International travel is easier than ever. Offline translation and navigation apps are readily available, and booking flights and accommodations can be done online from the comfort of your home. Still, you’ll need internet access upon arrival to order a ride, contact your Airbnb host, update family and friends, and more.
Local carriers often sell SIM cards at international airports, but these usually come with a tourist tax and limited package options. Having traveled from one place to another for the past five years, I’ve found that Airalo is the app I always use to get instant 4G/5G cellular access as soon as I land. Here’s how it works.
### Getting Started with Airalo
Like most online services, when you download the Airalo app on your iPhone for the first time, you’ll need to sign up with your email address. Once you’re in, you can instantly start browsing eSIM packages.
The app’s main tab features a search bar, allowing you to quickly locate the available packages for a specific country or continent. There are also global eSIMs that work in up to 137 countries. So, whether you’re touring multiple regions or heading to a single destination, you should find a package that suits your trip.
### Choosing the Right Package
After selecting the country or region, you’ll see a list of available offers, which are predominantly data-only plans. This suits me perfectly since most of my contacts rely on VoIP and instant messaging apps for communication.
Each plan comes with a set validity period and data allowance. If you need more time or data, you can always top up your active plan easily.
### Easy Purchase and Installation
To proceed with the purchase, simply enter your bank card details. Airalo can optionally save your payment information for faster checkouts in the future.
When planning an international trip, I buy a compatible Airalo eSIM and install it on my iPhone before I depart. All it takes is connecting to a Wi-Fi network and following the straightforward on-screen instructions.
If you haven’t opted for a continental or global eSIM, your plan won’t activate until you land and your iPhone automatically connects to the relevant carrier’s cell tower. This means you can safely install the eSIM in advance and enjoy instant connectivity the moment your airplane lands.
### Reliable Service and User-Friendly Features
I’ve never experienced any issues with Airalo’s service. In fact, when a friend accidentally purchased a package on his incompatible Android phone—despite multiple warnings from the app—the company agreed to issue a full refund.
Thanks to their handy iOS widget, I can quickly glance at my Home Screen to see how much data I have left. Airalo is reliable, convenient, and spares me the hassle of signing up with numerous foreign carriers and paying inflated prices.
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Whether you’re a frequent traveler or planning your next big trip, Airalo offers a seamless way to stay connected internationally without the typical headaches of traditional SIM cards.
https://www.macworld.com/article/2970503/traveling-soon-youll-want-to-download-this-essential-app-before-you-leave.html