Will my iPhone work in Florence? If so, what do I have to do to make it compatible with the Italian phone service? My carrier in the USA is Verizon. We don't envision making a lot of calls, if any, back to the states, but would like to be able to use it in the Florence, Lucca, Cinque Terra areas while we're in country.
Posted by
361 posts
Usually you only need to buy and international plan for the amount of time your in Italy. I have ATT and always buy a 30 day Passport plan that runs about 50 dollars, it comes with some data, way more that I need and free texting, calls cost but not much. Since texting is included that is all I usually do. Outside of that I do nothing else, learn what country code you need to use if calling an Italian number. I think Italy is 36 but I don't remember for sure. J
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15172 posts
Inquire with Verizon about the international plans they offer. Otherwise they might charge you a lot in roaming charges.
https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/
It looks like they have a travel plan for $10 a day
https://www.verizon.com/plans/international/international-travel/travel-pass/
Using the iPhone in Italy works exactly like at home. The country code for Italy is +39, therefore to call an Italian number you would first type a + (press the 0 key till the + appears) then 39 and the Italian number, for example 055 555 5555 for a Florence deadline (055 is Florence area code).
Some people choose to buy a local SIM card with an Italian number. The cost would be generally less (€30 for a month) but then people would not be able to reach you in your US number if your regular SIM is removed. If you have an IPad with SIM slot, it’s a good idea to buy an Italian SIM for the iPad. It costs less than €10 for a month, plus the cost of the SIM card.
Posted by
Southwest Florida
865 posts
Depending on the length of your trip you may want to consider buying a cheap burner and going for that period with T-Mobile. No data fees (although data is slow), free text and calls are $0.25/minute. If you are in-country for more than ten days this would be the less expensive option.
Otherwise, use your Apple phone and do wi-fi calling via various apps (Facetime, WhatsApp, etc.). Wi-fi is pretty available for free in nearly all larger cities. Then you have no added expense.
Posted by
Clatskanie, Oregon
5 posts
My husband and I are visiting Italy for 3 weeks leaving next week. We have decided to do the 'Airplane Mode' and take advantage of the free Wi-fi wherever we go. I have downloaded Google maps of all the places we are going. We will see how it goes...
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
15172 posts
All web reviews indicate that T-mobile has the best international plans. If Verizon charges $10 a day, I would switch to T-Mobile, even for just the length of the trip. I used to have AT&T, which at the time (I don’t know now) was really gouging people on international plans. I switched to T-Mobile Magenta plan, and never looked back.
Posted by
Alexandria, VA
771 posts
With Verizon, you can get the International Plan for a month, for $100. It gives lots of phone, texts and internet. The other option in the Travel Pass. That is only activated when you use the phone, texts or data. You pay $10 for a 24 hour period starting when you use it. They send you texts telling you when you've activated it, and then text again when it is about to end. You only pay for the days you use.
Posted by
Los Angeles
4412 posts
Verizon does this all the time, it's on their website.
If you're really not going to make a lot of calls, use Whatsapp on wifi.