I don’t think I realized the importance knowing how to use my phone in Ireland until my husband and I had scheduled a trip at the same time my sister was due to have a baby. Typically, we email our families to check in when we are away, but that just wasn’t going to cut it this time. I had to talk to my family.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t really do my research about using my phone in Ireland as much as I probably should have. I had recently rented an international cell phone when I led a group of students to Central America. It worked fairly well then, so I thought it would be fine for our time in Ireland.
On the 6th day of our trip, I got a muffled message from home. While I couldn’t quite make out what my mother said, I assumed it had to the good news. We were on the Aran Islands and reception wasn’t clear. To be fair, the reception might have been bad on any phone carrier since I was on an 8.5-mile wide island in the Atlantic. I couldn’t wait to call back and hear all the details.
Inis Mor, Aran Islands
However, it wasn’t until several hours later after we figured out all our pins and passcodes and found a sweet spot at our B&B that I was finally able to talk to my mom.
The baby had arrived! Mother and son were doing great. It was beyond comforting to talk with my family and be a part of this moment of joy from 3000 miles away.
Had I known then, what I know now–it would have been a lot easier to communicate home. Here are 7 ways you can use your phone in Ireland.
Option # 1: International Calling Plan with Your Current Cell Phone Provider
Best for: Those not planning to make and receive phone calls or use data in Ireland, but want emergency back-up.
The most convenient of options is to contact your current cell phone provider to see what international calling plans are available to you. Most have at least one, if not several international plans. The type of phone you have will dictate if you can use it overseas. If yours isn’t compatible with the European network—GSM, some cell phone companies will send one to you if you’re traveling for less than three weeks.
Using your current provider’s international plan is usually the most expensive option if there is more than one person or one device turning on an international plan. Most major providers have global plans that run $10 a day for “unlimited” data, calls and texts.
You do have to be a little bit careful about how much data you use each day. Not that you will run out, but rather that after 2GB, you’re likely to get throttled back to 3G or slower speeds.
Option #2: Unlocked Phone with SIM Card
Best for: Those who want to have an inexpensive way to call Ireland and the US and are happy to top up as needed.
One way to get around paying your current provider is using an unlocked GSM cell phone. Unlocked phones allow the freedom of not being tethered to one particular provider or phone plan.
Most phones issued in the US are now unlocked and compatible with the GSM cell phone network.
With your unlocked phone, you can buy a pre-paid SIM card to use in country. In Ireland you can purchase SIM cards at the airport (SPAR at the Dublin Airport), local grocery stores (TESCO specifically), or cell phone stores.
Your SIM card may be a physical card you place into your phone but if you don’t have a SIM card slot on your phone you can also purchase a digital one.
Once the SIM card is in place, you now have a local phone number and will be able to make and receive calls. Top up your data and minutes with your credit card.
A couple of Ireland cell phone providers include Vodafone, Three, TESCO. Use the find a store function on the websites to find the nearest location to your first night’s stay.
Option #3: Buy a Phone in Ireland
Best for: Those who want to have an inexpensive cell phone to call locally and internationally; those who will return to Ireland and use the phone again.
Similar to using an unlocked phone, you can easily pick up a cheap cell phone in Ireland when you arrive. Some at TESCO are as little as €20.00. Once you have your phone with a pre-paid SIM card, you can use your phone in to call in Ireland and the US.
Option #4: Mobile Hotspot
Stay connected with a WiFi hotspot.
Best for: Those who want or need to be connected to the internet throughout their trip.
If you want unlimited, local, reliable data for multiple devices you can opt to have your very own mobile hotspot.
What is a Wifi hotspot for my phone in Ireland?
Essentially, a WiFi hotspot is a small device that you simply turn on whenever you want WiFi. You can connect several devices at once and use it throughout your trip (in the car, at a cafe, pub, a B&B, you get the idea) for everything you need–navigation, messaging, calls, looking up entry times on the fly, finding the best restaurant in a new town–you get the idea.
I have gotten spoiled by our WiFicandy hotspot over the years and I don’t think I’ll ever travel to Ireland without it.
WiFicandy is a small, woman-owned business based out of Dublin. They have amazing customer service and are simply a delight to work with. We recommend them to all our travel planning and management clients.
How does my hotspot work?
You can pick up your device at the Dubiln Airport or have it mailed to your first night’s accommodations. When you turn it on, you navigate to the settings to get the WiFi security code to enter on your phone or tablet (just like you do when you connect to any new WiFi network.
And that’s it. Easy peasy unlimited data for my phone, my hubby’s phone, the iPad and my laptop (when you travel to Ireland for work–the laptop becomes necessary, but I think it is a sacrifice I can manage ).
The WiFi device comes with a prepaid envelope so you can pop it back any Irish post box (there is one at the airport). Or you can give it to your accommodations to mail for you on your last morning.
For 10% off your WifiCandy hotspot, use the discount code STEPHANIE (affiliate).
eSim with WiFicandy
One thing that’s also good to mention is that WiFicandy also has an eSim option.
Like the SIM cards mentioned above, you simply enter the digital number on your phone for a flexible amount of data (you decide). While it doesn’t offer talk or text like the traditional SIM card, if you’re looking for reliable, inexpensive data with no device to pick up or return involved this is a great option.
For 10% off your eSim card, use the discount code IRE2024 (affiliate link).
Option #5: Skype
One of the easiest and cheapest way to stay connected.
Best for: Those who have unlimited data; those that want to inexpensively call land lines over WiFi
Skype is an easy app that can be used on a smartphone, iPad or desktop computer to talk with people anywhere in the world. There are two easy ways to use Skype:
Free Skype
Video call or voice call someone else who also has a Skype account. All you need to do is sign up for a Skype account and be sure the recipient has one too. As long as you have an internet connection you can talk for as long as you like. If you have never used Skype before create an account before you go and do a test run. Both the caller and receiver will need to have Skype open or running to send or receive calls.
Pre-Paid Skype
Call a cell phone or landline with pre-paid minutes purchased with your Skype account (recipient does not have to have Skype to do this). If you want others to get in touch with you at any time, Skype has a voice mail service. If someone leaves you a voicemail, you will receive a text to whichever phone number you designate indicating you have received a new voice mail.
I use Skype to call Ireland when I’m in the States. It saves me from having charges from my cell phone carrier for calling internationally and they have some of the least expensive rates out there. I put $10.00 on my Skype account and top up when I need to.
The only downside of Skype is that you do need to have internet access to make or receive calls.
Option #6: WhatsApp
Best for: Those who have unlimited data
WhatsApp is a popular text messaging and call app. It is widely popular in the US and Ireland and likely if you’re trying to get a hold of someone you can try to WhatsApp them.
Similar to Skype and Google Voice, it’s a free service to send text messages or make calls to others who also have WhatsApp downloaded.
Option #7: Google Voice
Best for: Those who have a WiFi device and want to receive voice messages from family and friends; not great for those who need to accept or make phone calls immediately.
Google Voice is another option like Skype or WhatsApp to call for free or inexpensively over WiFi.
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I don’t think I realized the importance knowing how to use my phone in Ireland until my husband and I had scheduled a trip at the same time my sister was due to have a baby. Typically, we email our families to check in when we are away, but that just wasn’t going to cut…
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