Should I take my cell phone to Italy or rent one there?

Answer 1

Generally, cell phones which works in the US will do in Europe, as well, while not always is true the opposite: dual-band phone will work in Europe and Australia, not in the US, where a tri or quadri-band is required (in US cell phones use different frequencies, which are "covered" by tri and quadri band).

The main problem should be: is your phone locked? If it is, you can't put a different sim card in it.
You can use your own current sim card, but both doing and receiving calls will cost you a lot more than domestic fees. You have to check your provider for this.

You can anyway buy a phone in Italy, you can easily find starting from a price lower than 50 €uro, some also incuding a sim card. You can buy a sim card alone from 5 €uro (and you can actually use those 5 €uro for phone calls)

Also remember the plugs in Italy are different. If you want to carry your current phone with you, check on the transformer if it will work with 220 - 230 Volt; if so, you just need an adapter for the plug, but not a voltage converter.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Rates here in Canada are about $2.00 a minute to call back to Canada, $1.50 calling in Italy. Sim card with some minutes bought in Italy is 40 euros so for me, I'd have to call back to Canada using 30 minutes before I'd even break even plus you'll need an unlocked phone and an address to get the SIM card. Renting isn't too bad but again, depends on how much you're going to use it.

Answer 4

Are you sure you can rent a phone in Italy? 'Cause I'm italian and I've never heard it before. You know, Italy is not the USA. But maybe you're right.. You'd better ask before leaving anyway. You can always buy a calling card here.

Answer 5

If you live in the US, I don't think it would work, I'm not sure thoguh. But one precaution I took going to Italy, was buying a prepaid cell phone there. It's safer to keep yours at home (maybe... I don't know) and just rent or buy a cheeper, prepaid one.

Good luck and happy traveling!!

♥ Peace

Answer 6

You can take your mobile phone to Italy. Just check with your mobile service provider it is possible to use roaming with your current sim card. Check also the cost though!!!

Alternatively, you can take your mobile phoen and buy an Italian sim-card...

Visit also http://www.iluvtotravel.info/ for travel tips on how to plan a holiday - book a hotel, plane tickets, car rental, train tickets and more and also what to do and where to go when you arrive at your destination, from personal experience in travelling.

Answer 7

A US cellphone won't work in Europe. It's cheaper to get a calling card in Europe. International calls with a cell phone are very expensive, I'd use a calling card.