Best Tourist Sim Cards in Netherlands in 2025
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Netherlands across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
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If you’re planning a trip to the Netherlands, having a sim card will be essential. Staying connected to the internet while you travel allows for easy navigation through unfamiliar cities and provides access to helpful resources. Whether it’s finding the top-notch restaurants, locating your accommodation, booking a taxi, or sharing precious moments with your loved ones through photos, having internet access on the go is indispensable.
While roaming is always an option, the charges can quickly accumulate when traveling internationally. Hence, we strongly recommend either obtaining an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of local phone rates.
Fortunately, acquiring either option in the Netherlands is a straightforward process. However, it’s important to know which one suits your needs best. This guide aims to provide you with all the information you need to know about purchasing a sim card in the Netherlands, including current pricing and the most suitable sim card for your requirements.
The Netherlands is one of the unique countries where purchasing an Airalo eSim works out considerably cheaper than buying a local sim card. As eSims are unquestionably the most convenient way of staying connected when visiting a new country, the best sim card in the Netherlands is the Airalo Netherlands eSim.
For 11 EUR with Airalo you get access to 5GB of data in the Netherlands. It even uses the reliable Vodafone and KPN networks which means you will have fast and stable internet wherever you choose to go. You can even buy the Airalo eSim online here before you go then simply activate it on the airport wifi once you arrive.
If your phone isn’t compatible with eSims (by the way, most phones do support eSims, including all iPhones since 2018) then you will have no choice but to purchase a local sim card in the Netherlands. In this case, Vodafone offers the best local sim card for travellers.
For 15 EUR you will get 4GB of data in the Netherlands. Simply visit a Vodafone store and they’ll get you all set up. This is also a good option if you plan to visit any nearby EU countries on your trip as well as the data will work outside of the Netherlands as well.
Note, if you are on a budget you should avoid purchasing your sim card at the airport in the Netherlands. You’ll pay 2-3x more if you do.
Another option is to pop into any supermarket and ask for a sim card, most likely by Lebara. Some travellers have reported to me that this is a cheaper option but I haven’t tried it personally.
A Tourist Sim Card in Netherlands costs between 11 and 15 EUR in March 2025, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Netherlands will cost between $4.50 USD and $30 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Netherlands which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $12 USD.
There are only three mobile networks in the Netherlands that dominate the market. These are Vodafone, T-Mobile and KPN.
No matter which one you choose, you will have near 100% mobile network coverage across the entire country, as well as EU roaming. They’re also reasonably priced and all offer similar packages for tourists.
For this reason, I think you should pick the one that is most convenient for you. Avoiding the airport is a good idea, instead just ask for any sim card in any supermarket or store in the major cities such as Amsterdam.
Vodafone is one of the largest telecommunications providers in the world, as well as in the Netherlands. Their network is basically just as extensive and fast as T-Mobile and KPN.
They offer equivalently priced plans that are competitive and set up well for tourists.
All three mobile networks offer sim cards that work across the EU, however, Vodafone generally has good coverage in every country. If you purchase a Vodafone sim card in the Netherlands then you can expect generally pretty good speeds and coverage across the entire continent.
The price of a Vodafone tourist sim card in Netherlands is 15 EUR.
The plan offered by Vodafone stores includes 4GB 5G data (including EU roaming) valid for 1 month.
T-Mobile offers sim cards to tourists in the Netherlands. As with Vodafone and KPN, you can expect near perfect coverage across the entire country, especially in the main cities.
You will find T-Mobile to be a perfectly suitable choice for tourists visiting the Netherlands.
The price of a T-Mobile tourist sim card in Netherlands is 22.50 EUR.
The plan offered by T-Mobile stores offers 4GB data + 20 minutes calls valid for 1 month.
KPN has reportedly the best mobile network coverage across the Netherlands, despite being one of the smaller players in the EU scene due to it being the only one that is completely Dutch owned.
Regardless, you are unlikely to notice any real-world difference between KPN and the other networks so your choice should be made based solely on convenience.
Lebara is an MVNO, basically a reseller of KPN’s mobile network, that sells sim cards in some supermarkets for affordable prices. If you see this option available I would consider this to be a great choice.
The price of a KPN tourist sim card in Netherlands is 22 EUR.
The plan offered by KPN stores includes 5GB data valid for 31 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Netherlands: Vodafone, T-Mobile and KPN are your best options in Netherlands.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Netherlands. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is not legally necessary in Netherlands to bring your passport with you in order to purchase a sim card. However, I still recommend bringing it just in case as it can be a major hassle to head into a Vodafone, T-Mobile or KPN store only to have to come back again later with your passport – trust me, I’ve done this more than once!
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Vodafone that includes 4GB 5G data (including EU roaming) for 15 EUR.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay between 11 and 15 EUR to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Netherlands at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Netherlands then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Netherlands have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Vodafone, T-Mobile and KPN. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Netherlands are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Netherlands with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Netherlands. The Airalo Netherlands eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $12 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Netherlands without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Netherlands is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Netherlands and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Netherlands eSim uses the Vodafone and KPN networks to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Vodafone and KPN networksnetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Netherlands.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Netherlands eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $4.50 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $7 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $9 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $12 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $20 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $30 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $12 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Netherlands eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Netherlands eSim uses the T-Mobile B.Vnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Netherlands
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Netherlands eSim:
Unlimited data valid for 5 days – Price: $19 USD
Unlimited data valid for 7 days – Price: $27 USD
Unlimited data valid for 10 days – Price: $34 USD
Unlimited data valid for 15 days – Price: $47 USD
Unlimited data valid for 20 days – Price: $54 USD
Unlimited data valid for 30 days – Price: $64 USD
Unlimited data valid for 60 days – Price: $84 USD
Unlimited data valid for 90 days – Price: $99 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is already included within a device like a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional SIM cards, the eSIM does not require physical insertion or removal.
Instead, the eSIM is an integral part of the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This enables users to switch between different mobile networks or plans without having to physically swap SIM cards.
The eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and simplicity, especially for frequent travelers or individuals who frequently change mobile networks or travel internationally. It eradicates the need to buy and insert physical SIM cards, resulting in easier management of multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can establish a connection to the selected mobile network and access voice calls, data, and messaging services just like a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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