Perche

For darn sure, I'm not a fan of TIM.

JBD

Have you checked out this thread from the Technology Forum?

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...sim-italy.html

boybi

I just randomly went through that thread and what I read was TIM is ok. But in this thread, TIM is not ok. I'm a bit confused.

Can I get a simcard in the airport (FCO)?

JBD

See posts 26 to 33 in this thread (from 5 months ago):

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/italy...l#post26634465

boybi

On average, how much would it cost me if I get an Italian data simcard for 2 weeks? Forecast data usage would be around 5GB.

If I use my own provider's data roaming, it would cost me around USD12.00/day with unlimited data.

PWMTrav

TIM is a pain in the ..., but for Perche and I (and he can correct me if I'm wrong), most of the trouble we've run into is in the maintenance of our service and accounts. I will tell you that on the trip where I bought and first activated my TIM SIM, my service was flawless for the 2 weeks I was using it. Just make sure your phone is SIM/carrier unlocked and go to a TIM store to get set up.

I have issues now with adding funds. I seem to only be able to use ricaricards, which means I need to be in Italy to top off. I also run into issues with them activating features on my phone that drain my residual balance, so I have to log in once a month to make sure nothing looks off.

I think you'll be fine with TIM, especially if you plan to toss the SIM and never use it again. It will expire if it's not used (debited or credited) for 12 months.

boybi

I guess I will go for TIM, and add the necessary funds for the duration of my stay at the store.

ckendall

Just for the record I use vodafone. I have a sim in an old phone and every trip to Italy first stop in a newsstand in the airport and add 25 Euro. There's some issue about not being able to use non-Italian cards online, but basically any coffee shop/kiosk can add money so it's no big deal.

PWMTrav

The last time I bought a SIM, it was roughly 15-20 euro for the SIM itself, which included 5-10 euro in credit, can't remember the exact numbers. Plans vary, but I started with one that essentially includes nothing, and I pay per minute and text. Data prices vary - they run a ton of promotions. If you tell the people at the store you need 5 gigs over the two weeks you're there, they'll find something. Current promotions look like 10 euro a month for 2 gigs of data.

One thing to remember - keep enough residual credit on your account for the options you want. If you keep more, and intend to use the SIM again in the future, remember that it expires after 12 months without activity (that activity generally being credit/debit on the balance). And deactivate your recurring options when you leave Italy so that they don't drain your balance. If you're never going to use it again, or won't go through the trouble of keeping the SIM active, don't worry about this part.

boybi

Thanks a lot! I'm now almost done with Rome.

My questions now will be towards my stay in Florence.

From the point of view of forumers here, what would I expect in Florence after coming from Rome? Will there be significant difference in terms of food? Are taxis in Florence same as in Rome?

PWMTrav

Florence has been discussed pretty extensively. Search the forum and you'll find a lot of info.

Food is different, as each city and region in Italy is going to be different. Not entirely unfamiliar, but different. Taxis are the same in the sense that you can't hail them randomly on the street - call in advance or use an existing, marked taxi stand.

rickg523

For your purposes, Florence is a lot more compact than Rome. Choose a well located hotel. Set up your intended itinerary and you should be able to find something convenient to almost all of it. A lot of people like to drive through the Tuscan countryside. But Florence is a terrible place for a car. The entire city seems to be one big ZTL (it's not but boy do lots of people run afoul of them and it's pricey if you do). So do a day rent from the airport if you want to drive (recommended - it's lovely). Take transit or taxi back and forth from town.

Perche

If you go to Italy and buy a brand new SIM card, it might take a week for them to activate it. If you really bug them at the store, you can get it done sooner. Just understand that is not just "stop in the airport and buy and pop in my new SIM," and all will be well. Once you have the SIM, and it's been activated once, it's better when you go back. But the first time, it can take a week to activate it. Have a back-up plan.

Gargoyle

1. Never pass up a clean bathroom when you're traveling. Keep a supply of toilet paper with you. Don't assume the toilets will have seats- many people prefer squatting, so oftentimes seats are either omitted or broken.
2. Italians don't drink tap water, only bottled water. It's often a good idea to use what the locals do as a guide. Bottled water isn't free. Note that there isn't much price difference between the house wine and water in a restaurant.

Specify whether you want a mezzo (half liter) or litro (liter) bottle of water, and naturale or gassato (still or sparkling).

boybi

Would restaurants allow bringing of own bottled water?