Having a cellphone with dependable high-speed cellular information whereas touring across the Netherlands is required nowadays as a result of a lot of life within the Netherlands requires cellular information—you’ll want a cellphone to entry cellular practice tickets, restaurant menus, museum/occasion tickets, Google Maps, UBER/taxis, and way more.
On this information, I’ll cowl all the pieces it’s essential to find out about shopping for a SIM Card within the Netherlands and how one can purchase the very best high-speed cellular information plan for a good value.
How To Purchase A Pay as you go SIM Card In The Netherlands With Cellular Information
There are two most important choices in relation to shopping for a SIM Card for For The Netherlands:
- The Straightforward Means—Purchase a SIM Card Earlier than Your Journey: Shopping for a SIM card earlier than you arrive within the Netherlands is a bit more costly nevertheless it’s way more handy (and you’ve got cellular information as quickly as you arrive within the Netherlands).
- The Cheaper Means—Purchase a SIM Card In The Netherlands: Shopping for a Dutch SIM Card within the Netherlands may be cheaper however it may be extra of a problem as a result of you must observe down a retailer after arrival.
- As a basic rule, it’s simpler to pre-buy a pay as you go information plan for those who’re visiting for lower than two weeks however an area SIM card will probably be cheaper for longer journeys.
UPDATE: Most new telephones are eSIM suitable—these are MUCH extra handy than bodily SIM playing cards as a result of they don’t require you to put in a brand new bodily SIM card. You merely purchase the pay as you go eSim information plan, scan a QR code that’s despatched to your e-mail to put in the digital “card”, and also you’re able to go. Learn The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To The Greatest eSIM Information Plans for Europe to be taught extra.
The place To Purchase A Pay as you go SIM Card For The Netherlands Earlier than You Journey (i.e. The Straightforward Means)
The simplest solution to get cellular information to your cellphone is to purchase a European SIM card earlier than you depart. There are a number of information plans geared toward guests/non-residents. These are a bit costlier than shopping for a SIM card within the Netherlands—however there’s zero problem (no monitoring down a cell phone store, no registering your SIM card, no having to take care of individuals who don’t converse English, and so forth).
All it’s essential to do is set up the SIM card into your cellphone when you’re within the Netherlands and it’ll mechanically connect with an area cellular information supplier—as an added bonus, the European Union banned information roaming expenses so any European information plan will work in any EU nation.
There are a variety of various cellular information plans obtainable at SimOptions.com (I’ve used them prior to now) and so they’ll ship the SIM card to you earlier than your journey.
For reference, you’ll most likely spend an additional $15-$20 over the course of a two-week journey for those who prepurchase your SIM card vs ready to purchase within the Netherlands—I feel the additional price is definitely worth the comfort.
The Greatest Pay as you go SIM Playing cards For The Netherlands
Listed here are my high SIM playing cards for those who’re wanting a pre-purchase your SIM earlier than arriving within the Netherlands.
UPDATE: eSIM Information Plans are way more handy than bodily SIM playing cards—immediate e-mail supply, no delivery charges, no time with out information, and you retain your cellphone quantity. Take a look at my information to the Greatest Pay as you go eSIM Information Plans For Europe.
Orange Vacation Europe Pay as you go SIM Card
I consider that the Orange Vacation Europe Pay as you go SIM Card might be the very best all-around, full-featured SIM card as a result of it provides a variety of information for a great value—and it contains loads of worldwide calls and textual content.
Moreover, Orange is without doubt one of the largest cellular corporations in Europe so that they have an enormous community all through most of Europe (which isn’t at all times the case with smaller European carriers).
The primary disadvantage is the 14-day validity interval—which doesn’t matter in case your journey is lower than two weeks. That mentioned, you should purchase an additional 10GB of credit score after the 2 weeks are up for round $25.
Plan Specs:
- PRICE: $50
- DATA: 20GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe and 1200 minutes worldwide
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe and 1000 worldwide
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: Sure
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 14 Days
- COVERAGE AREA: All of Europe
Take a look at the Orange Vacation Europe eSIM for those who’d reasonably have the eSIM model of the Orange Vacation Europe information plan.
Orange Vacation Zen Pay as you go SIM Card
For lighter information customers, I just like the $30 Orange Vacation Zen SIM Card—it offers you 8GB of information for 14 days however in any other case, it’s basically the identical plan because the Orange Vacation Europe SIM.
Orange Vacation Zen SIM Card Specs:
- PRICE: $30
- DATA: 8GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe and 600 minutes worldwide
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe and 500 worldwide
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: Sure
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 14 Days
- COVERAGE AREA: All of Europe
Take a look at the Orange Vacation Zen eSIM for those who’d reasonably have the eSIM model of the Orange Vacation Zen information plan.
Three UK Pay as you go SIM Card
Three UK is one other giant European cellular provider and their PAYG AIO15 plan is an efficient worth for individuals who don’t want the 20GB supplied by the Orange Vacation Europe plan. I like how the plan has a validity interval of 30 days so it’s good for longer journeys.
