Ever struggled to get from the airport to your hotel or hostel when traveling to a different continent or a country outside of your phone plan? Staying connected can be expensive, stressful, and confusing, and getting a local SIM card is the last thing you want to deal with after a long flight.
I discovered Airalo and eSIMs for the first time before my six-week backpacking trip through Southeast Asia in 2024. I traveled through Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka. I knew that changing countries usually meant changing SIM cards at every destination, and I was already dreading the hassle. Luckily, I discovered Airalo eSIM, which I quickly came to see as one of the best travel hacks for modern travellers.
Airalo is a digital eSIM, which means there’s no need to buy, swap, or store physical SIM cards. You simply download the eSIM, activate it, and you’re connected straight from your phone when you land. Airalo covers 200+ countries and regions, meaning you can use the same platform whether you’re traveling in Southeast Asia, Europe, Australia, or beyond. Even better, their regional plans mean you don’t have to change SIMs every time you cross a border.
Using Airalo made me feel safe and connected throughout my entire journey, without having to worry about directions or whether I could contact friends and family when I needed to. If you’re planning your next backpacking trip or tour, getting an eSIM beforehand is a total game changer.
