Prepaid sim card for ireland

[kpc]

In a week's time, I'll be in Dublin fo a week, followed by a week driving around Ireland. Looking for a prepaid Sim card for my Samsung phone for data and for a few calls. This sounds not too bad, 7.5 Gb data and unlimited calls, all for 20 euro....probably a lot more than we need!
https://store.meteor.ie/4g/pay-as-you-go (click on "choose your plan")

Any other (cheaper) suggestions?
Thanks

 

[tgh]

We will be close behind you, we set out from Rosslare on the 8th.. have fun

 

[OzEire]

That is not bad. Last Nov I got 2 Vodafone.ie SIMs with similar data and calls (5Gb I think). I got 2 so SWMBO and I could call/txt each other for free which suited our traveling style.

I found Vodafone coverage pretty good, even in the quieter villages. Cant comment on Meteor but my family in DUB warned me not to choose them - their concerns were based on price and poor service on postpaid plans so not really an issue for prepaid.

Just be 100% sure your phone isn't SIM locked by your Aus carrier. Check before you go (put another carrier SIM, borrow it if needs be, into your phone and see if you can make a call). As a double check get the meteor shop to test their prepaid SIM works before you pay/leave the store.

 

[Mal]

Also I assume it doesn't cover roaming from ROI to the UK controlled bit. (you met not be going there anyway)

 

[exceladdict]

I asked my Irish cousin earlier this year and they didn't think there was one that could do both UK (northern Ireland) and republic.

As we landed in Belfast I looked in to buying a UK sim I could take to republic rather than the other way. However at BFS airport, they only had Vodafone and one other. Vodafone was 5 pounds a day flat fee for roaming, the other PAYG but horrible.

My research suggested three were the best bet for roaming to both but I couldn't get a sim for them at the airport so we ended up going without.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Guys don't forget the Vodafone Red Roam All You Can Eat $50 plans here in Australia. You pay $2 for a Vodafone SIM - sign up to a Vodafone $50 monthly plan - then pay $5/day unlimited usage in 47 countries incl England and Ireland - then cancel on your return to Australia and before expiration of your initial 30day contract period. Works perfectly - details of Red Roam here:

International Roaming | Vodafone Australia

 

[medhead]

Guys don't forget the Vodafone Red Roam All You Can Eat $50 plans here in Australia. You pay $2 for a Vodafone SIM - sign up to a Vodafone $50 monthly plan - then pay $5/day unlimited usage in 47 countries incl England and Ireland - then cancel on your return to Australia and before expiration of your initial 30day contract period. Works perfectly - details of Red Roam here:

International Roaming | Vodafone Australia

I saved $2 by going into a shop and sign up on the $50 a month plan.

 

[kpc]

That is not bad. Last Nov I got 2 Vodafone.ie SIMs with similar data and calls (5Gb I think). I got 2 so SWMBO and I could call/txt each other for free which suited our traveling style.

I found Vodafone coverage pretty good, even in the quieter villages. Cant comment on Meteor but my family in DUB warned me not to choose them - their concerns were based on price and poor service on postpaid plans so not really an issue for prepaid.

I just found the vodafone offer...quite similar to Meteor...as we are driving to the countryside, wonder which one will have better coverage...
https://www.vodafone.ie/pay-as-you-go-plans/

Vodafone coverage: http://www.vodafone.ie/coverage/
Meteor coverage: http://www.meteor.ie/internet-coverage/

Also I assume it doesn't cover roaming from ROI to the UK controlled bit. (you met not be going there anyway)

Will be doing a day trip (by bus) from dublin to ROI so will go without data for that day

 

[Peter D]

With a local SIM card roaming charges within Europe are capped and reducing until it they are eventually abolished. I think they are now down to about 23 cents a minute.

 

[OzEire]

With a local SIM card roaming charges within Europe are capped and reducing until it they are eventually abolished. I think they are now down to about 23 cents a minute.

This generally only applies to post paid phone plans, I'd be careful relying on this for prepaid.

Irish post paid phones often have a low call rate in "the north" and also usually the whole UK.

I have heard that some UK phone plans treat Northern Ireland as 'Europe' for roaming !!

 

[Peter D]

This generally only applies to post paid phone plans, I'd be careful relying on this for prepaid.

I agree be sure to check the small print first and don't rely on what we say in the thread. But the EU cap applies to pay as you go as well a plan. The service provider will face fines if they charge more.

E.g Vodafone IE pay as you go charge 23 Euro cents for roaming in Europe. Vodafone UK charge 18 GB pence.

With the roaming cap European cross border travel is not the budget buster it used to be.

I recently went through the exercise of comparing my Ekit travel SIM (of many years) to local SIMs, which with E U roaming caps are now cheaper for within Europe usage.

 

[kpc]

In a week's time, I'll be in Dublin fo a week, followed by a week driving around Ireland. Looking for a prepaid Sim card for my Samsung phone for data and for a few calls. This sounds not too bad, 7.5 Gb data and unlimited calls, all for 20 euro....probably a lot more than we need!
https://store.meteor.ie/4g/pay-as-you-go (click on "choose your plan")

Any other (cheaper) suggestions?
Thanks

I bought the Meteor Sim card for Euro 20 for unlimited calls and 7.5 Gb data for 30 days....4G coverage was good in the major cities but in regional areas there was only patchy 3G coverage so I tended to use the hotel's Wifi where possible but overall no complains...great to make reservations etc and for people to call you back. I still have the Sim card which expires 21 May so if any AFFers in Australia about to head off to Ireland can use it, I'll be happy to send it your way (standard or microsim)

 

[KitKat]

I bought the Meteor Sim card for Euro 20 for unlimited calls and 7.5 Gb data for 30 days....4G coverage was good in the major cities but in regional areas there was only patchy 3G coverage so I tended to use the hotel's Wifi where possible but overall no complains...great to make reservations etc and for people to call you back. I still have the Sim card which expires 21 May so if any AFFers in Australia about to head off to Ireland can use it, I'll be happy to send it your way (standard or microsim)

Hi KPC

Will be in Dublin for a week next month. Just wanted to know where you purchased your Meteor Sim? available at Dublin Airport International? will need a nanosim

Thanks
KitKat

 

[kpc]

Hi KPC

Will be in Dublin for a week next month. Just wanted to know where you purchased your Meteor Sim? available at Dublin Airport International? will need a nanosim

Thanks
KitKat

I bought it in the city: 34 Henry Street Dublin
Store locator: https://www.meteor.ie/store_locator/dublin/

i didn't look at the airport as I was too tired after travelling 30+ hours!

 

[OzEire]

I got a Vodafone sim in one of the suburban stores, no dramas at all. From memory 30 euro lasted a month and had more calls and data than I could ever use.

 

[seanpodge]

There is a small convience/newsagent type shop in arrivals where you can get a prepaid SIM as well. Have bought mine there a couple of times. Looking at the Dublin Airport website, there's a SPAR in both terminals that should sell prepaid SIM cards.

 

[KitKat]

Thanks for the info.... hoping the Emirates Chauffer will wait while I sort this out!