I am travelling to Italy/Greece in May. We fly in to London, and then off to Italy/Greece (Greece is only about 5 days total). I am planning to unlock one of my old iphones and buying a SIM card over in Europe, as I hear it can be cheaper to do things that way. Is it as easy as going up to a kiosk and purchasing a SIM to put in my phone? Thanks!
Posted by
Vancouver, BC, Canada
1201 posts
No problem if your phone is GSM (accepts SIM card) and is unlocked.
You can test to see if it is unlocked by borrowing SIMs for different carriers at home from friends to see if your phone works with the different SIMS.
If you need to unlock, i have had good results searching for an unlock code service on eBay, about $5. You pay by paypal and they will email you instructions and a code.
You can then find a dealer in Italy. I had very good results with TIM. There are various packages with options to roam in another country. You will need to check on their website because the plans change all the time.
I suggest you find a dealer near your hotel (rather that at the airport) in case you need to go back in the hours or days after the purchase/activation to fix any issues which may arise. Much better to deal with a warm body who can speak some English rather than over the phone with a service rep that can only speak Italian.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15198 posts
Much better to deal with a warm body who can speak some English rather than over the phone with a service rep that can only speak Italian.
By the same token, the warm body and the rep over the phone will probably appreciate to speak to a customer who can speak some Italian rather than one that can only speak English.
Having said that, the service rep over the phone will speak English, if you select the English option when you call the toll free number, while the warm body in the store may not.
Vodafone offers the following plan to international travelers traveling to Italy all for 30 euro. Go to a Vodafone store or authorized dealer to buy the SIM card. You will need your passport to buy one.
http://www.vodafone.it/portal/Privati/Tariffe-e-Prodotti/Tariffe/Estero/Vodafone-Holiday-English
If you need assistance the Vodafone number you need to call is 190. You can choose the English speaking operator.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32212 posts
ab,
It would help to know if the "old phone" you're planning to use is a quad-band GSM model? What brand / model is it, and have you used it in Europe before?
Buying a local SIM card is certainly one option, but you could also buy a travel SIM from firms such as iRoam, Cellular Abroad, Telestial or Mobal. That would give you a working phone as soon as you step off the plane, with service that will operate in all the countries you're visiting, and post-paid billing (calls charged to a credit card), so no concerns about having to top-up.