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Best way to use a smart phone in Italy?

Posted by on

We have an unlocked smart phone and use a carrier that does not provide service in Italy.

During our stay we would like to use it get to our destinations while walking.

Also, we plan on using a rental car for touring tuscany for 5 days and will be using google maps,
etc.. to find our way around.
When renting the car, the agent mentioned a $40. additional cost for a GPS unit that would be mailed to us.
We did not opt for this because we did not know if this was a good idea, or not? May still be able to add
this option to thecar rental.
Any and all suggestions will be helpful, thanks.

Posted by
5687 posts

Buy a SIM card from TIM or Vodafone. You can also use Google maps "offline" without using mobile data.

Posted by
20 posts

For what it's worth, we didn't have good results with a rental agency provided GPS. On the drive from Pescara back to the rental agency at the Rome Rebbibia metro station, it just kept saying 'calculating, calculating, calculating'. When we arrived back at the rental return (after accidentally going north toward Florence on the Autostrada for an hour long detour) at 1 minute before they closed, the GPS finally said "You are at your destination!" Useless information at that point.

I think you'd be better of with an Italian SIM card in your smartphone. You'll be able to use Google Maps for walking and driving.

Posted by
3302 posts

As suggested, get a SIM card from either TIM or Vodafone. Both have tourist plans for €30. I prefer TIM because it allows more data usage. The phones are great, not only to replace a GPS, but you can access info on the go, contact your hotels if you must, use the maps as you’re walking to a location, making restaurant reservations and a host of other things. Download apps for the areas and services you’ll use.

As far as mapping, both Google Maps and Waze are great. Waze gives you a bit more road info.

Posted by
32396 posts

dg,

If you're using a phone from a carrier that does not provide service in Italy, you'll first have to determine whether the phone is even compatible with GSM / LTE cell systems. Which provider are you with, and which phone are you using?

The easiest solution would be to simply buy a Garmin GPS unit with European maps, as that won't incur any data charges.

I assume you're aware of the usual potentially expensive caveats regarding use of rental cars in Italy?

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