Best SIM Card in Italy For Tourists

Do you want to visit Italy but aren't sure which is the best SIM card in Italy for tourists or if you'll need one? Then you've come to the right place!

This entire article will inform you all you need to know about the best SIM cards for tourists in Italy. We'll go through if you need an Italian SIM card for your trip to Italy, where you can obtain one, and how much it costs.

Furthermore, we will introduce you to the main mobile carriers in Italy, answer frequently asked questions, and illustrate alternative methods of obtaining a SIM card, such as e-SIM cards.

 Continue reading to get the most out of your Italian holiday!

Do I really need an Italian SIM card for my vacation in Italy?

First of all, we'd want to address one of the most important problems, such as whether you even need an Italian SIM card for your upcoming vacation to Italy.

• If you are from Europe, you should not require an Italian SIM card because roaming inside the EU (and the European Economic Area) is free since 2017. This means that you may use your existing SIM card in Italy without paying additional costs in most cases. However, your service provider may impose restrictions on foreign usage, which you should confirm to avoid unpleasant surprises.

• If you are not from Europe and are travelling from the US or another part of the world, getting a SIM card in Italy to avoid expensive international roaming costs makes a lot of sense. Purchasing a local SIM card assures that your mobile data connections are reliable, secure, and quick throughout your Italy vacation, allowing you to communicate easily.

Buy your Italian SIM card online before your trip

1. The Holafly prepaid e-SIM card for Italy

Another option is to utilise e-SIM cards. These are virtual SIM cards that may be used in place of a physical SIM card on your smartphone. Our recommendation is the Holafly practical eSIM card, which has an unlimited mobile data amount at 4G/LTE speeds.

Activating the Holafly e-SIM card is simple and takes only a few minutes at home. There's no need to waste time searching for a genuine SIM card or choosing which cellular service is best for you.

Now let's take a look at the prices and conditions of this eSIM card:

This is how Holafly's eSIM card works:

This is how Holafly's eSIM card works:

1. Choose a data plan from the options and purchase the Holafly prepaid e-SIM card here.
2. You will be emailed a QR code containing the e-SIM card right away.
3. One day before your trip, scan this QR code.
4. Turn off cellular data from your local wireless service provider.
5. Set your phone's options so that it uses Holafly's mobile internet.
6. When you arrive in Italy, activate your QR code, enable data roaming in your phone's settings, and use your Holafly eSIM card during your stay in Italy.

To check the compatibility of your mobile phone, you can alternatively proceed as follows:

→ For Android devices: Open the settings on your smartphone and go to "Connections" > "SIM card manager". If you see the option to add a mobile plan, it means your smartphone supports eSIMs.

→ For iOS devices: Open the settings on your iPhone and navigate to "Cellular Data" or "Cellular Data". If you see an option to "Add a Cellular Plan" or "Add a Data Plan," it means your iPhone supports eSIMs.

The easy-to-use eSIM for Italy from Holafly (recommended):

See Holafly eSIM prices below. The options most popular with tourists are listed in red.

• 5 days of unlimited data in Italy (€18.90)
• 7 days of unlimited data in Italy (€26.90)
• 10 days of unlimited data in Italy (€33.90)
• 15 days of unlimited data in Italy (€46.90)
• 20 days of unlimited data in Italy (approx. €56.90)
• 30 days of unlimited data in Italy (approx. €68.90)
• 60 days of unlimited data in Italy (approx. €98.90)
• 90 days of unlimited data in Italy (approx. €128.90)

Click on the button below for more information and to benefit from a 5% discount :

Where can I buy my Italian SIM card in Rome?

1. In the city

All over the city there are a number of ways to buy a prepaid SIM card. You can go directly to the branch offices of mobile phone providers such as TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile), Vodafone Italy, WindTre, Iliad and PosteMobile.

These stores are typically located in shopping areas, train stations, and larger supermarkets. You can also find prepaid SIM cards in convenience stores or kiosks around the city, although prices may be higher outside official stores.

You can buy an Italian SIM card in Rome at various locations, including official stores for major providers like TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad. These stores are located in popular areas such as Roma Termini Station, Via del Corso, and Piazza Barberini.

