I a flying into Milan Malpensa and then taking a train to Varenna. I need to purchase a SIM card somewhere along that route. I would like to know where you purchased your SIM card, what carrier you used and if you were satisfied with the service and coverage. Ideally, I would like a carrier that would allow me to use the plan minutes at the same rate throughout Europe.
Thanks in advance
gulf,
Your best bet to find a SIM card is probably at Milano Centrale, as you'll have to go through there to connect with the train to Varenna. There are three stores there where you could buy a card - TIM, WIND and Media World. The largest network in Italy is TIM, so I'd probably start there.
I haven't checked the plans, but doubt very much whether you'll find one that provides the same rates throughout Europe. When you leave the country of purchase, you'll be "roaming" and the rates will be slightly higher (they're capped by the E.U., so not much higher). One issue could be how easily the plan can be topped-up once out of the country where it was purchased.
Another option you could look at would be to buy a SIM from one of the travel phone firms such as Roam Simple, Cellular Abroad, Telestial, Mobal or EuroBuzz (there are others). These will provide consistent rates throughout Europe and many use post-paid billing (calls charged to a credit card), so no issues with topping-up. The other advantage with these is that you'd have a working phone as soon as you step off the plane.
No telephone shops at the airport anymore.
Only at the Milano Centrale station.
Wind, 3 and Tim have stores inside. Mediaworld, a hi-tech mega store, is the authorized dealer for Vodafone.
http://www.milanocentrale.it/en/store/index/hi-tech
Plans are similar with all. Wind is a bit cheaper but coverage spotty in the countryside (at least in my experience). Tim and Vodafone are the largest and have similar costs and plans. I don't know much about '3'.
The Tim "Special Start" is a great value, and they have other deals as well . Right click on the page to translate: http://www.tim.it/home
