But not so fast! Chances are, there are still a few details you’ve forgotten to consider — like choosing the right phone plan for your trip.

Thanks to roaming charges, you can rack up the euros if you use your U.S. plan while traveling in Germany. To avoid the shock of a major phone bill once you’re back home, we suggest buying a German SIM Card during your stay to call and surf like a local.

If you’ve never used a SIM Card overseas, read our guide to using a SIM Card in Europe before your trip. Just make sure to bring your phone along as well as an adapter for your charger! Or consider using another unlocked phone specifically for travel.

This article was updated in November 2021 with new information and prices.

 EuroCheapo is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you!

Top Sim Cards for your trip to Germany

Although it’s still fairly easy to buy and use SIM Cards in Germany, it’s unfortunately gotten slightly more complicated. In July 2017, Germany passed an anti-terrorism law that requires all pre-paid SIM Cards to provide an address and ID. But no worries. You don’t have to be an EU citizen — the address of your hotel or hostel along with your passport should work just fine.

If possible, you may want to consider buying the SIM Card ahead of time by doing the ID check online and having the card shipped to your accommodations. If you wait until you arrive, make sure that you have your passport and proof of address ready to buy a card on the go.

Related:

• Top SIM Cards for your trip to France
• Best SIM Cards in Spain for your travels

Once you buy a SIM Card from a German carrier, you’ll get a little chip with a German phone number. Insert this chip into your phone, start the activation process, and soon you’ll be phoning and web-surfing with ease. That said, if you do have any difficulties activating the card, just head over to MediaMarkt or Saturn, Germany’s major electronic store chains, where someone can walk you through the process. But don’t forget to bring your ID and hotel information!

Four ways to activate SIM Cards in Germany:

• Present your ID (passport) online through a video verification process
• Go directly to a mobile (Handy) phone shop or electronics store (Saturn, MediaMarkt)
• Buy the SIM Card from Germany’s three major telco providers: O2, Vodafone, and Telekom
• Present a printed “Post Ident” document at any German post office (Again, to do this, you need your passport and a valid German address.)

Checking phones in Munich. Photo: Karlis

O2, Telekom, and Vodafone have many pre-paid SIM Card options, while resellers use their networks at cheaper prices, so you’ll have many options to choose from.

Here are the two best deals we recommend for budget travelers:

1. Aldi Talk

Cost: €7.99 to €17.99, depending on the plan you choose
Pros: Good deal, easy to use, offers 4G/LTE
Cons: Uses the O2 network, which doesn’t always provide good coverage in rural areas

Aldi Talk is the best deal you’ll find for pre-paid SIM Cards in Germany. They offer many different plans, the cheapest being Paket S, which offers 3 GB data and unlimited telephoning and SMS at €7.99 for 4 weeks. A second option, Paket M, offers 6 GB data, unlimited calls and unlimited SMS for €12.99, valid for 4 weeks. You can also purchase internet access only, the cheapest plan starting at €3.99 for 4 weeks (Internet-Flatrate S, 1 GB data).

If you’re traveling to any other countries in the European Union, the Paket L rate is probably the most ideal. This plan gets you 12 GB data and unlimited calls and texts for €17.99 for 4 weeks and includes EU roaming.

An added bonus is that Aldi Talk is sold at Aldi discount grocery stores, which are very easy to find anywhere in the country. You can either top it off online or buy a recharge voucher at Aldi.

2. Blau Surf M Prepaid

Cost: €9.99 for 4 weeks
Pros: Low-cost, includes €10 start credit
Cons: Charges for calls and SMS

Blau Surf M is also a great option for tourists. This plan offers 3 GB data with LTE for four weeks. Phone calls and SMS cost 9 cents (per minute/per text) within Germany and EU roaming is included. This pre-paid plan gets you a €10 start credit and can be easily topped off online.

A Vodafone SIM Card. Photo: CC

Telekom, Vodafone, O2, oh my!

Although these two resellers will get you the best deals, going with one of the top guns also won’t break the bank. In most cases, their plans cost around the same price as Aldi’s Paket L, but you get less data or bang for your buck. To help you understand the difference, here’s a little run down.

