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Dublin Airport offers a wide range of shopping options, from beauty and fragrance to liquor and souvenirs. While you can buy phones and SIM cards at the airport, your options may be limited. There used to be a Vodafone shop in the arrivals area, but it has been closed for some time. You may be able to purchase a prepaid SIM card from the Spar supermarket in Terminal 2 or from various kiosks and convenience stores across the airport. If you need a phone, you may have better luck in the city centre, where you can find cheap phones with prepaid SIM cards in large supermarkets, electronics stores, and mobile phone shops.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| SIM cards available | Yes |
| Phone chargers available | Yes |
| Phone shops | Vodafone shop in arrivals is closed; Spar in Terminal 2 sells SIM cards |
| Phone prices | €20 for a cheap mobile |
| SIM card prices | €25 for a Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 20GB data and unlimited calling and texting |
| eSIMs | Available from $1 USD |
| Location | Dublin Airport Duty Free |
| Purchase options | Click & Collect, buy online, buy in-store |
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What You'll Learn
Dublin Airport has SIM cards for sale
Dublin Airport does sell SIM cards, and it is the easiest, fastest, and most convenient place to buy one on arrival in Ireland. You can buy a SIM card at the Spar supermarket in Terminal 2, and at several kiosks and convenience stores across the airport.
In 2018, you could buy a Vodafone SIM card at the Spar shop in the airport. The shop clerk was reported to be very helpful, installing the card and sending a text to confirm it worked. However, it was noted that the selection of SIMs in stock may be limited, and you may need to recharge almost immediately.
In 2014, it was reported that there was a Vodafone store in Terminal 1, but this has since closed. In Terminal 2, you can get a Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 20GB of data and unlimited calls and texts for €25 EUR ($26 USD).
If your phone is eSIM compatible, you can avoid buying a physical SIM card at the airport. eSIMs are much more convenient as they don't require you to install a new physical SIM card. You simply buy the prepaid eSIM data plan and then install it in a few clicks by scanning a QR code. eSIMs are also cheaper, starting from just $1 USD. For example, a Jetpac eSIM for Ireland gives you 10GB for just $13 USD, and Sim Local has a Lycamobile eSIM with 100GB data for $21.50 USD.
It is worth noting that buying a SIM card at the airport is always a little more expensive than in the city centre.
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Phone shops are available in Dublin city centre
While there are options to buy SIM cards at Dublin Airport, there are a variety of phone shops available in Dublin city centre.
There used to be a Vodafone shop in Terminal 1 of Dublin Airport, but it has since closed. There is a Spar supermarket in Terminal 2 where you can buy a Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 20GB of data and unlimited calls and texts for €25 EUR. You can also buy SIM cards at several kiosks and convenience stores across the airport.
In Dublin city centre, there are plenty of mobile shops. There is a Three store on Grafton Street, and you can also find mobile shops on Henry Street and Grafton Street. There is also a phone shop called Fonecare at Ilac Shopping Centre in Dublin City.
If you are looking to buy a cheap phone, it is recommended to wait until you are in the city, where it is easy to buy a cheap phone with a PAYG SIM in large supermarkets, electric/electronic stores, and mobile phone shops.
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eSIMs are a good option for compatible phones
If your phone is eSIM compatible, you can avoid buying a SIM card at Dublin Airport and opt for an eSIM instead. eSIMs are supported on iPhone XR models and above, excluding iPhones from mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao. Samsung, Google, and Apple flagship smartphones typically support at least one eSIM, and some newer phones may support more. You can also check if your device is eSIM compatible by looking at its settings or specifications. For iPhones, go to Settings > General > About and look for eSIM details.
For example, a Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 20 GB of data and unlimited calling and texting costs €25 EUR at Dublin Airport. In comparison, a Jetpac eSIM for Ireland provides 10 GB of data for only $13 USD. Similarly, Sim Local offers a Lycamobile eSIM with 100 GB of data for $21.50 USD.
It is important to note that eSIMs can only be installed once and cannot be transferred to another phone. Additionally, some phones are tied to specific mobile operators and may not be compatible with eSIMs. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that your phone is unlocked and compatible with eSIM technology before purchasing an eSIM plan.
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Cheap phones are available in Dublin
If you're looking for a cheap phone in Dublin, there are a few options to consider. While you can purchase a phone at Dublin Airport, your options may be limited and it may be more expensive than buying one in town.
One option is to purchase a SIM card at the airport and then buy a cheap phone when you get into the city. You can find SIM cards at Dublin Airport in Terminal 2 at the Spar supermarket and at several kiosks and convenience stores across the airport. A Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 20GB of data and unlimited calling and texting costs €25 EUR. There are also cheaper options available, such as a prepaid SIM card from 48, which offers a free SIM card for those between the ages of 18 and 22.
Once you're in Dublin, you can find cheap phones in large supermarkets, electronic stores, and mobile phone shops. Tesco offers a PAYG SIM card that you can put into an unlocked phone to have an Irish mobile number and make and receive calls with credit top-up. Vodafone Ireland offers the iPhone 16e, the lowest-cost new iPhone, with a starting price of €709.
It's worth considering both the upfront cost of the phone and the ongoing monthly cost of your plan. Capped plans are usually cheaper, but you'll get a set number of minutes, texts, and data and be charged for exceeding limits. SIM-only deals are generally cheaper and more flexible than phone contracts, as you're not paying for a new handset.
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Phone chargers are available at Dublin Airport
If you're looking to purchase phone chargers at Dublin Airport, there are a few options available to you both before and after security.
In Terminal 2, there is a Spar supermarket where you can find phone chargers. Additionally, in Terminal 1, there is a phone shop located in the arrivals area where you may be able to purchase chargers as well.
It is worth noting that past security, there are stores such as Boots, WH Smiths, and Currys that also sell phone chargers. However, prices at these stores may be higher than usual.
While Dublin Airport offers convenience, purchasing phone chargers in the city centre or at other locations might provide a wider range of options and potentially better prices.
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Frequently asked questions
While there are phone shops at Dublin Airport, sources suggest that it is best to buy a cheap phone in town at places like large supermarkets, electric/electronic stores, or mobile phone shops.
There used to be a Vodafone shop at the airport, but it has been closed for a while. You may be able to find a PAYG SIM card at the Spar supermarket in Terminal 2.
There are plenty of mobile shops around the city centre, such as those on Henry St or Grafton St.
You can buy a Vodafone prepaid SIM card with 20 GB data and unlimited calling and texting for €25 EUR ($26 USD) at the Spar supermarket in Terminal 2. You can also buy SIM cards at several kiosks and convenience stores across the airport.
If you go into the city centre, you can buy a SIM card at a Three store for $21 USD.
