Are you traveling to Romania and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Let this guide help you to pick the best sim card for your trip to Romania.
Find below everything you need to know about prepaid sim cards in Romania, a comparison of the mobile internet operators, the best 4G/5G network, the best eSIMs for Romania, up to date prices as per August 2024, my recommendation, where to buy a sim card, info about EU data roaming, international sim cards and more.
Looking for the best way to stay connected and have data on my phone is one of the first things I do when planning my next trip. In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but more and more I use eSIMs to stay connected. Simply because they are super convenient to order on the internet rather than finding a sim card shop on arrival.
As I am already a full time nomad and travel blogger since 2012, buying sim cards and eSIMs is part of my life, especially since I am also aiming to travel to every country in the world.
In 2022 I visited more than 60 different countries and in 2023 I traveled to 34 countries. So I pretty much bought a new sim card every week in the last 2 years.
Since I love to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 prepaid and eSIM guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Europe, Asia, USA, Morocco, Switzerland, Brazil, Thailand, Peru, Italy, Turkey, Israel, Zanzibar, Ivory Coast, Mauritius, Japan, South Korea, China, Los Angeles, New York, Miami, Aruba and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote a specific guide for the best eSIMs for traveling to Romania in 2024 as well as a sim card guide for Bucharest Airport.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the most up to date and detailed advice about prepaid and eSIMs for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Some links in this article about the best prepaid sim cards for Romania are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on 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 an Orange sim card for traveling in Romania. In general prepaid sim cards for tourists are cheap and for little money you can get a lot of Gigabytes with every provider, but Orange has the best 4G/5G mobile network coverage in Romania.
Traveltomtom definitely recommends eSIMs to stay connected when traveling to Romania. eSIMs are just so easy to arrange and you do everything online within a couple clicks.
As soon as the plane lands you are online. eSIMs for Romania already start from $4.5 USD. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Romania via SimOptions or Airalo.
When visiting more countries on your trip to Europe then also check out Traveltomtom’s list of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Or if you continue to Asia, America or Africa then check out my list of the best international sim cards for traveling in 2024.
Be aware that a prepaid sim card from Romania, eSIMs or an international prepaid sim cards only work in unlocked phones. If your phone is locked you have to unlock it before your trip to Romania. If you are not sure about this then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.
Best eSIMs for Romania
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Romania in 2024.
If your phone is e-sim compatible then you simply order an eSIM for Romania on the internet, process the payment, receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and you are connected in just a couple clicks.
Upon arrival in Romania the e-sim automatically connects to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
There are many e-sim providers on the internet, below you can find my recommendations. All trusted, tested and reviewed by Traveltomtom personally or check out my detailed guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Romania in 2024.
Airalo
Airalo is a trusted eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used them in more than 50 countries around the world. Airalo has the following Romania eSIM plans:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $7 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $9.5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $32 USD
Click here for more info or to order a Romania eSIM via Airalo.
These Noroc eSIMs from Airalo operate on the 4G/LTE network of Vodafone and on the 5G network of Orange. Yes, the Noroc eSIMs for Romania are 5G ready, but data is only valid in Romania.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another trusted eSIM provider which is specialized in International eSIMs and especially for traveling to Europe Traveltomtom recommends buying an e-sim from SimOptions.
Here are the SimOptions eSIMs for Romania:
- 1 GB data-only for Romania (5G ready) for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data-only for Romania (5G ready) for 15 days = $9.50 USD
- 3 GB data-only in 32 countries for 15 days = $14.90 USD
- 10 GB data-only (5G ready) in Europe for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 15 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 15 days = $23.90 USD
- 12 GB data in Europe + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data in Europe + unlimited calls for 30 days = $44.90 USD
- 30 GB data in Europe + 30 minutes international + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Then there are 2 more 5G ready eSIMs for Romania from SimOptions:
- 30 GB data-only for Romania (5G ready) for 30 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data in Europe (5G ready) + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Romania via SimOptions.
Especially this last eSIM from Orange is a favorite for many travelers coming to Europe and therefore in 2024 it is also ranked as one of the best eSIMs for Europe.
Before ordering an eSIM make sure your phone is unlocked and e-sim compatible otherwise an eSIM won’t work on your phone.
There are many more e-sim providers like Nomad, Holafly, etc. Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Romania in 2024 to see them all.
Why buying a sim card for Romania
First of all we want to avoid high roaming charges! If you use your sim card from home overseas then be prepared to pay a lot of money. Even in 2024 roaming charges are still ridiculous. Providers often charge up to $3 USD per MB, which means opening the Instagram app can easily cost you $100 USD. Not kidding!