Plan Specs:
- PRICE: $30
- DATA: 10GB
- CALLS: Unlimted in Europe
- TEXT: Unlimted in Europe
- USED AS A MOBILE HOTSPOT?: No
- CREDIT VALID FOR: 30 Days
How To Purchase A SIM Card In The Netherlands
Shopping for a pay as you go SIM Card within the Netherlands is a reasonably simple course of since they’re broadly obtainable—the most important inconvenience is discovering a retailer after which selecting which plan you need. You’ll additionally must take care of not having service till you discover the SIM retailer.
That mentioned, it’s best to only purchase the Orange Vacation Europe plan since it really works in any EU nation.
The place To Purchase SIM Playing cards within the Netherlands
- The Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and Practice Stations: You’ll discover a handful of outlets and kiosks promoting SIM Playing cards on the Schiphol Airport and in most giant practice stations. Nonetheless, you’ll pay a premium since they’re focusing on data-hungry vacationers so count on to pay anyplace from €35-€60 for not a lot cellular information.
- Provider-Particular Retail Places: Main cellular carriers like Vodafone and T-Cellular have storefronts in most metropolis facilities that promote their SIM playing cards. That is your greatest wager for those who want technical assist and also you’ll sometimes discover higher offers than on the airports and practice stations.
- Third-Celebration Cellular Telephone Retailers: Many impartial cell phone retailers promote a spread of cellphone plans from a number of corporations. Workers may have the ability to supply some assist getting arrange however service most likely received’t be pretty much as good as carrier-specific retailers.
- Newsstands, Tobacco Retailers, Merchandising Machines, and so forth: You could find SIM playing cards in a number of smaller retailers and grocery shops that promote tremendous low cost SIM playing cards however don’t count on any customer support.
The Greatest Cellular Information Corporations In The Netherlands
Now let’s have a look a the most important and greatest cellular corporations within the Netherlands to present you an concept of who it’s best to take a look at if you wish to purchase your SIM card when you arrive within the Netherlands.
The three main cellular suppliers within the Netherlands are KPN, Vodafone Nederland, and T-Cellular. There are a number of different smaller suppliers however all of them lease visitors from the suppliers above. You’ll even have to go to an precise retail location (sometimes within the metropolis heart) to purchase any of the plans from the key carriers.
KPN Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
KPN is without doubt one of the largest Dutch cellular suppliers providing a variety of pay as you go information plans. Their month-to-month plans vary from €20-€25/month however they cost a €25 activation payment so that they’re not perfect for short-term guests.
Vodafone Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
Vodafone Netherlands has a number of cellular information plan choices—notably pay as you go month-to-month plans that vary from 2GB to 10GB/month and limitless information bundles bought in 1,3 or 7-day increments. I don’t consider they cost an activation payment in order that’s a pus.
T-Cellular Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
T-Moble Netherlands is the opposite largest cellular supplier within the Netherlands however most of their plans are designed as yearly subscriptions. They do have a €2.95/day plan that offers limitless information (calls and SMS texting not included) however you get restricted information for those who use the plan exterior the Netherlands. You’ll additionally must activate the plan contained in the Netherlands.
FAQ: PREPAID SIM CARDS FOR THE NETHERLANDS
Right here is a few useful background information on cellular information plans so you’ll be able to higher perceive how cellular information service works within the Netherlands.
BRING YOUR PASSPORT
I like to recommend that you just carry your passport with you when shopping for a SIM card throughout the Netherlands. They may additionally ask for an area tackle however you should utilize your resort or rental residence’s tackle.
EUROPEAN UNION-WIDE COVERAGE
A legislation was lately handed within the EU which banned cellular carriers from charging roaming charges throughout the EU—which suggests you should utilize a SIM card you got within the Netherlands and use it in Spain, France, and so forth. with out paying any further charges. That is nice for vacationers as a result of you should utilize one plan in every single place.
- Listed here are the nations/areas the place there isn’t any information roaming: Andorra, Azores, Aland islands, Austria, Balearic Islands, Belgium, Canary Islands, Cyprus, Corfu, Crete, the Cyclades, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faeroe Islands, Finland, France mainland, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guernsey, Hungary, Eire, Iceland, Italy, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg. Madeira, Malta. Isle of Man, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Rhodes, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom, San Marino, Sardinia, Sicily, Slovakia, Switzerland, Sweden, Vatican
Technically Switzerland and the UK will not be a part of the EU, and whereas many plans nonetheless provide you with service there, many don’t so learn the tremendous print if these nations are a part of your journey.
YOUR PHONE MUST BE UNLOCKED
Some cellular carriers (primarily within the US, Australia, and New Zealand) “lock” their telephones so that they’ll solely work on that provider’s community—this sometimes applies in case you have a plan that features a free cellphone with a multi-year contract. You’ll must contact your provider and have them “unlock” your cellphone so it’ll settle for a third-party SIM card.