Telekom

Formerly the market leader, Deutsche Telekom (formerly called T-Mobile), Telekom still provides the best coverage in Germany, but it’s on the pricey side. If you plan to stay in major cities like Berlin and Munich, you can easily steer clear of the higher Telekom prices, but if you plan on visiting rural areas, you may want to opt for their plans to make sure you get the coverage you need. Telekom also has the fastest network and EU roaming. Resellers include congstar, ja!mobil, Penny Mobil, and Lebara Mobil.

Vodafone

Vodafone is exactly in the middle when it comes to price, coverage and speed. EU roaming is included, but rural reception can be spotty. Resellers on the Vodafone network include LIDL Connect, Otelo and Lycamobile.

O2

O2 is the cheapest provider in Germany and has greatly improved since acquiring the E-Plus Network. They have great coverage, except in rural areas, and are the only network that has reception in the Berlin U-Bahn train system, which is a big plus if you’re spending a lot of time in the city. EU roaming is included. Resellers include the two we recommended, Aldi Talk and Blau, as well as Ortel Mobile and Ay Yildiz.

Cheapo food for thought

If you really want to save, you might want to consider whether you need a SIM Card at all. You could also just put your phone in flight mode and seek out Wi-Fi at hotspots. There are lots of free Wi-Fi spots all over the country. If it doesn’t work out, you can always hop over to Aldi for that trusty SIM Card.

Have you used SIM Cards in Germany or elsewhere in Europe? Tell us your strategies for saving on your phone bill!

The post The best Sim Cards in Germany to save on your phone bill appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

And these markets are more than just shopping affairs. You can also admire the Christmas trees and decorations, or check out live entertainment (usually including traditional carols and dancing). If you get cold, the tastiest and most practical solution is to order a glass of Glühwein, a delicious mulled wine that will warm you up after a few sips.

Related:
• 10-day itinerary of Germany

7 Best Christmas markets in Bavaria

Ready to hit the holiday markets? Here are seven of our favorite Christmas markets in Bavaria.

Nuremberg Christmas Market

November 29 to December 24
Hours: 10 am – 9 pm (Christmas Eve until 2 pm)

With a history that goes all the way back to 1628, the Nuremberg Christmas Market is one of Germany’s oldest. Don’t leave without trying a famous Nuremberg sausage with a piece of gingerbread for dessert. Browse through hundreds of vendors selling handcrafted gifts including Christmas ornaments. You can also hop on a horse-drawn carriage for a stagecoach ride through the market.

Related: Search through 500 hotels in Nuremberg.

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a fairy tale town in Bavaria. Photo: traveljunction

Rothenburg ob der Tauber Reiterlesmarkt

November 11 to December 23
Hours: 11 am to 8 pm

The charming medieval town of Rothenburg has a magical look, making it a wonderful location for a holiday visit. The Rothenburg Christmas Market offers an intimate atmosphere where you can roam the food and gift stalls sparkling with thousands of lights. Snack on a bag of freshly roasted chestnuts or try a traditional Rothenburg Snowball Cake (fried dough covered in powdered sugar).

Don’t miss: Santa Claus makes an appearance at the market every day at 4:30 pm, and is followed by a brass band concert at 5:30 pm.

Ready to go? Search hotels in Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Munich Christmas Market

November 27 to December 24
Hours: 11 pm to 8 pm

Nestled in the heart of Marienplatz, the city’s central square, the Munich Christmas Market is a holiday sight to behold. Featuring more than 160 booths selling vintage Christmas ornaments, hand-painted glass, and Bavarian specialties, Munich’s market traces its origin back to the 14th century. The Christmas tree is lit with over 3,000 tiny lights for a breathtaking scene in the city’s main square.

Don’t leave without trying a cup of homemade berry mulled wine and herb liqueurs.

Need a hotel when visiting the market? Check out our favorite budget hotels in Munich.

