Best Tourist Sim Cards in Ireland in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Ireland across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
Menu
If you’re planning a trip to Ireland, having a reliable means of communication is essential. Access to the internet while traveling makes navigating new cities a breeze, allowing you to easily find the best restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share memories with your loved ones in real-time.
While roaming is an option, the international fees can quickly accumulate. Therefore, we highly recommend either opting for an eSIM or purchasing a local SIM card to take advantage of local phone rates. Thankfully, obtaining an eSIM or local SIM card in Ireland is incredibly straightforward, but it’s beneficial to know which option is best for you.
This comprehensive guide is designed to provide you with all the information you need to know about buying a SIM card in Ireland, including up-to-date pricing and the ultimate SIM card choice for your needs.
There are three mobile network operators in Ireland, Three, Vodafone and Eir, which all offer basically identical prepaid sim cards. They also all have very extensive coverage across Ireland and reliable signal wherever your travels take you.
I consider all three prepaid sim cards to be perfect (and basically the same) for visitors to Ireland and suggest you pick up the one that is most conveniently located near your hotel. If you require EU roaming, however, Eir has a higher data limit so could be a better option.
If you don’t require unlimited data or EU roaming then I would say the best sim card in Ireland is actually the Airalo Ireland eSim. For around the same price (20 Euros) you get 10GB data but you gain the convenience of not having to visit a store and install a physical sim card.
A Tourist Sim Card in Ireland costs 20 EUR in March 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Ireland will cost between $5 USD and $32 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Ireland which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $13 USD.
In Ireland, the main sim card providers are Three, Vodafone and Eir Mobile. Ireland is unique in the sense that all three mobile networks are essentially identical – at least from the perspective of a tourist.
No matter which one you choose, you’ll get access to good internet speeds and reliable coverage all over the country. You’ll also get to choose from their tourist sim cards which are identical across the three brands costing the same and offering similar data caps.
If you want something a bit cheaper, then your best bet is to look at an eSim with lower data caps such as Airalo. This is not only cheaper but also more convenient than sorting out a sim card when you arrive.
Three is actually the largest telco company in Ireland with a 47% marketshare. Despite this, I haven’t seen, heard or experienced anything to suggest their network is better than their competitors.
You’ll get exceptional coverage nationwide with a Three prepaid tourist sim card and their plans are competitively priced making them a perfect pick for tourists looking to purchase a physical sim card in ireland.
The price of a Three tourist sim card in Ireland is 20 EUR.
The plan offered by Three stores includes unlimited 5G data + 19GB EU roaming + 60 minutes calls + unlimited texts valid for 28 days.
Similar to Three, Vodafone is also one of the largest telecommunications companies in Ireland. Their mobile network offers extensive coverage and reliable network services that ensure you will be connected all throughout the country.
Their tourist sim card plans are as affordable (or expensive) as their competitors and the overall experience is equal. Consider opting for Vodafone if it’s more convenient for you, such as if there is a store near your hotel.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Ireland is 20 EUR.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores offers unlimited data + unlimited calls & texts valid for 28 days.
Eir Mobile is a lot smaller than Vodafone and Three, however, their mobile network is equally extensive with fast 5G internet speeds.
Their tourist sim cards are again identical to their competitors and offer plenty of data at a reasonable price.
The price of a Eir Mobile tourist sim card in Ireland is 20 EUR.
The plan offered by Eir Mobile stores includes unlimited 5G data + unlimited calls & texts + 27.2GB EU roaming valid for 28 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Ireland: Three, Vodafone and Eir Mobile are your best options in Ireland.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Ireland. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Ireland to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Three, Vodafone or Eir Mobile staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Three that includes unlimited 5G data + 19GB EU roaming + 60 minutes calls + unlimited texts for 20 EUR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay 20 EUR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Ireland at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Ireland then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Ireland have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Three, Vodafone and Eir Mobile. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Ireland are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Ireland with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Ireland. The Airalo Ireland eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $13 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Ireland without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Ireland is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Ireland and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Ireland eSim uses the Three and Eir networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Three and Eir networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Ireland.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Ireland eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $13 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $32 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $13 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Ireland eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Ireland eSim uses the Vodafone Ireland/Three Irelandnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Ireland
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Ireland eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
The eSIM, also known as the embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that comes already integrated into devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Unlike the regular physical SIM cards, there is no need to physically insert or remove anything from the device.
The eSIM is built into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This means that users can easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of swapping SIM cards.
The eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, particularly for frequent travelers or those constantly changing networks or traveling internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it much more convenient to handle multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate the eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device connects to the chosen mobile network, providing regular voice, data, and messaging services just like a physical SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
© Travel Sim Expert – Designed by us.
