Traveling with cell phones and teens

If they are unlocked, you could buy SIM cards for some or all of them for a lot less than $450. The Verzion phones probably are unlocked unless they are very new (Verizon only recently started locking new phones again); the AT&T phones are probably locked if you bought them from AT&T. AT&T will unlock them on request if they are paid off.

Figure out BEFORE you get to Italy whether they are truly locked or not. The easiest way is to try a different SIM in each phone and power it on, see if you get a request to enter an unlock code.

Unlocking means AT&T gives you a code that you need to enter the FIRST time you use a different SIM card; type in that code the first time and you'll never need it again. They don't really "unlock" the phone, they give you the code to unlock it when needed.

All of the phones can be used on WiFi for free (leave them in airplane mode, then enable WiFi) - which makes them semi-useful. I would want at least one phone to have mobile data, though, so you can do walking and public transportation navigation (e.g. Google Maps).

If all your phones are unlocked, you can buy SIM cards in Italy. TIM and Vodafone offer tourist cards for €30. Each offers different amounts of calling and data. If you search “TIM for tourist Italy” or “Vodafone for tourist Italy” you can check them out. If you are arriving in VCE, you’ll have to find stores in Venice, if Rome, there’s a TIM store in the baggage area of terminal 3.

I recently Google Fi because it works in approximately 180 countries without any extra cost, and it is $20 a month for one line. I am using it with my old iPhone 6.

When we last traveled (March, 2018), we signed up for a international program that had a daily fee (maybe it was $10 via Verizon) for any day we used the phone. If we did not turn it on to use it (calls/nagivation, etc.), then we were not charged. As it turned out, we did not need our phone (internationally) on the trip, so we had no charge.

If your family will be carrying the phones JUST to use in case someone gets lost, of course other than to click photos, etc. which can be done in airplane mode) or in the event of it is just more convenient to talk with each other (such as calling to organize meeting up somewhere when everyone is out and about), then it may be oh-so-worth-it to pay that daily fee that day (or on other days, too).

I am GUESSING, possibly there may be times the kids split off, or maybe one parent and the kids, and then communication will be just easier for each group to have a phone? You could activate two of the phones and have the rule that anyone/group that splits off MUST have one of the two activated phones with them.

Or, just realize $450 may be a small price to pay, if it means no one will get lost and you will not worry about the safety of someone under any circumstances. I would suggest that everyone know the emergency number to use for that country, as well as translation apps, if your entire group does not speak Italian (most people in the larger cities speak English to some degree). And, it goes without saying, store a copy of each person's passport on their phone, as well as the overall itinerary and overnight hotel name/location/phone number, and at least E20 in a neck wallet as just-in-case cash..

Download city mapper, it’s an app, for navigation and what’s app for communication. You’ll need WiFi for what’s app but not for city mapper. What’s app can be used for texting and calling.

Edit: and as others noted, put the phones in airplane mode to avoid data roaming.

Leave them home. (The cell phones, not the children.)

Your children will not die without their phones, but they should not die without having seen, felt, tasted and touched Venice, Florence and Rome!

A useful reference:

https://thewirecutter.com/blog/use-your-phone-overseas/

It discusses how some US phones use the GSM standard that is used in Europe and some don't. An issue for SIM changers.

Certainly investigate unlocked phones and European SIM cards. Aldi has cheap monthly plans. International Roaming can be considered for some or all phones.

Realistically, US teens (sorry guys, some experience here) have little idea how much data they use in their "always on the phone" mode even if just texting or browsing. So, hoping that they will go cold turkey/"minimum usage" may be hopeless.

If you are worried about "emergencies" you could always pick up little "Handy" phones (about 20 euros) at the airport with X minutes/euro charge cards.

Also, the RS Audio Europe apps are free to download, and have maps to go with their walking tour descriptions....and that will be on the phone even without service.

It discusses how some US phones use the GSM standard that is used in Europe and some don't. An issue for SIM changers.

This is rarely an issue anymore. Most modern smart phones designed for Verizon or Sprint can roam on GSM networks. (If not, it's not just an issue for "SIM changers" - you can't use the phone even with say Verizon's or Sprint's international roaming plans.) Someone here recently mentioned a specific LG phone used on Tracfone that indeed did not have any GSM frequencies for roaming. But Verizon wants you to buy their international roaming plan, so they will want their phones to be able to roam on GSM. If your phone can do that, you can buy a SIM also.