges—it’s not exactly the best way to start a trip.

I used to do this on every trip without fail. And it was a nightmare.

Three years ago, I finally discovered the world of travel eSIMs—and I never looked back. I used Airalo for the first time in 2023 when I moved to Portugal, and since then I’ve used it every single time I travel.

At this point, I don’t even think about it anymore. The second I land at a foreign airport, my first move is to connect to WiFi and download my Airalo eSIM before I get in an Uber or taxi (before is the key for safety, ladies).

In this Airalo eSIM review, I’m going to break down exactly how it works, what my experience has been across multiple countries and continents, and whether it’s worth your money.

**This post is sponsored by Airalo, but all opinions in this review are 100% honest and my own.

📱 Stay connected to your friends & family from anywhere in the world with Airalo—use code “MADI15” for 15% off your first eSIM! …or “MADI10” for 10% off if you’re a returning customer.↗

Is Airalo Worth it?

Yes—Airalo is absolutely worth it for your next trip.

No matter how you’re traveling, having access to data the moment you land makes a huge difference. But if you’re traveling solo, it’s honestly non-negotiable.

Being able to call an Uber, check Google Maps, or message someone at any moment is one of the most important safety tools you have at your disposal.

It’s also worth it from a price perspective. Airalo offers different plans depending on how long you’re traveling and how much data you need, so you’re not stuck overpaying for something you won’t use.

If you’re on a budget, you can grab a lower data plan and just be mindful of how you use it. And if you’re like me and want to watch Netflix on the bus, you can go for a higher data option or unlimited plan.

At the end of the day, it’s one of those travel tools that works for pretty much every type of trip—short or long, solo or not, budget or luxury. I’ve used it across eight countries and three continents and keep coming back for a reason.

Who is Airalo For?

Airalo eSIMs are for almost everyone. Whether you’re traveling solo, with a partner, or with a group of friends, it’s one of those international travel tools that makes your life so much easier.

That said, I think they’re especially important if you’re traveling solo.

You can’t rely on anyone else’s data plan, and having your own connection at all times is a huge safety factor. Even when I’m traveling with friends or family, I still download an eSIM—it’s easily worth the $4-30 to be able to use the internet whenever I need it.

You’ll especially love Airalo if:

• You’re a solo traveler and want to stay connected at all times for safety, navigation, and peace of mind
• You’re a digital nomad and need reliable data to work, take calls, or stay in touch with clients
• You’re landing in a new country and don’t want to deal with SIM card kiosks, language barriers, or figuring things out after a long flight
• You rely on Google Maps, Uber, or public transport apps to get around
• You like to stay connected on social media (because let’s be real…same) and want to post, scroll, and keep up with friends and family
• You want a quick, easy setup without having to swap physical SIM cards or visit a store
• You’re visiting multiple countries on one trip and want a seamless away to stay connected across borders

I also think this is a great option for pretty much all travel styles—whether you’re on a tight budget and just need a small data plan, or you want unlimited data so you don’t have to think about it at all.

There are only a couple of cases where Airalo might not be the best fit:

• Your phone is locked or doesn’t support eSIMs (I’ll explain how to check this later)
• You need a local phone number for calls or SMS, since most Airalo plans are data-only

📱 Be safe and stay connected anywhere in the world with Airalo eSIMs—use “MADI15” for 15% off your 1st eSIM, and “MADI10” for 10% off any additional eSIMs!↗

Comparing Airalo vs. Other Data Options

My Experience Using Airalo eSIMs

I’ve used Airalo across multiple countries and continents over the past few years, and at this point, it’s something I rely on every time I travel.

📱 Put your safety first on your next trip by installing an Airalo eSIM—code “MADI15” for 15% off your first order!↗

Using Airalo in Europe (2023–2026)

I first started using Airalo when I moved to Lisbon in 2023. I spent three months traveling around Europe and ended up using it in every country I visited—Portugal, Spain, Germany (for Oktoberfest 🥳), and Italy.

During that time, I had zero issues with it. Setup was super easy, and I mostly stuck with 30-day plans depending on how long I was staying in each place.

Here’s what I used:

• Portugal: 20GB for 30 days ($32 USD), which was more than enough for everyday use like maps, social media, and getting around.
• Spain: 2GB for 15 days ($7 USD), perfect for a short trip.
• Germany: 3GB for 30 days ($10 USD), worked well for lighter usage during a massive drinking festival.
• Italy: 20GB for 30 days ($33 USD), which I used pretty heavily since I was working remotely and attending a language course at the time.

I also used Airalo later on in:

• Romania in 2024: 20GB for 30 days ($32 USD), which was great for heavy usage on a trip with a lot of moving parts (truly one of the best European destinations for solo female travelers).
• U.K. (Scotland) in 2025: I ended up relying on Airalo after my Italian phone plan failed, and it worked instantly with no issues.
• Italy in 2026: After moving to Rome in December of ’25, it came as no surprise to me that my Vodafone plan failed me time and time again. Whenever it fails unexpectedly, I buy a short-term Airalo eSIM to pick up the slack.

What I like most is how flexible it is. If I need more data, I can just top up in a couple minutes—no store visits, no hassle.

It makes traveling between countries seamless because I don’t have to think about switching SIM cards or finding a new provider every time I cross a border.

📱 Travel across Europe with a seamless data connection—use code “MADI15” for 15% off your 1st eSIM & “MADI10” for 10% off your 2nd!↗

Using Airalo in Central & South America (2024-2025)

I’ve also used Airalo outside of Europe, and it’s been just as reliable.

• Honduras: 3GB for 30 days ($18 USD) for trips to Roatan in both 2024 and 2025.
• Colombia: 5GB for 30 days ($32.50 USD) in spring of 2024.

