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Best Tourist Sim Cards in Germany in 2024

Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Germany across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!

If you plan on traveling to Germany, having a sim card is essential to ensure easy navigation in unfamiliar cities. Being able to access the internet while on the go allows you to find the best restaurants, obtain directions to your accommodation, book taxis, and share photos with your family.

While roaming is an available option, the international fees can quickly accumulate. For this reason, we highly recommend either acquiring an eSIM or a local sim card to access local phone rates. The good news is that obtaining either option in Germany is incredibly convenient.

To assist you in making the best choice, this guide provides comprehensive information on purchasing a sim card in Germany, including current pricing and the most suitable sim card for your needs.

Table of Contents

Best Sim Card in Germany for Tourists

There are three main networks in Germany which all offer very wide coverage and good reliability: Vodafone, O2 and T-Mobile. In addition to these three networks, in Germany Aldi and Lidl stores also sell their own sim cards that use the previous three networks.

Generally, any local sim card is perfectly fine to use in Germany. They are all similarly priced (albeit relatively expensive). If it’s more convenient for you to pick up a sim card from Aldi or Lidl then this is a great option, whilst Vodafone probably offers slightly better value and certainly better customer service.

The best sim card in Germany, and the one I personally recommend, is the Airalo Germany eSim. Considering the eSim is about the same price (14 EUR for 5GB data) as the local physical sim cards, ihe convenience you gain with an eSim makes it unquestionably the best option for travellers visiting Germany.

Germany Sim Card Prices

A Tourist Sim Card in Germany costs between 10 EUR and 13 EUR in November 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.

Alternatively, an eSim in Germany will cost between $5 USD and $26 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.

I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Germany which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $15 USD.

Germany Sim Card Providers

The three main mobile networks in Germany are Vodafone, O2 and T-Mobile. In addition to this, there are two additional sim card providers that offer tourist sims at great prices: Aldi and Lidl.

All three are good choices and have great coverage across Germany. They are generally considered to be equal in terms of network quality so your choice should most likely come down to price and convenience.

Aldi Talk Tourist Sim

Aldi is one of the largest discount supermarkets in the world. In Germany, they offer one of the best sim cards for tourists thanks to their cost effective plans.

As far as their network is concerned, Aldi utilises the reliable O2 network in Germany so coverage is extensive and mobile speeds are fast no matter where you end up.

One thing to note is that purchasing a sim card in a supermarket means the quality of the support you get is likely to be similar to what you would expect when buying a loaf of bread, so don’t expect fantastic customer service.

Aldi Talk Germany Tourist Sim Price

The price of a Aldi Talk tourist sim card in Germany is 12.99 EUR.

The plan offered by Aldi Talk stores includes 6GB data valid for 28 days.

Lidl Connect Tourist Sim

Lidl is Aldi’s top competitor in Germany and, unsurprisingly, they also offer an affordable tourist sim card under the brand name Lidl Connect.

Their sim cards are basically identical to Aldi with generous data limits, good network coverage and affordable prices. Ultimately, which one you choose should come down to which store is more convenient for you.

Compared to Aldi, Lidl uses Vodafone’s mobile network which is equal to O2 in terms of quality, coverage and speed.

Lidl Connect Germany Tourist Sim Price

The price of a Lidl Connect tourist sim card in Germany is 12.99 EUR.

The plan offered by Lidl Connect stores offers 6GB data valid for 30 days.

Vodafone Tourist Sim

If it’s more convenient, heading directly into a Vodafone store is probably the best pick for most tourists. By purchasing a physical sim card here you get access to staff who are more prepared to assist you with setting up your sim. This is quite a big deal as I’ve heard stories of people having major challenges at Aldi and Lidl in the past.

The network is, of course, the same as Lidl so don’t expect any major differences – in other words it’s good.

I’ve also found that in some cases Vodafone offers better prices for their tourist sim cards when you go direct to them than you can expect to get at Aldi or Lidl.

Vodafone Germany Tourist Sim Price

The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Germany is 10 EUR.

The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes 12GB data + unlimited calls and texts valid for 28 days.

How to Get a Sim Card in Germany

Identify the mobile providers in Germany: Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and Vodafone are your best options in Germany.

Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Germany. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.

Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Germany to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect or Vodafone staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.

Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Aldi Talk that includes 6GB data for 12.99 EUR.

Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay between 10 EUR and 13 EUR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.

Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.

Where to Get a Sim Card in Germany

At the Airport

Buying a prepaid sim card for Germany at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.

However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.

In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.

If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Germany then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Germany have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.

In Stores

If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.

I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Aldi Talk, Lidl Connect and Vodafone. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Germany are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.

Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.

Online

If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Germany with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.

The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.

The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!

Germany eSim

An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.

We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Germany. The Airalo Germany eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.

In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $15 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Germany without having to venture outside.

Airalo Germany

Our preferred eSim provider in Germany is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Germany and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.

Airalo’s Germany eSim uses the O2 – de network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the O2 – de networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Germany.

Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Germany eSim:

1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $5 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $6.50 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $10 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $22.5 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $26 USD

For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $15 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.

Holafly Germany

An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.

Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Germany eSims offer unlimited data.

Holafly’s Germany eSim uses the Vodafone GmbHnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Germany

Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Germany eSim:

Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD

What is an eSim?

An eSIM, also known as an embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is built directly into a device, like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike regular SIM cards, it doesn’t require physical insertion or removal.

Instead of a physical card, the eSIM is integrated into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically changing SIM cards.

eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, especially for frequent travelers or individuals who switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, making it more manageable to handle multiple mobile connections on one device.

To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation information. Once activated, the device can connect to the selected mobile network and enjoy voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.

eSim Supported Phones

eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:

Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.

Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.

Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.

OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.

Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.

These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.

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Mitchell

Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.