Discover a Christmas wonderland under one roof at the Winter Market at Munich Airport. Photo: Ashwin Chandrasekaran

Winter Market at the Munich Airport

November 15 to December 29
11 am to 9 pm (until 10 pm on Friday & Saturdays and 5 pm on Christmas Eve)

How many airports host an annual Christmas market? Welcome to Munich International Airport! Boasting 300 real trees and an ice skating rink under the airport’s roof, the Winter Market at Munich Airport will make you wish for an extended layover. Enjoy live music while you visit 50 market stands to pick up a Bavarian sausage or a special gift for someone back home. Before you flight, warm up with a glass of mulled wine.

Related: While you’re at Munich airport, why not check out the airport’s beer garden?

A festive evening at the Augsburg Christmas Market. Photo: Peter

Augsburg Christmas Market

November 25 to December 25
Hours: 10 am – 8 pm, Sun – Thurs, 10 am – 9:30 pm, Fri – Sat, (Christmas Eve until 2 pm)

Over one million people visit the Augsburg Christmas Market each holiday season to browse through more than 90 booths selling gifts and food. The market features special activities for kids and live entertainment every day.

If you visit on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, you can see the famous Angel Performance when City Hall transforms into a beautiful Advent calendar with the help of 24 girls from Augsburg playing the part of the angels.

Related: Search for rooms at more than 100 hotels in Augsburg

Do you like mulled wine? Keep an eye out for the word “Glühwein!” Photo George N.

Bamberg Christmas Market

November 26 to December 23
Hours: 9:30 am to 8 pm (Sundays from 11 am to 8 pm)

Stroll the charming streets of Old Town Bamberg to discover a winter wonderland. At the Bamberg Christmas Market, vendors grill bratwurst, roast almonds, and sell traditional lebkuchen (a Christmas treat similar to gingerbread). Highlights include the impressive nativity scene in a half-timbered house that’s part of a nativity trail with over 400 Christmas cribs around the city.

Ready to visit? Search budget-friendly hotels in Bamberg.

Celebrate the Christmas season along the Danube in Vilshofen. Photo: ashchand

Floating Christmas Market in Vilshofen

Scheduled for the first three weekends of Advent, this unique market floats along Danube River on a boat! Pick up Christmas-themed gifts from Bavaria as well as unique crafts from Austria, Slovenia, and Hungary. The Vilshofen market is famous for another reason — the wooden creche scene is the largest of its kind in the world!

Additional German Christmas markets

That’s just a small sampling of the Christmas markets in Bavaria. Other locations hosting Christmas Markets include Passau, Coburg, Landshut, Bayreuth, Dachau, Forchheim, and Würzburg. Check out the full list on the Bavaria Tourism website.

The post Germany: Our 7 favorite Christmas markets in Bavaria appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

But that’s not all. If you visit Germany, you can also check out the maritime magic of Hamburg, the world-famous university town Heidelberg, the chic old-school sophistication of Munich (served with a side of dirndls, pretzels, and lederhosen), and last but not least, the lovely jewels in the former East, like Leipzig and Dresden.

But you by no means have to stick to the towns and cities. Germany also has a lot to offer any nature lover. The country is home to the Bavarian Alps with quaint mountainside villages and the Black Forest of Brother’s Grimm fame. For great hiking in the former East, check out Saxony Switzerland, a lovely climbing area and national park southeast of Dresden.

If water is more your cup of tea, then be sure to take a boat ride down the Rhine river, enjoying a glass of local Riesling from Germany’s wine country. For a little seaside air, make your way to the Baltic Sea and treasure hunt for amber or stroll along the North Sea mudflats at low tide.

And did we mention castles and palaces? Germany has around 20,000 of them, including Potsdam’s San Souci palace and Neuschwanstein, the so-called “Disneyland” castle.

Related:

• 10 Day Germany Itinerary: Berlin, Potsdam, Hamburg, Munich and Neuschwanstein
• Planning a trip to Europe? Avoid these 10 costly mistakes
• Search for hotels across Germany

10 reasons to visit Germany in 2017

Still not enough? Below we’ve listed 10 more reasons why a trip to Germany is a must for 2017.

