SIM/eSIM and ATMs in Positano
Stay online and cash-ready by setting up your SIM plan before arriving and planning ATM stops with lower fees.
Activate an eSIM
Load an Italian eSIM (TIM, Vodafone, or reliable travel providers) while on hostel Wi-Fi or before you fly; coverage is strongest on terraces and along the SS163.
Choose at least 10 GB for a week if you stream music or upload photos; monitor usage because top-ups in town are limited.
Picking up a physical SIM
Detour via Sorrento, Salerno, or Naples Centrale for carrier stores; bring your passport and expect a €10–€20 starter pack with ID registration.
Tabacchi sometimes sell ready-to-activate SIMs in peak months, but availability swings—buy when you see them.
ATM strategy
Favour bank ATMs such as Intesa Sanpaolo for €2–€3 fees; independent machines near the beach can charge double with poor exchange rates.
Withdraw €100–€150 per time and split notes between your day bag and a secure pocket in your luggage.
Tips
- Confirm your phone is carrier-unlocked so it can use Italian eSIMs/SIMs.
- Install and activate your eSIM on Wi-Fi.
- Download offline maps for Positano and your arrival town.
- Screenshot tickets, confirmations, and eSIM activation details.
- Carry a little cash in your day bag (€20–€50) and keep the rest separate.
- Carry a backup card (or second payment method) in a different place.
- Bring a portable battery—weak signal areas make phones work harder and drain power faster.
FAQs
Does coverage reach Capri and Amalfi?
Yes, but expect slower speeds offshore; download playlists and maps before boarding ferries.
Are ATMs reliable late at night?
Bank lobbies stay open 24/7, but if a machine runs out of cash you may need to ride to Amalfi or Sorrento the next morning.
