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How to get internet in Germany: Top options and providers
Mobile internet in Germany doesn’t have to be expensive. Discover how you can get easy, cheap and unlimited internet for a worry-free vacation.
Getting mobile internet in Germany as a traveler is a necessity. You’ll need it for translating, moving around, or simply communicating via WhatsApp, but you have to decide which service is best for you based on pricing, coverage, and speed.
That’s why we’ll go through the different mobile internet services available in Germany, discuss their pros and cons, and help you choose among the various options, including the Holafly eSIM.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Is the internet good in Germany?
Internet speed in Germany is good, especially in bigger cities like Munich, Hamburg, and Berlin.
However, 5G expansion is still ongoing, so you may still end up browsing at LTE/4G speeds at times.
Best internet providers in Germany
There are different mobile internet providers in Germany, and here’s what you should know about each:
- Telekom: Best coverage, fast 5G speeds even in rural regions, but depending on your plan, it might be the most expensive of all.
- Vodafone Germany: Second-best nationwide coverage, with high-speed 4G/5G data available.
- O2: Budget-friendly option with great coverage in major German cities, but still growing in rural areas.
- 1&1: Relatively new provider still rolling out their own 5G network, with their service being better in major cities.
How to get internet in Germany
As a traveler, you need to choose the best option for mobile internet in Germany.
Let’s explore options such as eSIMs, SIM cards, roaming, pocket WiFi, and public WiFi to help you choose what’s best for your trip.
Holafly eSIM for Germany: Unlimited data in Germany
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, want to settle things before arriving in Germany, and have a safe connection, this is the option for you.
The Holafly eSIM for Germany is our favorite here as it offers unlimited mobile data, 24/7 customer support, up to 1 GB of daily hotspot data, 5G speeds, and customizable plans.
Also, the Germany eSIM rates vary depending on how long you stay. 1-day plans start at $3.90, but if you stay for 90 days exploring Germany’s hidden gems, rates drop to $1.55 per day.
Peace of mind before you fly
Set up your eSIM before travel and get unlimited data on arrival.
Local SIM card for Germany
If you have a SIM-only phone, using a German SIM card is a good option for staying connected.
You can buy physical SIM cards at official Telekom, Vodafone Germany, and O2 stores, and at supermarkets and gas stations, where you can find prepaid SIM cards such as Lebara, Aldi, Lidl, and similar budget brands owned by Vodafone or Telekom.
Based on your needs, you can expect to pay between €60 and €100 (~$69.50 to $116) for a month-long plan with unlimited data, calls, and texts. A basic prepaid SIM plan with limited data, texts, and calls can cost around €10 (~$11.60) with a shorter duration.
Roaming in Germany
International roaming is a standard option for many travelers, especially if they have a carrier-locked phone.
However, roaming is known for being an expensive option depending on which plan and carrier you’re using, so let’s see how it works for the USA and UK providers:
| Provider | Roaming passes | Pay-as-you-go |
|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $12 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls | $2.05/MB, $2/minute, $0.50/text |
| T-Mobile | $5 to $50 for up to 30 days with up to 15 GB of high-speed data Free with Better Value and Experience Beyond up to 30 GB, with lower speeds afterwards $0.01/MB, $0.25/minute, free texts with other T-Mobile plans | Use roaming passes |
| Verizon | $12 daily with unlimited data, texts, and calls | $2.05/MB, $1.79/minute, $0.50/text |
| O2 | Free roaming on all plans | Free roaming on all plans |
| Vodafone UK | Roaming included in selected plans £2.57 for roaming passes on other plans | Available with Vodafone Extras, £9.60 to £12.75 for 8-day packages |
| Three | £2 daily on plans without free roaming Free roaming on eligible Complete and Value plans | Roaming passes range from £5 for 1 day to £24 for 14 days |
| EE | £2.59 to £21.50 with roaming passes on selected plans Free roaming on eligible plans | Roaming passes range from £2.50 to £10 for 1 to 7 days |
Public WiFi in Germany
Finding public WiFi networks in Germany is pretty common, especially in public spaces like the S-Bahn and U-Bahn, buses, trains, libraries, museums, and most supermarkets.
Free internet access is also available in cities like Heidelberg through the Heidelberg4you program. The WiFi4EU program is also available in Germany, extending the free WiFi coverage in the country.
However, these aren’t safe connections, so using a VPN is recommended, and it’s better to avoid them for work or financial tasks.
Pocket WiFi in Germany
If you need to share the internet with other devices or people traveling with you, a pocket WiFi can do the work.
However, renting a pocket WiFi from companies like Cello Mobile, TravelersWiFi, or Hippocket WiFi can cost you over $100 for a 10-day trip, and this doesn’t include delivery fees and other expenses.
But if you need to share the internet during your trip, Holafly Plans is a great alternative. This monthly eSIM subscription includes unlimited data plans, coverage in over 170 destinations, plans with up to unlimited hotspot sharing, and a local phone number.
Monthly prices range from $48.90 to $64.90, and compared to other services in Germany, you don’t need a valid address or a valid ID to get your preferred plan.
What is the best way to get internet in Germany?
Tourists’ preferences will vary depending on what they’re doing in Germany. But pricing, security, and coverage are among the priorities when choosing mobile internet in Germany.
Roaming is free for almost every UK carrier, with some exceptions, which is great for travelers. But US visitors can pay over $150 for a 2-week trip with roaming passes.
SIM cards can do the work, but the hassle of visiting a store, showing your ID, swapping your local SIM, and activating the new one doesn’t sound like the ideal way to spend your trip.
Public WiFi is a good option to save money, but it’s only advisable to use it for short periods and for tasks like uploading a photo or sending a message, since it’s not secure. Pocket WiFi devices are safer to use, but you may spend more than you did on your plane tickets.
That said, the eSIM for Germany and Holafly Plans are great alternatives with all the benefits a traveler needs: unlimited data, hotspot data, 24/7 customer support, 5G data speeds, great coverage, and no contracts attached.
So, based on your preferences, needs, and budget, choose which service suits you best.
| Option | Hotspot sharing | Security | Support | Phone unlocked required | Physical installation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| eSIM (Holafly) | Yes | Private network | 24/7 CS | Yes | No |
| Local SIM | Depends on the mobile provider | Private network | Local carrier | Yes | Yes |
| Pocket WiFi | Yes | Private network | Limited | No | Yes, with a password |
| Public WiFi | Yes | Open network | No | No | No |
An eSIM you can rely on
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Plans that may interest you
I first started my content creation journey as a freelancer in 2019, before connecting with Holafly in 2021. At Holafly, my travel and tech interests come together in one place as I craft high-quality articles about the eSIM and related markets. My content aims to help travelers stay connected, wherever they are.
