Before you book a SIM at the airport, read this

Picking up a local SIM at Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa is something travelers have done for years. It works, but after a long-haul flight from the US, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, you’re standing in a queue trying to understand a data plan in Italian while your ride waits outside. The smarter option is already sitting inside your phone. Most modern iPhones and Android devices support eSIM, and setup takes about five minutes from home. The difference on arrival day is real.

View of the coast of Italy.

Getting your eSIM set up the right way

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone’s hardware. There’s no physical card to insert or swap. You purchase a plan, scan a QR code, and the profile installs directly onto your device. 

For anyone using an eSIM for Italy, the activation usually happens the moment your phone detects the local network after landing. Coverage across Rome, Florence, Milan, Venice, and smaller towns along the Amalfi Coast is reliable through national carriers. Rural areas and southern Sicily can be patchier, so downloading offline maps before you leave Wi-Fi is worth doing.

Install it the night before you fly

Most providers send you a QR code by email within minutes of purchase. Installing it at home means you’re not scrambling at the gate or on the plane. Once installed, you can set it to activate automatically on arrival, so your phone is online before you even reach passport control.

Always keep your home number accessible

Using an eSIM doesn’t mean missing out on your verification texts from banks or calls from loved ones on your regular numbers. Your eSIM handles all the data in Italy. This dual setup is one of the most practical advantages of going digital over physical.

Moving between cities without losing signal

Italy trips rarely stay in one place. A national data plan through your eSIM covers the whole country, so whether you’re on a train from Naples to Rome or driving a rental car through Umbria, your connection moves with you. No need to top up for a different region or hunt for Wi-Fi at every stop. This also matters for anyone using Google Maps for navigation or wanting to share photos in real time without waiting for a hotel connection.

Jetpac: A provider everyone’s choosing

Jetpac is the top choice for travellers who want an easy setup and smooth connection. It’s the Italy eSIM plan that covers 200+ destinations globally, useful if Italy is one stop on a longer trip.

Multiple networks run simultaneously to keep you online 24/7, pricing is 100% upfront with no hidden charges, running up to 70% cheaper than standard roaming. 


Voice calls start from $1.99 per 5 minutes across 50+ countries. A Jetpac eSIM gives you access to all the apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, and Uber, even after your data runs out.


Hotspot sharing is unrestricted, with 24/7 support via WhatsApp and email.