When using a U.S. cell phone in Ireland is best option to switch to a local SIM card in the Republic? Will same SIM card also work in Northern Ireland?
Posted by
Mountains of S. Oregon
879 posts
In my last trip, I used GiffGaff for a esim, and used a "local" UK number. The EU changed the rules so GiffGaff only works IF you connect in the UK (momentarily), then it works in the EU for 60 days.
This trip (leaving for Dublin in two hours), I pre-purchased a "data only" esim. Many vendors - I went with Maya. They assure me that I can make calls/texts with just their data plan if my carrier supports wifi calling (which I use at home). If it turns out they fibbed, I'll go to the Three Store near our hotel and get an esim with a +353 number.
I don't use texting/calling very much, so it is no big deal if I can't talk to home. BUT there are no vendors that will ship a full esim to a US address, so it was a choice between "try the data esim" or "get a new phone number upon arrival in Dublin". The latter is clumsier and I do worry about unexpected multi-level--authentication issues with the new number if I don't know it before departure.
I'll report about the wifi calling ability in a day or two.