Best eSIM for Italy: I Tested it Across 3 Italian Cities

If you’re overwhelmed trying to figure out the best eSIM for Italy, the one I personally use is Airalo. I’ve used it on multiple trips to Italy across several different cities and at this point, it’s become one of those things I don’t overthink. I just automatically install it before every trip because I know it works.

I rely heavily on my phone while I’m traveling in Italy because it saves me time and money. During my recent month-long stay in Rome, I witnessed multiple tourists getting fined on buses because they didn’t have properly activated tickets.

Having reliable data made it easy for me to buy and validate tickets directly from my phone before boarding.

There are a lot of Italy eSIM options out there, but if you want the short answer this is the one I personally trust and recommend as a solo traveler and remote worker.

Click here to download the app for free. Use Airalo referral code GLOBE-GAZERS for a discount.

The short answer: Airalo eSIM 🏆

The best eSIM for Italy in my personal experience, is Airalo. I’ve been using the Airalo eSIM since 2023 all over the world and, most recently, during my month living in and working remotely from Rome.

Before the rise of eSIMs, I relied on local, physical SIM cards that I would swap out manually in my phone.

Each time I arrived in a new country I either had to wait in long lines at the airport to buy an overpriced SIM card; or, make my way to a local phone store (without reliable internet to help me navigate there) and hope someone spoke enough English to help me.

SIM card from a vending machine in London

This took up a lot of time and energy that I would rather have spent exploring the destination itself.

But at the time, it was more affordable than buying an international data plan through my at-home phone provider (which, by the way, is still the most expensive option out there).

For me, discovering Airalo was a game-changer. The ease, convenience and affordability are unmatched and it comes with the added benefit of ditching plastic.

Watch: how to get your eSIM

What makes Airalo the best eSIM for Italy?

As you do your research you’ll probably come across a lot of different eSIM options, so how can you trust that Airalo is the best choice?

Well, for one, it has a lot of social proof. Airalo is used and trusted by more than 30 million people around the world, across over 200 countries and regions. This is not some fledgling eSIM company. It’s an industry leader.

Airalo is also consistently one of the most affordable eSIM options, without sacrificing reliability.

And finally, you have my first-hand recommendation. I’ve spent extended time in Italy and used Airalo on multiple visits to the country. Beyond that, I’ve used Airalo for every one of my international trips since 2023.

Install your Airalo eSIM before your next trip!

Why you need an eSIM for Italy

If you’re looking for the best eSIM for Italy then you already know you’ll need a way to stay connected while exploring. But do you know all of the potential ways having an eSIM can enrich your experience?

Here are all the practical ways having an eSIM during my 1-month stay in Rome came in handy:

Navigation

This is my main use case for an eSIM. When I’m exploring a new city I rely heavily on Google Maps. How else are you supposed to get around these days?

Narrow street lined with tall apartment buildings in Rome under a bright blue sky. Cars are parked along the cobblestone road and a domed church rises in the distance above the city skyline.

Yes, 10+ years ago I relied on the paper maps that hostels and hotels would give you at check-in.

But using a maps app on my phone is much more efficient and accurate now. I’d be lying if I said I don’t also heavily rely on my maps app while in my own hometown, so of course it’s a must when I’m in a foreign country!

Finding hidden gems

Beyond just getting me from point A to B, having reliable internet to fuel my maps app while traveling also helps me discover hidden gems.

Hand holding a bright red frozen granita in a clear plastic cup at an outdoor café in Italy. Green plants and a parked car blur into the background on a sunny afternoon.

Despite having been to Rome 6 times before my most recent visit, I’d never had Antonio’s cremolata before. I only came across it in real-time, while poking around on Google Maps when I happened to be (unknowingly) nearby.

As a secure hotspot for remote work

If you’re lucky enough to be able to work from anywhere in the world, even if in the form of taking a few meetings in exchange for being able to travel longer, then maintaining your credibility is critical.

During my month-long stay in Rome I had several virtual workshops to facilitate. Someone trusted me to hold true to this commitment even while abroad, and I needed to repay that trust with dependability.

Latte with leaf shaped foam art served on a wooden table beside an open laptop in a modern café. Soft lighting and blurred lounge chairs create a quiet workspace atmosphere.

There’s no way I would have been able to do that without Airalo. Because despite my efforts to book accommodations that assured me WiFi was strong, it still cut out a few times.

Once in the middle of a meeting with my colleagues, and once during an actual workshop while I was mid-facilitation.

With the Airalo eSIM in place as my backup my phone seamlessly hotspotted to my laptop and I was able to continue without skipping a beat. Whew!

Plus, when you use your eSIM the data is encrypted which means you’ll have a secure connection without

Using apps on the go

I could not have predicted that having a reliable eSIM in place would save me hundreds of euros in Italy, but it did.

