Review: AirAlo ESim Card For Local Data In Foreign Countries

During a recent trip to Italy, I tried out a new eSim from AirAlo to lower my data charges and increase speeds. It was easy, fast, and inexpensive. 

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What Is It?

AirAlo is an eSim provider that uses local data plans to offer low cost, fast connectivity while traveling abroad. A few years ago, eSims augmented or replaced physical sim cards in cell phones. Some phones, like the iPhone, offers dual e-sims that make using a local sim seamless and without removing your current phone line.

For example, ahead of a trip to Rome I installed the AirAlo eSim and used it for my data while in Italy, but kept texting and phone on my primary T-Mobile sim. This meant that callers had the same experience they always would but rather than being stuck with slower internet or paying for a daily package, I used AirAlo for just my data connection.

How Much Was It?

I added an e-Sim with 2 GB of data valid for 15 days for just $8, but I also used a $3 off promo code from someone else, here’s mine if you want to save $3: KYLE7231. In essence, for $5, I had 2 GB of blazing fast 5G (because it’s as if I was a local phone subscriber) and that covered my entire trip, rather than $5/day with a 500 MB limit on T-Mobile or $10/day with your regular plan data allotment from Verizon.

AirAlo offered top-up 1GB for $4.50 which I added toward the end of my trip just to be sure I didn’t switch to T-Mobile’s 3G speed when my allocation ran out.

With sim validity for just 15 days and required activation before you depart your primary country, I’d suggest buying a base load of data and then adding more as it’s needed. For example, I thought during my weeklong trip I would probably go through a 1 GB plan and with the referral code it was basically free to get the second gigabyte. But as week came to a close I actually needed a third GB.

How To Install

The most important thing to remember about an AirAlo eSim is that it needs to be installed in your home country before your departure. That said, some trips are longer than the validity of the sim (15 days in my case, but some global eSims are available for 30 days up to one year) so while I didn’t encounter this challenge, I wonder if they can actually be added or installed outside of your home country after all.

How It Performed

Despite some initial struggles (because I didn’t follow the instructions fully) it performed fantastically. Like any network, there were a couple of spots where coverage was limited in the countryside, but in that case my T-Mobile had either compensated in a few cases or both similarly struggled (I was 60 miles into rural Italy.)

I experienced speed that ranged from 10-120 Mbps depending on how far from civilization I was at the time. At 8-10 Mbps you should still be able to stream video streaming and I had no trouble with the performance during my visit. Switching between eSims was also simply a toggle between multiple eSims and select where you want to receive calls and texts (T-Mobile in my case) and data (AirAlo.)

Will I Use It Again? Where It Comes Up Short

I will likely use AirAlo again but I will point out some shortcomings.

I happen to have loaded the e-sim and then proceeded to drop my phone requiring an entire replacement. AirAlo’s e-sims can’t be transferred from phone to phone though they have your name, login, prior phone, and usage statistics. Maybe this is a technical issue and maybe it’s not. Either way, it’s another reason to not buy a huge amount of data in case something happens.

The company also has global eSims which are more expensive and work in 135 countries. I may give this a try, especially on a cruise or multi-leg trip where I will still want seamless data on a layover or as I arrive in various ports.

I liked the experience, it was less expensive than T-Mobile for top speed data and it was easy to use. I will continue to exercise caution about the amount of data I purchase initially and for shorter trips I may continue to rely on the slower but included data offered in my T-Mobile package.

What do you think? Do you get local eSims when traveling abroad?