en
How to Get WiFi in Germany: A Guide for Tourists
10 May 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Guten Tag! Heading to Germany but want to access the internet?
Germany is a digital haven, with over 90% of its households connected to the internet. From the bustling streets of Hamburg to the cultural hub of Munich, Germans revel in excellent mobile coverage. Local providers like Telekom, Vodafone, and O2 offer the nation’s best 5G mobile coverage, ensuring a seamless digital experience for all.
While you won’t want to be browsing the internet instead of enjoying the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Marienplatz in Munich, or Cologne Cathedral, it can certainly make your trip to Germany more enjoyable if you don’t have to worry about staying connected.
After all, a fast and reliable internet connection can help you with directions, hotel and restaurant bookings, and even back up your vacation photos!
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Germany
We already mentioned how Germany’s local mobile carriers provide robust coverage nationwide, but tourists need to access these networks differently.
Most travelers prefer renting a pocket WiFi, which is the best option for several reasons, including price, connectivity, and device limit. Remember that every option has pros and cons, so research your options before choosing the right one for you, your friends, or your family.
Fortunately, there are multiple ways to connect to the internet in and around Deutschland.
Wunderbar!
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi is a small device that allows people to connect to a mobile network and create a WiFi network for their other devices to connect to.
These tiny devices generally provide a 4G or 5G connection for up to 10 devices (depending on the device and service).
Pros
For families and friends exploring Germany, pocket WiFi is a game-changer. Whether you’re streaming videos on a Rhine river cruise, making a spontaneous restaurant booking in one of Germany’s picturesque public squares, or catching up on work during a high-speed train ride, pocket WiFi ensures you’re always connected.
Cons
The downside of pocket WiFi is having to carry an extra device. Although pocket WiFi devices are typically small, it’s still another thing to remember to bring with you in addition to your smartphone and anything else you’ll need.
Cost
TravelWifi offers multiple pocket WiFi options. Depending on your data limit, a 10-day plan will cost between €8.25 and €12.25 per day.
My Webspot charges €95 for 10 days of pocket WiFi rental or €9.50 per day.
Hippocketwifi’s 10-day rental in Europe package costs €5.90 per day across a 4G LTE network with up to 1GB of data per day, making it one of the most affordable and highly recommended solutions for roaming data in Germany and across Europe!
You can rent your pocket WiFi in Germany here with Hippocketwifi.
from
3.95€
per day
Your rental must be at least 3 days
From
€For days in with data plan
SIM Cards
A SIM card lets your phone connect to mobile networks to make calls, send messages, and access the internet. Each SIM card is unique and corresponds to a specific phone number and plan.
When traveling in Germany, you can buy a prepaid SIM card to access the internet domestically. You can purchase prepaid SIM cards for travelers from international providers or local German networks like Vodafone, O2, and T-Mobile.
Pros
Prepaid SIM cards, particularly those from local providers, offer a budget-friendly solution. They are often cheaper than roaming options with your mobile carriers back home and are readily available for purchase, making them a cost-effective choice for staying connected in Germany.
Once you have your SIM card inserted into your phone, you can also allow other devices to connect to that connection through your phone.
Cons
You’ll have to remove your other SIM card and keep it safe for devices with only one SIM card slot. During this time, you won’t be able to receive or make calls using your usual phone number. People must contact you using the number associated with your travel SIM. However, you’ll still be contactable via email, WhatsApp, FaceTime, etc.
You must also ensure your device isn’t locked to a particular network or provider and will work with SIM cards from other companies.
Prepaid SIMs may only work in one or a few countries WiFi access across Europe. Always check before you buy!
Cost
There are plenty of places in Germany where you can buy prepaid SIM cards, including grocery stores, cellphone stores, and supermarkets.
The cost will depend on the provider and the service, typically between €10 and €100.
For example, Vodafone prepaid SIM Cards are available for around €20/$22 for 20GB data. On the other hand, T-Mobile’s MagentaMobil Prepaid Sims start at around €10 for 5GB over 4 weeks, with unlimited data available for €100.
eSIM
An eSIM is an integrated SIM card configured through the device. You can buy an eSIM and set it up without inserting or removing anything from your phone.
This is an excellent solution for international data roaming because you can buy them online, get a QR code or setup information, and swap between your roaming eSIM and your domestic carrier.
