Will be spending 2 weeks in Italy. Is it better to buy a cell phone there (if so where do you buy them?) or rent from someone like Int'l Cellular before you go (if so - what/who has the best deal?). Taking mine is not an option. Help!

I purchased an international cell phone from ekitusa through orbitz, but I think you should be able to find it through google...It was 39 dollars, and it included 60 minutes free for people to call you from the US, and a 20 dollar credit for you to call out, and all you have to do is call a number to charge more onto your cell like a calling card...My girlfriend and I both purchased one since we are leaving to Italy next week, and they work!

Hi K,

Cell phones are cheap enough that you should buy one.

Enter <cell phone> in the "Search this forum" box and you will find all that you need to know.

Hold on now, why not an option? Call your cell provider and see if your current phone will work in Europe. If it is a newer phone it might work. Mine does. It just needs a little software upgrade that they perform on their end. It's a lot cheaper and much more convenient. You tell them the dates and countries and they do the rest. Doesn't hurt to call first.
G

The more I read - the more confused I get.....
My Verizon phone will not work. I need to be able to call Italian numbers and to and from the States if necessary.
I THINK that buying an unlocked phone and getting the right card (whatever it is called TIMS/SIMS) in Italy is the way to go - but then, how do you know what your phone number is? Sorry to be so dense about this or what the charges are? Sorry to be so dense but this truly has me confused. I have read through the thread - maybe I just need to reread?