This article covers how to rent a pocket wifi in Bulgaria. This way, you guys can find out how to get easy-to-carry internet for your trip, making it simpler to stay connected.
A1 Bulgaria SIM Cards & eSIM for Tourists: How to Get and Activate 2024
A1 Bulgaria SIM card & eSIM offer tourists a cheap way to keep in touch in Bulgaria. It’s a solution for visitors without a local phone plan to get reliable mobile access.
Finding the right SIM in Bulgaria can be hard for newcomers. This guide is here to help travelers figure out what the A1 Bulgaria SIM card & eSIM offers in terms of network coverage, speed, and how to stay connected. We’ll cover the top SIM card and eSIM options, where to buy them, and how to activate them easily.
In this article
I. Overview about A1 Bulgaria – What you need to know
A1 Bulgaria is a top telecom company in Bulgaria.
- Started in 1994, first known as Mtel or Mobiltel.
- Provides a lot of services: landlines, mobiles, cable TV, satellite TV, IPTV, and fast internet.
- Currently has 6.5M users.
- Works all over Bulgaria, in cities and rural areas.
- Has many stores and partner places to help customers.
- Offers 24/7 customer support online, by phone, and in stores.
- Won awards for being innovative and focusing on customers, including being the first Bulgarian operator to offer EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSPA+, and LTE services.
II. A1 Bulgaria Coverage in Bulgaria
- Coverage in places people live, work, and travel. According to nPerf, A1 achieved a Coverage Experience score of 6.9/ 10, beating Telenor (Yettel).
- A1 had an availability of 98% of the time, meaning strong signals across Bulgaria.
III. A1 Speed in Bulgaria
- Overall download speed of 81.7Mbps from OpenSignal’s tests, far faster than Vivacom and Telenor (Yettel).
- Upload speed of 16.6Mbps, also faster than competitors.
- Speeds remained high regardless of location, with an Excellent Consistent Quality score of 82.7%.
Overall, A1 gives you the best mix of good coverage and fast speeds in Bulgaria. Travelers can count on strong and quick internet no matter where they are because A1 has a wide network that always works well.
IV. Does A1 Bulgaria have eSIM in Bulgaria?
YES, A1 Bulgaria is now the first company in Bulgaria to let prepaid customers use eSIM services. You can get an eSIM in 2 ways from them: directly from the company or through other eSIM sellers.
When you buy directly from the company, you might have to show your passport. Buying from other sellers is usually easier because you don’t need to show any ID.
That’s why it’s a good idea to buy from eSIM sellers like Gigago. Here are some reasons why Gigago is great for travelers:
- Different data plans to choose from
- You get the eSIM emailed to you in just 5 minutes.
- No ID or passport needed.
- Customer support available all the time.
- Free roaming in over 42 European countries.
For Bulgaria, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 3 days with $3.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Bulgaria eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.00 – $95.90 . Thus, it does not matter how many Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Bulgaria, there is always an option for you with Gigago.
V. Top A1 Bulgaria SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost
The table below shows you guys the best A1 SIM card plans for tourists:
Plan | Package Duration | Package Details | Price (BGN) | Price (USD) |
Tourist Plan | 7 days | 5 GB Data, 50 mins to A1 network, 50 mins to other networks, 50 SMS | 10.00 BGN | $5.40 |
Tourist Plan | 30 days | Unlimited Data, 50 mins to A1 network, 50 mins to other networks, 50 SMS | 27.40 BGN | $14.80 |
Note: The exchange rate used is 1 BGN = 0.54 USD.
VI. Where to Buy A1 Bulgaria SIM cards & eSIM?
Having a reliable A1 Bulgaria SIM card or eSIM makes getting around much easier. It offers great options for staying connected.
1. Where to buy A1 Bulgaria SIM?
You can get A1 Bulgaria SIM cards at:
- A1 Bulgaria retail stores in cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Varna.
- At Bulgaria airports like Telenor or Burgas Airport.
- Authorized resellers: Look for them in convenience stores, electronics shops, and travel agencies.
- Online: Purchase directly from the official website or authorized online retailers.
2. Where to buy A1 Bulgaria eSIM?
For convenience, consider an A1 Bulgaria eSIM, which you can buy and activate through your smartphone or device before your trip. Get one from:
- A1 Bulgaria’s official website: Find the eSIM section for purchase and activation.
- Authorized eSIM providers: Companies like Gigago offer downloadable A1 Bulgaria eSIM packages.
VII. How to Top-up A1 Bulgaria SIM cards & eSIM?
Here’s how you can top-up your A1 Bulgaria SIM card and eSIM:
1. Topping up A1 Bulgaria SIM card
- Go to A1 Bulgaria or reseller
- Buy a top-up voucher or card
- Scratch off the code
- Dial the code on your phone and follow steps
2. Topping up A1 Bulgaria eSIM
- Open A1 Bulgaria eSIM app
- Click “Top-up” or “Recharge”
- Pick an amount
- Pay with card or mobile payment
- Balance updates instantly
VIII. FAQs about A1 Bulgaria SIM cards & eSIM
Can I roam in the EU with an A1 SIM?
Yes, with an A1 SIM, you can use your normal plan in the EU without extra charges, but watch out for fair use limits.
What ID is needed to buy an A1 SIM?
You need a valid passport or an EU ID card to buy and activate an A1 SIM.
When does my A1 SIM expire?
Most prepaid SIMs last 6-12 months before they expire unless you add more credit. Keep some money on it to keep it working for a long time.
IX. Conclusion
In general, getting and turning on an A1 Bulgaria SIM card & eSIM is easy for people visiting Bulgaria. A1’s network covers the whole country, so buying a starter SIM pack from their stores means you can count on a good signal and even when you roam in the EU. They offer both physical SIM cards and eSIMs, so visitors can pick the best option to keep in touch while traveling.