Travel to Italy - can you rent a cell phone?

Cellular phone coverage in Italy is excellent. The phone system available in Italy, GSM, offers superior digital audio quality and reception and cellular coverage in Italy is virtually all over the country. There will be some spots where coverage is not available or even the possibility of areas where there are temporary downs but in general, cellular coverage and network availability are not issues.

Yeah, I've herd they have this system of renting, but it cost too much and it's not worth it.

You can easily purchase recharge cards called the "TIM RICARICard" in 5, 25 and 50 Euro denominations at Italian tobacco shops, magazine kiosks and any convenience store displaying the RICARICard logo. (Note that there is a nominal Italian tax added when buying these cards. For instance, the € 25 RICARICard sells in Italy for € 30.) Even if you have zero credit—since incoming calls are always free—you will still be able to receive calls.

first of all its not impossible to rent a cell phone in italy, when i just arrived 4 years ago i rented one at this internet cafe. thats the spot where they are usually rented. i dont remember how much it cost but it wasnt that much and it served me well since at the time i was planning on staying only for 6 months. if you rent it the cost of your phone calls are directly charged to your credit card from the cell you rent, you dont have to worry about go aroudn and recharging it every time. you can try bringing your own and connecting it with the one italy, but imagine, what happens if it breaks? gets stolen? doesnt work? it happened to my friend, had no other choice but to buy a new one here. so if you want the easy way, just rent it.

All you need to do is go with your own cell phone and have any local cell phone company (Vodafone,EPlus,D2 - they are all over the main streets in any European city) give you a new chip that is 25 euros ($30) at most and can be used with a prepaid card.This chip can be removed when you go back home and as long as you maintain 25 euros or more on the chip, it will be good for 18 months or more for the next time you visit Europe.

No need of renting.

No need on checking with your Service provider in the US.

You just need a tri or quad band phone unlocked (ALL the US Companies (Verizon, T-Mobile, Cingular, AT&T, etc...) carry such phones (Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, Sony, etc...).

Once you are in the Country (in this case Italy) you just need to purchase a SIM card and charge the phone with as much money as you want (Euro).

To rent a cell in italy is almost impossibile! if you have a triband phone it's better to take it and use it, the rates are quite cheap if you ask at your local provider who they are linked with in Italy. the best and cheapest is Vodafone

what do u mean rent?

bring your device with u and buy some card and calling time from a store there!!u dont need more than 20 $-euro for that!!

Just take your own card and pick up a SIM card while you are there. Check with your cell service before you go though.

Yes, how you do it I dont know