Mobile internet in Bulgaria is very important for travelers because it helps them communicate, locate, and get information.
This blog post will help people visiting Bulgaria find the best ways to keep using their phones and the internet during their trip. It covers various challenges and considerations associated with obtaining mobile internet in Bulgaria. It also advises on the easiest and cheapest ways to stay online and have a good trip.
In this article
Mobile coverage and speed are 2 top factors that any travel enthusiast should prioritize when traveling. Let’s check them out for Bulgaria!
Bulgaria’s mobile coverage got better thanks to big investments in 3G, 4G, and 5G by A1 Bulgaria, Vivacom, and Yettel. The Opensignal report revealed:
A1 Bulgaria:
Vivacom:
Yettel (Telenor Bulgaria):
Vivacom provides the top mobile service in Bulgaria, especially for 5G. A1 and Yettel have good service too, but Vivacom is the best for people who care about having access to mobile internet.
To sum up, A1 gives Bulgaria’s quickest mobile internet, especially for 5G, making it the top choice for fast speeds. Yettel provides a consistently good mobile internet experience.
As a tourist visiting Bulgaria, you have several options to stay connected during your trip. They are:
Let’s compare the pros and cons of each option:
| Connectivity Options | How it works | Cost | Where to buy | Pros | Cons |
| Bulgaria SIM card | Insert local SIM card for data/calling | Inexpensive, plans starting at 5 -10 EUR | Purchase at airports, stores | Affordable access to local network | Need to keep up with physical SIM |
| Bulgaria eSIM | Download and activate eSIM profile on compatible device | Slightly higher than SIM, around 10 -15 EUR | Purchase online before travel | No need to swap SIMs | Limited to eSIM-compatible devices |
| Roaming | Use home country plan abroad | Very expensive, can cost over 1 EUR/MB | N/A | No need to buy local SIM | Significantly more costly than local plans |
| Public WiFi | Free at certain locations like cafes/parks | Free | N/A | No additional cost | Limited/unreliable coverage and data caps. |
| Pocket WiFi | Rental mobile hotspot device | Around 10-15 EUR/day | Rental shops at airports | Wider coverage than public WiFi | Expensive for extended use. |
► Recommendation: The best option is to buy a Bulgaria SIM card for cost savings. But, if your device supports eSIM, come and grab one!
Make sure your phone is unlocked by checking the settings before buying a SIM. For eSIM, ensure your device model is on the compatible list.
Good to know: 1 BGN = 0.54 USD (Apr 2024)
Bulgaria offers many mobile internet options for travelers with different prices based on data, speed, and time. Let’s check it out!
| Option | Rate |
| Bulgaria SIM card | 5 BGN ( ~ $2.7) per 1 GB |
| Bulgaria eSIM | 7 BGN ( ~ $3.78) per 1 GB |
| Roaming with Bulgaria | 15 BGN ( ~ $8.1) per 1 GB |
| Public WiFi | Free, but may have limited access and speed |
| Pocket WiFi | 10 BGN ( ~ $5.4) per day |
In summary:
For tourists in Bulgaria, a data-centric SIM card is a handy way to stay connected. The top mobile operators are A1, Vivacom, and Telenor.
A1 Bulgaria’s prepaid data SIMs for tourists include:
Vivacom offers:
Telenor Bulgaria has:
Note: Check the latest price on each official website to ensure the exact information.
Easiest ways to get an eSIM for Bulgaria trip:
Let’s see more details below!
Getting an eSIM from Gigago is easy and best for tourists in Bulgaria. It’s all online, no documents needed, and you get internet right when you land.
How to buy:
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.
Most phone plans come with data limits that go from 2GB to unlimited each month, depending on how much you pay for the plan.
Yes, you can use your phone’s internet with other devices because all providers let you share your internet.
You can roam in the EU without extra charges, but going outside the EU might cost more unless you buy a special roaming package.
Yes, there’s a 20% VAT added to all mobile internet and telecom service prices in Bulgaria.
Mobile internet in Bulgaria is very crucial for everyone, offering wide coverage and affordable prices. Whether you’re visiting, working, or living there, you can easily stay connected with fast and cheap mobile internet. Bulgaria’s mobile networks provide great deals and broad coverage.
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.
This article offers tips for travelers on how to use cell phone in Bulgaria.
This blog post will explain how data roaming in Bulgaria works, how to turn on roaming on your device, and other ways to avoid big bills and keep using your phone in Bulgaria.
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!
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.
Vivacom SIM cards offer reliable connectivity for tourists visiting Bulgaria. This blog post will help tourists understand how to get and start using Vivacom SIM cards or eSIMs, making it easier for them to keep in touch while they discover Bulgaria.
