How to Use a Cell Phone in Italy

Traveling to Italy is an experience that will last a lifetime. Escaping reality is always fun, but it's also reassuring to know that family members can be reached. While you're riding a gondola in Venice and exploring ancient Rome, you want to make sure that you are able to use your cell phone in the case of an emergency. Using a cell phone in Italy is easy if you follow the correct procedures.

Things You'll Need

• Plug adapter
• List of important phone numbers
• Transformer

Instructions

1. Purchase the correct plug adaptors from an electronics store before you leave home so that you can charge your cell phone while in Italy. Italy uses plug types "C" and "F."

2. Pack a transformer that can handle 230 volts, which is the voltage used in Italy, to use while charging your cell phone. Your cell phone will likely fry if you do not use the correct transformer.

3. Contact your cell phone provider to make sure that they offer phone coverage in Italy. Ask to be upgraded to international roaming.

4. Consider renting a cell phone or SIM card to use with your personal cell phone if your cellular company does not offer coverage in Italy.

5. Be prepared to dial locally within Italy. You will need to use your cell phone to make dinner reservations, book a taxi and get directions. If you are dialing a place in Italy with the same city code as which you are calling, just dial the number. If the number has a different city code, dial the city code, plus the phone number. It is not necessary to dial a leading "0" from a mobile phone.

6. Know how to call the United States from Italy. First dial "00" (this is the international prefix to dial outside of Italy). Then dial "1" (this is the international code used to dial to the U.S.). Follow that by the city code and phone number.

Tips & Warnings

• Be sure to charge your cell phone each night using the correct plug adaptor and transformer.