Italy - Phone Question

Traveling for the first time to Italy next week (first time to Europe actually). I'm meeting up with friends that will already be there and will need to be able to use my cell phone while I am there.

My question is - does anyone know if I can buy a cell phone sim card here in the U.S. that will work over in Italy? Not sure I'll have time while I'm in FCO to track one down while running to my connecting flight.

FYI - I do have an international calling plan on my phone, but it only covers calls I make back to the U.S. - not calls I want to make in-country.

Thanks for the help.

European cell carriers operate on a different system than those in the US.

Some phones are capable of working on both systems, others are not. Also, switching SIM cards may not work if your phone is locked by your current carrier.

Your phones paperwork can help you determine if your phone is multisystem. Regretfully I can't recall the two schemes, I'm sure someone else will be buy shortly and fill in that gap.

Throw away phones are easily avalable in Europe so you can buy one to cover your travels. As far as contacting someone in the States Skype or some other phone by internet scheme will serve that purpose.

European cell carriers operate on a different system than those in the US.

Some phones are capable of working on both systems, others are not. Also, switching SIM cards may not work if your phone is locked by your current carrier.

Your phones paperwork can help you determine if your phone is multisystem. Regretfully I can't recall the two schemes, I'm sure someone else will be buy shortly and fill in that gap.

Throw away phones are easily avalable in Europe so you can buy one to cover your travels. As far as contacting someone in the States Skype or some other phone by internet scheme will serve that purpose.

Thanks for the help. Skype and Google Voice are two free WiFi options I am looking at - as well as the throw away phones you mentioned. My only concern is having time to pick one up in FCO while running to my connecting flight. If this is the worst case scenario though, I am not too worried. Just thought there might be a better option I hadn't thought of.