Best Bulgaria SIM Cards for Tourists: 2024 Detailed Guide [+Internet & WiFi]

Published: May 2024

Bulgaria SIM cards are a must-have for tourists visiting the country, providing an affordable and convenient way to stay connected while exploring this beautiful Eastern European destination.

This blog post is for tourists heading to Bulgaria. It’s designed to help you pick the right SIM card easily. You’ll explore the top Bulgaria SIM cards for visitors, including their costs, where to get them, and how to use them. This way, you turn your trip into a new height!

I. Should You Get a SIM Card in Bulgaria?

Yes, getting a SIM card in Bulgaria is a good idea because:

SIM cards offer cheap, easy mobile internet access, letting you stay connected via 3G/4G without the high roaming costs.
They’re portable and easy to switch between devices, offering more flexibility than options like local WiFi hotspots.
Prepaid SIMs are ideal for short visits to Bulgaria, requiring no contracts and allowing you to manage your spending.

Tips:

Visit mobile stores like A1, Vivacom, or Telenor. Airport shops also have tourist SIMs.
Opt for a data-only eSIM or physical SIM that supports 3G/4G.
Look for small data packages for short trips to avoid monthly fees.
Bring your passport for prepaid SIM registration if needed.
If traveling in the EU, consider a multi-SIM to avoid roaming charges.

II. Types of Bulgaria SIM Cards for Tourists – Which One is the Best?

To know which one is the best, let’s explore the key features of each.

1. Prepaid physical SIM card in Bulgaria

Requires purchase of physical SIM card from retailer in Bulgaria
Comes with data-only or data + voice and text packages
Note: for tourists who want the flexibility of a prepaid plan

2. Prepaid Tourist Bulgaria eSIM

Requires online purchase and digital delivery of eSIM profile
Also comes with data-only or data + voice and text packages
Note: available for use on eSIM-compatible devices only, convenient as no physical SIM is needed

SIM Card	eSIM
Pros: Available for all devices, can switch phones easily	Pros: Convenient digital delivery, no need to insert physical SIM
Cons: Require inserting physical SIM, possible to lose	Cons: Only compatible with eSIM-enabled phones, limited device options

► Recommendation: Tourists should use an eSIM for convenience if their phone works with it, and pick the data-only option if they don’t need regular calls. Check if your device can use an eSIM first.

III. Best Bulgaria SIM Card Packages for Tourists and Price

Bulgarian prepaid SIM card prices are affordable, thanks to EU rules that limit roaming fees. Here are the basic offers from the 3 main providers: A1, Vivacom, and Telenor.

1. Best Bulgaria A1 SIM Card Plans and Price

Price	Data	Validity
15 BGN (~$8.25)	15 GB	30 days
25 BGN (~$13.75)	30 GB	30 days
40 BGN (~$22)	50 GB	30 days

2. Best Bulgaria Vivacom SIM Card Plans and Price

Price	SIM Card	Credit	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local Minutes	Validity
12 BGN (~$6.6)	FREE2GO	2 BGN	12 000 MB	5800 MB	800 minutes	60 days
20 BGN (~$11)	DATA2GO	N/A	25 000 MB	9600 MB	N/A	60 days

3. Best Bulgaria Telenor SIM Card Plans and Price

Price	SIM Card	Credit	Data	EU/EEA Data	Local/EU Minutes	Validity
8 BGN (~$4.4)	Prepaid Starter Pack Telenor 8 BGN	3 BGN (60 days)	6000 MB	2800 MB	300 minutes	14 days
10 BGN (~$5.5)	Prepaid Starter Pack Telenor 10 BGN	3 BGN (60 days)	8000 MB	3500 MB	400 minutes	30 days
15 BGN (~$8.25)	Prepaid Starter Pack Mobile Internet 15 GB	N/A	15 GB	N/A	N/A	30 days
25 BGN (~$13.75)	Prepaid Starter Pack Mobile Internet 30 GB	N/A	30 GB	N/A	N/A	30 days
40 BGN (~$22)	Prepaid Starter Pack Mobile Internet 50 GB	N/A	50 GB	N/A	N/A	30 days

Note: Price might change over time. Check it carefully before deciding to buy.

IV. Where to Buy a Tourist SIM Card for Bulgaria?

You can find 4 ways to buy a tourist SIM card for Bulgaria:

Buying online before departure
Buying a physical SIM at the airport
Buying a SIM in the city
Buying an eSIM

Now, let’s discover which is the best way based on the comparison:

Way of Buying	How to Do It	Where to Buy	Pros	Cons
Online before departure	Search online, choose a plan, pay online, and have SIM shipped	Websites of Bulgaria mobile carriers like Vivacom, A1, Telenor	Ready before trip, wide plan options, can research plans easily	Extra time for shipping, not ready for immediate use
At Bulgaria airports	Purchase SIM at kiosks in airports upon arrival	Sofia Airport, Varna Airport, Burgas Airport	Convenient pick up at airport, ready for immediate use	Limited plan options, higher prices
In the cities	Visit mobile carrier stores in cities	Stores in Sofia, Plovdiv, Varna etc.	Wider choice of plans compared to airports, SIM is ready	Take time to locate stores
Buying an eSIM	Order online, activation done digitally through the app	Websites of carriers supporting eSIM	Convenient activation, no physical SIM needed	Only work with the latest devices.

