Experience with cell phone service with AT&T? I am looking for service with using Google maps

Well, regarding Google Maps, I’ve used it extensively throughout Europe and I’ve never had any problems accessing maps either driving or walking or using public transportation. And that includes trips when I’ve used my T-Mobile international plan and also when I’ve had an eSIM.

Are you planning on using AT&T‘s international plan? Or are you getting an eSIM for your phone?

I have had good service with AT&T. You can download offline maps from GoogleMaps - then you do not need to use data at all. Offline Google Maps will not give actual walking directions but using driving directions and just following the map is usually sufficient.

There is also an app called Organic Maps which does not require data - download the maps ahead of time - no data required to use the maps.

We have AT&T, and add the international plan for our iPhones and an iPad. While we haven’t used Google maps as much in walking as driving (but it worked very, very well walking in Venice), it’s been seamless in driving all over Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio…even on tiny rural roads. We only lost the connection once in a very narrow river valley, but it popped up again at the other end!

Not sure why OP posted this in Tourist Scams, but....

There are many options for having cell service in France and Italy. AT&T is only one
of them. In reality, AT&T is merely a placeholder; adding the international plan (which
you will most likely need to do to get service) just invokes the roaming agreements
that AT&T has with European cell phone providers. Just like in the US, in major cities
you should not have any issues, but in remote areas in the countryside, there could be
some gaps.

It depends on the amount of time you will need service and what you need it for, but
there are definitely different options and different price points.

The Technology Tips sub-forum has many posts about the pros/cons of different ways
to have cell service in Europe.

I have AT&T and have used in Italy and France with no problems. You might have slower data connection in some places but Google maps works fine. As noted you can download maps ahead of time. I also use CityMapper in big cities and it works great.

In a post earlier this year you indicated your phone is locked, so are you looking for a new cell phone provider altogether? AT&T international plan is quite expensive compared to other options. You might consider looking through the technology section or posting this question there (instead of under tourist scams)

Not sure why OP posted this in Tourist Scams, but....

Most likely because of how much AT&T would charge for two months international service.
Google maps can be downloaded on a smartphone so no cell service is needed but I recommend purchasing a local SIM card. As far as the Metro and other local transportation is concerned, in Paris I found the Bonjour RATP app to be easy to use for metro, buses and RER. Many other cities have specific local transit apps as well.

We have used AT&T internationally with no issues. I felt we had adequate service/reception in different t countries at different times.

For us, the AT&T International Day Pass option made sense. You pay a certain amount per day per line and it maxed out at 10 days per billing cycle, I think. So even if you used it for 20+ days, you only paid for 10 days. Fortunately our three week trip fell into one billing cycle (they will allow you to adjust your billing dates to accommodate). You wouldn’t be so lucky with a two month trip, though.

I’m guessing we paid more for the AT&T than you would with a local sim option. But given the convenience of keeping our own phone number and using everything the usual way, it was worth the cost (especially when compared with the cost of the overall trip).
Maybe for such a long trip AT&T would have another option for you?

So I have ATT and I use it internationally on arrival days, departure days, and once mid trip. The remainder of the time I use eSIMs which seem like they would be the very best option for your trip. Combine an eSIM with WhatsApp and you can call, text, search web at will. I usually purchase through airalo.

PS CityMapper is a great app for navigating cities worldwide.

I also used the AT&T International Day pass in London and Italy and used Google Maps with no problem. As others have said, you only pay no more than 10 days per billing period. To me, it’s worth it to have the same number, etc.
However, it is important to know that AT&T will not unlock your phone (so that you can use an e-sim) unless the phone device is paid in full.

Here is an article on how much data you need when traveling. They are selling something but the information is still good: https://esim.holafly.com/how-to/how-much-data-for-travel/#:~:text=The%20amount%20of%20data%20you,%2C%20streaming%20shows%2C%20and%20uploads.

What they messed up was mixing MB and GB. We buy in GB so the should have stated everything in GB to make the math easier.

They say Google Maps uses 0.005GB to 0.01 GB per hour (so you would need to use it 500 hours to eat up 5GB?)