Public telephones are available throughout Italy. Most of them now use phone cards. To buy one, go to any newsstand or tobacco shop and ask for a scheda telefonica. Be sure to snap off the perforated corner of the card or it won't work.

Italian telephone numbers can include 4, 5, 6, 7, or even 8 digits, so don't automatically assume you have the wrong number if it looks strange.

Also, a great many Italian phone exchanges have added a digit during the past few years, so you may get a message advising you of this or, more likely, the number simply won't work. If you're lucky, the new number will be listed with information (dial 12).

As of June 19, 1998 it has been mandatory to dial the area code (see below) EVEN IF you are dialing a local number. All area codes start with "0" except cellphones, which never have a "0" and usually start with "3".

Emergency calls
113 is the Italian equivalent of American 911. Theoretically, there should be an English-speaking person available whenever you dial this number. But remember, it's for emergencies, not for information.

International calls
To call international numbers: dial 0 + country code + area code + phone number. This is valid on any phone, including mobile phones.

To use your own long-distance carrier's phone card
AT&T: 172 1011 or
MCI: 172 1022
SPRINT: 172 1877

Information
Dial 12 from any phone