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How to Get WiFi in Ireland: Guide for Tourists
10 May 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Ireland is a beautiful country, and whether you’re visiting the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin, the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare, or Kylemore Abbey in County Galway, you’ll likely need a reliable and stable internet connection.
While Ireland’s beauty may tempt you to disconnect from the rest of the world, having internet access as a tourist is crucial. Whether it’s for booking restaurants and hotels, getting directions, or staying connected in an emergency, a reliable and stable internet connection is necessary.
So, if you’re traveling to the Emerald Isle, here are the best ways to stay connected.
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Ireland
4G coverage in Ireland covers over 99% of the country, with 5G coverage over 90%.
Coverage is provided by domestic mobile carriers like 48, An Post Mobile, Clear Mobile, eir Mobile, GoMo, Tesco Mobile, Three, Virgin Mobile, Vodafone, etc.
While most people rent a pocket wifi for the excellent price, speed, and convenience, several other solutions are available for tourists.
Let’s examine them and why you should use them in Eire.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi is a convenient solution for tourists, ensuring you stay connected to the internet while traveling. It operates through a dedicated device connected to a mobile data network, providing a reliable and stable connection wherever you go.
The pocket WiFi device connects to the mobile network and then creates a WiFi network to which you can connect all your other devices (phones, tablets, laptops, etc.).
A pocket WiFi router is typically very small, and various services are available, including Hippocketwifi, Wificandy, Rentconnect, and TravelWifi.
Pros
The advantage of pocket WiFi is that several devices can access the internet through the pocket WiFi router.
This is much easier for families or friends traveling through Ireland than everybody requiring a travel SIM or contracting data roaming. It also means you won’t have to drain your battery tethering a single device.
Cons
The main downside to pocket WiFi is that you must bring another device. However, pocket WiFi is typically quite small (around the size of a smartphone), and since it broadcasts a WiFi network to your other devices, you can keep it in your pocket or a bag.
Cost
Two weeks with Hippocketwifi will cost you €4.90 per day with a 1GB limit or €6.90 per day with unlimited data, making it one of the most affordable and highly recommended pocket WiFi solution for Ireland. You can rent your pocket WiFi in Ireland here with Hippocketwifi.
RentConnect works out at around €7.20 per day for an unlimited connection for 14 days.
TravelWifi offers solutions between €8.25 and €12.25 per day, depending on the data limit.
WifiCandy works out at around €9.90 per day.
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SIM Cards
SIM cards allow your phone to make calls, send and receive messages, and access the internet. Each SIM card is unique and is used to allocate you a phone number.
You can contract data roaming services with your current SIM card or buy a prepaid SIM card when traveling.
Pros
The main advantage of a SIM card is that it’s typically cheaper than data roaming options, can be inserted into your phone, and doesn’t require any additional devices.
Cons
You’ll need to keep your everyday SIM card safe for phones with just one SIM card slot. In this instance, you won’t be reachable on your other phone number. However, people can still contact you via email and web-based solutions like WhatsApp, Messenger, etc.
Not every SIM card will offer WiFi access across Europe, too. For tourists visiting multiple countries, other solutions like pocket WiFi are recommended.
Cost
In Ireland, Three offers prepaid SIM cards for tourists, starting as low as €20 with unlimited data. If you want to save more, you can find a 1GB SIM card for around €5. This affordability ensures you can stay connected without breaking the bank.
Vodafone also offers unlimited 5G data for €20 for 4 weeks.
You can order some of these SIM cards before you arrive in Ireland. Cards can be picked up at Dublin International Airport and some of Ireland’s other airports.
If you don’t buy a prepaid SIM before you arrive, you can also pick them up convenience stores, supermarkets, and gas stations. The providers’ own stores, like Three and Vodafone, also sell prepaid SIMs.
eSIM
An eSIM is a SIM card without the card part. Newer and more modern phones use eSIM technology to do everything a SIM card does while integrating the functionality directly into the phone.
This means that eSIMs can be configured and altered. Instead of removing and inserting different physical SIM cards, you can set up several eSIM cards within your phone, including for roaming.
