eSIM for Ireland & Slovenia

This plan covers the Republic of Ireland and Slovenia on one eSIM, using Vodafone and Three in Ireland and A1, Telemach and Telekom Slovenije's network in Slovenia. Both have good 4G and growing 5G in towns. Watch the borders: Northern Ireland, Italy, Austria and Croatia are not included, and Slovenia's resorts sit very close to them.

Two small countries joined by one flight connection: four days in Dublin and the Irish west coast, then six in Slovenia moving from Ljubljana to the Julian Alps lakes, down through the Karst caves to the Adriatic town of Piran.

Length

10 days

Bases

5

When to go Late May to September suits both halves, with long Irish evenings and warm Slovenian lakes; July and August are busiest at Bled and Piran, while September is quieter and still mild.

1. 01

   Day 1 Dublin

   Dublin: Trinity College and Georgian Dublin

   See the Book of Kells and the Long Room at Trinity College, then walk Grafton Street to St Stephen's Green and the Georgian squares around Merrion Square. In the afternoon, visit the National Museum of Archaeology on Kildare Street. Finish with an evening along the Liffey quays and the Ha'penny Bridge.

   Signal Strong 4G and 5G on Vodafone or Three across central Dublin.

2. 02

   Day 2 Dublin

   Dublin: Kilmainham and Howth

   Book ahead for a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol, then walk to the Guinness Storehouse or visit Christchurch and St Patrick's cathedrals. In the late afternoon, take the DART along Dublin Bay to Howth and walk the cliff path round the headland, returning for dinner by the harbour.

   Signal Good across Dublin and on the DART; the Howth cliff path is mostly covered with a few weak spots below the cliffs.

3. 03

   Day 3 Galway

   Galway and the Cliffs of Moher

   → Irish Rail or coach from Dublin, about 2.5 hours.

   Take an early train or coach to Galway, then join a day tour or local bus through the Burren's limestone country to the Cliffs of Moher, walking the cliff path for the views. Back in Galway, wander the Latin Quarter, Quay Street and the Spanish Arch in the evening.

   Signal Good on the motorway and in Galway; patchy across the Burren and along parts of the cliff path. Do not drive north into Northern Ireland on this plan: it is not covered.

4. 04

   Day 4 Galway

   Connemara

   Drive or take a tour west through Connemara, past Lough Corrib and Maam Cross to Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian walled garden. Continue to Clifden and the Sky Road loop for the Atlantic views. Return to Galway, or stay near Dublin Airport ready for tomorrow's early flight.

   Signal Connemara has long stretches with weak or no signal, especially between Maam Cross and Clifden; download an offline map in Galway.

5. 05

   Day 5 Ljubljana

   Fly to Ljubljana

   → Flights via a European hub, typically 4 to 6 hours including the connection. Airport shuttle or bus to the city, about 30 to 45 minutes.

   Fly from Dublin to Ljubljana, usually with one change at a hub such as London, Frankfurt, Munich or Zurich; check for any seasonal direct flights. In the evening, walk through the old town along the Ljubljanica river, crossing the Triple Bridge and the Dragon Bridge, and see Prešeren Square.

   Signal Your eSIM will not carry data during a transit stop in the UK, Germany or Switzerland, which are not on this plan. On landing, your phone joins A1, Telemach or Telekom Slovenije.

6. 06

   Day 6 Ljubljana

   Ljubljana: the castle and the central market

   Start at the Central Market and the Plečnik arcades, then take the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for the view towards the Alps. In the afternoon, walk through Tivoli Park and visit the Plečnik House or the National Gallery. Have dinner along the river embankments.

   Signal Good 4G and growing 5G throughout the city, including on the castle hill.

7. 07

   Day 7 Bled

   Lake Bled and the Vintgar Gorge

   → Bus from Ljubljana to Bled, about 1 hour 20 minutes.

   Take the bus to Bled. Walk the Vintgar Gorge boardwalks in the morning, then walk round the lake and take a pletna boat to the island church. Climb up to Bled Castle in the late afternoon for the view of the island, and try the local cream cake.

   Signal Good around the lake and in Bled; weaker in the depths of the Vintgar Gorge.

8. 08

   Day 8 Bled

   Lake Bohinj and the Savica waterfall

   → Bus from Bled to Bohinj, about 40 minutes.

   Take the bus to Lake Bohinj inside Triglav National Park. Walk to the Savica waterfall, then ride the Vogel cable car for views over the lake and the Julian Alps. Spend the afternoon walking the lake's quiet north shore or swimming, and return to Bled in the evening.

   Signal Good in Ribčev Laz and at the cable car stations; patchy on the Savica path and the north shore. If you head over the Vršič Pass, your phone may pick up Italian or Austrian networks, which are not covered.

9. 09

   Day 9 Piran

   Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle

   → Train or bus from Ljubljana or Bled to Postojna, then onward by bus or car to Piran, about 1.5 hours.

   Travel south to Postojna Cave and ride the underground train into its chambers, then visit Predjama Castle, built into a cliff face nearby. Continue to the coast in the late afternoon and walk Piran's Tartini Square and the harbour.

   Signal No signal inside Postojna Cave, so save your tickets first. Good in Piran's old town.

10. 10

    Day 10 Piran

    Piran and the Slovenian coast

    Climb the bell tower of St George's Church and walk the town walls for the view over the Gulf of Trieste. In the afternoon, visit the Sečovlje Salina Nature Park salt pans or walk the coastal path to Strunjan's cliffs. Return to Ljubljana Airport, about two hours away, for your flight home.

    Signal Good in Piran, but near the borders your phone may latch onto an Italian or Croatian network, which this plan does not cover. If data stops, choose a Slovenian network manually.