BUYING A US SIM CARD IN GERMANY
Vacationers who want to be on the safe side can buy their SIM card for the USA in Germany. This option is more expensive, but it allows you to use your cellphone right after landing at the airport. Delivery usually takes 1-2 days. Here are several companies that provide this service:
SIMLY
This company offers SIM cards for a wide range of countries, among them the United States. The USA Prepaid Sim Card for 30 days includes unlimited calls and text messages in the US. Customers can choose from different data packages: The XS option, for example, comes with 1 GB of LTE data and costs 39.90 Euros. Keep in mind, though: While more expensive options let you continue surfing with reduced speed once your data is used up, this is not possible with the XS option. On the other end of the price range is the XL plan with 30 GB for 79.90 Euros. This option includes 20 USD for phone calls to German mobile networks (10 USD with the XS and S option). There are data only plans available as well. Simly customers access the network of AT&T.
TOURISIM
Tourisim is another provider of SIM cards that can be ordered prior to your vacation in the USA. A good option for most customers is the H20 Wireless-SIM, valid for 30 days. Just like Simly, Tourisim provides data packages from 1 to 30 GB – for 5 Euros more, that is. On the upside, even the cheapest plan for 44,90 Euros, lets you go online with 2G speed after you have used up your data. Tourisim cards also use the AT&T network.
If you want to share a hotspot with your friends and make free phone calls in Canada and Mexico, you should choose the more expensive premium options.
BEACHSIM
If you are looking for a bargain, this provider is worth checking out. Beachsim offers sim cards with 1 GB of data as well as free phone calls and text messages in the US for just 29,90 Euros. The 40 GB package for 79,90 is comparatively cheap as well. On the downside, the provider uses the T-Mobile network, which cannot quite compete with the coverage of AT&T – especially in rural areas. Alternatively, you can buy Beachsim cards for the AT&T network. Expect to pay the same price as for Simly products, though.