My family of 4 will be traveling to Italy. Between us we will have 2 iPhones but we're thinking it would be nice to be able have text contact if we get separated , etc. Any advice about prepaid phones for the other 2 family members?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15269 posts
Just go to a telephone store (Vodafone, TIM) and buy a SIM card with data plan. Vodafone has a plan for tourists called Vodafone Holiday for 30 euro for a month. Ask for that one. That is what I purchase every year.
http://www.vodafone.it/portal/Privati/Tariffe-e-Prodotti/Tariffe/Estero/Vodafone-Holiday-English
The phones will have Italian numbers, but the features in phones will work exactly like at home.
Make sure you communicate your new Italian numbers to your families at home, so they can reach you at the new numbers.
If you need to buy extra phones, you can buy them in the US or in Italy. If bought in the US make sure they are Quad Band GSM unlocked phones. There are some cheap ones on Amazon too.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1819 posts
Vodafone SIM card that Roberto linked to worked well for me in Sicily last year. I highly recommend it. Remember to bring your passport when you go to the store. My Italian isn't the best and I still managed to get it done.
Posted by
OP
13 posts
Thx guys. I won't deny that I'm a little intimidated about doing this with my very limited Italian but it seems doable. I have since had conversation with other travelers who say there is some type of frequency requirements on the phone as to compatibility with Italian SIM cards. They were unable to explain further. Have you heard anything about this. We have iPhones 4, 6S and 7.