Having a cellphone with dependable high-speed cell knowledge whereas touring across the Netherlands is required as of late as a result of a lot of life within the Netherlands requires cell knowledge—you’ll want a cellphone to entry cell practice tickets, restaurant menus, museum/occasion tickets, Google Maps, UBER/taxis, and way more.
On this information, I’ll cowl every thing it’s worthwhile to find out about shopping for a SIM Card within the Netherlands and learn how to purchase the most effective high-speed cell knowledge plan for a good worth.
How To Purchase A Pay as you go SIM Card In The Netherlands With Cellular Information
There are two principal choices in relation to shopping for a SIM Card for For The Netherlands:
- The Simple Method—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 cell knowledge as quickly as you arrive within the Netherlands).
- The Cheaper Method—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 trouble as a result of it’s important to monitor down a retailer after arrival.
- As a normal rule, it’s simpler to pre-buy a pay as you go knowledge plan if you happen to’re visiting for lower than two weeks however a neighborhood SIM card might 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 knowledge 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 Method)
The simplest method to get cell knowledge to your cellphone is to purchase a European SIM card earlier than you depart. There are a couple of knowledge plans geared toward guests/non-residents. These are a bit dearer than shopping for a SIM card within the Netherlands—however there’s zero trouble (no monitoring down a cell phone store, no registering your SIM card, no having to cope with individuals who don’t communicate English, and many others).
All it’s worthwhile to do is set up the SIM card into your cellphone when you’re within the Netherlands and it’ll robotically hook up with a neighborhood cell knowledge supplier—as an added bonus, the European Union banned knowledge roaming fees so any European knowledge plan will work in any EU nation.
There are a variety of various cell knowledge plans out there at SimOptions.com (I’ve used them previously) they usually’ll ship the SIM card to you earlier than your journey.
For reference, you’ll in all probability spend an additional $15-$20 over the course of a two-week journey if you happen to 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 below are my high SIM playing cards if you happen to’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—on the spot e mail supply, no delivery charges, no time with out knowledge, 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 imagine that the Orange Vacation Europe Pay as you go SIM Card might be the most effective all-around, full-featured SIM card as a result of it gives a variety of knowledge for a very good worth—and it consists of loads of worldwide calls and textual content.
Moreover, Orange is likely one of the largest cell firms 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 principle downside is the 14-day validity interval—which doesn’t matter in case your journey is lower than two weeks. That mentioned, you should buy 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 if you happen to’d reasonably have the eSIM model of the Orange Vacation Europe knowledge plan.
Orange Vacation Zen Pay as you go SIM Card
For lighter knowledge 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 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 if you happen to’d reasonably have the eSIM model of the Orange Vacation Zen knowledge plan.
Three UK Pay as you go SIM Card
Three UK is one other giant European cell provider and their PAYG AIO15 plan is an efficient worth for individuals who don’t want the 20GB provided 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 extensively out there—the biggest inconvenience is discovering a retailer after which selecting which plan you need. You’ll additionally need to cope with 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 retailers and kiosks promoting SIM Playing cards on the Schiphol Airport and in most giant practice stations. Nevertheless, 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 cell knowledge.
- Service-Particular Retail Places: Main cell carriers like Vodafone and T-Cellular have storefronts in most metropolis facilities that promote their SIM playing cards. That is your greatest guess if you happen to want technical help and also you’ll sometimes discover higher offers than on the airports and practice stations.
- Third-Occasion Cellular Telephone Retailers: Many unbiased cell phone outlets promote a spread of cellphone plans from a number of firms. Staff would possibly be capable of supply some assist getting arrange however service in all probability received’t be pretty much as good as carrier-specific outlets.
- Newsstands, Tobacco Retailers, Merchandising Machines, and many others: 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 count on any customer support.
The Greatest Cellular Information Corporations In The Netherlands
Now let’s have a look a the biggest and greatest cell firms within the Netherlands to provide you an thought of who it is best to take a look at if you wish to purchase your SIM card when you arrive within the Netherlands.
The three main cell suppliers within the Netherlands are KPN, Vodafone Nederland, and T-Cellular. There are a couple 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 middle) to purchase any of the plans from the key carriers.
