AMS stands for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is an international airport for people flying into the city of Amsterdam and its environs. Over a million travelers pass through each year, making it a busy European airport. Visitors often buy local SIM cards for unlocked phones. This allows calls, and data and avoids roaming charges while traveling. This article discusses purchasing prepaid SIMs at Amsterdam Airport and setting up a cell phone for your trip.
Table of Contents
I. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
After you arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, there are many places where you can purchase SIM cards at Amsterdam Airport such as mobile carrier stalls or convenience stores.
1. L.Mobi Mobile kiosk
L.Mobi Mobile is a Dutch mobile operator that sells prepaid SIM cards primarily for tourists, with a kiosk in Amsterdam Airport. They offer different SIMs for the Netherlands, like one with 15GB of data and unlimited calls for around $40. L.Mobi Mobile provides a hassle-free way for tourists to get an affordable SIM card upon arrival.
- Opening hours: from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, 7 days a week
- Detailed location: main hall of the airport, near Arrivals 3
- Language support: Dutch, English
- Payment methods: cash/credit card
2. Service Point Store
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s Service Point Store is a one-stop shop to purchase and get SIM cards activated, and rent mobile phones or WiFi hotspots.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol’s Service Point Store is the ultimate convenience for travelers, offering you all kinds of services without having to spend large amounts of money. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful, and prices are competitive.
- Opening hours: from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM, 7 days a week
- Detailed location: in the Schiphol Plaza, which is the main shopping area of the airport.
- Language support: Dutch, English
- Payment methods: cash/credit/debit card
3. Albert Heijin (AH) To Go
Albert Heijn (AH) To Go operates convenience stores at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. Some stores sell just Lebara or Lycamobile SIM cards. While AH To Go’s own SIMs are more expensive, their locations make them ideal for travelers wanting to purchase a SIM immediately upon arrival at the airport.
- Opening hours: from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM, 7 days a week
- Detailed location: one in the Arrivals Hall and one in the Departures Hall
- Language support: Dutch, English
- Payment methods: cash/credit/debit card
4. Airport Telecom Shop
Besides the big carrier stores, there are also SIM card specialist outlets such as Airport Telecom at Schiphol. By buying SIM cards from different providers at one store, you can make a good comparison. Friendly workers can help you select the most appropriate SIM card plan to fit your needs. Prices are a bit higher compared to SIM cards from major mobile operators.
| SIM Card Type | Price |
| SIM Card Netherlands Call Credit Only | ~$25 |
| SIM Netherlands 10GB & Unlimited Calls | ~$35 |
| SIM Card Brazil 12 GB | ~$36 |
| SIM Card Europe 12GB & Unlimited Calls | ~$45 |
| SIM Netherlands 35 GB & Unlimited Calls | ~$50 |
| eSIM Europe 5/7/11GB | from $55 |
- Opening hours: from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM, 7 days a week
- Detailed location: Located between Arrivals 1 and 2.
- Language Support: Dutch, English
- Payment Methods: cash/credit cards
Keep in mind that free WiFi is available throughout Amsterdam Airport so you can connect online while you sort out your SIM card situation. There are also places to charge your devices in case you arrive with a low battery.
Which shop is better?
The L.Mobi Mobile Shop generally offers better value for money than the Airport Telecom Shop. For example, at the moment the L.Mobi Mobile shop is offering a SIM with 15 GB of data for Є40 EUR; compared to its rival Airport Telecom Shop, it offers more but charges no less.
II. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol SIM Card options and costs
Whether you need a SIM card for a day, a few days, or longer, Amsterdam Airport Schiphol has you covered. The following section compares the different SIM card options and pricing available upon arrival at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol:
| Operators | Offer | Price | Data | Validity |
| KPN | KPN TravelSIM | ~$20 | 5 GB | 15 days |
| 31 days | ||||
| ~$30 | 20 GB | 15 days | ||
| 31 days | ||||
| ~$40 | 50 GB | 15 days | ||
| 31 days | ||||
| Odido (T-Mobile) | Value bundle M | ~$10 | 1 GB | 30 days |
| Value bundle L | ~$15 | 2 GB | 30 days | |
| Value Bundle XL | ~$22 | 4 GB | 30 days | |
| Unlimited Data Today | ~$3 | Unlimited in NL/2.6GB in EU | 1 day | |
| Unlimited Data Weekend | ~$5 | Unlimited in NL/4.4GB in EU | 7 days | |
| Vodafone | SIM only | ~$5 | - | 1 month |
| 2 GB SIM card | ~$10 | - | 1 month | |
| 4GB SIM Card | ~$15 | - | 1 month | |
| 6GB SIM Card | ~$20 | - | 1 month | |
| 10 GB SIM Card | ~$30 | - | 1 month |
Always check the latest prices and bundle options when you arrive, as promotions are frequently available. Also, be sure to have your passport ready for identification purposes when buying your Dutch SIM card.