Within the US, carriers are required to unlock telephones if the client requests it nevertheless it’s hardly ever unlocked by default. That mentioned, a number of corporations nonetheless make clients bounce by way of hoops to unlock their telephones so don’t put this off till the final minute or you might be out of luck.
A NEW SIM CARD GIVES YOU A NEW PHONE NUMBER
Putting in a brand new SIM card offers you a brand new cellphone quantity so your outdated quantity received’t work till you reinstall your authentic SIM card. So, if folks want to achieve you, you’ll want to inform folks your new Dutch/European quantity.
One of many advantages of utilizing an eSIM is that you would be able to preserve your cellphone’s quantity whereas additionally utilizing your new eSIM.
Moreover, many web sites/apps use two-factor authentication—which is tied to your cellphone quantity so that may now not be an choice with the brand new SIM put in. And for those who use Uber/Lyft, you’ll must replace your new cellphone quantity within the app while you set up your new SIM.
AVOID YOUR CURRENT PROVIDER’S INTERNATIONAL DATA PLAN
Your present cellular supplier probably has a global information plan however they’re sometimes costly and the service is commonly sluggish, inconsistent, and has restricted information allowances.
For instance, the AT&T Worldwide Day Move prices $10/day, Verizon TravelPass can be $10/day and lots of T-Cellular plans supply free worldwide roaming however you’re solely assured 2g information speeds… which can wrestle to load Google Maps and even e-mail.
HOW MUCH MOBILE DATA DO YOU NEED?
So long as you’re not streaming music/movies or importing a ton of photographs, you most likely received’t use greater than 4GB-8GB of cellular information per week. For reference, the typical American smartphone proprietor makes use of round 15-20GB of cellular information every month.
For those who’re spending a variety of time on social media (notably Instagram and TikTok) you then’ll use extra however for those who’re simply doing regular net shopping and utilizing Google Maps you then may solely use 1-2GB per week.
KEEP YOUR OLD SIM CARD SAFE
In case your present cellphone makes use of a SIM card, be sure you preserve the SIM in a secure place whereas utilizing your new SIM Card since you’ll must reinstall the outdated card to make use of your regular service.
DOES THE NETHERLANDS HAVE 5G?
Sure, you’ll discover widespread 5G protection in most cities and 4G is widespread in additional rural components of the Netherlands.
Extra SIM Card and Cellular Information Plan Assets
Listed here are a number of extra country-specific SIM Card guides I’ve written:
GENERAL TIPS FOR USING YOUR PHONE IN EUROPE
I’ve written extensively about utilizing smartphones and information plans in Europe and ideas for shopping for SIM Playing cards For Visiting Europe. Under are some extra useful tips on utilizing your cellphone in all through Europe.
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER
Touring together with your cellphone will shortly drain your batteries so I extremely suggest a conveyable battery. I exploit Anker PowerCore 10000 as a result of it’s tiny and inexpensive however there are a number of choices.
BE AWARE OF THEFT WHILE USING YOUR PHONE
Pickpockets love stealing smartphones so concentrate whilst you’re utilizing your cellphone, stash it away safely whereas on public transportation/crowds, and don’t set it down whilst you’re in public. Learn my information to Pickpockets in Europe for extra anti-theft recommendation.
TAKE STEPS TO LOWER YOUR MOBILE DATA USAGE
It’s straightforward to burn by way of a variety of information as a result of many apps use information within the background. Fb, e-mail, Instagram, Snapchat… these all continually use information all through the day with out you figuring out it. That’s it’s essential to know how one can restrict your information utilization.
- USE AIRPLANE MODE AND BLOCK DATA TO SPECIFIC APPS: I’ll put my cellphone in Airplane Mode as a result of that disables all information (however GPS nonetheless works in Airplane Mode). You can too go into the settings and disable information entry to every particular person app. I’ll go in and switch each off apart from issues like Google Maps or others that I’ll use extra regularly — this fashion once I flip off Airplane Mode solely these apps that may use information. Then I’ll flip Airplane Mode again on once I’m carried out.
- DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS: Google Maps permits you to obtain whole metropolis maps to allow them to be used offline. As a bonus, GPS doesn’t use information so offline Google Maps works pretty effectively (however not all performance works). Right here is an efficient YouTube video that explains all the pieces.
- SAVE HEAVY PHONE USAGE FOR WIFI: Wait till you’re someplace with a WiFi connection earlier than you do any heavy streaming or obtain information.
MORE NETHERLANDS TRAVEL ADVICE FROM THE SAVVY BACKPACKER
Listed here are a number of of my favourite journey articles that will help you plan your journey to the Netherlands and all through Europe:
James Feess is the creator of The Savvy Backpacker and the writer of the guide “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Price range”. He is been running a blog about price range journey in Europe since 2010.
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