Cell Service in Italy

We have Verizon. We signed up for the International Plan where you pay $10 for each 24 hour period and it uses your standard call, text and data plan.

We found Wi-Fi prevalent wherever we were and kept in touch with friends and family that way. We could check our email via Wi-Fi. In two trips, one to Italy and the other a Rhine Cruise, I think we used just $20.

Think about how you will be using your cell phone while you are there. Frankly, we were so busy having a wonderful time, we didn't think much about using our phone or iPad. We checked in once a day with family, usually by email.

Thank you so much for the quick reply. I would want cell service for google maps, train schedules, calling the hotels, taxi service etc. I would love to have my regular unlimited service that I have in the US. did you call Verizon to arrange it in advance?

you can go online to your 'My Verizon' account and enroll without talking to anyone

I used a Vodafone SIM card in Sicily last year. Worked fine.

http://trovanegozio.vodafone.it/?icmp=tvodafoneholidayEng

Shows locations of their stores. Bring you passport if you go the local SIM option.

Just to clarify, Verizon does not have any "coverage/service quality" in Italy. The quality of service will depend on the roaming agreements they've negotiated with Italian cell networks. You may only be using one network, or the phone may change networks according to the strongest signal.

If you remove your Verizon SIM card and replace with an Italian SIM, you won't be using Verizon at all, and will be limited to the coverage of whichever cell provider you're using.

In my experience over many years, you shouldn't have any trouble with coverage in either Italy or Switzerland, as cell towers are ubiquitous, although there could certainly be a few remote areas in southern Italy that have intermittent coverage.

I had excellent coverage in Italy in Rome & Florence. I also used the Verizon plan that charges you $10/day to use your phone's existing plan in another country.

Piggyback question - I have always called my cell phone provider before I travel abroad to let them know I'll be traveling. Now that I have Travel Pass (the $10/day international plan) on my account, do I still need to call them before traveling?

aquamarinesteph When i spoke with someone from Verizon they informed me once you have the travel plan, it will automatically turn on when you leave the country. But just to be safe, I personally would still confirm with verizon before your trip. A quick phone call could save you hundreds of dollars in roaming fees.

There are plenty of places outside Termini to get a SIM for your phone. A local pre-paid SIM is a much cheaper choice than using the international roaming plan from your home carrier...

I have heard/read that the only shop selling SIM cards in FCO is inside security in Terminal 1 so you won't be able to get to it.

I bought a TIM phone a few years ago in Italy, it's broken now, so I will buy a new one. The last one was about 80E with enough minutes for 90 days, including the phone and the activation fee. Since then, I've used the Vodaphone holiday plan; new SIM card and three 10E charges for 90 days.

Thank you all. These are great suggestions! Does anyone know what number to call Verizon by chance?

Thank you, Bethany330 for your reply!

OP - I always called the customer service number on my bill; however, there is also the *611 option on your Verizon phone. Just tell them you are traveling internationally. They should be able to assist you.

Hi,

I know everyone's experience is different. Two years ago I signed up for and paid $40 for the Verizon International Travel Plan while I was going to be in Ireland for two weeks. While I was there nothing worked. I could not text, or make phone calls, or receive email. We literally asked random strangers - luckily Irish people are friendly- to make phone calls for us.

This year I'm going to get a SIM card while in Italy. I have too many trains to catch and other arrangements to confirm to have a phone that won't be working.