Ruth Haines
Buying a SIM card at the airport is a popular option for visitors who want an internet connection as soon as they arrive in Ireland. While it is possible to buy a SIM card at Dublin Airport, prices are often higher than in city stores and the selection is more limited. If your phone is eSIM compatible, you may prefer to get an eSIM instead. However, if you do want to buy a SIM card at Dublin Airport, there are several options.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ease of purchase | Dublin Airport is the easiest, fastest and most convenient place to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Ireland. |
| Terminal 1 shops | WH Smith, Left Luggage store, and SIM Local |
| Terminal 2 shops | SPAR, baggage wrap kiosk downstairs at Departures |
| Carriers | Lycamobile, Vodafone Ireland, and Three |
| Price | €25-30 EUR ($27.50-33 USD) |
| Data | Unlimited data with Three, 20 GB with Vodafone |
| Other options | eSIMs, Lyca, Eir, Orange Holiday Zen, and other city-centre shops |
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What You'll Learn
Terminal 1 vs Terminal 2
If you're looking to buy a SIM card at Dublin Airport, there are a few options available to you across both terminals.
Terminal 1
In Terminal 1, you can purchase a SIM card from the WH Smith shop or the Left Luggage store, which are located either to the right or left of the arrival hall. You can purchase a Three Ireland SIM card at the WH Smith shop, which offers unlimited data within Ireland and 8 GB of data for roaming in the EU, as well as unlimited SMS within Ireland for 30 days, all for €30 EUR ($33 USD).
Terminal 2
In Terminal 2, the most convenient place to buy a SIM card is the SPAR convenience store, located next to the entrance of the arrival hall. There is also a small baggage wrap kiosk downstairs at Departures that sells prepaid SIM cards for tourists. The Vodafone Ireland prepaid SIM card can be purchased at SPAR and offers 20 GB of data, unlimited calling, and texting for €25 EUR ($27.5 USD).
Comparison
While both terminals offer SIM cards, Terminal 1 has more options, including the highly recommended Three Ireland SIM card with unlimited data. Terminal 2 primarily caters to intercontinental flights, and while the walk between terminals is not far, it may be more convenient to purchase a SIM card from the SPAR store in Terminal 2 upon arrival, especially if you are travelling with a lot of luggage or are pressed for time.
It is worth noting that prices at the airport may be more expensive than in the city centre, and only physical SIM cards are available for purchase at the airport. If your phone is eSIM compatible, you may want to consider getting an eSIM, which can be purchased for as little as $1 USD and offers more competitive rates.
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Prepaid SIM cards
There are two terminals at Dublin Airport: Terminal 1 is mostly used for European flights and Terminal 2 for intercontinental flights. There are more opportunities to buy a SIM card at Terminal 1 than Terminal 2. At Terminal 1, you can buy an Ireland SIM card at the WH Smith shop and the Left Luggage store. These shops are located to the right and left of the arrival hall.
At Terminal 2, the most convenient place to buy a SIM card is the SPAR convenience store, located directly next to the entrance of the arrival hall. There is also a baggage wrap kiosk downstairs at Departures that sells prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
The main providers at Dublin Airport are Lycamobile, Vodafone Ireland, and Three. At SPAR, you can find Vodafone Ireland SIM cards. A Vodafone Ireland prepaid SIM card with 20GB of data, unlimited calling, and texting costs €25 EUR ($27.5 USD).
If you are looking for a great prepaid SIM card, Three is a good option. However, it can only be purchased at Terminal 1. For €30 EUR ($33 USD), you will get unlimited data.
It is important to note that prices at the airport are often more expensive than buying at stores in the city, and the selection may be more limited. If your phone is eSIM compatible, you may want to consider getting an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card.
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eSIM cards
If your phone is eSIM compatible, you can skip buying a physical SIM card at Dublin Airport and get an eSIM instead. eSIMs are digital SIM cards that don't require physical delivery or insertion. They can be more convenient than physical SIM cards as they allow you to keep your home number active while using mobile data.
There are several providers that offer eSIMs for Ireland, including Jetpac, Sim Local, Lycamobile, Holafly, and Gigago. Prices for eSIMs start from as little as $1 USD and can go up to $21.50 USD for 100 GB of data. For example, a Jetpac eSIM for Ireland gives you 10 GB of data for $13 USD.
You can order an eSIM online before your trip and have it activated before departure or as soon as you land. Most providers will send you a QR code via email to scan and activate your eSIM.
While you can buy physical SIM cards at Dublin Airport, they may be more expensive than those found in the city centre. Additionally, only certain terminals sell SIM cards, and the selection may be limited.
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Convenience stores
One popular convenience store at Dublin Airport is SPAR. SPAR has multiple locations within the airport, including a store in Terminal 2, which is conveniently located next to the entrance of the arrival hall. This makes it an easily accessible option for travellers arriving at the airport.
The SPAR store in Terminal 2 offers a variety of SIM card options, including Vodafone Ireland SIM cards. The staff at SPAR are known to be helpful and can assist customers in installing their SIM cards and ensuring they work correctly. In addition to SPAR, there are also other convenience stores and kiosks located throughout the airport that sell SIM cards from various providers.
In Terminal 1, travellers can find SIM cards at the WH Smith shop and the Left Luggage store, which are both conveniently located near the arrival hall. Additionally, there is a baggage wrap kiosk in the departures area that sells prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
While purchasing a SIM card at the airport is convenient, it is important to note that prices may be higher than in stores located in the city centre. However, convenience stores at Dublin Airport provide a range of options to meet the needs of travellers looking to stay connected during their stay in Ireland.
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Roaming charges
At Dublin Airport, you can purchase a SIM card from various outlets, depending on your terminal. If you arrive at Terminal 1, you can buy an Irish SIM card at the WH Smith shop or the Left Luggage store, both located near the arrival hall. There is also a SIM Local store in the arrivals hall of Terminal 1, offering various plans.
For those arriving at Terminal 2, the SPAR convenience store directly next to the entrance of the arrival hall is the most convenient option. Additionally, there is a baggage wrap kiosk downstairs at Departures that sells prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
The SIM cards offered by these outlets typically include free data roaming within Europe. However, it is essential to inquire about any limitations or restrictions on EU data roaming before purchasing.
If you prefer an eSIM, there are several options available, such as Jetpac and Sim Local, which offer affordable plans with generous data allowances.
By choosing either a prepaid SIM card or an eSIM, you can effectively avoid incurring high roaming charges during your stay in Ireland.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several places to buy a SIM card at Dublin Airport. In Terminal 1, you can purchase one at the WH Smith shop or the Left Luggage store. In Terminal 2, you can find SIM cards at the SPAR convenience store next to the entrance of the arrival hall. There is also a baggage wrap kiosk downstairs at Departures in Terminal 2 that sells prepaid SIM cards for tourists.
Buying a SIM card at Dublin Airport is a convenient way to get connected as soon as you arrive in Ireland. It can help you stay connected during your trip, access mobile train tickets, use Google Maps for directions, and stay in touch with friends and family.
SIM cards purchased at the airport may be more expensive and have limited selections compared to buying them in stores in the city centre.
The main providers at Dublin Airport include Lycamobile, Vodafone Ireland, and Three. Prepaid SIM cards are available, and you can expect to pay around €25-€30 for plans with data, calling, and texting options.
Yes, if you have an eSIM-compatible phone, you can consider purchasing an eSIM before your trip. eSIMs offer more affordable and flexible options, and you can find various plans from providers like Orange Holiday and Three. Additionally, you can explore mobile shops in the city centre, such as those on Henry Street or Grafton Street, for a wider range of options and technical support.
