Traveling to the Netherlands soon and wondering how to stay connected? Don’t get fooled by slow overseas data roaming plans or have your trip ruined by excessive data roaming charges.
Let me help you finding the best sim card for your trip to the Netherlands. This is a complete guide for finding the best sim card for traveling to The Netherlands in 2024.
Find out where to buy a sim card for The Netherlands, a comparison of the mobile internet operators, up to date prices as per June 2024, all about e-sim cards for the Netherlands, info about buying a sim card at Amsterdam Airport, the best 4G/5G network, my recommendation, info about international sim cards and everything else you need to know.
The first thing I do when planning my next trip abroad is finding the best way to get connected. In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card but nowadays I mostly use e-sim cards as there is no easier way to stay connected when traveling abroad.
In general I advice travelers to get connected straight away upon arrival but buying a sim card at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is very overpriced.
I was born and raised in The Netherlands and I must say things are very well organized in our small country. However, prepaid sim cards for tourists are pretty expensive compared to other countries in Europe.
As I am on a journey to visit every country in the world I have been to a lot of airports and countries and everywhere I go I write a sim card guide. Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find guides to stay connected from USA to Dubai, from Gabon to Malaysia and from Russia to South Africa.
The list is long: Panama, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Vietnam, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Pakistan, Oman, Brazil, Peru, Singapore, Bali, Bangkok, Melbourne, Philippines, Canada, etc.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Looking for inspiration where to travel in Holland? Click on the link for my list of the best places to visit in Holland, including a map on where to find these top sights and tourist attractions.
Some links in this article about the best way to stay connected in The Netherlands are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
Why buying a sim card for The Netherlands
There is free WiFi EVERYWHERE in The Netherlands! But a very simple question… do you want to rely on other people and constantly ask for the WiFi password? What if the WiFi is not working or the signal is weak? And did you know that surfing the internet on public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network? Using a VPN in these cases to protect your data and privacy is recommended.
Being connected to the internet has many advantages and it makes traveling so much more convenient. Order a taxi on Uber, look for a cool rooftop bar nearby, get directions and search for nearby gas stations on Google Maps for example, download the train schedule, etc.
There are so many reasons to come up with to stay connected when traveling to Netherlands. Think also about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends an e-sim card for the Netherlands. E-sim cards and international sim cards for The Netherlands are much more affordable than the expensive prepaid sim cards you can buy in The Netherlands.
Another advantage is that you can arrange everything online within just a couple clicks and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
If you really want to buy a prepaid sim card in The Netherlands than Traveltomtom recommends a Vodafone sim card. They have a great 5G network and the ‘best’ prepaid data sim card plans. For €30 EUR ($33 USD) you get 10 GB data.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for The Netherlands via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
To compare: an e-sim card for The Netherlands with 10 GB data only cost $20 USD.
Traveltomtom also recommends looking into buying an international sim card that covers The Netherlands. These internaitonal sim cards definitely come in handy if you visit more countries after your trip to Holland.
Going on a trip all around Europe then check out Traveltomtom’s list of the best prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Best e-sim cards for The Netherlands
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to the Netherlands in 2024 is an e-sim card. You can order one on the internet and it takes just a couple minutes. No more visiting a sim card store and
You order an e-sim card for The Netherlands on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a The Netherlands e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in The Netherlands it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for The Netherlands.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards for pretty much every country in the world. Check out the Airalo e-sim card plans for The Netherlands in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Netherlands e-sim card via Airalo.
The above HèHè e-sim cards are only valid in The Netherlands and do not support calling/texting. They are 5G ready and operate on the 4G/5G mobile network of KPN and Vodafone.
SimOptions
Traveltomtom has used SimOptions in more than 50 countries around the world. SimOptions sells international e-sim cards for traveling to The Netherlands. These e-sims are valid in multiple countries, include free EU data roaming and support calls and texting:
- 15 GB data + unlimited calls in Europe for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international calls + unlimited calls in Europe for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls in Europe for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international calls + unlimited calls in Europe for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data (5G ready) + 120 minutes international calls + unlimited calls in Europe for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for traveling to The Netherlands via SimOptions.
Nomad
Nomad is another e-sim provider tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom in more than 10 countries around the world. Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for The Netherlands in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
Click here for more info or to order an e-sim card for The Netherlands via Nomad.
Make sure your phone is unlocked and is e-sim card compatible before ordering an e-sim card for the Netherlands.