III. What You Need to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Here are a few tips to ensure getting a SIM card at Amsterdam Airport goes smoothly:
- Unlock your phone – Most SIM cards are for unlocked phones only, so unlock your device ahead of your trip if it’s currently tied to a carrier back home. This gives you the flexibility to use any Dutch provider’s SIM.
- Have passport ready – Be prepared to show your passport for identity verification when purchasing a prepaid SIM in the Netherlands. Photocopies are not accepted.
- Know your phone’s SIM card size – SIM cards come in different sizes (standard, micro and nano), so be sure you get the correct size for your phone’s SIM slot. Most modern smartphones use nano SIMs.
- Arrive with ample battery – It’s helpful to have at least 50% battery on your phone when you arrive just in case you need to restart it during the SIM setup process. Charge up while at the airport if needed.
- Understand data needs – Think about how much mobile data you’ll need during your stay so you can purchase an appropriately sized prepaid plan and manage your usage.
- Ask about activation – Some SIM cards will activate automatically but others require contacting customer service. Ask the staff for instructions when purchasing.
- Have a backup option – In case you encounter any issues with your SIM card, have a plan for staying connected such as the airport’s free WiFi.
With a bit of preparation, getting a SIM card at Amsterdam Airport is quick and convenient, allowing you to stay online throughout your visit to Amsterdam and the Netherlands. The airport shops offer quality options from major Dutch providers with flexible bundled plans to suit different travel needs and budgets.
IV. eSIM as an Alternative to SIM Card at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
In addition to physical SIM card at Amsterdam Airport, eSIM is a digital option now available for activating cellular service on compatible phones. eSIM allows you to sign up for a mobile plan remotely and download it directly using your device’s settings instead of having to insert a SIM card chip.
Some benefits of using eSIM for connectivity at Amsterdam Airport include:
- No need to locate and purchase SIM card at airport
- Instant activation of service with eSIM QR code
- Ability to switch between eSIM profiles easily
- More secure as eSIMs can’t be removed or swapped
- Support dual SIM functionality on select phones
Major Dutch providers like KPN and Vodafone Netherlands now offer prepaid eSIM plans that you can purchase online ahead of your trip.
There are also international eSIM providers focused on travelers like netherlandsesim.com that provide Netherlands eSIMs. With eSIM, you simply scan the QR code they provide to connect.
Explore the Netherlands without worrying about internet access. Get an eSIM data plan from netherlandsesim.com starting at just $3.
V. FAQs about SIM Card at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
Do I need to register my SIM card in the Netherlands?
No, prepaid SIM cards in the Netherlands don’t require any registration. You can purchase them anonymously by simply showing your passport.
Can I use a SIM card from another European country in the Netherlands?
While EU roaming rules allow the use of SIMs from other countries, roaming data rates can be expensive. It’s more affordable to get a local Dutch SIM with bundled national calling, texts, and data.
Do I need to show ID or register if I get an eSIM in the Netherlands?
Typically just a passport or photo ID is not required when purchasing a Netherlands eSIM online from netherlandsesim.com. eSIMs don’t need any registration and you can download the profile directly to your phone.
VI. Final words
For travelers arriving at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, using an eSIM/SIM card at Amsterdam Airport makes staying connected easier. Fortunately, the airport has plenty of convenient spots for buying prepaid services from providers such as KPN, Vodafone, and Odido (T-Mobile). Airport shops in the arrival halls sell both standard and nano SIM cards. Prices are reasonable too, with data-intensive plans running around $ 15. If you can prepare a little in advance and know which applications you will need, then cellular service is very easy to get when you arrive at Schiphol Airport.
