Having a telephone with dependable high-speed cellular information whereas touring across the Netherlands is required as of late as a result of a lot of life within the Netherlands requires cellular information—you’ll want a telephone to entry cellular prepare tickets, restaurant menus, museum/occasion tickets, Google Maps, UBER/taxis, and way more.
On this information, I’ll cowl every thing it’s essential to learn about shopping for a SIM Card within the Netherlands and methods to purchase the very best high-speed cellular information plan for a good worth.
How To Purchase A Pay as you go SIM Card In The Netherlands With Cellular Information
There are two fundamental choices relating to shopping for a SIM Card for For The Netherlands:
- The Simple Manner—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 however it’s way more handy (and you’ve got cellular information as quickly as you arrive within the Netherlands).
- The Cheaper Manner—Purchase a SIM Card In The Netherlands: Shopping for a Dutch SIM Card within the Netherlands might be cheaper however it may be extra of a problem as a result of you need to observe down a retailer after arrival.
- As a normal rule, it’s simpler to pre-buy a pay as you go information plan in case you’re visiting for lower than two weeks however an area SIM card might be cheaper for longer journeys.
UPDATE: Most new telephones are eSIM appropriate—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 Simple Manner)
The simplest method to get cellular information on your telephone is to purchase a European SIM card earlier than you depart. There are just a few information plans geared toward guests/non-residents. These are a bit dearer than shopping for a SIM card within the Netherlands—however there may be zero problem (no monitoring down a cell phone store, no registering your SIM card, no having to cope with individuals who don’t converse English, and so forth).
All it’s essential to do is set up the SIM card into your telephone 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 prices so any European information plan will work in any EU nation.
There are a variety of various cellular information plans accessible at SimOptions.com (I’ve used them previously) 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 in case you 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 prime SIM playing cards in case you’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 telephone 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 gives plenty of information for a very good worth—and it consists of loads of worldwide calls and textual content.
Moreover, Orange is among the largest cellular corporations in Europe in order that they have an enormous community all through most of Europe (which isn’t all the time the case with smaller European carriers).
The principle 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 in case you’d slightly 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 provides you 8GB of information for 14 days however in any other case, it’s primarily 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 in case you’d slightly 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 service and their PAYG AIO15 plan is an effective 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 easy course of since they’re extensively accessible—the biggest inconvenience is discovering a retailer after which choosing which plan you need. You’ll additionally must cope with not having service till you discover the SIM retailer.
That mentioned, it’s best to simply 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 Prepare Stations: You’ll discover a handful of retailers and kiosks promoting SIM Playing cards on the Schiphol Airport and in most giant prepare stations. Nonetheless, you’ll pay a premium since they’re focusing on data-hungry vacationers so anticipate to pay anyplace from €35-€60 for not a lot cellular information.
- Service-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 finest wager in case you want technical help and also you’ll usually discover higher offers than on the airports and prepare stations.
- Third-Celebration Cellular Cellphone Outlets: Many unbiased cell phone outlets promote a spread of telephone plans from a number of corporations. Staff may be capable of provide some assist getting arrange however service most likely received’t be nearly as good as carrier-specific outlets.
- Newsstands, Tobacco Outlets, Merchandising Machines, and so forth: You will discover SIM playing cards in a number of smaller outlets and grocery shops that promote tremendous low-cost SIM playing cards however don’t anticipate any customer support.
The Greatest Cellular Information Corporations In The Netherlands
Now let’s have a look a the biggest and finest cellular corporations within the Netherlands to provide you an thought of who you must try 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 just a few different smaller suppliers however all of them lease visitors from the suppliers above. You’ll even have to go to an precise retail location (usually within the metropolis heart) to purchase any of the plans from the key carriers.
KPN Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
KPN is among 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 in order that they’re not very best 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 in case you 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 possibly can 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 handle however you should use your lodge or rental house’s handle.