Is your phone not e-sim card compatible or you simply want a physical e-sim card then you can also order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in The Netherlands online. For $49.90 USD you get 30 GB data in Europe including unlimited texting and calling all over Europe. Click here to order this Netherlands sim card directly online or find more info in the link.
Netherlands prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
Good thing about the prepaid sim cards you buy in the Netherlands is that they all come with FREE data roaming in Europe. That means when you buy a sim card in Amsterdam you can use the data, calling and texting credit also in Italy, France and every other country in the EU at no extra costs.
However, prepaid sim cards in The Netherlands are pretty expensive and the value for money is not good compared to other European countries. Therefore Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Netherlands sim cards for traveling in Europe. In France you can already get 200 GB data for €9.99 EUR ($11 USD) per month.
For more info on free EU data roaming check out my guide Check out my guide for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe.
If you are traveling to The Netherlands and then onwards to other European countries then I am sure you are going to love the following list with the best prepaid and e-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Where to buy a sim card in The Netherlands
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
The most convenient place to buy a prepaid sim card for The Netherlands is on arrival at Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. Unfortunately there are only sim card resellers and prices for tourist sim cards at Amsterdam Airport are pretty steep.
Read more about it in my complete guide for buying a sim card at Amsterdam Airport in 2024.
Official phone stores
Did you miss the opportunity at Amsterdam International Airport or you want to get the best prepaid sim card deals for The Netherlands then go to any of the mobile internet provider stores in the city center. You will find KPN, Vodafone and Odido stores in any of the bigger city: Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Utrecht, Eindhoven, The Hague.
The easiest way to find the nearest mobile internet provider store is to go to Google Maps and type in your preferred phone store. Surely there is a place within a couple hundred meters that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Almost everyone will speak fluent English and is happy to help you.
Online
There is no easier way than ordering a sim card for traveling in The Netherlands on the internet. You will find many different international prepaid sim cards for The Netherlands online.
These sim cards will be shipped to your home address before your trip, but even easier is an e-sim card for The Netherlands. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for The Netherlands via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
Mobile internet operators in The Netherlands
In Holland there are a bunch of small MVNO’s but looking at the bigger picture there are 3 main mobile internet providers: Vodafone, KPN and Odido. They all sell prepaid sim cards for tourists.
All the MVNO’s (Virtual Mobile Network Operators) sim cards you can buy in supermarkets: Lycamobile, Lebara Mobile, Albert Heijn, etc. I will explain a little about these sim cards as well, but it is not directly recommended for foreign tourists. It gets a little complicated buying and activating these sim cards as packages are in Dutch.
Best 4G/5G network in The Netherlands in 2024
The Netherlands has some of the most extensive mobile network coverage in the world and literally every corner of the country is covered with a 4G/5G phone signal.
But we are in 2024 and we want 5G, so let’s compare the 4G/5G network in The Netherlands per mobile internet operator and see who has the best mobile data network in The Netherlands.
KPN 4G/5G network coverage map
Odido 4G/5G network coverage map
Vodafone 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in The Netherlands in 2024.
From the above 4G/5G network coverage maps for The Netherlands it is very easy to conclude that all the best places to visit in The Netherlands are covered with a 5G signal. Mobile internet in the Netherlands is very advanced even off the beaten path you will find a 5G signal.
There is not much difference between the mobile internet operators but based on the network coverage maps Traveltomtom concludes that KPN has the best 4G/5G network in The Netherlands in 2024.
Prices Netherlands prepaid sim cards in 2024
Holland is a very laid back country and I am proud being Dutch but not all that glitters is gold! Prices for prepaid data sim cards in The Netherlands are expensive and therefore I have already mentioned several times that ordering an e-sim card for The Netherlands is the best and cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to The Netherlands in 2024.
The below prices and info are updated per June 2024 and prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.92 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.09 USD.
When buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in The Netherlands you can choose to get a physical prepaid sim card or an e-sim card.
Vodafone prepaid sim card
There are 3 data packages available when you buy a Vodafone Netherlands sim card. There are no activation costs and the sim card is free. Clear, simple and easy. The data plans are valid for 1 month in all of Europe:
- 2 GB data = €10 EUR – $11 USD
- 4 GB data = €15 EUR
- 10 GB data = €30 EUR – $33 USD
For calls in Netherlands and the EU you will have to buy an extra package: 100 minutes & sms = €4 EUR. For more info check the Vodafone website.
KPN prepaid sim card
A KPN prepaid sim card cost €4.99 and comes with €10 credit. To add data to your prepaid sim card you will need to buy an internet bundle.
