Relying on publicly available Wi-Fi for internet connections is pretty tough these days, and being connected to your own device is so much easier and more convenient. Depending on where you’re traveling from it may be more cost-effective to simply invoke the roaming package on your phone from your home provider. Mobile cellphone coverage is pretty good throughout Italy, especially in the main tourist areas, although it may be spottier in rural areas, but then you’d expect that in any country. We’ve traveled to Italy throughout the year, we’ve traveled through and we’ve spent weeks at a time here. So here’s our guide on working out the best SIM card for Italy and where to get it from.
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BEST SIM CARD
The Best SIM Card for Travel in Italy
This eSIM from Airalo is the best and most convenient option for a SIM Card for Italy.
You have three different options when it comes to mobile data in Italy. And I’ll cover each of them. And then there are several options as to where you can buy your sim card and data from, I’ll cover that too.
Mobile Data and SIM Card Options for Italy
The first choice that you have for mobile data in Italy is to use your home cell phone package and roam on it. If your provider allows this, it *may* be a cost-effective option. It also may not. I’ll cover this shortly.
The next choice is to buy a physical sim for Italy – and you can buy this from home and either get it shipped to your home address or arrange for collection when you arrive in Italy. (or you can buy from a store in Italy).
Finally, and this is what I’m going to cover first of all (as to my mind this is the most convenient option), is an eSIM for Italy. You can buy from home or buy when you arrive in Italy. It’s really easy.
Buying an eSIM for Italy
We’ve traveled with eSIMs for several years now. It’s just so much more convenient than putting in a physical sim (and keeping hold of your original sim too). eSIMs work extremely well and benefit from being available as soon as you switch your phone on when arriving in a country or region.
You’ll need to make sure that you have a phone that is compatible with eSIMs and that it’s unlocked. Generally, phones from Europe, the Middle East, and Asia tend to be unlocked, and phones from North America tend to be locked. You may be able to get your phone unlocked, but your provider may charge you a fee to do this.
If you’re not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible, just head off over to Google and check it out.
The main thing you’ll want to look at when selecting an eSIM for Italy is to figure out
- How long do you plan on staying in Italy
- How much data you think you’ll need in Italy
- Whether you’ll need voice calls
- Whether you’ll want SMS and texting
We rarely use voice calls or texting on our travel eSIMs, sticking to using data and WhatsApp for communications when we travel.
For eSIMs in Italy, then Airalo has some of the best deals available. You can get
1Gb of Data for 7 days for US$4.50
2Gb of Data for 15 days for US$8
3Gb of Data for 30 days for US$10
10Gb of Data for 30 Days for US$12 ** There’s a Sale on this at the moment, it’s usually US$24! **
20Gb of Data for 30 days for US$16.50 (currently 50% off!)
Buying a physical sim for Italy
We’ve also bought physical sims for Italy over the years. You can buy them ahead of time and get them sent to your home address, or you can arrange for them to be picked up once you arrive in Italy.
You can also buy physical SIM cards from stores, like Vodafone (which is arguably the most popular) in Europe, but you’ll need to find yourself a store. And it is unlikely to be any cheaper doing it this way.
We’ve used this company, Sim 2 Roam several times for physical sims, and there are several options available that allow different amounts of data – they also allow hot spotting, important for us, we just prefer to have one sim card, and hot spot our other phones and laptops off the single device.
Using roaming from your home cellphone provider
When we lived in the USA and I traveled to Europe regularly on business, I was caught out with roaming charges (my week-long trip cost me nearly US$1,000 in roaming data and call charges), and I’ve been EXTREMELY careful on this ever since.
If you are traveling from the USA, four of the major US cell phone companies recently partnered with Italian mobile providers and this means that you may be able to use your home plan while roaming. You’ll need to check your contract carefully and see if it works for you, but it’s usually about a 2-week vacation that hits the sweet spot as to whether this is cost-effective or not. And, of course, it depends on what you want to do (calls, mobile data, hot spotting, etc).
If you’re traveling from the UK, then you’ll need to check the specific package available from your mobile provider. My UK fair usage package with Lebara is a pretty good deal but doesn’t give me anywhere near enough data.
Here are the major US providers and what they offer for roaming and international passes for Italy.
Using Roaming and International Packages with T-Mobile from the USA
T-Mobile has a variety of international packages that cost from US$5 a day up to US$50 for a month. You can check what the international ADD ON Packages are from TMobile here.
Using Travel Passes from AT&T and Verizon in the USA
You can check the details here, for Verizon and AT&T, but the headline deal is that you’ll be able to use your phone for around US$10 a day. Additionally, these will work throughout the rest of Europe and your phone will be automatically connected. There’s also an option with Verizon that means you can play a set fee each month for international service.
Using international coverage plans with Sprint
You can pick up an international package with Sprint from US$25 a week (or even US$5 a day), but you’ll likely be subject to a reduced speed of mobile data. Check details here.
Where to Buy a SIM Card for Italy
You’ve got the usual options when it comes to buying a SIM Card in Italy. You can buy an eSIM and have it automatically working as soon as you arrive in Italy. You can buy a physical sim card and get it shipped to home, or you can buy a physical sim card in a store when you arrive in Italy. Alternatively, you can use your home cellphone provider and purchase a roaming package from them.
FAQS about SIM Cards in Italy
Here are the questions that we had about getting a SIM card for Italy, and the answers we worked out.
Can I use an eSIM in Italy?
Yes. You can use an eSIM in Italy. You can check out the options for buying an eSIM for Italy here.
Can you use a hotspot on an eSIM in Italy?
Yes. You can use a hotspot on this eSIM or some physical SIM cards in Italy. This physical SIM card allows hot spotting.
Can I buy a SIM card in airports in Italy?
Yes, you’ll be able to buy a SIM card in most of the airports in Italy. And the vendors will generally speak good English and be able to help you. However, you’re unlikely to get any better deals than you can get online. And face it, you’re going on vacation, do you want to spend any more time than you have to at the airport?
Travel Tips for Exploring Italy
- Get Travel Insurance: Civitatis includes medical expenses, repatriation, theft, luggage delays. No deductibles or upfront payments. Get a quote here.
- Arriving by air? Book your airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
- Read about the Best Italy SIM Card here
- Our guide to ATM fees in Italy is here
- Check what Power Adapter you need for Italy
- Book the best tours and guides on GetYourGuide and Civitatis
- Book Free Walking Tours in Italy with Civitatis
- Find the right accommodation for you via Booking.com
- Check timetables, and prices and book bus and train tickets in Italy with Omio
- Renting a car in Italy? Check out Discover Cars – great rates and free cancellation – get a quote here.
Final Words on Getting a SIM Card for Italy
There are so many different options today for SIM cards for Italy. Whether you choose to use your home package and buy international roaming packages, or pick the easy and convenient eSIM card, or a physical sim it’s incredibly easy to get online and be connected while you’re traveling in Italy.
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