Also don't sign up for those slow and expensive overseas data roaming plans. These data roaming plans from your mobile internet provider in your home country often reduce the data speed and are much more expensive than eSIMs or local prepaid sim cards.
Always make sure you switch off data roaming on your sim card from home when traveling internationally.
Staying connected is important when traveling to Romania. Why? What about ordering a taxi through an app (Bolt or Uber in Romania) or getting directions from Google Maps. Ever thought about what to do in emergencies and not being able to use data on your phone? Or killing time on long train, bus or car rides, accessing your banking apps, etc.
Don’t rely on WiFi, there is no guarantee your hotel has good and fast WiFi and another reminder that being connected to the internet through public WiFi is on an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Where to buy a sim card for Romania
Bucharest International Airport
The most convenient place to buy a prepaid sim card in Romania is of course straight away on arrival at Bucharest International Airport (OTP) and yes it is possible. There is a convenience store that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a sim card at Bucharest Airport.
Phone store in city center
All around Bucharest and other major cities in Romania there are sim card stores from the official mobile internet providers. Look around for stores of Orange, Vodafone or Telekom. The easiest way to locate them is using Google Maps.
In an official retail store of one of the mobile internet providers you get the best service, discounted deals and before you walk out of the store, the staff will make sure your data connection is working properly.
Younger people in Romania speak good English so mostly everyone can help you in English.
Kiosks and convenience stores
There is also the possibility to buy a prepaid sim card in kiosks, convenience stores as well as supermarkets. These shops are excellent solution to buy a prepaid sim card if you travel overland to Romania or if it is late at night.
But in general Traveltomtom recommends buying a prepaid sim card in an official retail store over a random phone shop. If you buy a prepaid sim card in a convenience store you can not expect any service. It is plug and play and hope that it works, otherwise you still have to go to a phone store the next day.
Online
Forget about buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Romania. Be already online as soon as the plane lands! Arrive prepared with an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for Romania.
Traveltomtom in general recommends ordering an eSIM because of its convenience and it is fast and easy.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Romania via SimOptions or Airalo. For more detailed info about using e-sims and more eSIM deals for Romania check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for Romania.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible you can order a physical prepaid sim card for Romania via SimOptions.
Mobile internet providers in Romania
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Romania: Telekom, Orange, Digi and Vodafone. Digi does not sell prepaid sim cards, only postpaid so Digi is left out of this comparison for finding the best sim card for Romania.
All other mobile internet providers sell prepaid sim cards for tourists. Prices for prepaid sim cards with data are cheap in Romania and for a couple dollar you get a lot of Gigabytes.
As of August 2024 the only mobile internet provider that offers eSIMs is Orange. Unfortunately Vodafone and Telekom do not offer eSIMs for tourists, only physical prepaid sim cards.
The bigger difference between the mobile internet operators is the 4G/5G mobile data network coverage around the country. More about that later.
Registration process
In contrast with most European countries you don't need any form of identification when buying a prepaid sim card in Romania. You can buy a sim card like a Snickers, you don't need to show anything.
Your Romania prepaid sim card is not registered on your name, nor on your passport.
You will receive either a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM that comes with an Romania phone number that starts with +40.
Prices Romania prepaid sim cards
All prices and info below are updated in August 2024. Prices are in Romanian Leu (RON) and $1 USD = 4.6 Leu and 10 Leu = $2.2 USD.
As of 2024 still not all mobile internet providers in Romania offer eSIMs. The only provider that has eSIMs for tourists available is Orange. Telekom and Vodafone only offer physical prepaid sim cards for Romania.
Vodafone
Vodafone Romania offers the following prepaid sim card plan for tourists:
- 75 GB data + 1,000 minutes for 28 days = 32 Leu - $7 USD
Data is only valid in Romania, there is no EU data roaming included.
There is not much info on the Vodafone Romania website about prepaid sim cards. In Vodafone stores in Romania they only have physical prepaid sim cards, eSIMs are not available for tourists.
Orange
When buying an Orange prepaid sim card in Romania you can choose from the following packages:
- 66 GB data + 2,000 minutes for 28 days = 34 Leu - $7.5 USD
- 88 GB data + 2,000 minutes for 28 days = 45 Leu - $10 USD
Data is only valid in Romania, there is no EU data roaming included.
For more info see the Orange Romania website. In an official Orange store in Romania you can opt for a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM.
