Buying a SIM card at the Rome Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport (FCO) is highly recommended for travelers who want to stay connected during their trip to Italy. With a local SIM card, you can make calls, send text messages, and access mobile data without incurring expensive roaming charges from your home network. This article provides a comprehensive guide to purchasing SIM cards at Rome Fiumicino Airport, including the best SIM card options, costs, necessary preparations, and more.
Table of Contents
I. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Rome Airport
There are several places to purchase SIM cards once you arrive at Rome Fiumicino Airport:
1. Vodafone store
If you prefer to buy a SIM card from a shop, there is Vodafone in the arrival hall. The Vodafone shop is located on the left-hand side of the hall, just after the sliding doors open.
Vodafone SIM card booth at luggage belts:
- Location: After passport control, on the left-hand side.
- Hours of operation: 07:00 – 23:00
- Services offered: SIM card sales and activation, plan selection, and assistance.
Vodafone shop in arrival hall:
- Location: Left-hand side of the hall, just after the sliding doors open.
- Hours of operation: 09:00 – 20:00
- Services offered: SIM card sales and activation, plan selection and assistance, mobile phone and accessory sales.
2. TIM store
The TIM shop is located next to the Vodafone shop in the arrival hall.
- Location: Next to the Vodafone shop.
- Hours of operation: 09:00 – 20:00
- Services offered: SIM card sales and activation, plan selection and assistance, mobile phone and accessory sales.
II. Rome Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport SIM Card Options and Costs
Here are the top network providers and SIM card options available at Fiumicino Airport:
| Operators | Plan Name | Price | Data | Local Calls | SMS | Validity | Total Cost (USD) |
| Fastweb | Fastweb Mobile | ~ 8.5 USD | 150 GB at 5G Speed | Unlimited | 100 SMS | 30 days | ~ 19 USD |
| Fastweb Mobile Full | ~10.5 USD | 200 GB at 5G Speed | Unlimited | 100 SMS | 30 days | ~ 21 USD | |
| Fastweb Mobile Maxi | ~ 12.5 USD | 300 GB at 5G Speed | Unlimited | 100 SMS | 30 days | ~ 23 USD | |
| Iliad | Voice Only | ~ 5 USD | 40 MB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days | ~ 15 USD |
| Data 300 | ~ 14 USD | 300 GB | - | - | 30 days | ~ 24 USD | |
| GIGA 100 | ~ 8 USD | 100 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days | ~ 18 USD | |
| GIGA 150 | ~ 10 USD | 150 GB | Unlimited | Unlimited | 30 days | ~ 20 USD | |
| Vodafone | Vodafone Holiday SIM | ~ 30 USD | 2 GB in 4G speed | 300 minutes | 300 SMS | 30 days | ~ 30 USD |
| Vodafone Dolce Vita | ~ 15 USD | 100 GB in 5G | 200 minutes | 200 SMS | 30 days | ~ 15 USD | |
| TIM | TIM Tourist SIM | ~ 20 USD | 40 GB | 200 minutes | 200 SMS | 30 days | ~ 20 USD |
| WindTre | WindTre Tourist Pass | ~ 15 USD | 20GB | 100 minutes | 100 SMS | 30 days | ~ 15 USD |
You can also find SIM cards from other Italian carriers like Lycamobile, Iliad, and Fastweb at Fiumicino Airport. Plans offer prepaid data, calls, and text bundles at affordable rates for tourists.
III. What You Need to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Rome Airport
When purchasing a SIM card at Rome Fiumicino Airport, keep the following requirements and tips in mind:
- Unlocked Phone: Your phone must be unlocked to use a foreign SIM card. Contact your home provider to unlock it before traveling.
- Passport: Your passport will be required as ID proof when buying a SIM card in Italy.
- Nano/Micro SIM: Have your phone ready to swap SIM cards. Most Italian SIMs come in nano or micro size.
- Activate SIM: Don’t forget to activate and register the SIM after inserting it into your phone.
- Top-up/Recharge: You may need to top-up your SIM card even if it’s prepaid, to activate service.
- Data Settings: Enable mobile data/APN settings and turn on data roaming on your phone.
- WiFi Access: Connect to airport WiFi before swapping SIMs so you can look up instructions.
IV. eSIM as an Alternative to SIM Card at Rome Airport
Using an eSIM digital SIM is an alternative to physical SIM cards at Rome Fiumicino Airport. Here are the benefits of eSIM and providers with eSIM service:
- No need to swap SIM cards in your phone
- Remotely add data plans without visiting a store
- Use dual SIM functionality with physical + eSIM
- Easily switch network providers as needed
Check beforehand if your phone has eSIM capability to use this option. You can scan provider QR codes or use mobile apps to set up eSIM service once in Italy.
Travelling to Italy soon? Don’t risk expensive roaming fees or lack of connectivity. Get set up with a flexible Italy eSIM plan from italy-esim.com now.
With plans starting from just $6, you can stay connected for 3 days up to a month with data allowances from 1GB up to 20GB daily. Best of all, no need to swap SIM cards – just scan the QR code on your compatible smartphone or tablet and you’re online with 4G or 5G speeds.
V. FAQs about SIM Cards at Rome Airport
Do I need to show ID/passport to buy SIM card in Rome airport?
Yes, you need to show your passport as proof of identity when purchasing any SIM card in Italy, including at the Rome airport.
Can I use SIM card from Rome in rest of Italy/Europe?
Most Italian SIM cards will allow you to roam freely across Italy and Europe at no extra cost. But verify roaming benefits when purchasing your SIM.
Is there free WiFi at Fiumicino airport?
Yes, Fiumicino airport has a free WiFi network called Aeroporti di Roma WiFi that you can connect to when at the terminals.
Can I top up SIM card at Rome airport?
Yes, you can top up or recharge your SIM card at any of the provider kiosks, stores, vending machines or nearby shops at the Rome airport terminals.
Do all SIM cards at Rome airport have data?
Most SIM cards sold at the airport come with prepaid data bundles. But some may offer only calls and texts, so check when purchasing.
VI. Final words
Purchasing an eSIM or SIM Card at Rome Airport is highly recommended when visiting Rome and Italy. Fiumicino Airport offers many convenient options to get connected with flexible data plans from the top Italian providers. Do your research and compare plans beforehand to find the best SIM for your needs and budget. With the right SIM card, you can avoid expensive roaming charges and stay conveniently connected from the moment you land in Rome!