Owais Crawford
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) has several options for purchasing a SIM card, including TIM Italy, Vodafone Italy, Lycamobile Italy, and eSIMs. While buying a SIM card at the airport is convenient, it may be more expensive than other options. To purchase a SIM card, you will need an unlocked phone, a passport, and a payment method. Prices vary depending on the provider, plan, and time of year, so it is recommended to compare prices before buying.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Can I get a SIM card at Milan Airport? | Yes, at Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) |
| Where to buy | Terminal 1: Arrival and departure halls. Terminal 2: Departure hall (in the building next door) |
| Shops/kiosks | Money Exchange, Vodafone, TIM Italy, Lycamobile, Illiad, WindTre |
| Cost | $33 USD for 18 GB data (cheapest tourist SIM card). Tourist SIM cards are more expensive than eSIMs. |
| Payment methods | Cash, credit or debit card |
| Documents required | Passport, unlocked phone, SIM size |
| Other options | eSIMs, global SIM cards for travelers, buying a SIM card online in advance, or buying a SIM card from Milan Centrale station |
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What You'll Learn
Buying a SIM card at Milan Malpensa Airport
Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) is one of the largest airports in Italy, with millions of passengers passing through it each year. Buying a SIM card at the airport upon arrival is a convenient way to stay connected while travelling in Italy.
There are several options for purchasing a SIM card at Milan Malpensa Airport. The airport has two terminals, with all intercontinental flights arriving at Terminal 1, and Terminal 2 mainly serving Easyjet flights. Both terminals have arrival halls with Money Exchange offices where Italy SIM cards are sold. These can be purchased from SIM card kiosks in the arrival areas of the airport, with Vodafone SIM cards being sold at the Money Exchange shops.
In addition to the arrival halls, there are various places in the airport where SIM cards can be purchased. In Terminal 1, TIM Italy, Vodafone Italy, WindTre, Lycamobile, and Illiad are available in the arrivals area, while TIM Italy and Vodafone Italy also have kiosks in the departures area. Terminal 2's departure hall also offers telecom services on the right side.
Prices for SIM cards at the airport vary depending on the provider and plan chosen. It is recommended to compare prices before purchasing. The cheapest SIM card option for tourists at the airport costs around $33 USD for 18 GB of data, while an eSIM with 15 GB of data can be purchased online for $15 USD.
To purchase a SIM card at Milan Malpensa Airport, it is necessary to have an unlocked phone and a valid passport for identification. Staff at the airport can provide multilingual assistance and help with the activation process. It is also important to note that lines at airport SIM card kiosks can be long, so building in extra time is advisable.
As an alternative to physical SIM cards, eSIMs are also available for purchase online. These digital SIM chips are embedded in the phone and activated remotely with a QR code or an app. They can be purchased from providers like Airalo, offering data packages starting from $3.
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Buying a SIM card online before arrival
If you want to avoid the hassle of buying a SIM card at Milan Malpensa Airport, you can buy one online before you arrive. This is the easiest option, and it will be ready when you land.
There are several online providers of tourist SIM cards for Italy, including SimOptions, Keepgo, OneSimCard, and Italian carriers TIM, Vodafone, and WindTre. You can order an international prepaid SIM card online and have it delivered to your home address. This will automatically connect to an available network when you arrive in Italy. SimOptions is the only provider of physical prepaid SIM cards for Italy, but you can also order an eSIM for Italy if your phone is compatible.
Tourist SIM cards are much more expensive than eSIMs, with the cheapest SIM card for tourists at Milan Airport costing around $33 USD for 18GB of data, while you can get a Jetpac eSIM with 15GB of data for just $15 USD.
If you want to avoid the hassle of buying a SIM card altogether, you can also consider getting an eSIM, which is directly integrated into your device and activated remotely with a QR code or an app.
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Buying a SIM card in Milan city centre
If you're looking to buy a SIM card in Milan city centre, you'll be able to find much better prepaid SIM card deals than at Milan Malpensa Airport. Head to carrier stores or electronics shops downtown for the cheapest plans and most options.
You can purchase a SIM card from TIM Italy, Vodafone Italy, WindTre, Lycamobile Italy, and Illiad at Milan Malpensa Airport, but prices may vary depending on the time of year, the provider, and the plan you choose. It is best to compare prices from different providers before buying.
In Milan city centre, you can buy a SIM card at the TIM store or the WIND store at the Milan Centrale train station. The nearest Vodafone dealer is Prog'Ram SPRL at Corso Buenos Aires 64, 9 or 10 blocks from the station near the junction with Via Errica Petrella, or the Vodafone Store at Corso Buenos Aires 18, near Porta Venezia metro station.
If you want to avoid the hassle of buying a SIM card at the airport or in the city centre, consider buying an Italy eSIM (embedded digital SIM). This type of SIM is directly integrated into a device and activated remotely with a QR code or app.
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Buying a SIM card at Milan Centrale station
If you're looking to buy a SIM card at Milan Centrale station, you're in luck! There are multiple vendors within the train station itself. You can buy a SIM card at either the TIM store or the WIND store. However, one user has noted that the TIM store can get quite busy. Another user has also mentioned that they did not have a positive experience with WIND.
If you're looking for a Vodafone SIM card, the nearest dealer is Prog'Ram SPRL at Corso Buenos Aires 64, 9 or 10 blocks from the station near the junction with Via Errica Petrella, or the Vodafone Store at Corso Buenos Aires 18, near Porta Venezia metro station.
It is recommended that you wait until you get to Milan city centre to find much better prepaid SIM card deals for Italy. Tourist SIM cards at the airport are much more expensive than eSIMs. The cheapest SIM card for tourists at Milan Airport will cost you around $33 USD for 18 GB of data, whereas you can get a Jetpac eSIM for Italy with 15 GB of data for just $15 USD.
If you do decide to purchase a SIM card at Milan Centrale station, make sure you have an unlocked phone, a valid passport, and a payment method. Staff can assist you with the activation process and any extra charges.
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Buying a SIM card from a phone store
Milan Malpensa Airport has several SIM card kiosks and shops, which are generally open late into the evening, often until 11 pm. However, their hours can vary, and it is unlikely that they will be open after midnight.
If you are arriving after this time, it is a good idea to have a backup plan, such as purchasing a SIM card online in advance. You can also buy a SIM card in Milan city centre, where you will find better deals.
SIM cards at the airport are available from TIM Italy, Vodafone Italy, WindTre, Lycamobile, Illiad, and Jetpac. Prices vary depending on the time of year, provider, and plan chosen. They typically range from 64 EUR (68.50 USD) to 85 EUR (90.95 USD).
To purchase a SIM card, you will need an unlocked phone, a passport, and a payment method. The staff at the airport speak both Italian and English and can assist with the activation process and any extra charges.
If you want to avoid the hassle of buying a physical SIM card, consider buying an eSIM, which is often cheaper. An eSIM is a digital SIM that is directly integrated into your device and activated with a QR code or an app. Popular providers include Jetpac, Bouygues Telecom, Orange, and Gigago.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can get a SIM card at Milan Malpensa Airport. There are SIM card kiosks in the arrival areas of Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.
You need a valid passport, an unlocked phone, and cash or a card to pay.
The price varies depending on the provider and plan. It can cost between 64 EUR (68.50 USD) and 85 EUR (90.95 USD). Tourist SIM cards are generally more expensive than eSIMs.
