Getting Prepaid SIM card at Amsterdam airport is easy, but if it is not urgent, you can easily just use the airport wifi which I thought was pretty good.
But if you need to buy prepaid SIM card, this blog post compares the five most popular prepaid SIM cards available at the airport: Lycamobile, KPN, Vodafone, Lebara, and Odido (T-Mobile)
- Make sure the plan you buy is not recurring, so you don’t get charged next month
- Most European countries have a deal where you can use data at other countries if you buy a SIM card, so make sure to check that.
- I was hesitent to buy e-sim card, but it is one of the easiest and best way to buy pre-paid(?) SIM card nowadays (I will talk about it more later)
- It is more expensive to buy it at the airport, but Amsterdam is not like Thailand where you can easily buy SIM card at any convenience store. You will have to physically visit KPN store with a passport (you don’t need passports when you buy at the airport for some reason).
HONESTLY, If you are buying at the Airport, there will be only few euro differences
But, KPN is the most well known famous company. Vodafone is also respected company. You can think it as Verizon and T-mobile (I am using Vodafone). If you are on a budget, go for Lycamobile or Lebara. But honestly, unless you are planning to go to a rural area, it is all the same).
Where to Buy a Prepaid SIM Card at Amsterdam Airport
At Schiphol Airport, you can buy a prepaid SIM cards at several locations. I organized it below, but you can easily search on Schiphol Airport official website (just search for “SIM” and they will show you exactly where it’s located :
- AH (Albert Heijin) To Go: It is a convenience store in the Arrivals Hall. It offers providers like Lycamobile, KPN, Vodafone, Lebara, and T-Mobile.
- Service Points: Specific service kiosks for providers like KPN, Vodafone, and T-Mobile offer more personalized assistance.
- SIM Card Vending Machines: Located throughout the airport, these machines offer quick and easy access to SIM cards from multiple providers.
- Airport Telecom : This is probably the only proper one where they focus on Phone products from SIM cards and mobile accessories, with staff available to help you choose and set up your SIM (Arrival 2, although the arrival 1 – 3 is all connected, so it doesn’t matter which arrival you land).
Easier Way to Buy SIM Card
I want to mention is that normally it is a lot more expsensive to buy at Airport, but if your phone is e-sim compatible, buying E-sim is the best and easiest way to buy SIM Card.
SIM Card Company Comparison Summary
| Provider | Price Range | Data Packages | 5G Access | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lycamobile | €20 – €40 | 1GB – 10GB | No | Budget travelers, international calls |
| KPN | €25 – €40+ | 3GB – 35GB+ | Yes | Extensive travel across NL, high-speed needs |
| Vodafone | €25 – €45 | 3GB – 15GB | Yes | Balanced needs, reliable service |
| Lebara | €20 – €40 | 1GB – 10GB | No | Budget travelers, frequent international calls |
| Odido (T-Mobile) | €20 – €45+ | 1GB – Unlimited | Yes | High data usage, fast internet speeds |
How to Choose the Right SIM Card
- Lycamobile if you’re on a tight budget and need affordable international calling options.
- KPN if you require the most reliable coverage and fast data speeds, especially if you’ll be traveling beyond major cities.
- Vodafone if you’re looking for a good balance between cost, performance, and coverage.
- Lebara if you need a budget-friendly SIM card with excellent international calling rates.
- Odido (T-Mobile) if you need high-speed internet with large or unlimited data packages.