Planning your trip to Belgium, flying to Brussels and wondering if you can buy a sim card at the Airport? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Brussels Airport.
Don't get stuck with high roaming charges when traveling to Belgium. Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as of November 2024, my recommendation, a vlog about my arrival and experiences at Brussels Airport and more about eSIMs for Belgium.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in my destination, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
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Some links in this article about the best Brussels sim card 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 Belgium
There are many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Brussels, but the main reason is that we want to avoid high roaming charges and don't end up with a shocking phone bill.
Having a data connection on our phone makes life so much more convenient. Think about ordering an Uber, getting directions from Google Maps or looking for a cool nearby rooftop bar, it is not possible without a data connection on your phone.
Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc. Don't rely on public WiFi. There is no guarantee, it can be slow and keep in mind that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Staying connected is the first thing I look for when planning my next trip, it simply makes traveling much easier. Depending on the length of my trip and of course the price I either buy a local prepaid sim card or I order an eSIM on the internet.
Traveltomtom's goal to visit every country in the world brings me to the craziest corners of the world and everywhere I go I look for the best way to stay connected. On average I use about 30 - 40 different sim cards per year, which makes Traveltomtom the ultimate sim card specialist in the world.
Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world: Europe, Asia, USA, Canada, Mexico, Germany, UK, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Cairo, Nairobi, Cameroon, Tel Aviv, New York, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai and many more.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Belgium over buying a prepaid sim card at Brussels Airport.
Why? Simply because eSIMs are cheaper than the prepaid sim cards at Brussels Airport.
The best buy tourist sim card at Brussels Airport is a Lycamobile sim card at the luggage belt sim card shop from Sim Local. For €30 EUR ($33 USD) you get 10 GB data for 1 month.
Jetpac has an eSIM for Belgium with 10 GB data for just $13 USD. SimOptions has an eSIM for all of Europe with 60 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for just $39.90 USD.
With an eSIM you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Therefore Traveltomtom does not directly recommend buying a prepaid sim card at Brussels Airport.
Sim cards at Brussels Airport are more expensive than in phone stores in Brussels city center. In my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Belgium in 2024 you find better prepaid sim card deals.
If you are traveling to multiple countries around the world then look into international travel sim cards with global coverage. Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024 or here is a list specifically for the best sim cards for Europe.
Arrival at Brussels Airport
Brussels Airport is only ranked as 23rd biggest airport in Europe. So don't worry, you will not get lost. Brussels Airport it is not that big and busy. It is easy to navigate.
When you get out of the plane you are directed to the passport control area. Brussels Airport has e-gates, so it mostly is a smooth pass and no big lines.
You then get to the baggage claim area where you pick up your bags. Here you can find ATM's, public transportation info as well as a sim card shop.
After you walk through the customs baggage check you walk out into a small arrival hall. There is only one exit. You will find a coffee shop right in front of you, the car rental companies are on your right hand side and on your left hand side there is a WH Smith store, a fast food restaurant and a fairly big supermarket.
Where to buy a sim card at Brussels Airport?
There are 2 places to buy your prepaid sim card for Belgium when you land at Brussels International Airport. The first opportunity is offered straight away at the luggage belts and near luggage belt 3 you will find a Sim Local shop and they sell prepaid sim cards for Belgium for tourists.
Sim Local also has an online shop with eSIMs, check out our detailed review of Sim Local eSIMs.
Keep in mind that once you picked up your bag and have gone through the customs baggage check you can not return into the baggage claim hall for buying a sim card.
The second place to buy a Belgium sim card is at the WH Smith store in the arrival hall. It is hard to miss the shop on your left hand side when you walk into the arrival hall.
The WH Smith is a convenient store and inside you will find a counter from Sim Local, but no Sim Local staff. The staff of WH Smith has not much knowledge about the sim cards for Belgium they are selling.
At the Sim Local store shop the luggage belt they have excellent service as they are catered to sell prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Traveling around Belgium? Don't forget the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bruges! Here is your complete Bruges Travel Guide and why you should visit this medieval city and fantastic place to visit in Belgium.
Prices prepaid sim cards Brussels Airport in 2024
All prices and info are updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.94 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.06 USD.
Sim Local store at Luggage Belt 3
These are the available Belgium prepaid sim cards for tourists at the Sim Local shop. The friendly lady explained to me in all detail what the packages exactly included.
And that the activation fee is NOT optional, but always has to be paid. The total price is the big displayed price.