Pros
eSIM roaming solutions are faster and simpler to set up than a SIM card because you don’t need to wait for delivery, buy it once you land in Germany, or go to a physical store to pick one up.
Cons
eSIM compatibility isn’t available across all devices, so you’ll need to check your device has an eSIM before buying one to travel to Germany.
For business travelers or anyone who needs to use their laptop, tablet, or computer, an eSIM connection tethered from your phone is likely to be slower and drain your phone’s battery.
Mobile coverage in major German cities like Berlin, Hamburg, and Frankfurt means that SIM and eSIM connections are fine. However, in more rural areas like the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) or Germany’s smaller towns, pocket WiFi solutions have better antennae and provide more stable and faster internet connections than those your phone can provide.
Cost
Hallo! Mobil also offers 1GB across 7 days for $5 or up to 20GB across 30 days for $26.
Nomad has 30-day plans with 3GB of data from $8 up to 20GB for $33.
Data Roaming International Plan
For many tourists traveling to Germany, an international data roaming plan is the default option. Data roaming is the service provided by your domestic mobile carrier when you travel, and you can either contract this before going to Germany or set it up when you arrive.
Through agreements with German telecom companies like Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2, etc., users from other countries can continue using mobile devices abroad.
Pros
International data roaming plans are typically the easiest to set up as you rarely have to do anything. However, you can contract more economical and better plans through your mobile carrier.
Cons
So many other solutions exist because of the cons of international data roaming. International data roaming is typically expensive and provides a poorer service than a domestic solution.
Unplanned data roaming is usually wildly expensive. There are many horror stories of travelers returning from Germany with phone bills costing them thousands!
Cost
The cost depends on your mobile carrier. With a good contract, data roaming in Germany mightn’t cost much, but some providers will not be so kind if you use unplanned international roaming.
Use Free WiFi
Suppose you land in Germany and need another internet access solution. In that case, you can always rely on the availability of free WiFi. Many German airports, including Frankfurt, offer visitors free internet access. This ensures that even if you haven’t made any prior arrangements, you’ll still have a reliable way to stay connected.
Many German airports offer visitors free internet access. Frankfurt, for example, has over 300 WiFi access points and offers unlimited internet access while you’re in the airport.
You may find WiFi networks outside airports in cafés, restaurants, and other businesses.
Pros
The advantage of free WiFi is the cost. You don’t have to pay anything to access these networks; they can greatly help if you’re in a bind.
Cons
Free WiFi networks may be slow, especially if they’re used by many other people.
Certain WiFi networks can be dangerous, too, having been set up by scammers to prey on tourists who unwillingly transmit sensitive information across unsecured networks.
Cost
Public WiFi networks tend not to cost anything, but some may require you to sign up for a mailing list or provide some personal information to connect.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Germany Trip
There isn’t a single ideal solution for everybody regarding internet access while traveling in Germany.
A couple visiting smaller villages in and around the Rhine won’t need the same kind of internet access as somebody on a business trip to Stuttgart.
Families need to think about a solution that’ll keep everybody happy, especially if they are traveling with children who need to be entertained by YouTube or video streaming.
Here are some things you must consider when looking for an internet solution for a trip to Germany.
Rental Duration
The length of your trip will affect the solutions you can get. SIM cards and eSIM solutions are often offered for a set number of days. You can rent pocket WiFI for a specific number of days. The longer you need the internet, the less you’ll typically pay daily.
Connectivity
While relying on public WiFi networks may work if you spend more time in bigger cities like Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, or Cologne, this isn’t a great idea if you’re heading to the Black Forest.
Pocket WiFi, SIM cards, and eSIM solutions are generally recommended over public WiFi if you need to be constantly connected. Just remember that with pocket WiFi, you need to turn your pocket WiFi device on to use it.
Data Limit
Many affordable unlimited data options exist, but only some people need unlimited data.
Check your typical “mobile” data use on your smartphone and other devices to see if you even come close to using the amount of data offered on limited data solutions.
Usage
Most solutions use a 4G or 5G connection. 4G connections are sufficient for casual use, browsing the internet, and sending smaller files.
Business users may consider 5G connection types as these allow you to send bigger files and stream higher-quality video.