► Recommendation: For tourists, getting an eSIM is best because it’s eco-friendly, and saves time and money.

V. How Much Data is Enough for a Prepaid Tourist SIM Card for Bulgaria?

For most tourists, a 2-4GB data plan should be sufficient to cover your basic needs during your trip.

What can you do with 1GB of data?

Look at websites, check emails, and go on social media for 10-15 hours
Watch 3-4 hours of normal video
Get about 250-300 nice photos
Use GPS and maps for 5-6 hours

Data volume recommendations by user type:

User Type	Recommended Data Volume	Details
Heavy users	5-10GB	Stream/download lots of HD video Online gaming Frequent video calls
Medium users	2-5GB	Moderate social media/email use Maps/navigation as needed Some streaming/browsing
Light users	1-2GB	Basic social media/email Maps use when needed
Average tourists	3-5GB	Basic social media/email Maps used when needed
Businessmen	5-10GB	Video calls/conferencing File sharing Constant connectivity
Device sharers	5-10GB	Streaming media for a group Tethering other devices

Tip: To avoid wasting data or running out too soon, look at how much data you usually use and pick the right plan. Using Wi-Fi when you can will help save your data.

VI. Bulgaria eSIM – Alternative to Physical SIM Cards to Get Internet in Bulgaria

Traveling to Bulgaria has never been easier thanks to the introduction of eSIM technology. Gigago, a top company for digital SIM services, has a variety of prepaid eSIM plans that can really improve your experience in Bulgaria.

Using a Gigago eSIM in Bulgaria is easy and cheap. No roaming fees or physical SIM card hassles. With Gigago, tracking data and staying connected is simple.

For Bulgaria, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1GB/day for 3 days with $3.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Bulgaria eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.50 – $125.98 .

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.

VII. Which Bulgaria Mobile Networks Are The Best for Tourists?

The best mobile networks in Bulgaria for tourists are:

1. A1 Bulgaria

Rank: #1 in Bulgaria, 40% market share.
Coverage: 99% of people, 95% of land.
5G in major cities & tourist areas.
Speed: 80 Mbps, 1 Gbps in 5G zones.
Multiple awards for best network.

2. Vivacom

Rank: #2 in Bulgaria, 35% market share.
Coverage: 98% of people, 94% of land.
5G: In big cities and tourist spots.
Speed: Avg 70 Mbps, up to 900 Mbps in 5G.
Awards: Named fastest mobile network.

3. Telenor Bulgaria

Rank: #3 largest in Bulgaria, 25% market share.
Coverage: 97% of people, 92% of land.
Network: 4G, planning 5G soon.
Speed: Average 60 Mbps.
Awards: Praised for customer service and reliability.

► Recommendation: For tourists in Bulgaria, A1 is the top choice for mobile networks. It has the best coverage, speed, and 5G in big cities and tourist spots. Vivacom is also good, especially for 5G. Telenor is okay for its 4G and service but not as good as A1 or Vivacom in speed and 5G.

VIII. How to Use Bulgaria SIM Cards and eSIM?

Setting up your new Bulgarian SIM card/eSIM on your smartphone is very simple.

1. How to use Bulgaria SIM Cards?

Buy a SIM card
Place the SIM Card in your device
Turn on your device
Set Up Network Connections: In device settings, choose a mobile network or APN, and input your provider’s APN details.
Recharge and enjoy!

2. How to activate Bulgaria eSIM?

Make sure your device is compatible with eSIM technology.
Ask your chosen mobile network in Bulgaria for an eSIM QR code.
Go to your device settings and find eSIM or Cellular options. Choose “Add eSIM” or something similar.
Follow the steps shown on your device to activate your eSIM.

IX. FAQs about Bulgaria SIM cards

Which is better – prepaid or postpaid SIM cards?

For traveling, a prepaid SIM is good because you only pay for what you use and avoid long contracts.

Is it expensive to use my home SIM for data in Bulgaria?

Yes, using your home SIM abroad can lead to high roaming charges. Buying a local Bulgarian SIM for data can save money.

Do I need to show an ID to buy Bulgaria SIM cards?

Yes, you have to show your passport to get a prepaid SIM because it’s the rule there.

Can I add more credit to my prepaid SIM if I run out while in Bulgaria?

Yes, it’s easy to top up your prepaid SIM balance at retailers, online, or via ATMs using cash or cards with additional credit as needed.

What type of file is used for contacts on Bulgarian SIMs?

Contacts are stored in VCF (vCard) format, which works well for sharing contacts.

X. Conclusion

If traveling to Bulgaria, getting Bulgaria SIM cards or eSIMs can make your trip more convenient than usual. It’s cheaper for calls, texts, and data than paying roaming fees. Hope you have a great trip to Bulgaria!