Centralparkgirl

I will be arriving in Rome, FCO, on a Sunday morning in May.

Will I be able to buy a SIM card with data for my iPhone in the airport on a Sunday?
Where would the merchant be located?

Can I use Skype on my iPad if it's wireless (no SIM card)?

Are there bank ATMs in the arrival area?
Do the Italian banks set the limit on withdrawals in euros or does my bank do that?

Thanks for any information. The last time I was in FCO, cell phones hadn't been invented!

Andrew

I haven't been to FCO myself since 2007.

You can use Skype without a SIM, just on WiFi. You can also use Google Hangouts to make free phone calls on WiFi to the US, even to landlines.

There is almost certainly an ATM at FCO, perhaps outside of baggage claim (not in the security area). I'm sure I used one in 2007. Your bank probably sets the limit.

greg

Both the ATM and your bank set the limit.

For most bank ATM, my home bank sets the limit. One bank in Italy, "Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena" ATM has never given me more than 250EU at a time in several cities I tried. How do I know it was not my bank limit? If I used BNL or other bank ATM located practically next to the Monte dei Paschi ATM, I could get more than 250EU at a time.

bvlenci

There are many banks in Italy that will give a maximum of €250 per transaction. Usually you can get another €250 immediately, up to any limit imposed by your bank.

I'm not sure whether you'll be able to get a SIM card on a Sunday. There is supposedly a TIM kiosk by the baggage carousels in international arrive at Fiumicino, but I'm usually in transit there, so I haven't seen it. It may well be open on Sundays. Don't be tempted by the kiosks offering "international" SIM cards. These are outrageously priced, and there have been many complaints about their not working at all.

In downtown Rome, the phone stores are likely to be closed on Sundays. You can also get SIM cards at many small appliance stores, electronics shops, and camera shops.

The two major providers in Italy have reasonably priced plans for tourists:

https://www.tim.it/tim-visitors-en

http://www.vodafone.it/portal/Privat...liday-Englishq

Both cost €30. TIM has more data, and Vodafone has more talk time. Both allow you to use the minutes to call over 40 countries, as well as for calls within Italy.

bvlenci

There are definitely ATMs in the arrivals hall. I usually avoid ATMs at airports, for various reasons. I get a small amount of local currency at my home bank, just enough to get me to my hotel.

kybourbon

There are ATMS after you retrieve your luggage and exit through the glass doors (to the area where inside where drivers wait and there are some shops, etc.). One ATM is by the door to the outside of the airport. I usually turn right (follow the sign for the train) and after the floor slopes up, there is an ATM which usually isn't as busy as the one by the door.

As for limits, I find most Italian ATM's have choices of 50, 100, 150, etc. (used to only see up to 250, but you see higher now). Your bank also has limits on withdrawals (how much can you withdraw at home?). I use my credit union ATM card because they don't charge fees, but they have a low daily withdrawal of $400 and won't increase it for anyone (some banks will increase for your trip if you ask). That means you have to calculate the difference between euro and dollars so you don't ask the machine for more than your daily limit. I wouldn't be able to select 400€ as the conversion rate today would be $431.46 and my request would be rejected as that puts me over the CU's $400 limit.

I've never seen anywhere to get a SIM at FCO except inside secure area, but did see a report not long ago about someone getting one. The TIM store at Termini would be open (it's up a level from the trains and open every day 8am-10pm). If you are taking the train into Rome, that would work for you.

http://www.romatermini.com/en/store/detail/tim1

bvlenci

My own bank only allows withdrawals of €250 at once. I don't know if they allow a second withdrawal immediately, as I've never tried. I live in a small town with three banks. One of the other two allows larger withdrawals. Since my American bank (actually a credit union) has a per-withdrawal fee if you don't use their own ATM (nothing to do with the fact that it's an international withdrawal), that's where I go to make withdrawals from my American account.

Centralparkgirl

Thank you all for the info! A current airport map does show that there is a TIM shop in arrivals and suggests that it is open 7 days a week. We'll see if that is so.

