travlsolo2

Maybe I'm missing some threads, but most info seemed to be from 2007. My questions are: can I buy a "cheap" cell phone after I get to Germany, and then do I buy a SIM card for it? I don't know anything about SIM cards -- are they loaded with a certain number of minutes, or how does that work? The last time I was in Germany I used calling cards which were fine except finding public phones wasn't always easy.

travlsolo2

ttt
I'm really a dunce when it comes to this question -- I sure hope somebody can help me by explaining it clearly.... Thanks bunches!

logos999

Go to a shop, buy a phone with SIM card. The clerk will activate it for you and insert the SIM.
Cheap starts fom 9.90€ incl. 5 or 10€ worth of calls.

Imagine at home going to Walmart to buy a cellphone. It's just like that, except there are far more choices in Germany.
Now which phone company and/or SIM to choose and how much it costs is a totally different story.

If you wan't help, where and what to buy, just post

logos999

Just a small teaser should you make looong calls.

Buy a 20€ prepaid Nokia from Conrad Electonics, Tarif: "Xtra Nonstop" by T-Mobile which costs one Euro per month. (calls worth 5€ included in the initial price)

Included are calls to German phones for 29ct per call with a maximum duration of two hours.

Use a calling card (Bananas or other) to dial thru to the USA. (Maybe 1-2 ct more)

Many, many more options once you're here. The cheapest prepaid flat rates to german phones are 10€ per month. (Again use calling card.)

travlsolo2

Thanks so much for the first answer -- and then of course it gets more complicated, doesn't it?
I'll be in Hamburg and then Lueneburg and then in small villages in the Heide, and then gradually moving south in Germany, so will likely need to buy the phone in Lueneburg. I will be using it to call home (US) every other day or so (maybe 15 min total) and maybe for a couple calls inside Germany to confirm plans, etc., possibly another 15 minutes. Does this narrow down the choices? Or should I just get a calling card and look for the pink phone booths??

logos999

The more choices, the more complicated it gets. .

What I would do is buy a T-Mobile phone, tariff "Xtra Nonstop" or "Xtra Click". The box will tell you the default tariff. I'd prefer "Nonstop". If it's something else, ask if the clerk can change it for free. Won't be a problem.

Then buy a common phone card and use it with your mobile phone. Dial the German number on the card and when prompted the number you want to reach in the US .

For local german calls, just dial the number.

To get the phone with card and "nonstop" tariff, why don't you print that page below, take it to a T-Mobile shop in Hamburg or elsewhere in Germany and say:

"I'd like to buy this phone please"
(It costs 20&euro
http://www.t-mobile.de/shop/handy/0,...0-1-0,00.html?

logos999

To find the closest t-mobile store (called "T-Punkt&quot enter your location here:

http://www.t-mobile.de/filialsuche/0...5399-_,00.html

travlsolo2

logos999 -- Herzlichen Dank!!
I think I can do this. Looks like the post offices sell these. Cool. So these are what are called "Handys". I'll buy in Hamburg or Hannover.
Thanks again!!

logos999

So far, at post offices they are 9.90€ and are unlocked and can be used with other cards too. The unlocked ones come in a separate (rather small) box. The locked phones are in a bigger "XTRA" box containing SIM card and phone.