Can I buy a Sim card at FCO? Terminal 3
Aug 13th, 2016, 04:14 PM
#2
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No. The only phone shops are in the departure area for Schengen flights, which won't be accessible to you. There are kiosks at the arrivals area that sell so-called internationals SIMs, but they are a huge rip-off so stay away from them. Wait till you get into town and go to any TIM, Vodafone or WIND shop where they sell good-value SIMs and will help to set up for you in your phone. If you are going to Termini by Leonardo Express, there are both TIM and Vodafone shops there (though likely to be busy).
Aug 13th, 2016, 05:17 PM
#3
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I have gotten a SIM at a TIM kiosk at T3 arrival. It was just before "point of no return" doors descending into the luggage area. Very knowledgeable about appropriate SIMs for tourists unlike the in-town shops serving mostly the locals.
http://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-r...-shopping-maps
click "arrival T3"
click "TIM"
However, they change things around often, so the map can be obsolete. The TIM website locator does not show any FCO kiosks.
http://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-r...-shopping-maps
click "arrival T3"
click "TIM"
However, they change things around often, so the map can be obsolete. The TIM website locator does not show any FCO kiosks.
Aug 13th, 2016, 05:40 PM
#4
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Thank you both for your replies. Greg, we will look for the TIM kiosk. If it isn't there, or we can't find it, we will wait until we get to our apartment and then go to the nearest TIM. Thanks again.
Aug 14th, 2016, 01:59 AM
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On the TripAdvisor Rome forum, at least two people have reported in the past six months that they were able to buy a SIM card and TIM for Visitors plan from a TIM kiosk near the baggage restrieval carousels in Terminal 3. I was there myself just two weeks ago, and had intended to look for it, but I forgot.
There are other kiosks selling so-called "international SIM cards" at ridiculously high prices. Many people have found that the credit was drained almost overnight, and some people couldn't even get connected with them. Get a SIM card only from an authentic Italian telecom company. Vodafone has a plan similar to the TIM for Visitors plan, with more minutes but less data.
There are other kiosks selling so-called "international SIM cards" at ridiculously high prices. Many people have found that the credit was drained almost overnight, and some people couldn't even get connected with them. Get a SIM card only from an authentic Italian telecom company. Vodafone has a plan similar to the TIM for Visitors plan, with more minutes but less data.
Aug 14th, 2016, 10:32 AM
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Thanks bvlenci - I have incorporated a lot of your advice on avoiding the crowds in Rome for our trip, including renting bikes on the Appian Way.
We will only buy from an accredited service provider. I will post back if we find the TIM kiosk in Terminal 3
We will only buy from an accredited service provider. I will post back if we find the TIM kiosk in Terminal 3
Aug 15th, 2016, 03:15 AM
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There is a TIM phone store on the upper level of Termini station. You can see it if you stand with your back to the big departures screen that, at the moment, is almost totally blocked by construction. There are also phone stores of other countries, but I would advise sticking to TIM or Vodafone. They are the only companies that have good plans for visitors. Wind used to have one, but it's been dropped.
Aug 15th, 2016, 05:57 AM
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Beware of TIM for new users. You now have to sign an agreement that allows TIM to text message you with tons of spam. They will not sell you a TIM SIM unless you sign it. Once signed, TIM bombards you with never-ending text messages that are impossible to turn off. It's the most annoying thing I've ever encountered with my phone in Italy. It was so bad, I made a special trip to a TIM store to complain, and they said there was nothing that could be done.
When my sister and I returned from Tuscany in Spring, I looked up the issue on the internet. Sure enough, many new TIM customers are lodging complaints.
When my sister and I returned from Tuscany in Spring, I looked up the issue on the internet. Sure enough, many new TIM customers are lodging complaints.
Sep 17th, 2016, 06:13 PM
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Just back - we did buy from TIM. Got a few annoying emails but otherwise no problems. There is a store in Terminal 3 after you get your luggage on the way to the parking (we were picked up by a driver).
Sep 22nd, 2016, 01:17 PM
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Make sure your TIM card is activated before you leave the store or kiosk. We bought our TIM card at the Rome airport. The girl told us it would take 2 hours to activate and she never did it. No other TIM office can activate it because each store is individually owned. Found that out too late. When I called them, I was told the number wasn't in the system and I would have to go back to the airport. Since I was no longer in Rome, that wasn't an option. She would not accept an email with copies of all the documents. Now I am in the process of stopping payment on my credit card since they are trying to collect the money. We went to another TIM store in Naples and the SIM card took 10 minutes.
