Traveling soon? You’ll want to download this essential app before you leave

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, etc.

Local carriers often sell SIM cards at international airports, but these usually come with a tourist tax and limited package options. I’ve been traveling from one place to another for the past five years, and Airalo is the app I always use to get instant 4G/5G cellular access as soon as I land. Here’s how it works.

Like with most online services, when you download the Airalo app on your iPhone for the first time, you’ll have to sign up with your email address. Once you’re in, you can instantly start eSIM shopping. The app’s main tab features a search bar, letting you quickly locate the available packages for a certain 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 covers your trip.

Foundry

After choosing the country or region, you get to view a list of available offers, which are predominantly data-only. This doesn’t bother me in the slightest, as all of my contacts primarily rely on VoIP and IM apps anyway. Each pack features a specific validity period and consumption quota, and you can always top up your active plan if you need more time or data. To proceed with the purchase, you simply enter your bank card details—and Airalo can optionally store them for faster checkouts in the future.

When I’m planning an international trip, I buy a compatible Airalo eSIM and install it on my iPhone before I depart. All it takes is joining a Wi-Fi network and following the straightforward on-screen instructions. Assuming 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. So, you can safely install the eSIM in advance and enjoy the convenience of instant connectivity the moment your airplane lands.

I’ve never experienced any issues with Airalo’s service, and when my friend unwittingly bought a package on his incompatible Android phone (ignoring the app’s multiple warnings), the company agreed to fully refund him. And thanks to their iOS widget, I can quickly glance at my Home Screen to find out how much data I still have left. It’s reliable and convenient, and it spares me from needing to sign up with numerous foreign carriers and pay marked-up prices.