I will check with my banks about limits. I seem to recall that the overseas banks have a lower limit than my bank. I always travel with ATM cards from two different banks - just in case.

What are the names of popular Italian banks that would have ATMs?

After Rome, we will be heading to Puglia for a few weeks. I thought I read somewhere that it is difficult to find ATMs there. Anyone have experience with that?

bvlenci

A lot of banks in Italy are local. They may have names that start with "Cassa Risparmio", "Banca Credito Cooperativo", "Banca Popolare", or something like that. Some larger banks found in many regions are Unicredit, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and Banco Nazionale del Lavoro.

I don't know of any bank that doesn't have an ATM. They may have a security system to get into the place where the ATM is. Some require you to put your fingertip on a fingerprint reader.

kybourbon

>>>A current airport map does show that there is a TIM shop in arrivals and suggests that it is open 7 days a week.<<<

Which arrivals area? I didn't look for one this last trip (I did on other trips and there was only one in the secure departure area) as I waited until I was in another town to get a SIM. I never understood why they didn't have one in arrivals.

>>>Can I use Skype on my iPad if it's wireless (no SIM card)?<<<

If you are staying somewhere with internet you would be able to use it.

>>>Since my American bank (actually a credit union) has a per-withdrawal fee if you don't use their own ATM <<<

I use my credit union ATM card and while they don't charge a fee, they only allow members to withdraw $400 per day. Last fall, I had some leftover euro so I waited until I reached Termini to get money. I used the ATM on the far side (near track 1) because my train was going to be departing from that side. Intesa SanPaolo. They have a bank there, but there is a separate enclosed ATM to one side of the bank entrance.

bvlenci

The reports I saw (on Tripadvisor) said that the TIM kiosk was in the international arrivals terminal (Terminal 3), inside the baggage collection hall. There have always been phone stores in the domestic terminals.

If I'm not mistaken, there was a law about selling SIM cards in international arrivals halls. I don't remember what the reason was, but it was probably as illogical as the law that greatly restricted wifi in public areas.

Centralparkgirl

I saw it on a map of T3 Arrivals.
Open from 6:00-21:30.

Do all flights originating in the US go to T3?

fgirardi

Which would have the best exchange rates - banks/ATMs?

StCirq

fgirardi, in all likelihood you won't even be able to set foot in an Italian bank, and if you can, you won't be allowed to exchange money there unless you are an account holder. A lot of European banks these days don't even have cash available, in any currency. ATMs always have the best deal, especially if you bank with a credit union or bank that charges zero transaction fees. And instead of hijacking someone else's thread, it's usually a good idea to start your own.

OP, no, you'll have to look at your ticket or call the airline to see which terminal your plane arrives at.

yestravel

We had no trouble finding ATMs in Puglia.

fgirardi

Wow - never knew there were so many rules about asking questions of fellow travelers............I appreciate your answer to my inappropriate thread etiquette

kybourbon

>>>Wow - never knew there were so many rules about asking questions of fellow travelers............I appreciate your answer to my inappropriate thread etiquette<<<

fgirardi - It's because your post is a bit different than the OP's. If you start your own thread "best exchange rates Italy ATM/bank" or similar, you will attract people that might not click on this thread about IPhone/Skype. It's your own home bank that determines exchange (based on the rates occurring daily) and tack on fees, not the Italian banks/ATM's.

>>>I saw it on a map of T3 Arrivals.
Open from 6:00-21:30.
Do all flights originating in the US go to T3?<<<

I hope there is one. FCO has been in a remodel so things can and do change.

fmpden

It isn't a rule. It is courtesy.

Centralparkgirl

fgirardi - I see you're new to Fodors. Please don't be put off. The forums are a great resource for information. Although I did have ATM in my title, it is true that you will get more targeted advice when you post your own. In fact, my title was too broad and was done because I was a little lazy

Centralparkgirl

ky - I guess it's not a good idea for me to assume their map is up to date