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Going to Italy in 10 days, have some small questions!

Posted by on

Hello all,

I have a couple quick questions that I could use some guidance on:

  1. If I want to use my phone's wifi and GPS (Samsung s4) for directions and emails home should i simply remove the SIM card when I depart the U.S.? Is there a better way?

  2. I have not purchased train tickets yet for my trip from Paris to Venice. If I purchase them now do they email them, mail them, or is there a will call location? I'm concerned about buying them and them not arriving on time.

  3. I will be renting a car in Venice to drive to Tuscany and then Rome. I do not have an international driver's license. Will this be a problem?

Thanks!

Posted by
4152 posts

You don't need an international drivers license, you need and international drivers PERMIT, and yes it will be a problem if you don't have one. Just go to the nearest AAA and get one. They only cost about $15 and it's required by law to have them. It only takes a few minutes to get one so you can do it any time before you leave.

Donna

Posted by
1022 posts

On the iphone one turns on Airplane Mode then turns Wifi back on. I presume it would be the same for Samsung. No need to remove the sim. If the phone is unlocked, a prepaid sim with data is pretty cheap in Italy.

Posted by
10766 posts

Paris to Venice by train is looooong. Check skyscanner.com to see if you can get a reasonably priced flight and compare it with the price of a train ticket on SNCF.com.

Posted by
16240 posts

  1. All you have to do is disable data roaming and cellular data. However I suggest to get an Italian SIM card (with an Italian number) so that you can use the phone there without incurring the huge data roaming charges from your US provider. Data Plans in Italy (TIM, Vodafone are the biggest providers) start at €15-25 for one month. Very cheap.

  2. Confirmation is emailed. All you have to do is print. Please consider that flying from Paris to Venice is often much cheaper, as well as much faster than the train. Paris and Venice are 1,000km (620 miles) apart and for those distances flying is usually the better option. Try EasyJet, a low cost carrier which has a non stop from both CDG and ORY to VCE.

  3. Yes. Get an IDP (international Driver's Permit) at your local AAA. It takes 10 minutes and it costs about $25, including photos, which they can take there (if you don't bring your own photos). The IDP is valid for one year and it's just a translation of your American driver's license. You will need to carry both with you when you drive abroad.

Posted by
7737 posts

Why are you considering a train from Paris to Venice? It's at least 10 hours. If you're picturing some romantic "Orient Express" experience, you'll be sadly disappointed. Fly.

Posted by
32405 posts

I definitely agree with the others that Paris to Venice would be best by budget airline such as EasyJet. However it's important to book as soon as you have your dates finalized, as the prices generally increase as the flight fills. Be sure to read their "Terms & Conditions" carefully, especially related to both checked and cabin luggage.

Posted by
8012 posts

The Paris-to-Venice train ride is only romantic in the movie, "The Tourist". : ) I agree with the others. But, if you're referring to the end points of your overall trip, then to answer your question, you can go onto www.trenitalia.com and purchase tickets that you can print at home. But, probably most of the cheaper tickets have already been purchased a few months ago.

Posted by
792 posts

In general, Wifi is easy to find at hotels and restaurants so it is easy to check email, etc. Be sure you DO NOT accidentally use your cellular network to do this. It does not take long to rack up hundreds of dollars worth of data transfer. Follow the instructions others gave you on your phone settings.

Posted by
8053 posts

The rental car desk probably won't ask to see your IDP, so that won't prevent you from getting a car, and if you don't get pulled over by the policia you'll never have to show it. If a cop does want to see one and you don't have it, though, you'll wish you did.

It might take longer than 10 minutes to get your IDP at AAA if their camera malfunctions like what happend with me. If you have a spare passport photo, bring it in and you'll be out of there in way less than 10 minutes.

Posted by
16895 posts

To buy Paris-Venice train tickets online now:

  • Rail Europe does have print-at-home e-tickets for this route, which you buy in two steps, with a connection at either Torino or Milan, for the daytime departures. Be sure to choose that "delivery option" at check-out.

  • Voyages-SNCF may not take a US credit card online unless you have Verified by Visa or MasterCard SecureCode set up and also is not likely to sell the onward connection within Italy.

  • Trenitalia shows daytime routes via Switzerland, but I'd be surprised if they sell the international route as print-at-home tickets.

  • Read all the rules before purchase.

  • Flying will likely be cheaper as well as faster.

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