1. The dollar is strong against the euro right now

With plenty of free cultural offerings and cheap eats galore, Berlin has been an inexpensive tourist destination for years. However, many other places in Germany are usually a bit pricier, particularly Hamburg and Munich. Why not take advantage of a weaker euro and visit these places now when you’ll get more bang for your buck?

Air Berlin and Lufthansa fly direct to Germany from the US. Photo: BriYYZ

2. New cheap flights to Germany

AirBerlin flies direct to Berlin and Dusseldorf from several US destinations including New York and Miami. Sign up for their newsletter to stay on top of their latest deals that include round-trip flights from $499.

Norwegian Air gets you from the US to Germany for a very nice price with fares under $500. You can book tickets to several cities in Germany, including Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich.

Another airline to keep an eye on is Icelandair, which flies to Frankfurt and Hamburg with an optional stopover in Iceland.

Cheapo tip: Click here to sign up for newsletters for all the major airlines, to be the first to know about airfare sales.

3. Cheap transportation between cities

Once you’re in Germany, you no longer have to rely on costly train tickets to get around Germany. Although there are some important ways to save on train tickets, you can also try the bus. Budget bus services like Flixbus offer cheap tickets between cities starting as low as €7 one-way.

Also, car sharing services like BlaBlaCar are sometimes even cheaper than the bus with the added bonus of chit chat with a local as you barrel at top speeds down the Autobahn.

Related: Tips for driving the Autobahn in Germany

4. Luther 2017: 500 years since the Reformation

500 years ago, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. His action marked the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, which changed the face of Christianity and the world forever.

Throughout 2017, exhibitions, concerts, and festivals are taking place across Germany to celebrate Luther 2017: 500 Years Since the Reformation. If you’d like to follow in Luther’s footsteps, we recommend you check out the three cities that were important to this event: Wittenberg, Mansfeld, and Eisleben, his birthplace. These three towns are not only historically interesting, they’re also extremely beautiful, so much so that the area has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

But you don’t have to stop here: Germany has over 2,000 kilometers of Luther trails where you can hike and learn about the life, work, and legacy of this important historical figure.

Cologne Carnival brings parades and parties to the city streets. Photo: Marco

5. Cologne Carnival

Known to locals in Cologne as “the 5th season of the year,” Cologne Carnival (Kölner Karneval) officially starts on November 11 at 11:11 am. However, the party gets really wild on Fat Thursday (Weiberfastnacht) on February 23rd, the week before Carnival Monday (Rosenmontag). During this time, residents give themselves Narrenfreiheit; in other words, license to do as they please because, as they say, “what happens at Karneval stays at Karneval.”

From Weiberfastnacht on, it’s all play and no work for the city, with round-the-clock costumes parties on the streets and in the pubs, and no one at school or the office. Toss back a cold Kölsch, Cologne’s most famous beer, dress up and watch the parade on Rosenmontag where you’ll hear the locals singing merry Carnival songs at the top of their lungs. Festivities continue until Ash Wednesday (March 1).

Although the Cologne Carnival celebration is the largest and most famous one in Germany, Carnival is also celebrated in Düsseldorf and Mainz.

Spring brings beautiful flowers and festivals to Berlin. Photo: visitBerlin

6. Free festivals in Berlin during June

While Berlin is well worth a visit at any time of the year, our favorite month to explore Germany’s capital is June. Not only does June usually bring the best weather — warm, but not too hot, with plenty of springtime flowers — the month is also famous for its free festivals. Here are a few to check out:

Carnival of Cultures – June 2 – 5
This gigantic street festival and parade celebrates multiculturalism in Berlin and is dedicated to highlighting world cultures.

Fête de la Musique – June 21
This summer solstice celebration features live music of all kinds at hundreds of venues and street locations across the city.

48 Hours Neukölln – June 23 to 25
Taking place in Berlin’s hippest neighborhood, this art festival highlights local artists and community art projects across Neukölln.

Long Night of the Sciences – June 24
Laboratories, scientific institutions, and libraries open their doors to the public for the “smartest night of the year.”

Bergmann Street Festival (Bergmannstraßenfest) – June 30 to July 2
This jazz festival presents three days of live music in the “multi-kulti” atmosphere on Kreuzberg’s well-known Bergmannstraße.

