Deutsche Bahn connections, U-Bahn transfers, museum tickets and Christmas-market maps — Germany is easier with data, and mobile coverage on trains can be patchy. Here's what a Germany eSIM actually costs from the three biggest travel-eSIM brands, and which fits your trip.
How much data do you need in Germany?
Fixed-data plan prices
Holafly only sells unlimited plans here, so fixed data is Saily against Airalo. Validity matters as much as price: a plan that expires after 7 days is only cheap if your trip is 7 days. Highlighted: the cheaper 30-day option at list price. In amber: Saily's price with my 10% code TRAVELCONNECTLY.
| Data | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.497 days$4.04 with code | $4.003 days |
| 3 GB | $8.9930 days$8.09 with code | $7.503 days$8.007 days |
| 5 GB | $10.9930 days$9.89 with code | $10.007 days$10.5015 days$11.0030 days |
| 10 GB | $16.9930 days$15.29 with code | $15.007 days$15.5015 days$16.0030 days |
| 20 GB | $22.9930 days$20.69 with code | $22.5015 days$23.0030 days |
| 50 GB | — | $36.0030 days |
Prices in USD from saily.com and airalo.com, checked 12 October 2026.
What that means: at 30-day validity the two are within a dollar — Saily a cent cheaper at 5 and 20 GB, Airalo 99 cents cheaper at 10 GB. Airalo is cheaper again on 7- and 15-day plans, and it's the only one selling 50 GB ($36.00).
Unlimited plan prices
| Days | Saily | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | $11.00 | $11.90 |
| 5 | $17.99$16.19 with code | $18.00 | $20.50 |
| 7 | $23.99$21.59 with code | $24.00 | $27.50 |
| 10 | $29.99$26.99 with code | $30.00 | $37.50 |
| 15 | $41.99$37.79 with code | $42.00 | $51.50 |
| 30 | $59.99$53.99 with code | $59.00 | $76.50 |
Prices in USD from each provider's Germany page, checked 12 October 2026. Highlighted: cheapest for that length at list price. In amber: Saily with code TRAVELCONNECTLY. — = not sold at that length.
Saily was a cent cheaper for 5, 7, 10 and 15 days and also sells 20- and 25-day plans ($48.99 and $54.99); Airalo was cheapest for 3 and 30 days. Holafly costs noticeably more in Germany — $3.51 more than Saily for a week.
"Unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Saily states 5 GB per day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps, with no hotspot restrictions. Holafly states a fair-usage policy that can slow speeds for up to a day, and lets you share 1 GB per day as a hotspot. Airalo's page didn't list its unlimited limits, so check the plan details before buying.
Which one to pick
- A week or two with heavy use: Saily unlimited — the cheapest from 5 to 15 days, with no hotspot limits.
- Moderate use over a month: Airalo's 30-day 10 GB ($16.00), or Saily's 5 GB ($10.99).
- A month of heavy use: Airalo's 50 GB ($36.00) or 30-day unlimited ($59.00).
- Visiting several European countries? See Europe eSIM plans compared — which of 33–41 countries each plan covers, and when one regional plan beats separate country plans.
Networks and coverage
Germany's mobile networks are Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, O2 (Telefónica) and 1&1. Travel eSIMs roam on one or more of them:
- Saily: didn't name its German networks on its plan page.
- Airalo: O2, plus one other network.
- Holafly: Vodafone and Telefónica (O2), with 5G where available.
None of the three includes a local phone number — they're data-only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other internet calling.
Germany tips
- Coverage on trains and in rural areas can be patchy, even on main lines. Save Deutsche Bahn tickets offline in the DB Navigator app.
- Cash is still common in smaller shops and cafés; card and phone payments are widely accepted in cities.
- Hotel and café WiFi is common but shared — use a VPN on it. See the best VPN for hotel and airport WiFi.
- Coming from another EU country? Your home plan may already include roaming in Germany — check before you buy an eSIM.
How much data you need
Using the rates from the trip data calculator — three hours a day of maps, messaging and browsing, an hour of social media and an hour of music, with 40% of your time on WiFi:
- 7 days: about 3.6 GB → a 5 GB plan
- 14 days: about 7.2 GB → a 10 GB plan
- 21 days: about 10.9 GB → a 20 GB plan, or 10 GB plus another small plan
Streaming video or tethering a laptop changes the picture fast — use Find your plan above or the full calculator.
Setting up before you fly
- Check your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. A phone locked to your home carrier won't accept another provider's eSIM.
- Install the eSIM at home over WiFi. Installation needs a connection; activation can wait. Saily plans can be activated any time within 180 days of purchase and switch on automatically when you arrive.
- On landing, set the eSIM as your data line and turn on data roaming for it. That's normal for travel eSIMs and doesn't cost extra.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so it can still receive calls and texts without running up charges.
More country guides: Japan · Thailand · USA · Turkey · Canada · Italy · Spain · UK · France · Greece · Mexico · China · South Korea · Bali · Portugal · Dubai · Vietnam · Australia · Europe. Comparing providers? See Saily vs Airalo and Saily vs Holafly across 20 destinations, or the best Saily alternatives.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best eSIM for Germany?
On 12 October 2026, Saily had the cheapest unlimited plans from 5 to 15 days ($23.99 for a week), while fixed data was within a dollar: Saily was a cent cheaper at 5 and 20 GB and Airalo 99 cents cheaper at 10 GB ($16.00). Airalo is the only one selling 50 GB ($36.00).
How much is an eSIM for Germany?
Prices started at $4.00 for 1 GB (Airalo, 3 days). 10 GB for 30 days cost $16–17, and unlimited data cost about $24 for a week.
Which network do Germany travel eSIMs use?
Airalo lists O2 plus one other network; Holafly lists Vodafone and Telefónica (O2). Saily doesn't name its German partners on its plan page.
Do I need a travel eSIM if I live in the EU?
Often not. Under EU roaming rules, many EU mobile plans can be used across the EU at no extra cost, within your operator's fair-use limits. Check your plan first; a travel eSIM makes sense if your allowance is small or you're coming from outside the EU.