Switzerland and Germany question from a new user

[JazzDrew]

Hello,

I am new to SIMs so please excuse my lack of understanding how cell phones in Europe work! I was on the Fodor’s forum and everyone there suggested that I ask the experts on this board!

I am from the US and will be traveling next week to Switzerland and Munich on holiday. We are traveling with another US family and want to be able to contact each other while traveling. We have already purchased phones that will work in Europe (900/1800/1900 band phones) and want to purchase SIMS when we arrive in Zurich.

I understand that there are many SIM options for us. I have read many posts on this site and others but am still confused. I believe our needs are simple. Our primary use will be to communicate with each other in Europe (staying in Kandersteg, Zermatt and in Munich) and to contact family in the US in case of emergency. We expect to use the cell phones 5 to 10 minutes per day calling from cell phone to cell phone. We do not want text messaging, music, or anything other than minutes to talk from cell phone to cell phone and to have the option to receive or call to US in an emergency. We would like to find a SIM card in the airport when we arrive in the morning (Saturday) in Zurich. Both families will purchase the same SIM card. We would like a SIM card that is the least expensive to use with good coverage in Switzerland and in Munich.

Questions:

1. Can someone please suggest a SIM card that we can purchase at the airport in Zurich? I have researched and found that SwissCom, Orange and Sunrise all have kiosks in the Zurich airport. Will there be SIM cards available at these shops? I searched the SwissCom site and found a “NATEL easy liberty” SIM card for only 40 chf that appears to cost only .80 chf per hour! This seems too good to be true. Is that the rate that I would pay for cell to cell? Other sites show SIM rates around 1 chf per minute! We don’t want that if possible!!


Here is the info I found on the internet:

NATEL® easy liberty tariffs
Without subscription (no monthly fixed costs) CHF 0.00
Domestic call tariff (CH and FL) on the Swisscom NATEL® network, fixed network and COMBOX®*
Per call up to a max. of 60 minutes; then CHF 0.80 for each further 60 minutes (7x24h)

* Domestic calls (CH and FL) under five seconds to a Swisscom Mobile COMBOX® or a voice mailbox in the fixed network are free (excl. business numbers).
CHF 0.80
SMS
CHF 0.20
Call to the mobile network of another service provider in Switzerland, per minute (7x24h) CHF 0.70
More cost transparency: A short signal tone reminds you that you have dialled the mobile number of another mobile provider (e.g. Sunrise or Orange) in Switzerland or Liechtenstein. Listen to the signal tone and further information

Call redirection to an inland number, per minute (7x24h) CHF 0.80
Incoming domestic calls and calls routed to the subscriber’s own COMBOX® No charge
Flat rate price for SIM card
(initial or extra card) CHF 40.00

Will this be available for us and will it work?


2. Any suggestions for SIM card in Munich? What card will work for a reasonable price and where would you suggest we get it?

Again, I know that there is not a best solution, but want to know what is a “reasonable” card for us to purchase that will not “rip us off”!

Any suggestions will certainly be appreciated!

JazzDrew