We are going to Italy via London. My son in London has a 2-3 year old cell phone that he is not using anymore. Assuming it is a GSM phone and it is unlocked, will I be able to buy a SIM card in Venice to use that cell phone in Italy for a month? How much would this cost? Where can I buy them in Venice? Thanks for the help. Gerry

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This message has been edited. Last edited by: Colleen,

I think I bought mine for something like 15 Euro, at the internet point on the Crosera in Dorsoduro. There are phone shops all over the place though, you'll have no trouble there.

Last year I bought a phone and SIM card for use in Venice. There is a 5 euro charge each time you buy additional minutes, so I would suggest you reasonably estimate the minutes you will need to avoid repeatedly paying the 5 euro charge.

I'm returning this year for 6 weeks and will try to buy in larger increments.

quote:

Originally posted by Shannon:
I think I bought mine for something like 15 Euro, at the internet point on the Crosera in Dorsoduro. There are phone shops all over the place though, you'll have no trouble there.

The Internet Point on the Crosera is very helpful and will even load your card into the phone for you if you are having problems. There is also a place near the Rialto on the San Polo side just before the Campo Beccarie - a straight shot down from the Rialto Bridge that is very convenient for anyone visiting the Rialto Markets, and as Shannon said there are lots of others throughout Venice. Ruth

Thanks folks. Does the price for the SIM card (at 15 euros) include any talk time minutes? I think 50 minutes for the month would be enough as we will use it just to keep in touch. How much would that cost? Is text messaging free like at home?

Have been reading the SIM threads for a while trying to figure out why it makes sense. Perhaps that's because our phones, with Tmobile will already work in Italy. The calls are $1 a minute so it ain't cheap, but we'd only use the cell for emergencies. For regular calling we'd get a phone card with 100 minutes for $5. Is spending the extra money just for the convenience?

Thanks,
jb

We will be in Venice at the end of the month but also off to Northern Tuscany. Does anyone know if there a SIM card that can be used throughout Italy or just in the North - something with a larger cover area than just Venice?

Thanks, Alanka