Orange
- 5 GB data + 50 minutes + 4,000 sms for 31 days = €25 EUR - $27.5 USD
- 8 GB data + 30 minutes + 2,000 sms for 14 days = €30 EUR - $33 USD
- 20 GB data + 120 minutes + 1,000 sms for 14 days = €50 EUR - $55 USD
EU data roaming is included in these plans and the Orange plans are available as eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards.
Lycamobile
They 3 different prepaid sim card deals for Belgium:
- 10 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms = €30 EUR ($33 USD)
- 30 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms = €40 EUR ($44 USD)
- 50 GB data + unlimited minutes/sms = €50 EUR ($55 USD)
EU data roaming is included in these plans but there is a so-called FUP. Traveltomtom does not recommend Lycamobile sim cards for traveling in Europe because of their Fair Use Policy. The Lycamobile sims are available as eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards at Brussels Airport.
Base
- 4 GB data + 60 minutes + 1,000 sms = €25 EUR ($27.5 USD)
- 8 GB data + 1,000 sms = €25 EUR ($27.5 USD)
EU data roaming is included in the Base plans and these plans are available as eSIMs as well as physical prepaid sim cards.
WH Smith store
You would think they sell the exact same prepaid sim cards as in the Sim Local shop at the luggage belts but NO!
There is a much better sim card deal available in the WH Smith shop, see the picture above.
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text in Europe + 120 minutes worldwide for 14 days = €45 EUR ($50 USD)
This is the same sim card deal as you can find online. Check out my comparison of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Best sim card at Brussels Airport in 2024
After comparing all the prepaid sim cards for tourists at Brussels Airport Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that eSIMs are cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card at Brussels Airport.
You can already get an eSIM for Belgium with 10 GB data for just $13 USD.
Traveltomtom recommends eSIMs for Belgium from Jetpac and SimOptions.
However, Traveltomtom understands that not everyone is able to use eSIMs and when looking at the best buy at Brussels Airport Traveltomtom recommends a Lycamobile sim card for €30 EUR ($33 USD) with 10 GB data.
If you are really looking for the cheapest sim card available at Brussels Airport then you have to buy a Base or Orange sim card for €25 EUR ($27.5 USD) but you also only get 4 or 5 GB data.
Buying a sim card at Brussels Airport is much more expensive than in Brussels city center. If you have the patience to wait until you get to the city then walk in to any of the phone shops from Orange, Proximus or Base.
For more info check out my guide about the best prepaid sim cards for tourists in Belgium.
Best eSIMs for Belgium
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Belgium in 2024 is an eSIM. You arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a phone store and swapping physical prepaid sim cards.
You order an eSIM for Belgium on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Belgium eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Belgium it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Belgium for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12.50 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 Belgium eSIM directly online via Airalo.
The above data-only eSIMs for Belgium are from Belganet and data is only valid in Belgium. Belganet operates on both, the Base 5G and the Proximus 5G networks. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. It is a marketplace for tourist sim cards.
SimOptions is specialized in Europe eSIMs and has plenty of offers that pretty much all include free EU data roaming and unlimited calls/sms.
- 15 GB data-only for 15 days = $15.90 USD
- 20 GB data + unlimited calls for 15 days = $21.90 USD
- 10 GB data + $2 calling credit for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $32.90 USD
- 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $39.90 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for traveling to Belgium via SimOptions.
Before ordering an eSIM for Belgium make sure your smartphone is eSIM compatible otherwise an eSIM will not work.
The Traveltomtom Team tested, reviewed and approved also eSIMs for Belgium from: Jetpac, Sim Local, GigSky, Firsty, eSIMple.
Order a prepaid sim card for Belgium online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Belgium online then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Belgium 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 Belgium, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Belgium:
1. O2 Go Card - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- €2 EUR calling credit
- Valid 30 days
2. Three Data Pack - $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- Valid 30 days
3. Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90 USD
- 12 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 30 minutes worldwide
- 200 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
4. Bouygues Telecom - $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls in Europe
- Valid 30 days
5. Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Click here for more info or to order your international prepaid sim card for traveling to Belgium via SimOptions.
Personally I can recommend the Bouygues Telecom or the Orange Holiday Europe sim card. I used it a lot for traveling to Europe and it always worked perfectly fine. That said, nowadays I always use eSIMs for traveling to Europe.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card at Brussels Airport were helpful for your upcoming trip. In case you have any additional questions don't hesitate to leave me a message below and I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of November 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Brussels!