One sim card two countries?
Apr 27, 2017, 4:30 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 68
One sim card two countries?
I am traveling to England, Ireland and Scotland soon and I am confused about the sim cards.
I have an unlocked iphone 7 and know that I can go to a store and buy a sim card for the UK. I don't know if that card will also work in Ireland or if I need to buy another one when I get to Dublin.
I primarily need it for data, to use maps, we will use wifi for any texts and whatsapp for calls back to the states.
I would guess that the only calls would be to hotels if we are running late or something along those lines.
Will one card work for both countries? How much data do you think I will need for 2 weeks total? Is it as easy as popping the sim in and off we go?
Thanks for the help
I have an unlocked iphone 7 and know that I can go to a store and buy a sim card for the UK. I don't know if that card will also work in Ireland or if I need to buy another one when I get to Dublin.
I primarily need it for data, to use maps, we will use wifi for any texts and whatsapp for calls back to the states.
I would guess that the only calls would be to hotels if we are running late or something along those lines.
Will one card work for both countries? How much data do you think I will need for 2 weeks total? Is it as easy as popping the sim in and off we go?
Thanks for the help
Apr 27, 2017, 11:46 pm
#2
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: London
Posts: 1,546
Is it as easy as popping in the SIM? Yes. That's it.
You don't need data for maps. There are loads of map applications that enable you to download maps (over wifi) before departure then you can use the app (without the need to have a signal or use any data).
You haven't said where you'll be travelling to along the way. In very rural areas, you may only get a 2G signal which is hopeless for data (or no signal at all), another reason to use off line maps.
You don't need data for maps. There are loads of map applications that enable you to download maps (over wifi) before departure then you can use the app (without the need to have a signal or use any data).
You haven't said where you'll be travelling to along the way. In very rural areas, you may only get a 2G signal which is hopeless for data (or no signal at all), another reason to use off line maps.
Apr 28, 2017, 7:23 pm
#3
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 70
If you must have a sim card (eg you don't want to depend on wifi) then I'd recommend Three pay as you go. Ireland is one of Three's Feel at Home roaming countries which means you can use your pay as you go allowance free while traveling in Ireland. That would allow you to use one sim card for both countries. I've used them before, I find their coverage to be adequate though not spectacular and their prices to be reasonable. Their sims are also widely available at most high street supermarkets and many shops.
Apr 28, 2017, 8:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,928
I have a UK Three SIM and I have used it in Ireland. Coverage seemed to be quite adequate. They also operate in Ireland which might help. OP can buy a SIM and a top up at the airport and be in business immediately. You get 500 MB free with a top up but may wish to buy an add-on to get an allowance.
Apr 29, 2017, 2:31 am
#5
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,307
The OP doesn't say when he/she is travelling, but as of 15th June this year there will be no roaming charges across the EU, so any company with a good deal and coverage will do.
Apr 29, 2017, 11:32 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
Posts: 68
Thanks for the replies! We are going to London and Edinburgh and then going to Dublin, Belfast, Donegal, Sligo and then back to Dublin. We are traveling in September so no roaming sounds great to me. I have downloaded a few offline maps, but I like the security of data just in case. Looks like Three is the way to go, I was thinking of picking up a sim card near our hotel.
Apr 29, 2017, 11:39 am
#7
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: MSN
Programs: AA, BAEC Gold
Posts: 3,928
Thanks for the replies! We are going to London and Edinburgh and then going to Dublin, Belfast, Donegal, Sligo and then back to Dublin. We are traveling in September so no roaming sounds great to me. I have downloaded a few offline maps, but I like the security of data just in case. Looks like Three is the way to go, I was thinking of picking up a sim card near our hotel.
Apr 29, 2017, 1:08 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: LON, ACK, BOS..... (Not necessarily in that order)
Programs: **Mucci Diamond Hairbrush** - compared to that nothing else matters (+BA Bronze)
Posts: 15,127
There's a lot more information in this thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...and-wales.html
Apr 30, 2017, 1:13 pm
#9
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: LH SEN; BA Gold
Posts: 8,405
Isn't going to matter anyway. By the time OP travels, EU roaming costs will be slashed and from what I'm hearing you'll be able to use your plan abroad anyway.
May 1, 2017, 8:34 pm
#10
Join Date: Feb 2017
Posts: 70
Yes, I realise that (and as someone else already pointed out above), however as the OP didn't specify a time period for traveling except for "soon", I'm giving information as it would apply today.