Can you please tell me the best SIM card to have for Italy, where to get it in Venice and how to renew it or get one for 7 weeks? We will be traveling from Venice to Rome via Malta. Then we will be Siena and Florence.
Posted by
Italy
3812 posts
Define "best". You are staying in cities, so coverage will be ok regardless of the company. Cheapest? 5G? Free Talking time to US numbers?
Malta is not exactly halfway between Venice and Rome, but it is definitely in the EU. This means that even with a tourists' plan you should be somehow covered by the EU law about roaming costs.
All tourists' plans last for 30 days and can't be renewed, you'll have to load a plan for locals on the Italian SIM after the first month. Or top the SIM up and pay by minute/text/MB. This option would be extremely expensive, especially because of the extortionate per MB fares.
Posted by
OP
30 posts
We are going by a small ship from Venice to Rome via Malta. I probably don't need the phone while on the ship. But would feel more comfortable with it in Venice and again once we get to Rome. If I can safely use my phone without a Sims card for navigation and also for translation, I could wait until we get to Rome. Thanks
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16167 posts
Which plan do you have at home? Assuming you write from the US, if you have T-Mobile Magenta or Magenta max it works perfectly and international roaming data as well unlimited text messages are included at no extra cost. Voice calls while abroad cost $0.25/min but if you make calls with WhatsApp or Skype or many other apps, then it’s free because those use VoIP. If you don’t have T-Mobile other providers have so called international passport plans that however may cost quite a bit. For example AT&T charges $10 a day, which in my opinion is highway robbery.
Posted by
OP
30 posts
We have Verizon but I do have whatsapp. Thanks
Posted by
Florida
276 posts
We just got back from 10 weeks in Italy and I used a combination of the Verizon international plan ($100/month, functions just like my coverage at home), and an eSIM. The eSIM was by far the most affordable option and was super easy to use. I am not tech savvy enough to explain it to you, but if you have a newer smartphone, it may be worth looking into. I will definitely use it for my international trips going forward.
Posted by
OP
30 posts
I assume that an eSIM requires internet.