i phones in Ireland

Does the Ifone need to see the internet to do its sat nav voo doo? If so the data usage will eat you alive. If its all off line why would it care which country you are in?

1. All AT&T iPhones will work in Europe. However, you will roaming on AT&T rates, which are high for texts, very high for calls, and astronomical for data (using apps, checking e-mail, web browsing, and so on). Without a special plan, it's something like $0.50 per text, $1.29 per minute, and $20 per megabyte of data. Yes, according to AT&T's own site, watching a 3 minute YouTube video or downloading an e-mail with a 2 MB photo attached will cost you $40!!! 2. You can get various international travel plans from AT&T which will reduce your cost, but only slightly. 3. Verizon iPhone 4S will work in Europe as per #1 and 2 above.
4. Verizon iPhone 4 will not get a cell phone signal, but can be used for WiFi (as can all iPhone models). This is good, because WiFi has no hidden costs; it's either free, or you know what you're paying per hour or per day, but you're not paying by the MB. For GPS (called "sat nav," for satellite navigation, in the British Isles), the problem is that the phone GPS app is constantly downloading map data, over the cell network. So, WiFi won't suffice. And as Nigel said, the data fees will run into hundreds or thousands of dollars. You can download a GPS app for the iPhone, with all the maps stored on your phone. This is not free, and you'll need sufficient storage space on your phone, but at least it's a one-time cost and will work without needing access to the data network. Search this forum for details - someone posted details of which app they used and were pleased with. Or you can just buy a GPS in the US and buy the European maps before you go. If you already own a GPS, just get the European maps for it. This is the easiest way, since you can learn how to use the unit before you go (or you already know how to use it).

Dan, as Harold said, your iPhone will work in Ireland, but data roaming charges are outrageous. Be sure to turn the data roaming off before you get there-it will still work for voice and text and you can get on a free WiFi network lots of places. If you need a sat nav, get one in the States and buy the Europe maps for it before you go.

I agree with the others. If you want to use GPS for driving, buy one in the US and download its Ireland maps. We took our Garmin a couple of weeks ago and it knew EVERYTHING and guided us perfectly as we drove, even on the tiniest roads. I don't think I'll ever travel without it again!

I guess it's what your carrier provides, you can check with them first. We used our Navigon and it helped us, especially when our map (provided by the rental car company) didn't show all the 'R' and 'L' roads, that we always ended up on. Without it we would have felt completely lost. You can check with the rental companies and see how much renting a GPS would cost....I know that Dan Dooley's website will show how much it would be - then you could decide if it really is too expensive vs. buying your own navigation system before you depart. Have a safe trip!

I guess it's what your carrier provides, you can check with them first. We used our Navigon and it helped us, especially when our map (provided by the rental car company) didn't show all the 'R' and 'L' roads, that we always ended up on. Without it we would have felt completely lost. You can check with the rental companies and see how much renting a GPS would cost....I know that Dan Dooley's website will show how much it would be - then you could decide if it really is too expensive vs. buying your own navigation system before you depart. Have a safe trip!