Hotel Motel Holiday Ian

I have used Airalo on several family trips because it solves a very practical problem: having mobile data ready as soon as we land, without finding a SIM shop at the airport or relying on hotel Wi-Fi. I have used it in Bali, Malaysia and on a multi-country Thailand and Vietnam trip, including topping up an existing eSIM when I needed more data.

Affiliate disclosure: This guide contains Airalo affiliate links. If you make a qualifying purchase through one of them, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you.

This guide explains how I actually use Airalo, what I check before buying, how installation works, when a regional eSIM can make more sense than separate country plans, and the situations where I would still compare it with local SIMs or my normal mobile provider.

What is Airalo?

Airalo sells eSIM packages that can be installed digitally on compatible phones and other devices. Instead of replacing your normal SIM card, you add another mobile plan to the device and use that line for data while travelling.

Depending on the destination, Airalo may offer a country-specific eSIM, a regional package covering several countries, or broader global options. The exact network, data allowance, validity period and whether a package can be topped up vary by product, so I always check the package details rather than assuming every Airalo eSIM works in the same way.

Why I use Airalo when travelling

The main benefit for me is not having to sort out mobile data after arrival. On a family trip, the first hour after landing is usually when I most want a working phone: I may need to message a driver, order a Grab, check a hotel address, look at a flight change or simply tell someone we have arrived.

Buying the eSIM before departure means I can deal with the setup at home on Wi-Fi. Once we reach the destination, I can switch the travel eSIM on for data rather than queueing for a local SIM card.

I also like keeping my normal UK SIM active for calls, texts and two-factor authentication while directing mobile data through the travel eSIM. Exactly how you configure that depends on the phone, and you need to be careful that your home SIM is not accidentally used for roaming data.

My real-world Airalo use

Bali 2024

I bought an Airalo eSIM before our April 2024 Bali trip. Having data available after landing was useful for transfers, maps and messaging as we moved between Kuta, Ubud, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran. You can see the full sequence in my Bali 2024 trip report.

Malaysia 2025

I used Airalo again in Malaysia in 2025 and topped up the eSIM during the trip. That was useful because we were moving through Langkawi, Penang and Kuala Lumpur rather than staying in one place. The full itinerary is in my Malaysia 2025 trip report.

Thailand and Vietnam 2026

For our 2026 Thailand and Vietnam trip I used an Airalo Asia regional eSIM rather than separate products for each country. I topped it up when the original allowance was running low. For a trip crossing more than one country, I found that much more convenient than changing mobile-data plans at each stop. The full journey is in my Thailand and Vietnam 2026 trip report.

Before buying: check that your device supports eSIM

The first check is compatibility. Airalo says the device needs to support eSIM, must not be carrier or network locked, and the Airalo app may not work on rooted Android or jailbroken iOS devices. Some regional versions of otherwise compatible phones can also differ, so it is worth checking the exact model rather than relying only on the phone name.

Check which devices support eSIM →

On many phones, the settings menu will also show an option such as Add eSIM. Airalo’s current guidance also suggests checking for an EID, which is the identifier used for eSIM functionality.

When should I install the eSIM?

I prefer to install it before travelling, while I have a reliable home Wi-Fi connection. Installation and activation are not always the same thing. Airalo says most eSIM validity periods begin only when the eSIM connects to a supported network in its coverage area, although some products can begin validity at installation. For that reason I check the individual package’s validity policy before installing it early.

Airalo’s step-by-step installation guide →

The exact process varies by phone and by eSIM. Airalo can provide direct installation on some devices, while QR-code and manual installation methods are also available. I would follow the instructions attached to the specific eSIM rather than use a generic set of steps copied from another product.

Installing Airalo on Android

On Android, the broad process is to add a new eSIM/mobile network, install the Airalo profile and then configure that line for mobile data. Some Android phones support direct installation from the Airalo app; others use a QR code or manual activation details.

The phone should be eSIM-compatible, network-unlocked and connected to stable internet during installation. Depending on the package, you may also need to enable data roaming on the Airalo line and enter an APN supplied in the installation details.

Airalo Android eSIM installation instructions →

What I change on my phone when I arrive

Once I am at the destination, I normally want the travel eSIM to handle mobile data while keeping my normal SIM available for anything tied to my UK number. The wording varies by handset, but the important checks are:

• the Airalo eSIM is switched on;
• the Airalo line is selected for mobile data;
• data roaming is enabled on the Airalo line if the package instructions require it;
• my primary UK line is not being used for roaming data;
• any APN required by the Airalo package has been entered correctly.

