We are traveling to Ireland (Dublin arrival Apl 24th) and would like to know if purchasing sim card for our Samsung Galaxy 5s will allow us to make calls, search for accommodations as we drive around the island, and have access to gps? Suggestions for a provider of sim card are welcome. Is it best to purchase in USA before we go, or is this unnecessary (of no advantage)? Also, is the s5 from Verizon locked or not; and, if locked, do we need to get it unlocked before we are in Ireland?
Posted by
693 posts
If you want to keep data costs down, also consider sygic. It is a gps app for smartphones and works off the phone's inbuilt gps rather than needing a cell phone signal.
Posted by
Home_Sweet_Home :-)
507 posts
Bob,
If you just want the SIM, consider Euro Buzz.com. A SIM sells for $9 & comes w/2 phone #'s. One USA # for you to use before you leave & for calls to/from US, as well as a European # for use in Europe. Charges are made to your cedit card as you go.
There are no monthly charges. Calls are 79 cents/min & outgoinging texts are 79 cents each. Incoming texts are free. I do not use GPS, so call for cost of data.
The phone #'s are yours to keep as long as the company has a valid credit card on file. Just put its away for your next travel.overseas.
Whether you buy your SIM here or overseas you will need to have your phone unlocked by your service company.
Posted by
Gaston, Oregon, USA
931 posts
Yes, your Verizon S5 is unlocked. When we arrived in Dublin city center we just walked to one of the Car Phone Warehouse locations. They had lots of choices/options and completely set the phone up. Best customer service ever!
http://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=sim+cards&find_loc=Dublin