Most of the most beautiful parts of Ireland are in rural areas and SIM and eSIM solutions, which use your phone’s antenna, won’t be as fast or as stable as the more advanced pocket WiFi solutions.
Pros
The most significant advantage of eSIMs is getting everything done wherever you are. When you buy an eSIM for roaming, you can set it up simply using the settings provided or by scanning a QR code.
Cons
The main downside to eSIMs is that only some phones have them. While their adoption is becoming more widespread, older or cheaper phones might be incompatible with them.
You’ll also need to tether over devices to your phone with the eSIM. This won’t provide as fast a connection as pocket WiFi and it’ll also quickly drain your phones, battery. It’s not an ideal solution for business travelers who need to use their laptops, computers, or tablets.
Cost
Holafly offers 14 days of coverage and unlimited data through an eSIM for €44 or just over €3 per day.
The Airlo Fáilte (“Welcome” in Irish) eSIMs come in various options, from 1GB for 7 days to 20GB for 30 days. The 1GB for 7 days costs just $5, while the 20GB 30-day eSIM is $32.
Data Roaming International Plan
Roaming is when your local mobile carrier provides you with coverage when you travel. They typically achieve this through deals with local mobile carriers in Ireland like Vodafone, Three, Eir, GoMo, Virgin Media, An Post, etc.
Pros
The advantage of international data roaming is that you don’t need to do anything. While it’s recommended that you contract a data roaming plan before you travel, your phone will probably work if you don’t. Though, for reasons you’ll see in a moment, be very careful with data roaming.
Cons
The downside to roaming is the cost and the quality of service. Domestic mobile carriers are notorious for charging users a fortune for international roaming, which is why all these other solutions exist.
Suppose you start using roaming when you arrive in Ireland. In that case, you may be charged thousands on your next phone bill, with some users reporting amounts that wouldn’t even be covered by finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!
Cost
The cost depends on your carrier. As mentioned, it can sometimes be thousands if users haven’t properly contracted a roaming service.
Use Free WiFi
It’s always lovely to see the word “free.” Suppose you have not found any other data solution for traveling around Ireland. In that case, you’ll have to access the internet through public networks.
Rest assured, free WiFi is widely available in Ireland. Many businesses and public buildings offer WiFi to visitors and customers, providing you with a reliable and cost-effective way to stay connected during your trip.
Pros
The only real advantage to free WiFi is that it’s free.
Cons
The downside to free WiFi is that networks in busy areas will likely be slow or unreliable. There’s also the risk that these public networks are unsecured, allowing hackers and scammers to access any sensitive information you send.
Some public WiFi networks are fake networks set up by scammers to steal users’ data.
Cost
Public WiFi is typically free, but some might ask for an email address or other information in return for access.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Ireland Trip
No single solution would be suitable for everyone. A couple on a city break in Dublin would likely need a different browsing solution from a family driving around Ireland’s west coast.
Here are some things to consider before a trip to the Emerald Isle.
Rental Duration
The cost of your internet connection will always depend on how long you need it. The longer the service, the less you’ll usually pay each day.
Remember this when researching, as sites may quote prices for certain periods rather than the actual amount you’ll pay.
Fortunately, most will allow you to calculate the cost before you choose a service.
Connectivity
While some users may be satisfied with occasional coverage, most will want to rely on their internet connection.
Check the service’s connectivity and coverage and be aware of which networks they use.
Data Limit
There are many unlimited data solutions for travelers in Ireland now, and many are affordable.
It can be tempting to pay for unlimited data without worrying about it. Still, those traveling on a budget should look at their typical data usage (you can find this on your devices) and choose cheaper solutions that align with their everyday data usage rather than paying for data they’ll never use.
Usage
How you use the internet will affect which solution you should choose. We recommend that most users opt for 4G connections, which are more than fast enough for browsing the internet, checking email, getting directions, and sending small files.
Business users or groups using several devices through a single connection should use 5G solutions. These are much faster than 4G connections and are great for sending large files, streaming video and video calls, and simultaneously providing a fast connection to many devices.