7. Berlin Marathon

On September 24, 2017, the 44th Berlin Marathon will take place, curving through the city center. If you’re a runner, there’s no better way to experience the city than to run in this world-class race. Just be sure to register soon before it’s too late.

If you’re not a runner, it’s still fun to watch the marathon. Get up early and watch the top runners rip up the asphalt when the race begins at 9:15 am. If you’re in the mood to sleep in, you can cheer on the runners (some in costume!) until the mid-afternoon.

If you can’t make it out in September, but still want to get in on the sporty fun, the Berlin Half Marathon takes place on April 2.

Related: Berlin hotels under $100 per night

Beer fans travel from all over the world to Munich’s famous Oktoberfest. Photo Christian

8. Oktoberfest

Dirndls, lederhosen, brass ensembles, and gallons of beer: That’s what most people imagine when they think about Oktoberfest (and probably Germany in general, for that matter). But don’t let yourself be fooled. Except for a few celebrations around the country designed to trap clueless tourists, Oktoberfest is really only celebrated in Munich. And contrary to its name, the festival starts in late September.

In 2017, Oktoberfest runs from Saturday, September 16 to Tuesday, October 3 (German Reunification Day). If you do decide to go “Auf der Wiesn,” make sure to plan your trip well in advance. The festival gets extremely busy, especially on the opening weekends, so head over to the beer tents nice and early to avoid the crowds. For more tips, check out our article 10 ways to save time and money at Oktoberfest.

Fireworks light up over Freiburg on New Year’s Eve. Photo: Orest

9. Silvester, a.k.a. New Year’s Eve

If you want to live dangerously, try spending New Year’s Eve in Germany. On New Year’s Eve, Germans don’t just drink, eat and make merry. They also add explosives to the mix — fireworks — and lots of them. To play it safe, check out the major fireworks display close to midnight, which you’ll find in every town and city across the country.

But for the true Silvester experience, go to Berlin to set off bottle rockets and light up firecracker after firecracker with hordes of people who have already tossed back far too many drinks. But beware: On this night, the city gets a little crazy, so come prepared.

10. Wonderfully Weird Festivals

Last but not least, Germany is also a great place to visit for weird festivals, some truly bordering on the surreal and bizarre.

Tübingen Duck Race
On October 7th, check out the Tübingen Duck Race, where locals get together and race 7,000 rubber duckies down the Neckar River.

German Deer Calling Competition
Listen as hunters go horn to horn in the traditional German Deer Calling Competition, held every fall during deer mating season.

German Bus Pulling Championship
If you’re more in the mood to see some brawn, check out the annual German Bus Pulling Championship, where 16 five-person teams from around the country compete to see who can pull a 14-ton bus the furthest and fastest. Scheduled for June.

Wave-Gothik-Treffen
And for lots of black and graveyard fashion, be sure to hop over to Leipzig for the Wave-Gothik-Treffen, the world’s largest goth festival which takes place this year from June 2 to 5.

Affordable hotels in Europe

No matter where you’re off to in 2017, you can search for hotels on EuroCheapo. Check out our expert hotel reviews to start planning your trip!

The post 10 Reasons to visit Germany in 2017 appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.

The city is divided into two main districts, the Altstadt (Old City) and Neustadt (New City), which both have their own very distinct flavor and flair. Because Dresden is located halfway between Berlin and Prague, it’s an easy stop for tourists on their way to these two European hot spots. But make no mistake: This city is well worth a visit on its own.

We’ve gathered some budget travel tips here for your trip to Dresden, including plenty of ways to save on your visit.

Arriving at Dresden’s Hauptbanhof train station. Photo: Bert Kaufmann

Getting there

Dresden International Airport is located north of the city. The fastest and cheapest way to reach the city from the airport is to take the S2 line S-Bahn train right into Dresden — you’ll reach the main train station in a little over 20 minutes.

