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Nothing is more important than having a cellular internet connection in Rome if you're visiting this ancient city. You'll need to go online to look for directions, maps, information about tourist hotspots, visiting hours, attractions, and so much more.
Also, remember that in Rome, you will find almost three thousand years of history, a lot of culture and architecture, and the Roman Coliseum, which you cannot miss visiting. But do you know how to get to all of its attractions? What about the visiting hours? You can easily solve these questions with the internet, so it is important to have cellular data in Rome.
In this article, we will tell you about all the available alternatives, from international roaming to eSIM and SIM cards. As well as pocket WiFi and public WiFi. Keep reading if you want to learn more!
One of the most common ways to connect is with cellular data. You can have it by activating the international roaming service of your operator. But it is a very expensive alternative.
You can always opt for other alternatives like the international SIM card or an eSIM card, Pocket WiFi, or free Public WiFi. But the best option is to have a data plan for Italy.
You can also get the internet with your domestic operator for your trip to Rome. To find out if you can use international roaming from your local operator, you will simply have to contact them and ask for this service. However, we will tell you about some famous international operators that offer international roaming to their users:
But you should be aware that using international roaming for your trip to Rome will be an expensive service. Currently, roaming is one of the most expensive services to connect to the internet while traveling. However, below we will talk in more detail about the services of the above-mentioned operators.
AT&T is one of the most important operators in the USA. And it works perfectly in Italy. With it, you can get the International Day Pass, which is priced at $10 per day and will allow you to make unlimited use of your phone services, such as cellular data, text messages, and calls.
On the other hand, this company also offers its users the possibility to use its services through the pay-per-use option. This means that you will only have to pay for the amount you use for each service. These will cost you $2.05/MB, $2 per minute of call, and $0.5 per message sent. However, remember that the final bill could be quite high if you don't control your consumption.
O2 is a company based in the UK, so if you are a regular customer and want to travel inside Europe, then you'll be able to keep using your plan's services at no extra cost. If your monthly data plan is over 25 GB, you’ll have a Roaming Limit of 25 GB when traveling to Rome. Meaning you can use up to 25 GB of your allowance without being charged extra. If you go over your Roaming Limit, then it will cost you around $4 per GB.
On the other hand, we have T-Mobile, another well-renowned US cellular operator. If you're a regular T-Mobile customer, then you can definitely count on different perks and roaming benefits depending on the T-Mobile plan you're subscribed to. If you have one of the Simple Gold plans, you can use their phone services at no extra cost. But, if you have other T-Mobile plans, you will be charged for the use you have of them. That is, for each MB of usage, you will have to pay $15.
In the following table, you will find the prices of each of the companies we mentioned before. This way you will be able to compare them and pick the one that best suits your needs.
| Services | Price |
| AT&T Roaming | $2.05/MB |
| O2 UK Roaming | No extra cost. Or $4/GB after the monthly use allowance |
| T-Mobile Roaming | $15/MB |
Another great option is to acquire a SIM card with cellular data for Rome. It is very simple to use since all you have to do is to insert the chip into your cellphone. You can buy one of these cards in the virtual stores. They offer free shipping to your home! They also have many data plans for an accessible price.
If you want to get an eSIM card, you will be able to keep using your traditional SIM card at the same time. Why? Because the eSIM is a virtual SIM card. You can buy the Holafly eSIM card for Rome. You will receive the QR code for the activation in your email. And all you have to do to activate it is to scan the QR code. The eSIM card has unlimited data and offers the best internet connection!
You can also get Pocket WiFi for Rome. It is one of the favorite options for some travelers, while others do not recommend it because of the high prices of renting and purchasing the device.
You can always connect to the Public WiFi in Rome, a great option if you want to save some money. This network does not have download limits, so it will let you look for all the information you need. You can find public WiFi in the following places:
Anyway, you should know that it is not recommended because it is unsafe, and your personal information can be easily stolen.
In the following table, you will find the prices of all the alternatives we just showed you.
| Service | Price |
| SIM card | 30 days at $20 without unlimited data |
| eSIM card | Unlimited data / 5 days at $19 |
| Public WiFi | Free |
| Witourist Pocket WiFi | Rent it for $7.20/day |
| My Webspot Pocket WiFi | Rent it 8 days at $63.20 |
From snapping photos at the Colosseum to navigating the charming alleyways of Trastevere, having reliable Mobile Internet in Rome lets you embrace every moment in the Eternal City. Today, being online isn’t just about sharing pictures of your morning espresso — it’s how you find the best local trattoria, check metro schedules, or instantly translate that curious menu in Testaccio. Before you choose a SIM, eSIM, or pocket WiFi for your Roman adventure, it’s worth considering: how much data will you actually need?
Your Mobile Internet needs can shift dramatically depending on your travel habits. Streaming a street musician’s performance, video calling family from the Spanish Steps, or using Google Maps to explore ancient ruins can quickly eat up your data. To help you pick the best plan, take a look at the infographic below — it shows estimated hourly Mobile Internet usage for popular apps and activities, so you can enjoy Rome without worrying about running out of data.
Wondering which apps might drain your data allowance? The video below spotlights the biggest offenders (one can burn through nearly 200 MB in just five minutes!) and provides practical tips for stretching your Mobile Internet in Rome further. Give it a watch before you pack your bags for Italy.
For more app-specific info, you can check out our article on how much mobile data Spotify requires or read our breakdown of Google Maps’ data consumption when traveling.
Ask your provider about the roaming accords it has with the local operators in Rome. You can check the coverage maps below to learn a little bit more about this.
Before you leave, we are going to give you our recommendation. We know that you want to be connected all the time during your trip, so we recommend you visit the Holafly virtual store and get an eSIM or SIM card.
The Holafly eSIM card connects to the ILIAD and Windtre network.
Yes, they have an expiration date.
Your eSIM card will stop working, but you can always buy a new one.
The best global eSIM provider
From $2.3/week
A reliable eSIM provider for budget travelers
From $2.4/week
The best global eSIM provider
From $2.3/week
A reliable eSIM provider for budget travelers
From $2.4/week
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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