ekscrunchy

Thanks!

One more thing--people talk about inserting the SIm card as if it might be tricky, or even difficult to do...is this the case, or can anyone--even a technophobe like me--accomplish this?

kayd

On most models, at least the pre-smartphone ones: Remove back of phone, remove battery, (remove old SIM if one is there), insert SIM. May be difficult if you have large, clumsy fingers, but otherwise not too challenging.

kayd

Here's a picture
http://www.slowtrav.com/europe/cell_phones.htm

xyz123

A sim card is in the shape of a trapezoid...3 sides rectangular sort of although not a very mathematical description...the gold contcts go down...hou will see the contacts of the phone where they must touch...so it's very hard, almost impossible to actually insert it incorrectly.

ParisAmsterdam

For the OP for whom time is now short... look at http://www.callineurope.com They can provide you with 2 phones and SIMS before you leave. They are in the US so will help you in English. They also bill to your credit card which I like.... no running out of minutes. They are not the bargain they once were but hard to beat for convenience and service. I have bought phones on eBay but you just don't have the time!

ekscrunchy

LInking this thread, to keep lots of info together:


http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...or-dummies.cfm

Celticharper

I would suggest that you may find a better deal if you don't buy the phone at the airport. Wait till you get to your hotel and ask the clerks there where they would buy a cheap phone, you'll probably find that the price is a lot cheaper than anything at the airport.

We have cheap phones that we use only in Europe with sim cards and prepaid cards.

yannis

I would suggest that, unless you need a phone right upon landing, go out and about, find a local store, buy a card phone for 40-50 euros, and buy a calling card to do your job It is cheaper, there are no contracts/etc, and you can always keep it as a souvenir if you don't want to give it to anyone there .

abenedek

<<The trouble with buying a phone and SIM in Italy is that it will only work in Italy. All the phones you buy there will be locked to the network too, so you won't be able to put in a SIM from another country either.>>

You can buy an unlocked phone in Italy that will work with SIM cards in other countries, but it will be more expensive than a locked phone.

xyz123

Just to make a small correction in PaulaN's post....if you get a locked phone in Italy with a sim card, it will work with that sim card anywhere in the eu as long as that sim card is in the phone and remains valid...what locking the phone means is you can't use any sim card other than that of the company that locked the phone.

iamq

bookmark

kybourbon

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