Update phone plans - SIM card still recommended?

It's up to you. I have T-Mobile, which offers unlimited international data at no extra cost. Since I switched to T-Mobile I don't buy an Italian SIM anymore, except for my Ipad (tablet's data plans in Italy are as low as 10 euro/month+ the 10 euro for the cost of a SIM).

But if you don't have T-Mobile (and don't want to switch to it) and don't want to pay the extortionary international Passport plans to AT&T or Verizon for $10/day, then you might save by having an Italian SIM installed in your phone. Just be aware that while a foreign SIM is inside your phone (and your regular US SIM card is out) you won't be able to receive calls/texts to your US number, therefore you will need to communicate your family and friends the new Italian number, or ask them to contact you via WhatsApp (which is the preferred method of communication while traveling abroad).

You can buy an Italian SIM card at any Italian telephone store. The three largest providers are:

TIM
VODAFONE
WIND3

TIM has a store inside the airport at FCO (not sure about Vodafone). But all have plenty of stores in the city, including the Termini train station.

They have plans that are specifically tailored to foreign tourists (for about 20 euro for 30 days + 10 euro cost of the SIM card). You can inquire in their stores.

Whenever I go to Italy, I always get the Tim Tourist SIM. Good for 30 days it includes 50gigs of data and 200 minutes talk. Cost is €25. I always pay ahead on line and then turn in the voucher 5o get the card. If you’re landing at FCO, there is a TIM store on your walk to baggage claim and the exit.

Actual physical SIMs are losing popularity for a few reasons. The biggest, for me, was the hassle after landing.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/tech-tips/buying-an-international-esim-data-plan-for-your-regular-phone-with-esim-no-more-burner-phones

I’m with Roberto on this one. The t-mobile data works fine when I’m out and about and I seldom need to make a call. Most things I want to do can wait until I’m connected to WiFi. It comes down to how you use your phone when you’re on vacation.

Mostly using for texting and maps.
thanks for the info!

Many newer phones have dual-SIM capabilities, which means you can make calls via your US service while using a European SIM for data (Google Maps, etc.). My cellular company resells Verizon network service, and I've used local eSIMs in Europe in this fashion a number of times while retaining the Verizon SIM as backup and for calls. Samsung S22.