You can also find SIM cards at major shopping centers like Euroma2 or convenience stores like Coop and Carrefour. For easy access upon arrival, many train stations and busy shopping streets have kiosks and stores where you can quickly purchase and activate a SIM card.

2. At Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport

Tourists arriving by plane can also buy a prepaid SIM card for Italy at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport. However, we do not recommend this option as the choice is very limited.

For €35, you will get 30 GB of data in Italy and 5 GB of data for EU data roaming.

Buying a SIM card at Rome Airport is much more expensive, and it is better to wait till you get to the city.

SIM cards are available at several kiosks and stores at the airport. Vodafone and TIM have stores in the arrival halls of Terminal 3. Vodafone’s kiosk is near the luggage belts, while both the TIM and Vodafone stores are located near the exit in the arrival hall. These stores offer a variety of prepaid tourist plans, but prices at the airport are often higher than in the city.

• Tip: If you want to use a SIM card as soon as you arrive in Italy, you should consider purchasing an eSIM card for the Italy in advance.

What Do I Need to Buy a Prepaid Sim Card In Italy ?

Buying a prepaid SIM card in Italy, unlike in other European nations, is simple, with no paperwork or registration fees.

All you require is an unlocked mobile phone. In some cases, a photo ID, such as a passport, ID card, or driver's license, may be required.

To purchase a SIM card in Italy, you'll need:

• Passport for identification.
• Unlocked phone: Your device must be unlocked to use foreign SIM cards.
• Some providers may also require you to complete a registration form upon purchase.

The Mobile Phone Providers in Italy at a Glance

The four main mobile operators in Italy are:

1. TIM: Offers excellent coverage and a range of tourist-specific SIM cards.
2. Vodafone: Known for good 4G and 5G coverage, with prepaid tourist packages.
3. WindTre: Merged provider offering competitive prices and decent coverage.
4. Iliad: Budget-friendly with straightforward prepaid options.

Cost of Buying a Prepaid SIM Card in Italy for Tourists

Below, you will find the best offers for prepaid SIM cards in Italy, which, in our opinion, are the most interesting for tourists.

1. TIM (Telecom Italia Mobile)

• Data Plan: 100 GB of data + unlimited calling + 100 international minutes.
• Validity: 30 days
• Price: €14.99, with an additional €10 activation fee.
• Network: 5G ready with speeds up to 2 Gbps and 16 GB of EU data roaming.
• eSIM Availability: TIM offers eSIMs for tourists, though availability can be limited, and physical SIMs are more common.

2. Vodafone Italy

Data Plans:

• 2 GB for €4, valid for 7 days.
• 10 GB for €13, valid for 10 days.
• 20 GB for €25, valid for 15 days.

Note: Vodafone now offers eSIM as a convenient alternative to physical SIM cards. You can activate it digitally without needing a physical card or store visit.

3. WindTre

Data Plans:

• 70 GB of data (15 GB for EU roaming) with unlimited calls and 100 international minutes.
• Price: €14.99.
• Larger plan: 200 GB for €24.99.
• Validity: 30 days.

4. Iliad

Data Plans:

• 150 GB data (9 GB for EU roaming) + unlimited minutes and SMS in Europe, USA, and 60 other countries.
• Price: €7.99.
• 200 GB data (11 GB for EU roaming) + unlimited minutes and SMS in Europe, USA, and 60 other countries.
• Price: €9.99.
• 250 GB data (13 GB for EU roaming) + unlimited minutes and SMS in Europe, USA, and 60 other countries.
• Price: €11.99.
• Validity: 1 month

Prices may be higher at airports, so it's often more economical to purchase in city stores. If you prefer flexibility or are travelling across multiple European countries, eSIMs from providers like Holafly are also a great option.

Our opinion on the best SIM card in Italy for Tourists

We think that Holafly's eSIM card is the best prepaid SIM card choice in Italy. Because most Italy prepaid SIM cards only offer a limited amount of data, Holafly's eSIM card offers a varied range of rates at an affordable price.

While traveling, you may easily access the internet, use social media, or call WhatsApp without worrying about running out of data. Furthermore, getting and activating the Holafly eSIM card is simple and quick because you can do it all online in minutes without replacing your traditional SIM card or waiting in line.

Overall, the Holafly eSIM card is a practical and cost-effective option for visitors in Italy and other EU countries who want to stay in touch with family and friends.