When you are all excited about being on a big cruise trip and seeing different countries is on your grand adventure plan. Then the question pops up about how to be in contact with that tour agency which is arranging your shore excursion. How to get around and search for things when in a foreign country or what to do if there is an unexpected emergency. Our first go-to solution is always the phone. So, what to do when you don’t have a data plan in the different countries ? Do you get a mobile sim and where ?
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Getting connected in a foreign country
In early 2023, we made a cruise trip to the Middle East and visited several exotic countries like the UAE, Qatar and Oman. I had planned my own excursions – mainly of the Do-It-Yourself sort. This can only work if I have an internet connection to check for up-to-date information.
In the past, I would rely on the free internet at the port which everybody else have the same idea and normally has a slow connection. If needed, then I would check where to get a sim card and / or a cafe that offered free internet which is easy enough these days. However , this means spending extra time which is limited in your sight seeing day. These days I just use Airalo.
What is Airalo ?
Airalo is a company which utilizes one of the latest developments in communications to provide an alternative to having a physical sim card. As we travel to the different countries we usually scramble to get a physical sim card at the airport so that we can use the mobile provider’s services for making calls and using the internet. Using an eSim (electronic/embedded Sim) which can be purchased online via the Airalo website or app, we can then remotely activate to use when arriving at our destination.
Airalo provides several package options for eSims for a specific country, regional eg Middle East or even Global. Best of all it comes with an affordable price tag.
Does my phone support eSim ?
First requirement is your mobile phone has to support eSim technology which means the majority of the phones manufactured since 2018. For a more detailed look at your specific phone – check the link to see if your phone is compatible. I am using the Google Pixel 4a5g which definitely is compatible.
Picking the best Airalo package for your usage
Remember to check if your phone supports eSim (paragraph above) before you purchase your package. Below are the considerations that will help you pick the best package for your use.
Countries coverage
Only data plan or calls /text as well
The individual and regional packages seem to come with only a data plan (internet only) while the global eSims have calls/text options included as well. As you can imagine having all 3 will cost more. So you have to consider if it is needed.
Validity duration
A selection of duration in days are available and usually 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 days and beyond are offered.
Here you have to be imaginative should you have a stay of 8 days then probably figure out if you could start a day later or if you would not be needing it toward the end of your trip. Of course prices also increase with the duration.
The best part is there are top-up options on some of the plans that you can easily activate if you need more data or if you decide to extend your trip.
Data plan size
There are different options for the data plan size starting with 1GB and naturally increasing with the duration. Here you also would need to figure out your approximate usage. For me: the 1GB is enough as I am only using for checking information on the internet or using googlemaps which I also download as an offline map.
How to install Airalo eSim on your phone
It is pretty straight forward follow the instructions to install an eSim. There are 2 general instruction sets.
1. iPhone users. Click link for instructions here
2. Android users. Click link for instructions here
It should not be a problem to install multiple eSim cards on your phone (5 or 6 different ones are possible on Android phones.
Activating the Airalo eSim
If I am flying in on the plane to my destination, I usually go to my phone settings and pre-select the eSim so that upon plane arrival I switch on my phone already with the eSim to help it connect to the provider data plan. It could take some time before it is ready to connect and this way I already have my phone ready to use when I am ready to get out of the airport.
If you are not in a hurry then you can activate it at your leisure once arriving at the destination.
Summary
I have been a user of Airalo since a year ago and I only endorse products that I have used and am happy with or will be using after reading positive reviews. I used Airalo in the US – it took a bit longer to connect (15 minutes) , I also used it in Thailand and Singapore and most recently in the Middle East with the regional SIM where I used it in the UAE, Qatar and Oman. I have not had to use the Airalo support so far : therefore I am not able to talk about any experience. I think its a good sign though if I did not have to use the helpdesk – don’t you ?
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I have started using Airalo for the first time this year, on my trip to Jordan. Since then I’ve always chose it instead of buying a classic sim. It saves so much time and hassle, and their data plans are also very affordable. One note though, it’s worth mentioning that when you install a second esim, on a different trip, you must not forget to remove completely the old one, even if you install the new one over. It happened to me and it took two days to realise why my data wasn’t working.
Great tip for frequent travellers: that would be the cleanest way. I do however think it depends on your phone, I have 3 e-sims at one point because i was going between the US, Asia and Middle East and it worked out , I only had to be careful to name them differently.
Thanks for this useful post about your experiences with the Airolo e-Sim. I have not yet tried an e-sim although I guess my mobile would support using one. Until now I usually buy a simcard in every country. However your post encouraged me to try the e-sim next time I travel (this would be Serbia) – it seems quite easy and not complicated at all.
Oh definitely do so – and let me know how it goes! In case your travel is in October, I have updated the discount code for October now.
We have used different options to get internet when we travelled. We actually looked at Airalo for this trip to Sicily and Malta but were swayed by another company. We are very happy that our phones can take eSims. This makes options like Airalo so much easier. We will have to look at Airalo for a future trip.
I was happy to find out my phone could use e-Sim too. Don’t think I would go back to temporary physical SIMS anymore.
Oh wow! I’m a US citizen in Mallorca right now, and I WISH I had known this prior. I’m relying on my cell phone company, which isn’t the most economical option. Next time I’ll look into Airalo – what a great service!
Oh definitely do! It is so convenient and I am already switched on connected to the new net while waiting for my baggage at the airport.
I’ve been hearing some good things about Airalo and it sounds promising. I always get a sim in the country I travel so I never think about it. I’m interested to know their prices in Euros? Also, how long can you buy one for?
The prices vary and are currently only shown in USD. I would recommend that you click the link that would bring you to the website for the country or region you are interested in because prices depend on how much data and for how long you would need it for, also whether you can make calls with it. You could buy it any time , the only thing is when it is activated that counts and will start the validity countdown. if you have more questions , let me know!
I know I will need a service like this in the future, so I’m glad I bumped into your article about Airalo. For now, I will tell my sister about Airalo because she visits her daughter in Japan regularly. All this time she bought a SIM card. Maybe Airalo will be cheaper.
Yes that is a good case to have an eSim. I havent compared the prices honestly but it isnt always easy to do a side by side compare as the services offered may differ. However what it brings is really convenience to be connected right off the plane.
It’s great that they offer e-sims. I actually prefer this rather than opening my phone and inserting a physical one.
Thank you for sharing the promo code. I am glad they offer a lot of flexibility in terms of the data plans/ packages and the number of days.
It’s great that they offer e-sims. I actually prefer this to opening my phone and inserting a physical one.
Thank you for sharing the promo code. I am glad they offer a lot of flexibility in terms of the data plans/ packages and the number of days. 🙂
Ah me too! I cant tell you how often I thought i lost the little sim chip! By the way I updated the promo code for October.
Airalo is a great esim technology provider for people traveling to multiple countries and don’t have to rely on a physical sim card. Airalo is convenient to utilize with a wide variety of options based on country coverage, data plan size and duration of stay. It’s also compatible on both Android and Apple phones. Best thing is it can be remotely activated upon reaching your destination.