- 3 GB data = €16 EUR – $18 USD
- 5 GB data = €22 EUR – $24 USD
There is also a daily data plan, which is valid for 24 hours: 1 GB data in the EU for €1.99 EUR.
Don’t be fooled by the KPN Netherlands prepaid sim card with unlimited data for €10 EUR, the internet speed is only 128Kbit/s, that is slower than 3G! For more info check out the KPN website.
Odido prepaid sim cards
Buying a prepaid sim card from Odido Netherlands also costs €10 EUR and comes with €10 EUR credit. If you would top up the first time you get 1 GB data for free. Odido offers unlimited high-speed internet for €2.95 EUR per day and €5 EUR in the weekend. They also have combination plans:
- 1 GB data + 10 minutes/sms = €10 EUR – ($11 USD)
- 2 GB data + 15 minutes/sms = €15 EUR – ($16.5 USD)
- 4 GB data + 20 minutes/sms = €22.50 EUR – ($25 USD)
Still much much more expensive than Vodafone Netherlands. For more info check the Odido website.
Prepaid sim card Albert Heijn
Just out of curiosity I also looked at the prepaid sim card for the Netherlands that Albert Heijn is offering. AH is the biggest and most well-known supermarket in Holland that can be found anywhere around Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and the rest of the country.
This is the best AH prepaid sim card plan:
- 5 GB = €30 EUR – $33 USD
- Network KPN
- 75 minutes calling = €4 EUR
- valid for 31 days
You can buy the sim card and credit in any bigger AH supermarket, but everything is in Dutch and you have to activate it yourself as well through the AH app. Surely someone will help you, but buying an Albert Heijn sim card is not recommend for tourists as it is just too complicated and the prepaid sim card plan is not even better than any other tourist sim card.
Mobile internet speed in The Netherlands
According to Wikipedia Netherlands has the 7th fastest mobile data download speed in the world with an average download median of 109 Mbps. It makes sense when you see that almost all of the Netherlands is covered with a 5G signal.
Best prepaid sim card for Netherlands in 2024
Comparing all the available prepaid sim cards, international and e-sim cards for tourists in The Netherlands in 2024 Traveltomtom came to the conclusion that buying a sim card for The Netherlands on the internet is cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card in The Netherlands on arrival.
Prepaid sim cards for tourists are expensive in The Netherlands!
Based on my comparison of all the mobile internet providers, the available prepaid sim card plans, the 4G/5G network strength, Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Vodafone is the best prepaid sim card in Netherlands in 2024.
For €30 EUR ($33 USD) you get 10 GB data and for €4 EUR extra you get 100 minutes valid for 1 month all over Europe. This is the best prepaid sim card deal in The Netherlands you can find.
Keep in mind that an e-sim card with 20 GB data is just $30 USD or what about an e-sim card valid in all of Europe with 15 GB data for just $21.90 USD?
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for The Netherlands via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
Order a prepaid sim card for The Netherlands online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to The Netherlands online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in The Netherlands with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in The Netherlands, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for The Netherlands:
1. O2 Go Card – $24.90
- 10 GB data
- $2 calling credit (no top-up)
- valid for 30 days
- valid in 34 countries
- 4G/LTE
2. Three Data Pack – $24.90
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms
- Valid 30 days
- Valid in 56 countries
- 4G/LTE
3. Orange Holiday ZEN – $29.90
- 12 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
- Valid in 34 countries
- 4G/LTE
4. Bouygues Telecom – $44.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- Valid 30 days
- Valid in 47 countries
- 4G/LTE
5. Orange Holiday Europe – $49.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
- Valid in 34 countries
- 4G/LTE
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for The Netherlands via SimOptions.
Personally Traveltomtom recommends the Bouygues Telecom or the Orange sim card with 30 GB data. I have used these physical prepaid sim cards a lot in the past and never had an issue.
But as mentioned many times before when traveling to Europe or The Netherlands I always use an e-sim card nowadays. It is just so easy and done fast and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for The Netherlands via either Nomad, SimOptions or Airalo.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card for The Netherlands were helpful for your upcoming trip to Holland.
In case you have any questions don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below. I am more than happy to help you out and as I am born and raised in in this country I am also happy to help you with all my travel tips for The Netherlands.
If you are interested what it looks like traveling to every country in the world then check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom for some serious wanderlust. As of June 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries around the world.
Enjoy your trip to The Netherlands!
