Buying the best mobile data plans for tourists in Germany is one of the most curious topics by those who come to Germany on vacation from abroad. Having a SIM card for tourists in Germany makes it possible to have both affordable internet usage and uninterrupted communication.
Attractive packages offered by different operators will make your vacation more comfortable.
- How to get a SIM card in Germany?
- International tariffs of your own operator (We do not recommend)
- Getting physical SIMs from German operators
- Buying eSIM in Germany
- The most suitable Germany SIM card
- Should I choose a physical SIM or eSIM?
In this article, we will examine Germany SIM card options, advantages and important points you should pay attention to. We do not include mobile data plans in Germany because they may be outdated and mislead you. Since there are price changes, we recommend that you check the official website of the operators before making a decision .
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ToggleHow to buy a SIM card in Germany?
Getting a SIM card in Germany is a very simple and quick process. First, you can get a SIM card from mobile operator booths at airports, electronics stores or markets. Of course, these SIM cards are physical cards. If you prefer an eSIM instead of a physical SIM card, you don’t need to visit any store at all.
In Germany, you can talk with the local tariff at an affordable price in 3 ways:
- Your own operator’s international tariffs
- Tariffs of operators in Germany
- By purchasing an eSIM (if your phone supports it, our recommendation)
Now let’s examine in detail.
International tariffs of your own operator (We do not recommend)
If you are going on vacation to Germany and need to use your phone, we recommend that you first call your local operator in your home country and check their international tariffs.
In cases where you do not prefer your local operator for a Germany SIM card, you should decide whether to buy a physical line or a virtual SIM card from operators providing services in Germany.
Buying a mobile data plans in Germany from German operators
There are three local cell phone providers in Germany, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom and O2. There are also providers that use the mobile networks of major operators, but they do not have their own stores and their network coverage is poor. For this reason, they are not recommended for tourists. And as a tourist you will not be able to register yourself since most operators require an address in Germany.
The operator company with the best 4G/5G network coverage in Germany is Deutsche Telekom. Vodafone comes second in terms of coverage, while O2 has very good network coverage in big cities like Berlin, but may not perform so well in rural areas.
Buying an eSIM in Germany
In your Germany SIM card preference, it will be practical for you to prefer eSIMs because they are much easier and more advantageous than buying a physical SIM card. Since it is a digital card, you can ease your mind by taking care of this point that needs to be taken care of by purchasing it even before traveling.
Moreover, you can make a comparison on the websites of the brands and choose the most suitable one and realize a budget-friendly transaction. At this point, we would like to give you a very important reminder. Before flying abroad, you should make sure that your phone is open abroad. If your line is closed abroad, you will not be able to change it in the country you are flying to.
So which brands should you prefer? Let us briefly introduce eSIM applications for you.
Our recommendation for Germany sim card: Airalo
Airalo is a mobile service provider that offers affordable and flexible eSIM solutions worldwide, eliminating the use of traditional SIM cards and enabling users to connect to the internet in the country they are traveling to without purchasing a local SIM card through eSIM technology. Airalo offers the best mobile data plans for tourists in Germany.
By offering data packages valid in hundreds of countries, it allows users to easily access the internet in different countries without the need to search for different operators. It is also easy to purchase, activate and manage through the app, which is especially convenient for travelers.
Yesim for unlimited data in Germany
Yesim is an innovative platform offering digital eSIM services for travellers around the world. By eliminating the use of traditional SIM cards, it allows users to provide internet connectivity in different countries without the need to search for physical SIM cards. It enables easy eSIM purchase, activation and management through the app.
Thanks to Yesim‘s user-friendly interface, you can activate your eSIM in minutes and have a reliable and fast internet connection. Ideal for travelers, Yesim provides a seamless digital connection and a comfortable experience on any journey.
Nomad
Nomad is a platform that offers affordable and flexible eSIM solutions worldwide. Designed especially for travelers, Nomad enables users to connect to the internet in different countries with digital eSIM technology, eliminating the need to carry a physical SIM card.
Nomad offers a practical experience with its user-friendly interface, fast activation processes and customer support. Nomad might be one of the best mobile data plans for tourists but please check out the promised data speeds.
Holafly as an option for the best mobile data plans for tourists
Holafly is a platform that offers fast and practical eSIM solutions for those traveling abroad. It eliminates the need to carry a SIM card, allowing users to activate their digital SIM cards in just a few minutes and have uninterrupted internet access while traveling abroad. Holafly does offer only unlimited data plans in Germany.
Allowing SIM card for tourists in Germany, Holafly offers a variety of data plans for more than 100 countries, allowing users to easily obtain internet connectivity without the hassle of searching for a local SIM card. It offers instant purchase and installation via its app, as well as customer support and quick solutions.
Should I prefer physical SIM or eSIM for SIM card for tourists?
As the options increase with the developing technology, confusion increases at the same rate. Since you use a physical SIM card in your daily life, eSIM may seem confusing to you. For this reason, we will explain the advantages and disadvantages of two different SIM card options for you:
- You can buy eSIMs before you travel, but physical SIM cards can only be purchased after the trip.
- Because it is digital, eSIM allows you to quickly compare many companies. However, you will waste time visiting stores to buy a physical SIM card.
- With eSIMs you can extend the validity of your usage rights online, whereas with physical cards you have to contact the provider.
- The disadvantages of eSIMs are that they can be more expensive than physical SIM card for tourists.
- If you have never used an eSIM before, the setup phase can be challenging, whereas a physical card is not.
- One of the disadvantages of an eSIM is whether it will be compatible with your phone. Check if your phone is suitable for eSIM before you buy. There is no such problem with physical SIM cards.
In general, eSIMs offer much more advantageous features. While the physical SIM card may be more advantageous in terms of price, you can definitely choose eSIM in terms of practicality and speed. Good luck with your decision on the best mobile data plans for tourists!
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