Flying to Berlin Airport Tegel? This is your guide for buying a sim card for Germany and Europe at the airport. Heads up, there is NOT much choice... but I will tell you where to buy a sim card, how much they cost and which is the best one.
Buying a sim card on arrival in a new country is the first thing I do. Therefore I also wrote guides about buying local sim cards in Budapest Airport, Zagreb Airport, Venice Airport, Barcelona Airport, Frankfurt Airport and many more. In total I have written more than 200 local sim card guides from all over the world.
!!!! Berlin Airport Tegel is not used anymore for commercial flights. Are you flying to Berlin then you arrive at the new Brandenburg Airport.
Click here to read my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Germany at Berlin Brandenburg Airport. !!!!!
Why buying a sim card for Germany
Ordering an Uber is the easiest example to show you that life and therefore traveling with an internet connection is so much easier. Looking for nearby restaurants with good reviews or finding directions on Google Maps, etc. Getting a local sim card is easy, fast and reliable. It the best way to stay connected. Although Berlin Airport is the most convenient place to get a local sim card on arrival, I do not recommend it!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a sim card at Berlin Airport Tegel. The choice is very limited and prices too high for what they offer. Who wants to pay €25 for 3 GB, when in Berlin city center you can get 20 GB for the same price. Therefore if you can wait 30 minutes till you get to the city, buy your Germany sim card there. Check out my article about the best prepaid sim card for Germany in 2024 for more tips.
We also recommend looking into global sim cards for travelers. Traveltomtom made a comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024 and found out that some of them are great for traveling to Europe. Click on the link to read more and order one directly online.
E-sim cards for Germany
No doubt, the best way to get a data connection on your phone when traveling to Germany in 2024 is an e-sim card and I found you some really good e-sim card deals for Germany:
- 1 GB for 7 days = $5 USD
- 3 GB for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB for 30 days = $15 USD
- 10 GB for 30 days = $22.5 USD
You can order the above Germany e-sim cards directly through this link or check it out for more info.
E-sim cards are data only sim cards so calling and texting is not supported. In that case you can also still order a physical sim card for Germany online and get it shipped to your home address before your trip. Once you arrive you put it in your phone and it works automatically.
Click here to order a Germany sim card directly online and find already deals for $30 USD that get you 10 GB and unlimited calling and texting in Europe.
When changing sim cards does not have your preference you can always look into getting a portable WiFi device. In my article about how to get internet on the road I explain you how it works, where you can get one and give you my honest review about it. Because let's be honest that is so old school.
Germany sim card and traveling in Europe
All prepaid Germany sim cards have free roaming in Europe, so you can use your data packages in 30 countries around Europe. But is a Germany sim card good for traveling in Europe? It is not bad, but there are better options.
Berlin Airport Tegel
Welcome to the worst capital airport in the world! There is a long history why Berlin had no proper international airport for many years. However, since the end of 2020 that finally changed and the new Berlin Airport Brandenburg is now the main international hub.
Where to buy a sim card for Germany at Berlin Airport
As soon as you go through customs and picked up your luggage head to the main hall of Berlin Airport as this is the only place where you can buy your Germany sim card.
There are two shops pretty much next to each other: Capi - The Travellers Electronics Company and Travelex Money Exchange.
Prices sim cards for Germany at Berlin Airport Tegel
Both shops offer the exact same prepaid Germany sim card for tourists, but the price is different.
They only sell a Lebara Germany prepaid sim card at Berlin Airport Tegel:
- 3 GB data, €5 credit for international calls.
The above package is valid for 30 days and all over Europe.
At the Capi - The Travellers Electronics Company this sim card costs €24,95.
At the Travelex Money Exchange shop this Germany sim card costs €35.
There are 3 main mobile internet operators in Germany: O2, T-Mobile and Vodafone, but at Berlin Airport you can’t find any of them unfortunately. In Berlin city center you find many mobile internet stores.
It is pretty simple to determine the best Germany sim card for tourists at Berlin Airport Tegel as there is only one available. The shops are literally 30 meters apart! But the value for money is NOT GOOD.
Therefore I DO NOT recommend buying a sim card at Berlin Airport Tegel!
If you can wait till you get to the city then there you will find much better Berlin sim card deals. O2 for example sells a prepaid Germany sim card with 3 GB for only €15. For more info check my article about the best sim card for Germany in 2024.
Buy a sim card for Germany online
A great alternative is to buy your sim card for traveling in Europe online and save the hassle of finding a phone store on arrival in Berlin. Simoptions sells a lot of different international sim cards for traveling in Germany and Europe, below I listed the best ones.
1. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 8 GB data
- Unlimited calls in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- Unlimited sms in Europe
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
2. Three PAYG AIO15 - $29.90
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls within Europe
- Unlimited sms within Europe
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 20 GB data
- Unlimited calls in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- Unlimited sms in Europe
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Personally I would recommend you the last two available option: Three or Orange. Click here to order a Germany sim card directly online or see all the above prepaid sim cards for Europe and more. Sim cards will be shipped to your home address and are already activated. Click on the banner below for more info.
How to get from Berlin Airport to the city
Berlin Airport Tegel may be one of the worst airports in the world, but fair enough to get to the city is pretty easy as it is pretty close to Berlin city center. There are direct busses going into the city every 10 minutes and leave just outside the main hall.
Tickets only cost €2,80 and for €7 you already get a day pass for unlimited public transportation.
I hope all the above tips for buying a sim card for Germany at Berlin Airport were helpful for your upcoming Europe trip. Let me know if you have any additional questions. In case you didn't get the opportunity to buy a sim card at Berlin Airport Tegel then check out my complete guide for buying a sim card in Germany in 2024.
If you are interested what it looks like traveling to every country in the world then check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom for some serious wanderlust. As of 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to Berlin!