Both worked exactly how I needed them to. No connection issues, no surprises—just instant data.

A Look at Traveling Before Airalo

Before Airalo was an option, data was always a complicated piece of every trip. I typically just went without to avoid the headache of trying to figure it out, when all I really wanted to do was find the nearest pub crawl. 🤷🏽‍♀️

The trip that stands out the most was my post-grad trip in 2018 when my friend and I spent five days on the Amalfi Coast.

We stayed in a youth hostel that was perfect in almost every way…except for the fact that the WiFi literally only worked behind the front desk.

We basically spent five days in the dark ages. There was no communicating with family and friends back home, and even something as simple as Google Maps transit instructions to Positano was too strenuous for this pitiful WiFi.

Very 1800’s vibes.

Inconvenience aside, it was also not ideal from a safety perspective, since the hostel was a good 45-min walk from Sorrento.

If I were doing that same trip today, I’d just download an Airalo eSIM as soon as I landed in Italy and have data for the entire trip—no stress, no guessing, and no reading Italian bus timetables.

📱 Don’t be like me, save yourself from reading Italian bus schedules—use code “MADI15” for 15% off your 1st eSIM & “MADI10” for 10% off your 2nd!↗

How it Works

Part of what drew me to Airalo in the first place is their super-simple installation process.

Their app guides you through the steps one-by-one—so it’s pretty much impossible to mess up or get lost.

I made a quick video showing how I purchase and install an Airalo eSIM using their mobile app below, otherwise you can follow along step-by-step with screenshots.

📱 Never be left data-less while traveling—use code “MADI15” for 15% off your first Airalo order, and “MADI10” for your next! ↗

About Airalo

Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store, and it’s quickly become one of the biggest players in the space. The company was founded in 2019 by CEO Ahmet Bahadir Ozdemir, right around the time Apple started rolling out the first eSIM-compatible iPhones.

Since then, Airalo has grown quickly. After “revenge travel” picked back up post-2020, more people started looking for easier ways to stay connected abroad, and eSIMs basically exploded in popularity.

Today, Airalo serves over 20 million travelers across 200+ countries and regions!

At its core, Airalo’s goal is simple: make it easy for anyone, anywhere in the world, to get connected instantly. And from my experience using it across eight countries, that’s exactly what it does.

Commitment to Sustainability

eSIMs are also a more sustainable option compared to traditional SIM cards.

Traditional SIM cards create a surprising amount of waste. They require plastic, packaging, shipping, and eventually get thrown away after one trip. When you multiply that across millions of travelers, it adds up quickly.

eSIMs are completely digital, which means there’s no physical card, no packaging, and nothing to throw away. They also use fewer resources to produce and distribute, making them a much more sustainable option overall.

But beyond that, Airalo is also involved in a number of global initiatives focused on health, safety, and community support.

They’ve provided data services during major global events like the Help Ukraine Connect Fund, civil unrest in Myanmar, and the Australian wildfires—helping people stay connected in situations where communication is critical.

They also partner with Children’s International through a dedicated children’s fund that helps provide food, water, shelter, and education to kids in developing countries. Their goal is to sponsor a new child for every employee that joins the company.

On top of that, they’ve supported local communities directly—like sponsoring the rural town of Babou in Cameroon and helping fund the construction of a well in the city center.

It’s not the main reason I use Airalo, but it’s definitely something I appreciate. It’s nice knowing the company behind the product is participating in meaningful change and sustainability efforts around the world.

📱 Support a company that cares about its impact, while staying connected in 200+ countries—with code “MADI15” for 15% off your 1st order, and “MADI10” for returning customers!↗

Pros and Cons of Airalo

After using Airalo across eight countries and three continents, there’s a lot I love about it—but like anything, it’s not perfect.

Pros

• Super easy to use: you can install your eSIM in minutes and get connected as soon as you land
• Coverage almost anywhere you travel: Airalo offers eSIMs in 200+ countries and regions, so there’s almost always an option no matter where you’re going
• Global eSIM option available: also offers a global eSIM that works in 167 countries, so you don’t have to switch between plans if you’re visiting multiple destinations
• Affordable and flexible plans: options for short trips, long stays, and different data needs
• No roaming fees or surprise charges: everything is prepaid so you know exactly what you’re paying
• Instant top-ups: if you run out of data, you can add more in seconds from the app
• Reliable internet connection: in my experience, it’s consistently worked without issues across multiple countries
• No physical SIM card needed: no swapping cards or risking losing your original SIM
• More sustainable: 100% digital with no plastic waste, packaging, or shipping
• Reusable technology: you can store and reuse multiple eSIMs on your device

📱 Stay connected in 200+ destinations around the world with Airalo’s eSIMs—use code “MADI15” for 15% off your 1st and “MADI10” for 10% off your 2nd!↗

Cons

• Not compatible with all devices: your phone needs to be unlocked and support eSIM technology
• No phone number on most plans: most Airalo eSIMs are data-only, so you won’t have SMS or calling

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The Verdict: Is Airalo the Best Travel eSIM?

My review of Airalo comes down to one simple fact: it’s one of the easiest and most reliable ways to stay connected while traveling.

After using their eSIMs across eight countries, I keep coming back to it for a reason. It’s affordable, easy to set up, and just works—without the stress of dealing with local SIM cards or worrying about roaming charges.

More importantly, it gives me confidence as a solo traveler.

Having access to data at all times means I can check directions, call an Uber, message someone, or get help if you need it. That peace of mind is something I don’t travel without anymore.

And for me, that alone makes it 100% worth it.

📱 Be prepared for anything on your next trip with an Airalo eSIM—code “MADI15” for 15% off your first order, and “MADI10” for 10% off your second!↗

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