EUROPEAN UNION-WIDE COVERAGE
A legislation was just lately handed within the EU which banned cellular carriers from charging roaming charges throughout the EU—which implies you should use a SIM card you got within the Netherlands and use it in Spain, France, and so forth. with out paying any additional charges. That is nice for vacationers as a result of you should use one plan in all places.
- Listed here are the nations/areas the place there isn’t a 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 are usually not a part of the EU, and whereas many plans nonetheless offer you service there, many don’t so learn the high quality 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 in order that they’ll solely work on that service’s community—this usually applies in case you have a plan that features a free telephone with a multi-year contract. You’ll have to contact your service and have them “unlock” your telephone so it should settle for a third-party SIM card.
Within the US, carriers are required to unlock telephones if the shopper requests it however it’s not often unlocked by default. That mentioned, just a few corporations nonetheless make clients soar via hoops to unlock their telephones so don’t put this off till the final minute or you could possibly be out of luck.
A NEW SIM CARD GIVES YOU A NEW PHONE NUMBER
Putting in a brand new SIM card provides you a brand new telephone quantity so your previous 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 which you can preserve your telephone’s quantity whereas additionally utilizing your new eSIM.
Moreover, many web sites/apps use two-factor authentication—which is tied to your telephone quantity so that can not be an choice with the brand new SIM put in. And in case you use Uber/Lyft, you’ll have to replace your new telephone quantity within the app once you set up your new SIM.
AVOID YOUR CURRENT PROVIDER’S INTERNATIONAL DATA PLAN
Your present cellular supplier doubtless has a global information plan however they’re usually costly and the service is commonly gradual, inconsistent, and has restricted information allowances.
For instance, the AT&T Worldwide Day Cross prices $10/day, Verizon TravelPass can also be $10/day and plenty of T-Cellular plans provide free worldwide roaming however you’re solely assured 2g information speeds… which is able to battle 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 pictures, you most likely received’t use greater than 4GB-8GB of cellular information per week. For reference, the common American smartphone proprietor makes use of round 15-20GB of cellular information every month.
Should you’re spending plenty of time on social media (notably Instagram and TikTok) you then’ll use extra however in case you’re simply doing regular net looking and utilizing Google Maps you then may solely use 1-2GB per week.
KEEP YOUR OLD SIM CARD SAFE
In case your present telephone makes use of a SIM card, you’ll want to preserve the SIM in a secure place whereas utilizing your new SIM Card since you’ll have to reinstall the previous 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 frequent in additional rural elements of the Netherlands.
Extra SIM Card and Cellular Information Plan Assets
Listed here are just a few 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 suggestions for shopping for SIM Playing cards For Visiting Europe. Under are some extra useful recommendations on utilizing your telephone in all through Europe.
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER
Touring together with your telephone will shortly drain your batteries so I extremely advocate a conveyable battery. I take advantage of Anker PowerCore 10000 as a result of it’s tiny and reasonably priced however there are a number of choices.
BE AWARE OF THEFT WHILE USING YOUR PHONE
Pickpockets love stealing smartphones so listen when you’re utilizing your telephone, stash it away safely whereas on public transportation/crowds, and don’t set it down when 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 via plenty of information as a result of many apps use information within the background. Fb, e mail, Instagram, Snapchat… these all continuously use information all through the day with out you realizing it. That’s it’s necessary to know methods to restrict your information utilization.
- USE AIRPLANE MODE AND BLOCK DATA TO SPECIFIC APPS: I’ll put my telephone in Airplane Mode as a result of that disables all information (however GPS nonetheless works in Airplane Mode). You too can go into the settings and disable information entry to every particular person app. I’ll go in and switch each off aside from issues like Google Maps or others that I’ll use extra steadily — this manner once I flip off Airplane Mode solely these apps that can use information. Then I’ll flip Airplane Mode again on once I’m performed.
- DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS: Google Maps enables you to obtain total 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 effective YouTube video that explains every thing.
- 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 just a few 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 creator of the e-book “The Savvy Backpacker’s Information To Europe On A Price range”. He is been running a blog about funds journey in Europe since 2010.
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