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Does getting your phone set up to use abroad sound intimidating? Are you wondering if you should use an e-SIM or your provider’s international plan? The good news is that once you know what you actually need, it’s surprisingly manageable to take care of before you board your plane.
Continue reading or listening to my conversation with Michelle Chang about everything you need to know about using your phone abroad so you can spend less time stressing about connectivity and more time actually enjoying your trip.
So check out our guide here for specific info and tips on using your phone in Germany.
This article is also available as the Germany Travel Planning podcast episode #53. Use the player below to listen or continue reading the article below. See episode transcript on Apple podcasts.
About Michelle Chang
Michelle Chang helps travelers learn easy ways to take advantage of the internet and smartphones to avoid missing out on better travel.
Michelle and her husband quit their traditional jobs in 2011 and served as Peace Corps Volunteers in rural Jamaica. They have been location-independent digital nomads since 2014, running their online businesses while they explore new places.
Michelle authored “An Intentional Travelers Guide to Unconventional Budget Accommodations” and she hosts the DIY Trip Summit and the Intentional Travelers Toolkit membership where supporters can access all of her handy travel tutorials and expert tips.
Download Michelle’s free pre-travel phone checklist here!
Carrier Plans vs. eSIMs vs. Wi-Fi: Which Is Right for Your Trip?
One of the most common questions travelers ask is about how to actually get data on your phone while you’re in Germany or elsewhere in Europe. You’ve got a few options and the right one depends on how long you’re traveling and how much data you’ll use.
Your carrier’s international plan: This is the easiest option for short trips. T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, and others offer international add-on plans. All you need to do is contact your carrier before you leave and ask what’s available.
eSIMs: These are great for longer trips or budget-conscious travelers. An eSIM is a digital version of the old physical SIM card. You set it up before you leave home and you can often get a regional plan that covers multiple European countries without changing anything when you cross a border. For longer trips, the savings can be significant. A carrier add-on at $5-10 per day adds up fast; a regional eSIM might run you around $20 for a whole month.
To use an eSIM, your phone needs to be eSIM-compatible (most phones from around 2020 onward are) and carrier-unlocked, meaning you’ve completed your contract. If you’re not sure, a quick Google search or call to your carrier will confirm.
Wi-Fi: This option is free and easy to use but limited. One heads up: Wi-Fi in parts of Europe, particularly Italy, can be surprisingly slow. Old stone buildings, ancient infrastructure, and thick walls all work against a solid signal. Don’t plan to rely on Wi-Fi alone unless you only need to be connected here and there.
Do You Need to Make Phone Calls in Germany?
If you use your home carrier’s international plan, you can make phone calls. But check the cost before you leave – there’s typically a per minute cost.
Most eSIMs are data-only, so you won’t be able to make calls from your phone as you would at home. But honestly, once you’re in Europe, you’ll probably not need to make many traditional phone calls because you can usually communicate through apps. If you need to reach someone back home who isn’t on any messaging app, Google Voice is a useful option for calling landlines. For staying in touch with family back home, video calls through FaceTime, Zoom, or WhatsApp work over Wi-Fi and don’t cost a thing.
WhatsApp: The Messaging App That Europeans Use
If you don’t have WhatsApp yet, download it before you go because it’s popular in Europe. It works like a text messaging app but runs over data or Wi-Fi instead of your cellular plan. You can send messages and photos, make audio calls, and even do video calls, and as long as you’re on Wi-Fi, all of that is completely free.
In the US, we tend to default to regular texting or iMessage, but outside the country, WhatsApp is often the faster and easier way to communicate with locals and with people back home.
The Best Travel Apps for Visiting Germany
- Google Maps is the workhorse while you’re abroad. Use it for navigation (driving, walking, and city public transit). Download offline maps before you leave so you have navigation even if your data isn’t cooperating.
- Whatsapp for messaging and calls, as described above.
- Google Translate for those moments when you need a little linguistic help. The camera feature is particularly handy! Just hold your phone up to a menu or a sign and it translates in real time.
- Free Now ride share app. Uber exists in some German cities but not everywhere.
- A currency converter is a free download and is especially useful if your trip takes you beyond the euro zone into countries like Hungary or the UK.
- A time zone app can be helpful for quickly checking what time it is back home before you call someone.
Phone Accessories to Pack for Germany
A few physical add-ons can make a real difference on the ground:
- A wrist strap for your phone. One of the best ways to safeguard your phone.! You’re less likely to absentmindedly set your phone down, drop it or be a target of theft.
- A wallet case with RFID protection. This keeps your cards and phone in one place while blocking the kind of scanning that could potentially steal card information.
- A portable power bank. Between photos, video, navigation, transit apps, and messaging, your phone works overtime when you’re traveling. Charging opportunities aren’t always convenient. You’re usually not going to want to sit somewhere for an hour waiting for your phone to charge when you could be out seeing things – if you can find a place to plug in. A portable power bank roughly the size of your phone solves that problem entirely. Highly recommended!
Pre-Trip Phone Checklist for International Travel
Doing a few things before your trip will save you headaches on arrival:
- Set up your eSIM (or confirm your carrier’s international plan) before you fly
- Download offline maps for Germany and any other countries you’ll visit
- Turn off cellular data for apps that you won’t use while traveling
- Download and set up WhatsApp
- Make sure your portable power bank is charged and packed
- Add your credit cards to Apple Pay or Google Pay so you can leave your wallet in your bag
Want Michelle’s free full pre-trip phone checklist? Download it here!