Dresden also has two major train stations, Dresden-Neustadt and Dresden Hauptbahnhof, which are separated by the Elbe River. As you might guess, the station Dresden-Neustadt is located in Neustadt, the district to the north of the Elbe river. Dresden Hauptbahnhof (main train station) is in the Altstadt, Dresden’s impressive old town to the south of the Elbe river.

Save with the bus: If you’re coming from somewhere else in Germany, one of the cheapest ways to reach Dresden is by bus. The bus company Flixbus, for example, offers one-way tickets between Berlin and Dresden for as low as €9 per person.

Related: Germany’s discount bus craze with fares as low as €1

Getting around Dresden

Like most cities in Germany, Dresden has a great public transportation system. Buses, trams (called Strassenbahn in German) and trains will take you anywhere you want to go, day or night — though fewer options will be available in the wee hours. To map out your trip from point a to point b, you can take a look at the website of the DVB, Dresden’s transportation service.

Save with day tickets: If you’re planning to travel to several different destinations in the city, you’ll save if you buy a day ticket. These tickets cost €6 for a single person or €9 for a family ticket. If you’re traveling with other people besides the family, you’ll save even more: Small group day tickets cost only €15 for up to five people for the day’s travel.

Still, nothing is cheaper than relying on your own two feet. Luckily, Dresden is a very walkable city, so, unless you end up wearing out a pair of shoes, this is the most frugal option.

Altstadt

Once home to the King of Saxony and a handful of Electors, Dresden’s Altstadt is the city’s biggest draw —and for good reason. Dresden’s old town was known as the Jewel Box because of the baroque and rococo buildings in its city center, and many have been restored to their former glory.

The most famous of these include:

• the Dresdener Frauenkirche (Church of our Lady), which remained a ruin in memory of the war until it was restored in 2005
• the Royal Palace
• Semper Opera House
• Neumarkt and Altmarkt Square

But you won’t only find Baroque buildings here: Many early Renaissance and 19th-century buildings are also located in the Altstadt, making it a dream come true for any architecture buff.

Tips on how to save in the Altstadt

Eat elsewhere: If you get hungry while touring the Altstadt, try to pop into a bakery or a grocery store to pick up a snack. Many of the restaurants in the area are tourist-quality (read: mediocre) and overpriced. You’ll definitely get a better bargain for your buck outside this tourist zone.

Welcome Card: For any culture lovers, Dresden has a lot to offer, with palaces and museums galore. If you think you’d like to spend a day or two traipsing through these fine sights, you might want to look into buying a Dresden Welcome Card. The two-day Dresden Museum Card will give you free admission to 14 different museums for €22. If you’re not planning to hit up a long list of museums, however, you might just want to stick to the day tickets for public transit, as they also offer discounts on admission, and cost less.

Last-minute reduced price opera tickets: In the mood for some high opera melodrama in the absolutely gorgeous Semperoper, but not looking to dig deep into your pockets? Check out the box office shortly before the scheduled performance. If you get lucky, they may still have some remaining tickets for a fraction of the price.

Neustadt

Neustadt is made up of two main areas: Innere (inner) Neustadt, also known as the Baroque Quarter, and Äußere (outer) Neustadt. With its baroque facades and high fashion shopping miles, like Königstraße, Innere Neustadt is the closest in spirit to the Altstadt, but with more dining choices.

But Äußere Neustadt is where you’ll find Dresden’s nightlife. With an arty edge favored by students and the creatively inclined, Äußere Neustadt is where the freaks come out at night in the best sense of the word; a reputation the neighborhood also enjoyed during GDR times. Although the district has since become more gentrified, it is still Dresden’s best place for bar hopping, great restaurants and cafes, and funky little boutiques.

Our tip: Save the sightseeing for the Altstadt and Innere Neustadt, but hang out and grab a bite to eat here at night.

Hotels in Dresden

Dresden has dozens of budget accommodations available. Private rooms at hostels start as low as $40 per night, but 3-star hotels with great perks can easily be had for under $100 for a double room right in the city center. Search over 250 hotels in Dresden on EuroCheapo.

The post A Budget Travel Guide to Dresden, Germany appeared first on EuroCheapo's Budget Travel Blog.