KPN Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
KPN is likely one of the largest Dutch cell suppliers providing a variety of pay as you go knowledge plans. Their month-to-month plans vary from €20-€25/month however they cost a €25 activation charge so that they’re not ideally suited for short-term guests.
Vodafone Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
Vodafone Netherlands has a number of cell knowledge plan choices—notably pay as you go month-to-month plans that vary from 2GB to 10GB/month and limitless knowledge bundles offered in 1,3 or 7-day increments. I don’t imagine they cost an activation charge in order that’s a pus.
T-Cellular Netherlands SIM Card Information Plans
T-Moble Netherlands is the opposite largest cell 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 knowledge (calls and SMS texting not included) however you get restricted knowledge if you happen to use the plan outdoors the Netherlands. You’ll additionally need to activate the plan contained in the Netherlands.
FAQ: PREPAID SIM CARDS FOR THE NETHERLANDS
Right here is a few useful background data on cell knowledge plans so you possibly can higher perceive how cell knowledge service works within the Netherlands.
BRING YOUR PASSPORT
I like to recommend that you simply carry your passport with you when shopping for a SIM card inside the Netherlands. They may additionally ask for a neighborhood tackle however you should use your resort or rental condo’s tackle.
EUROPEAN UNION-WIDE COVERAGE
A regulation was not too long ago handed within the EU which banned cell carriers from charging roaming charges inside the EU—which implies you should use a SIM card you got within the Netherlands and use it in Spain, France, and many others. with out paying any additional charges. That is nice for vacationers as a result of you should use one plan in all places.
- Listed below are the international locations/areas the place there isn’t a knowledge 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 should not a part of the EU, and whereas many plans nonetheless provide you with service there, many don’t so learn the nice print if these international locations are a part of your journey.
YOUR PHONE MUST BE UNLOCKED
Some cell 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 when you’ve got 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’s going to settle for a third-party SIM card.
Within the US, carriers are required to unlock telephones if the client requests it nevertheless it’s not often unlocked by default. That mentioned, a couple of firms nonetheless make prospects bounce by means of hoops to unlock their telephones so don’t put this off till the final minute or you would 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 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 could hold 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 can not be an possibility with the brand new SIM put in. And if you happen to 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 cell supplier probably has a world knowledge plan however they’re sometimes costly and the service is usually gradual, inconsistent, and has restricted knowledge 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 knowledge 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 pictures, you in all probability received’t use greater than 4GB-8GB of cell knowledge every week. For reference, the common American smartphone proprietor makes use of round 15-20GB of cell knowledge every month.
Should you’re spending a variety of time on social media (notably Instagram and TikTok) then you definitely’ll use extra however if you happen to’re simply doing regular net looking and utilizing Google Maps then you definitely would possibly solely use 1-2GB every week.
KEEP YOUR OLD SIM CARD SAFE
In case your present cellphone makes use of a SIM card, you’ll want to hold the SIM in a secure place whereas utilizing your new SIM Card since you’ll must 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 widespread in additional rural components of the Netherlands.
Extra SIM Card and Cellular Information Plan Sources
Listed below are a couple 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 knowledge plans in Europe and ideas for shopping for SIM Playing cards For Visiting Europe. Under are some extra useful recommendations on utilizing your cellphone in all through Europe.
BRING A PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER
Touring along with your cellphone will rapidly drain your batteries so I extremely suggest a transportable 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 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 means of a variety of knowledge as a result of many apps use knowledge within the background. Fb, e mail, Instagram, Snapchat… these all always use knowledge all through the day with out you figuring out it. That’s it’s necessary to know learn how to restrict your knowledge 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 knowledge (however GPS nonetheless works in Airplane Mode). You can too go into the settings and disable knowledge 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 ceaselessly — this fashion after I flip off Airplane Mode solely these apps that can use knowledge. Then I’ll flip Airplane Mode again on after I’m completed.
- DOWNLOAD OFFLINE MAPS: Google Maps helps you to obtain complete metropolis maps to allow them to be used offline. As a bonus, GPS doesn’t use knowledge so offline Google Maps works pretty effectively (however not all performance works). Right here is an efficient 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 below are a couple of of my favourite journey articles that can assist 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 guide “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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