Planning your trip to Belgium flying to Brussels and wondering if you can buy a sim card at Brussels Airport on arrival? 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. Stay connected with a Belgium prepaid sim card or may be an eSIM for Belgium is an even better idea...

Find in this guide a comparison of the Belgium tourist sim cards you can buy at Brussels Airport, up to date prices as of August 2024, where to buy a sim card, everything about eSIMs for Belgium, my recommendation, a vlog about my arrival and experiences at Brussels Airport, info about EU data roaming, international sim cards and more.

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 on arrival 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, AsiaUSA, Canada, MexicoGermany, UK, London, Amsterdam, Paris, Cairo, Nairobi, Cameroon, Tel Aviv, New York, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore, Dubai and many more.

In case you missed the opportunity to buy a sim card at Brussels Airport or you simply want to go into the city first to find much better prepaid sim card deals for Belgium then you should check out my article about buying a prepaid sim card in Belgium in 2024 with the latest deals, information about where to buy a sim card, the best 4G/5G network in Belgium and 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!

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!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in Belgium over buying a prepaid sim card at Brussels Airport. Getting an eSIM is much cheaper than buying a prepaid sim card on arrival at Brussels Airport. Belgium eSIM plans start from $4.5 USD.

The best buy prepaid tourist sim card at Brussels Airport is a Lycamobile sim card at the luggage belt sim card shop. For €30 EUR ($33 USD) you get 10 GB data for 1 month. In comparison for $30 USD you can buy a data-only eSIM for Belgium with 20 GB data.

Therefore Traveltomtom does not directly recommend buying a local prepaid sim card at Brussels Airport. Online you will find much better eSIM and prepaid sim card deals for Belgium. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Belgium via Airalo or SimOptions.

If you are traveling to multiple countries around Europe then Traveltomtom advices to look into international travel sim cards. Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024.

If you are looking for a list specifically for the best sim cards for Europe travel then click on this link.

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.

Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an eSIM for Belgium. Here is a selection of the best eSIMs for Belgium.

Airalo

Airalo is a reliable e-sim 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 esim cards for belgium 2024

SimOptions is another reliable e-sim provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. They offer eSIMs including calls and sms as well as eSIMs with free EU data roaming.

If you would also like to make phone calls with your eSIM or you would like an eSIM with EU data roaming included then check out the Belgium eSIMs from SimOptions:

  • 1 GB data-only (5G ready) for 7 days = $4.50 USD
  • 3 GB data-only (5G ready) for 15 days = $7.90 USD
  • 5 GB data-only for 15 days = $12.90 USD
  • 10 GB data (5G ready) for 30 days = $22.90 USD 
  • 15 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 15 days = $23.90 USD
  • 12 GB data + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
  • 30 GB data-only for 30 days = $38.40 USD (Belgium only)
  • 30 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
  • 30 GB data + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
  • 60 GB data + unlimited calls for 30 days = $51.90 USD
  • 100 GB data (5G ready) + 120 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD

Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for traveling to Belgium via SimOptions.

Before ordering an eSIM for Belgium make sure your smartphone is e-sim compatible otherwise an e-sim will not work.

There are more e-sim providers tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom. Check out Nomad, Jetpac or Holafly.

There are also still physical sim cards for Belgium for those with a smartphone that is not e-sim compatible. You can order directly online and these sim cards will be shipped to your home address before your trip.

For $24.90 USD you get 10 GB data in all of Europe, great Europe sim card deal actually. Click here to order this international sim for Belgium card directly online or find more info. 

Arrival at Brussels Airport

Brussels Airport is only ranked as 23rd biggest airport in Europe. So don't worry, you will not get lost and it is not that big and busy. Brussels Airport is easy to navigate. When you get out of the plane you are redirected 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?

where to buy tourist 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.

Keep in mind that once you picked up your bag and went through customs baggage check you can not return into the baggage claim hall for buying a sim card.

wh smith convenience sim card store brussels airport

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.

sim local wh smith brussels airport

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.

However, are the sim card deals worth it?

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

Prices and info below are updated in August 2024. Prices are in Euros: $1 USD = €0.92 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.09 USD.

Sim Local store at Luggage Belt 3

sim local sim card shop brussels airport

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 e-sims 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 e-sims 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 e-sims as well as physical prepaid sim cards.

WH Smith store

orange sim card brussels airport

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 Belgium prepaid sim cards for tourists at Brussels Airport and the online available international sim cards and eSIMs for Belgium Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that eSIMs for Belgium are the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Belgium.

You can already get an eSIM for Belgium with 5 GB data for 30 days for just $12 USD. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Belgium via AiraloSimOptions or Jetpac.

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.

Keep in mind that a similar physical prepaid sim card can be ordered online for $24.90 USD, see below for more info.

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 you can walk in to any of the phone shops from Orange, Proximus or Base and buy a Belgium prepaid sim card for tourists in Brussels center.

The prepaid sim card deals in official phone stores in Brussels city center are much cheaper than at Brussels Airport. For more detailed information check out my article about the best tourist sim cards for Belgium in 2024.

Order a prepaid sim card for Belgium online

international prepaid sim cards for belgium 2024

If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Belgium online before your trip 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.

A last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible you can easily order a data-only eSIM for Belgium via Airalo or order an eSIM with calling minutes and free EU roaming via SimOptions.

I hope 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 August 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.

Enjoy your trip to Brussels!