Telekom
At Telekom they keep it very simple and offer a prepaid sim card for tourists with everything unlimited:
- unlimited data, calls & sms for 28 days = 50 LEU - $10 USD
There is no speed cap, truly unlimited data. But there is no EU data roaming included, so this prepaid sim card works only in Romania.
For more info see the Telekom Romania website. In an official Telekom store in Romania you can only opt for a physical prepaid sim card, Telekom does not provide eSIMs for tourists.
Best 4G/5G data network in Romania in 2024
To determine the best prepaid sim card for traveling in Romania let’s also compare the mobile data network coverage of all the mobile internet providers. Romania is a pretty big country and especially during long bus or car rides you want to stay connected. A sim card without a data connection is useless.
Is there 5G in Romania?
Yes, there is 5G in Romania and most of the tourist destinations and best places to visit in Romania have a 5G signal. It depends on which provider you choose though as there is a difference in mobile data network strength.
Anyway, let me show you the difference in the network coverage of the mobile internet providers. So below Traveltomtom compared 4G/5G network coverage maps of Vodafone, Telekom and Orange.
Telekom 4G/5G network coverage map
Vodafone 4G/5G network coverage map
Orange 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Romania in 2024.
From the above Romania 4G/5G coverage maps Traveltomtom comes to the easy conclusion that Orange has the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Romania in 2024.
There is actually a big difference between Orange and Telekom when comparing the 4G/5G coverage. Telekom is the smallest mobile internet provider in Romania and also has the smallest 4G/LTE network.
Best sim card for Romania
All the mobile internet operators in Romania offer competitive prepaid sim card plans and for most tourists these prepaid sim cards with data are affordable.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Romania is cheap, but eSIMs are not expensive either.
Not everyone needs 66 GB data for their trip to Romania, if you want just a couple Gigabyte then Traveltomtom definitely recommends ordering an eSIM on the internet via either SimOptions or Airalo.
Different travelers, different needs.
But fact is that local prepaid sim cards you buy in Romania are much cheaper than eSIMs you order on the internet.
If you want a lot of data and you have the patience to wait till you get to Romania then Traveltomtom advices to buy a local prepaid sim card in Romania.
If you will be traveling around the country then Traveltomtom definitely advices to buy an Orange prepaid sim card since they have the best 4G/LTE mobile data network coverage. Vodafone is a second best, a Telekom sim card is not recommended for traveling in Romania.
Orange has great prepaid sim card plans for tourists and for just 34 Leu ($7 USD) you get 66 GB data for 28 days and because Orange also has the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Romania, Traveltomtom rates Orange as the best prepaid sim card for Romania in 2024.
But arriving prepared with an eSIM is also very tempting. Being online as soon as the plane lands has personally my priority and therefore Traveltomtom recommends eSIMs for traveling to Romania.
Airalo already has eSIMs for Romania starting from just $4.5 USD and SimOptions has the best eSIMs for traveling around Europe. Check out Traveltomtom's guide with an answer to all FAQ about using e-sims and a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Romania in 2024.
Order a prepaid sim card for Romania online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you rather avoid all the hassle buying a sim card on arrival in Romania then look into the following.
Arrive prepared in Romania 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 Romania, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Romania:
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 an international physical prepaid sim card for Romania via SimOptions.
Traveltomtom has used the Bouygues Telecom, Three as well as the Orange physical prepaid sim cards in the past and I was always satisfied. However, it is no secret that nowadays I rather use eSIMs for traveling to Europe instead of physical prepaid sim cards.
If your phone is e-sim compatible then here is a last reminder that you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Romania via SimOptions or Airalo.
Order a data-only eSIM for Romania via Airalo or an international eSIM for Romania including calls/sms and EU data roaming via SimOptions.
For more detailed info and an answer to all FAQ about using e-sims when traveling abroad check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Romania.
Expected data speed in Romania
This might be surprising to many people but Romania actually has some of the fastest mobile data speeds in the world. Romania invested heavily in the past in their mobile data network and data speed and that pays off.
Romania always scores very high in ranking of the fastest mobile data speed in the world.
From the above speed test you can see that the data speed on my eSIM for Romania was pretty good in the city center in Bucharest.
Anyway, I am sure some of the above tips for buying a prepaid sim card or an eSIM for Romania were helpful and my information made it easier for you to pick the right sim card for your trip to Romania.
Leave me a comment below if you have any questions and I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 650K Instagram account or 1.3 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.
Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of August 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Romania!