There is a T-Punkt store just outside the Marienplatz U-Bahn/S-Bahn station (there are other locations as well).

And this week a drugstore chain sold a cellphone with a SIM card for 24,99 Euro....

Berlin Sim Card
 

I am a bit unclear about sim card procedures. I have a Verizon tri band phone which I will have unlocked. Question is: When I arrive at Tegel Airport can I simply purchase a local sim card at e.g. T-Punkt, insert in my phone and expect it to work immediately. Also does anyone know the rate charged to the card for both local calls and to the U.S.. Is the rate the same to Italy and Switzerland.

Welcome to FT. This is an incredibly broad question, much like asking "How much does dinner cost in Germany". There are a multitude of providers and plans. There are a number of discount prepaid programs, some of which are available in retail locations like Rewe, Aldi, Tchibo, etc.

This thread, though focused on Internet access, mentions some of those providers and links to more detailed info: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/germa...-1-99-day.html

Over in the Travel Tech forum, there is an extensive thread about European SIMs:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/trave...d-exactly.html

You might also check out http://prepaidgsm.net . Since all they discuss over there are SIM cards and providers, you will find it a more comprehensive resource for your broad question.

Sim cards again
 

Thanks for all of your information, but the question is a very simple one. Can I buty a german sim card at Tegel airport and insert it into my unlocked phone, and will it work without buying a pre-paid card in the U.S. before I travel.
Regards

Wirelessly posted (Nokia E71-2: Opera/9.80 (S60; SymbOS; Opera Mobi/448; U; en-US) Presto/2.4.18 Version/10.00)

The simple answer is "yes". The T-Mobile shop is in the central shopping area. Tell the clerk that you have an unlocked phone and would like to purchase a prepaid "XTRA" sim. They will tell you how much time comes preloaded - they should give you the option to load additional Euros if you want that.

Present your passport as identification, and, after taking your payment, the clerk will put the sim into the phone and will proceed to activate the sim. You should be able to leave the store in a few minutes with a working phone. :)

Any updates on sims. I only need data. Looking for about 500mb for about 5-10 euros for a 30 day period. Most sites I'm seeing are in german. I did Orange in the UK for 5 quid and hoping there is something similar in Germany. Maybe Voda or T mobile?

A bit late, but maybe helpful for others:

Simyo is what you are looking for:
http://www.simyo.de/tarif/einheitsta...AAB6BF.sim-a01

The same offer from blau.de
http://www.blau.de/tarife/daten-opti...atenpaket.html

Simyo/Blau is using Germany's Eplus-network (GSM 1800). UMTS is available in all bigger cities and closer suburbs, EDGE almost everywhere. HS(D)PA is just support at some highly frequented places, still a trial thing.

9,90 EUR for 1 GB that can be used during a 30-days period. The simcard can be obtained via ebay (or send a PN to me). In fact those cards can even be ordered for free when using german cashback sites (certainly not very easy for non-residents)

Kexbox

Free german sim card (as far as it lasts)
 

Hello, I got a voucher that gives you 100% discount on a SIM-Card (with 20 € of airtime credit included).
The voucher code to be used at checkout is "Germany" and the website is www.germansimcard.com
Best things in life are free :-)

Didn't work for me :(

Must be German resident (?)
 

A word of warning:

On a recent trip I bought a SIM card from Edeka mobil (at a supermarket near my hotel). It turns out that this particular provider cannot and will not allow you to register if you are not resident in Germany!

Their customer service is horrible! It took several days for them to respond, and it then took several back and forth emails with them until they finally told me I could not use their service.

The store itself was very reluctant to take back the SIM card as the package had been opened, but finally did so when presented with a printout of the email I had received.

Overall, this was a very frustrating experience!

Sorry about that.

I would really recommend SIMYO or Blau (especially their BLAU WORLD plan).

Those little stores near stations always sellthem and are aware of registering them properly for you.

Another option would be ordering a simcard before going to germany, I could also help you (and others) for future journeys.

T-mobile from Germany works fine. I purchased one in the T-Mobile store in Marienplatz plaza area in Munich. They charge 10 euro for the sim and then you can add 10,15 or 30 euro for pay as your go. I had my Galaxy SIII from Verizon but the SIM lock is on so I couldn't use it. Luckily, I had my backup phone that is unlocked and it worked fine. Since Munich has old buildings the cell phone reception is not always 3G or H speed. Otherwise, it works great!

I have had to delete a few posts.

I do not want to read here how to avoid using you real name while buying a sim card. It might be known to the public, but writing it here is a complete different thing.

Thank you

FLYGVA
Co-moderator IHG Forum

My old (2006) T-Mo XTRA SIM was finally cancelled (I assume for lack of use, as I hadn't used it in over a year - it did have a €12 balance on it).

Is it possible to re-activate a cancelled / dormant XTRA sim? If that's not possible, I'll just get a new one on my next trip in January (my Kundennummer is still active on the website, hopefully I can just add the new sim to my existing account).