The affordable way savvy travellers are staying connected overseas

Travelling with a mobile phone plan is a modern necessity. How else are you to access digital flight tickets, navigate with maps and contact friends and family back home?

While people have chosen to secure a local plan upon arrival, or just activate roaming mode through their existing provider, these options can be time-consuming and costly.

That's why many Aussies are turning to Airalo, an online eSIM store that helps save on time and cost.

Here's everything you need to know about Airalo.

NOTE: Prices are accurate at the time of publishing.

Airalo eSIM at a glance...

Browse here!

Best for: Light to moderate data users, holidays booked across a region, people who want instant data on arrival

Coverage: More than 200 countries and regions worldwide

Average pricing: Starts at $6 for one country and maxes out at $126.50 for global data, calls and texts

Key features: Entirely digital, hotspot tethering supported on most plans, data-only on most packages

Exclusive discounts: New users can enter ‘NINENEW’ at checkout to save 15 per cent. Already have an Airalo account? ‘NINEALL’ at checkout will save you 10 per cent

What is Airalo?

Airalo comes in handy if you're looking for an affordable eSIM plan that will work across countries, regions or even globally.

Airalo functions like a middleman between you and foreign telco providers to supply a prepaid plan based on your travel needs.

You can stay connected in over 200 locations worldwide through their website or app.

What plans does Airalo offer?

Airalo organises its eSIM plans into three primary categories, with plans extending up to 30 days.

• Local eSIMs: These cover a single country. It's a cost-effective option if you're only heading to one spot
• Regional eSIMs: These cover geographic areas on a single plan. For example, you can secure data coverage across Europe with this option
• Global eSIMs: Get global coverage for your around-the-world trip, including calls and texts

As for the plans themselves, the majority are data-only, but they’re all relatively affordable, with prices starting from $6 for three days of coverage. If you’re a data-heavy user, you can also opt for unlimited data.

Airalo has also introduced new unlimited data eSIM packages for the World Cup.

• US/CA/MX Unlimited Packages: score 26 per cent off unlimited packages (excluding Super Fan Unlimited 40-day package)
• Super Fan Unlimited 40-day Package: at its lowest possible price, it will cover the full World Cup 2026 period

If you’re interested in further coverage, you can also secure coverage across all popular countries in North America using the North America eSIM to travel without any roaming fees at all, plus access to have 24/7 support.

How do I activate my Airalo eSIM?

If you're looking to purchase and activate an Airalo eSIM, here's a simple guide to follow. First, select a location, which you can choose as either a single country, an entire region or the whole world.

Then select a package depending on your travel duration and the amount of data you would like. Once you've selected a suitable plan, install your eSIM using an internet connection.

You have 365 days from purchase to start using the eSIM, and the validity period of your plan starts when the eSIM connects to a mobile network in its coverage area – i.e, when you land at your travel destination. However, make sure to read your package's validity policy, as some plans may start as soon as you install them.

Are there any downsides?

While Airalo's affordable prices and convenience do sound attractive, there are a few things to consider before purchasing an eSIM.

If you prioritise calls and messages outside of apps like WhatsApp, then most plans won't provide that coverage. Many of Airalo's plans are strictly data-only eSIMs.

If you accidentally uninstall or remove your eSIM from your device, you cannot reinstall it from Airalo without purchasing, installing and reactivating a new plan.

Is it worth it?

Browse here!

If it's easy-to-access data you need, then that's exactly what you'll get when purchasing an eSIM plan from Airalos an affordable option and super easy to install. For travellers who don't want the fuss of a SIM card, this is definitely worth it.

READ MORE: Save 50% on mobile phone plans this month

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM is like a regular SIM card, but a digital version instead. So, instead of inserting a small plastic card into the usual SIM slot, you download an eSIM profile directly to your phone.

Depending on the plan, the eSIM will work like a traditional SIM. If it's a data-based eSIM, you can access the internet through roaming data available on whatever package you purchased.

Some eSIM plans provide full service, including a phone number, letting you make calls and send texts too.

The benefits are that you can usually score a flexible and affordable eSIM plan in minutes, and all you need is an internet connection.

The majority of telco providers in Australia now provide eSIMs, but before you sign up, be certain your phone is eSIM-compatible. In case you were wondering, eSIM stands for embedded SIM.

Is your phone compatible?

Before purchasing an eSIM, you'll want to ensure your phone can actually handle and download the plan.

Phones produced around 2018-2019 and onwards are eSIM-compatible, although this may vary depending on location and carrier.

You can check a comprehensive list here from Airlo themselves.