I'll be landing in Rome on Friday, September 18th with an unlocked cellphone from home. First we'll be driving to Agropoli, about 1.5 hours south of Amalfi Coast and after a week in Agropoli, we'll be driving back to spend a few days in Rome. So, I need to be able to use my cellphone in both Agropoli and in Rome. If I get my SIM card in Rome, will that number be long distance in Agropoli? I would appreciate any suggestions on the best way to handle this.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
Rhonda I was in Italy in July and purchased a sim card for my cell phone (purchased in Italy on a previous trip) in Venice. Price for calls was .16 Euro/minute for calls within Italy, .50 Euros/min. for calls to the states and all incoming free regardless of where they are from including the states. I didn't ask how much the calls to other European countries were but they would be more than calls within Italy. If you are traveling to other countries it is usually cheaper per minute to buy a SIM card for the country you are in.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Rhonda,
If you purchase a SIM card in Rome, any incoming calls should be free. Regarding outgoing calls, AFAIK any calls within Italy will not incur any roaming charges (hopefully Ron or someone else in Italy can confirm that). I don't know if the European networks set a "home area" as we do in North America.
Depending on the SIM card you purchase, you may have to present your Passport and register. You might want to check the websites for the Italian networks (TIM, Vodaphone and Wind) to get some idea on the different products (although these will be in Italian, you should be able to get a rough idea).
Good luck!
Posted by
OP
Thornhill, Ontario, Canada
8 posts
Thank you for your answers. I will buy a SIM card at the Smartphone centre in the Fiumicino airport and a phone card at the Tabacchi. I already bought my sons two calling cards from Canada, one of them can be used for the cellphone (very expensive but I can call them right back and it won't cost as much) and another to make calls to the hotel which is a lot cheaper.
I'm trying to think of everything. Have I missed anything, as far as you can tell??? :p
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32213 posts
Rhonda,
One other point that just occurred to me. Which cell phone network are you with at home? As you have an unlocked quad-band GSM phone (from home), that would seem to indicate either Rogers or Fido?
In the past I've always travelled using "roaming" with Rogers, but recently they've increased their rates quite significantly so I may consider one of the "travel SIM's" on future trips (Call In Europe, Cellular Abroad, Roam Simple, Telestial, Mobal, etc.). As you'll be in Rome in two days, that won't be an option for you this trip, but something to consider on future trips. The nice thing about the "travel SIM's" is that the rates are consistent in most of the western European countries, while country specific SIM's usually incur higher roaming charges if used outside their country of issue.
Hope you have a great trip!!!