Best Tourist Sim Cards in Italy in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Italy across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to Italy, having a sim card is essential to stay connected while traveling. Access to the internet makes navigating new cities a breeze, allowing you to find the best restaurants, get directions to your accommodation, book a taxi, and share photos with your loved ones on the go.
While roaming is always an option, the charges can quickly add up when traveling internationally. That’s why we recommend either getting an eSIM or a local sim card to access local phone rates. Luckily, obtaining either option in Italy is incredibly straightforward.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in Italy, including the latest pricing and the best sim card that suits your needs.
There’s a good chance you’re going to spend a bit of time waiting in lines when you visit Italy and with the recent development of eSims there really is no need to spend time waiting just to get a sim card.
The best sim card in italy is the Airalo eSim. With Airalo you can purchase your eSim online before you arrive in Italy and activate it at the airport. You won’t waste time finding a store, waiting in line or communicating with the staff. The prices are fairly similar to purchasing a local sim card and you can get as much or as little data as you require.
The cheapest sim card in Italy is offered by Iliad. For just 8 EUR + 10 EUR for the sim card, you can get a massive 100GB of data. There are a few catches, however. Firstly, there aren’t a lot of Iliad stores around Italy which makes it quite challenging to obtain a card in the first place. Secondly, there is a hard 8GB cap on EU roaming which makes the card somewhat impractical if you plan to explore other countries. Lastly, some travellers have reported recurring credit card charges with Iliad so it is a good idea to pay with cash.
If Italy is the first part of a larger EU trip then you’re going to want to ensure you get a good local sim card with plenty of data when you arrive. I recommend the Vodafone tourist sim card as it includes 15GB data that can be used around the EU – this should be plenty.
A Tourist Sim Card in Italy costs between 8 EUR and 25 EUR in December 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Italy will cost between $4.50 USD and $34 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Italy which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $14.5 USD.
The main sim card providers in Italy are Vodafone, Tim, Windtre and Iliad. All three are suitable options for tourists, however, Tim tends to be a bit more expensive, whilst Iliad comes with an entire host of issues.
Vodafone and Windtre find the sweet spot of extensive network coverage, reasonable pricing and generous data limits. For visitors requiring a physical sim card, either of these will be perfect. For everyone else, an eSim from someone like Airalo or Holafly is definitely a better choice.
Vodafone is our top pick for sim card providers in Italy thanks to their reasonable pricing and extensive mobile coverage.
If you’re travelling for a short time just in Italy then getting an eSim makes a lot more sense, but if you’re planning to explore other countries than just Italy, then getting a Vodafone sim card when you arrive in Italy will allow you to continue travelling to other EU countries without having to change sim card.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Italy is 25 EUR.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes 30GB data (15GB in EU) + 600 minutes + unlimited social media valid for 30 days.
Windtre is a suitable alternative to Vodafone, however, due to the ‘tourist tax’, or registration fee, of 10 EUR it becomes less cost-effective than it first appears.
I am not a fan of this so I recommend going with Vodafone instead. It’s also worth noting that Windtre’s tourist sim plan also includes 15GB roaming in EU countries making it pretty much equal to Vodafone’s plans. If it’s more convenient to reach a Windtre store, then I consider this to also be a good pick for tourists.
The price of a Windtre tourist sim card in Italy is 14.99 EUR (+ a 10 EUR registration fee aka tourist tax).
The plan offered by Windtre stores offers 20GB data + 100 minutes valid for 30 days.
Iliad is one of the smaller mobile network operators in Italy (actually the 4th largest) and has built a reputation for being the cheapest.
This is likely sounding good to budget-oriented travellers, but there are some drawbacks. Firstly, Iliad has comfortably the worst mobile network coverage across Italy compared to Vodafone, Tim and Windtre.
On top of this, telco store customer service is typically quite average in Italy, but Iliad’s is again, comfortably the worst. Largely due to the fact that you have to use an electronic kiosk to purchase your sim card. And that’s if you can even find a store – there’s not many in the popular tourist spots.
I’ve also heard some concerning reviews of Iliad where customers have been getting recurring charges on their credit cards due to accidentally signing up for a recurring plan through the kiosks mentioned above.
For these reasons I don’t recommend Iliad, but if you’re really looking to save 5 EUR then you may as well give it a shot.
The price of a Iliad tourist sim card in Italy is 8 EUR + 10 EUR for sim.
The plan offered by Iliad stores includes 100GB data (8GB in EU) valid for 30 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Italy: Vodafone, Windtre and Iliad are your best options in Italy.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Italy. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Italy to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Vodafone, Windtre or Iliad staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Vodafone that includes 30GB data (15GB in EU) + 600 minutes + unlimited social media for 25 EUR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay between 8 EUR and 25 EUR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Italy at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Italy then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Italy have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Vodafone, Windtre and Iliad. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Italy are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Italy with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Italy. The Airalo Italy eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $14.5 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Italy without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Italy is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Italy and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Italy eSim uses the Vodafone, Telecom Italia and Wind Tre networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Vodafone, Telecom Italia and Wind Tre networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Italy.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Italy eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $8 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $10 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $14.5 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $24 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $33 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $14.5 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Italy eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Italy eSim uses the ILIAD Italia/Wind Tre/Vodafone Italia/Telecom Italia/Wind Trenetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Italy
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Italy eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
An eSIM, known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built into devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it does not need to be physically inserted or removed.
Instead, the eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without having to physically swap SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or individuals who regularly switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on a single device.
To activate an eSIM, users can scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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