Here’s an important Rome travel tip for you: if you take any public transportation make sure you carefully validate tickets.

Two blue passenger seats beside a large train window on a modern train in Italy. Greenery and train tracks are visible outside the window during daytime travel.

Four different times on the public buses in Rome, ticket-checking agents came on board to ensure everyone had validated tickets.

Each time, I watched people get caught without properly validated tickets. Trips that should only have cost a couple euros ended up costing them anywhere from 60-100 euros instead. That’s a pretty unfortunate dent to have in your vacation budget!

The thing is, validating tickets can be confusing and tricky. If you can’t access the right machines to pay for your trip or validate your ticket because the bus is too crowded, you’re out of luck.

Public transit card validator mounted inside a train or tram in Italy with a “Tap and Go” payment screen visible below the yellow ticket machine. Useful setup for travelers using the best eSIM for Italy while navigating public transportation.

If you forget to tap your paper ticket when you board, you’re out of luck. If you tried but couldn’t figure out how to correctly validate your ticket, you’re out of luck.

They will fine you.

I sidestepped this by using the MooneyGo app. It allowed me to buy tickets as needed, on-the-go. When I saw my bus approaching, I would hit ‘activate’ in the app before boarding. No further validation needed.

The agents simply checked my app to ensure I’d activated my ticket before boarding, and I was in the clear.

Without reliable data coverage through an eSIM I would not have been able to use this app.

What is the internet in Italy like?

In Italy’s more urban areas, internet accessibility is pretty great. Most places use fiber-optic internet which is the fastest and most reliable broadband connection possible. This is especially the case in larger city hubs.

But WiFI connection can be spotty anywhere. And, like I said, even though the WiFi at my Rome accommodation was great for the majority of my stay, it did cut out on me at some highly inopportune moments.

My experience using the Airalo eSIM to connect to the internet while traveling in Italy has always been positive, with just one caveat. Sometimes in more remote or rural areas it may be tougher to get a signal.

Airalo connects you to the local networks where you’re traveling, so you get the same connectivity experience as locals. Sometimes, walking through narrow streets surrounded on both sides by large, stone buildings you might find signal cuts out.

Empty cobblestone alley between historic stone buildings in Rome with iron window grilles and soft afternoon light at the end of the street.

This happened very rarely, and is quickly resolved by stepping into a slightly more open space.

Otherwise, I’ve used Airalo in both larger and smaller cities across Italy including Rome, Florence and Orvieto with great results.

Pro tip for faster internet: Go into your phone settings > cellular > SIMs > (select your travel SIM) > Data Mode > switch from ‘Standard’ to ‘Allow More Data on 5G

How to choose the best eSIM for Italy

Once you’ve downloaded the free Airalo app you can choose the right eSIM for your trip. If you’ll be visiting multiple European countries you can get one eSIM that will cover you across multiple destinations.

Screenshot of an Italy eSIM data plan page showing unlimited and standard package options with pricing for 3 day and 5 day plans. The screen displays compatibility confirmation and network options including “Wind Tre 5G.”

If you’ll be in Italy the entire time you can search for Italy-specific options.

Choose how many GB you think you’ll need and for how many days. If you’re not exactly sure that’s okay, because you can easily top up in the app as needed.

You can purchase your eSIm at any time before your trip (remember to use Airalo code GLOBE-GAZERS for a discount) and it will be waiting for you in your app when it’s time for your trip abroad.

An important note on how to activate Airalo eSIM

One important thing to note is you will need to install the eSIM before your actual travel date. I recommend doing this while you’re still at home and connected solidly to WiFI, either the day before or day of your trip.

Then, when you land at your destination you’ll be able to activate your eSIM immediately.

This will allow you to instantly be able to navigate your way from the airport to your accommodations, communicate with your local host if needed, and skip the lines of people trying to get physical SIM cards set up at the airport.

cNarrow street in Rome with people walking past a tall building completely covered in green ivy. Sunlight reflects off the pastel colored buildings beneath a clear blue sky.

Final thoughts on the best eSIM for Italy

The truth is, there are many ways to stay connected while traveling in Italy. You could call up your current phone provider and ask them to extend coverage internationally. They’ll probably charge you $10+ a day, though. It’s the most expensive option.

You could also wait until you land at your destination, then find a SIM card kiosk before you leave the airport.

You’ll get a plastic, local SIM card to put in your phone and you’ll need a safe place to put your main SIM card (if your phone still uses a physical SIM card). This is still one of the pricier options, and it’s a hassle.

Alternatively, you could visit a local phone store. This is the most inconvenient option. Purchasing and installing an eSIM before you travel takes minutes and is the most affordable pick.

Of all the eSIMs available out there, I can confidently recommend Airalo. Get yours here.