I also give the travel eSIM a recognisable label such as “Airalo Malaysia” or “Airalo Asia”. That makes it much easier to see which line is doing what when there are several SIMs or eSIMs stored on the phone.

Local, regional or global eSIM?

For a single-country holiday I would normally start by comparing the country-specific Airalo package. If a trip crosses borders, a regional eSIM can be much more convenient even if the headline price is not always the absolute cheapest option.

The Thailand and Vietnam trip is a good example. Using one Asia eSIM meant I did not need to buy and configure another data product when we crossed from Thailand into Vietnam and then back again. For a multi-stop trip, that continuity has real value.

I would still compare the actual countries covered, the data allowance and the validity period. A regional plan only makes sense if it covers the places you are actually visiting and the allowance suits the way you use your phone.

How Airalo top-ups work

Not every Airalo eSIM can be topped up. Airalo says rechargeable products show a top-up option under My eSIMs; if there is no top-up button, the product may not support recharging or a carrier change may require buying a new eSIM.

I have topped up Airalo during trips rather than replacing the eSIM, including in Malaysia and on the Thailand/Vietnam journey. That is particularly useful if the eSIM is already working correctly and I simply need more data.

Airalo guide: how to top up an eSIM →

Can you use an Airalo eSIM as a hotspot?

Airalo says tethering/personal hotspot can be used as long as both the device and the network support it. That can be useful for sharing the connection with a laptop, tablet or another family member for a short period.

If the eSIM requires a manually configured APN, the hotspot settings may need the same APN information. I would also watch data usage closely: a laptop can use a travel-data allowance much faster than normal phone browsing.

Airalo guide: setting up an eSIM hotspot →

How much data do I buy?

I do not think there is a sensible one-size-fits-all answer. Maps, messaging, email and occasional web browsing use relatively little compared with streaming video, uploading large photo libraries or tethering a laptop.

For me, the advantage of a rechargeable eSIM is that I do not necessarily need to overbuy at the start. If a suitable product allows top-ups, I can choose a reasonable allowance and add more data if the trip turns out to be heavier than expected.

Airalo versus a local SIM card

A local physical SIM or local eSIM can sometimes be cheaper or include more data. Airalo’s advantage is convenience rather than a guarantee of the lowest possible price.

I would compare a local SIM particularly for a long stay in one country, very high data usage, or where a local phone number is important. For shorter trips and multi-country itineraries, I put more value on being able to buy the eSIM before departure and avoid dealing with a new provider after landing.

Airalo versus UK roaming

This depends completely on your UK mobile contract and destination. Some plans include roaming in certain countries; others charge a daily fee or much higher out-of-bundle rates.

I therefore check my normal provider first. If roaming is already included, there may be little reason to buy another product. If it is not included, an Airalo eSIM gives me a clear alternative where I can see the data allowance and validity before travelling.

What if the eSIM does not connect?

The first things I would check are whether the eSIM is switched on, whether it is selected for mobile data, whether data roaming is required, and whether the APN matches the Airalo installation instructions. Restarting the phone or toggling airplane mode can also help after a top-up or network change.

I would avoid deleting the eSIM as an early troubleshooting step. Instead, I would refer back to the installation details for that specific product or use Airalo’s support material.

Open the Airalo Help Centre →

Things I would check before every purchase

• Coverage: the country or countries I actually need.
• Validity: enough days for the full trip.
• Data: enough for maps, messages, browsing and any expected hotspot use.
• Activation policy: whether validity starts on installation or first network connection.
• Top-ups: whether the particular eSIM is rechargeable.
• Device compatibility: including the exact regional phone model.
• Network lock: the phone must be able to use another provider’s eSIM.

Is Airalo worth using?

For the way I travel, yes – but mainly because it removes friction. I like arriving with mobile data already organised, and I particularly value a regional eSIM on trips involving several countries.

I would not buy Airalo automatically for every journey. If my UK plan already includes roaming, or a local SIM is substantially better value for a long stay, I would use whichever option makes more sense. The reason Airalo has remained part of my travel setup is that it has worked well for the sort of trips we actually take: multiple hotels, airport transfers, changing destinations and a constant need for maps and messaging.

For the other cards, booking services and travel products I genuinely use, see my Travel Tools page.