Hi We're travelling to Italy for 2 weeks (flying into Rome on Sunday the 8th) from India.
Want to know the best current plans available on pre-paid SIM cards.
Our requirement is primarily for unlimited Data...to use for navigation , and other stuff...and few local calls. No dot require much international call facilities.
Also...we are flying into Roma Fiumicino (terminal 3) on 8th (around 1900 hrs). Was reading somewhere that SIM cards are only available at the domestic airport and not at the international terminus. Is that true...for I was looking to acquire the SIM cards at the airport itself.
In case the same is not possible....which is the best way to acquire a card on a sunday evening.
P.S. : We are staying at a BnB in the Monti area (closest metro station - Manzoni).
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8211 posts
For a Sunday, the airport might be about the best bet, but I would suggest going to a store selling both phones and SIM cards, usually aligned with one of the major cell names (TIM, Vodaphone, Wind). That way they can install the SIM, help with registration, then verify that the SIM works. Just picking up a SIM from a tobacco kiosk might not work for you.
For Italy, there are some requirements to get a number, they need to assign an Italian Tax Number for you as well as the usual information. There are also a number of packages, a representative can help pick the right one for you. A typical one would be Data, some in-country texting, and some in-country calling. For international Calling you will likely need a cash balance on the account to make calls.
Do not expect to get unlimited data. Most packages aimed at tourists are prepaid with some amount of data that expires in 30 or 60 days. For two weeks, you could get by with 2 gigs of data, you could pay for 4 gigs, but unless you are streaming video, that is more than needed.
Posted by
🏝️ Hobe Sound, FL⛱️
3303 posts
The two largest cell phone providers in Italy are TIM and Vodafone. Both offer tourist plans for €30. TIM has a store at FCO but both have many stores throughout Rome. The TIM sim comes with 4 gigs of data, the Vodafone sim with 2 gigs. Unless you want to stream a lot videos, either card should be adequate for a two week stay. If you opt for TIM, you can apply for the program and pay for it at their website. Then just present the voucher at a TIM store. Doing this avoids any confusion with other plans they offer.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16211 posts
TIM for Phone:
https://www.tim.it/offerte/mobile/estero/dallitalia/tim-for-visitor-uk
Vodafone for Phone:
http://www.vodafone.it/portal/Privati/Tariffe-e-Prodotti/Tariffe/Estero/Vodafone-Holiday-English
When at the store also check about other plans that may be available. Also check for plans with a tablet.
I usually get also a tablet plan which costs 10 or 20 euro for a month and I think includes 10Gb. That might work for you if you don't need voice. Also vodafone has a tablet plan with 300Gb, which costs I think 30 euro. Check at the stores.