Purchasing a sim card in Italy, How long does it take to activate?

Thanks Ron, I had a similar experience with a sim card in Germany, (2-3 hours) I'll probably have to make the call using my U.S. sim as even two or three hours will be too long to hang around the airport just to make a call.

Why don't you buy a phone card and use a public phone? Even if you buy a phone card for 5 Euros it will still be cheaper than using your phone!!! There are still lots and lots of public phones in Italy (it's not like trying to find one in the U.S.)

Tom,

I was out at FCO a few weeks ago and talked to a SMART Phone store clerk. He told me that if you purchased a SIM card it would be active in 2-3 hours from the time you bought it. The store is just to the right after you exit the B Terminal Areas area... There's a picture of the store at this link: CLICK HERE

Mark, that's a good thought, but I'll be buying a sim card anyway, so one time call on my U.S. Sim should be cheaper than the phone card.

Last summer, we had to buy a couple of sim cards for phones- and the phones were ready for use in minutes. My Italian colleague did the activation on the phones.

We used Vodaphone, because where we were, it was the only provider that would work reliably.

Or, if your SIM isn't activated instantly, you could use a pay phone for around 50 euro cents :)

Other alternative, since you are buying a SIM card at that dealer, they may be willing to call your hotel for you from their phone. It doesn't hurt to ask politely!

Just returned a week ago from Italy flying into Venice. Bought a new SIM card for my Vodafone cell phone purchased previously in Italy at the Vodafone store near Campo St. Bartolomeo very close to the Rialto Bridge. My phone was active immediately with the following Euro rates: .50 to the states, .16 within Italy and incoming calls from anywhere were free. Am not sure about the rates to other parts of Europe as I was only calling to the states and within Italty. Also purchased additional Euros at a later date at another Vodafone store. They just needed my phone # and added them electronically.

I understand that Vodaphone is the best service?

Thanks Janet and the other responders... I'll just play it by ear, when it comes to making my call, and sounds like Vodaphone is the way to go in Italy

Bought a TIM card in Florence last June, the guy tested it before I left the shop. So they can activate cards immediately.