How to Get Mobile Internet in Bulgaria for Travelers: What Option to Choose?

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.

I. Mobile Internet in Bulgaria – Coverage and Speed

Mobile coverage and speed are 2 top factors that any travel enthusiast should prioritize when traveling. Let’s check them out for Bulgaria!

1. Bulgaria Mobile Internet Coverage

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:

• Scores 6.9 in Coverage Experience, ranking 2nd.
• Its 5G coverage score of 1.2 is the lowest, showing limited 5G reach compared to competitors.
• Availability is 98%.

Vivacom:

• Tops in coverage with scores of 7.4 for Coverage Experience and 2.2 for 5G, winning both categories.
• 97.7% availability, a bit less than A1 and Yettel, but still reliable.

Yettel (Telenor Bulgaria):

• Has a 6.5 Coverage Experience score, placing 3rd.
• Its 5G score of 1.4 exceeds A1’s but is still behind Vivacom.
• With 98.4% Availability, it boasts the most reliable network.

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.

2. Bulgaria Mobile Internet Speed

• A1 is the fastest with the highest download speed at 81.7 Mbps and a 5G speed of 466.5 Mbps, faster than Vivacom and Yettel.
• A1 leads in 5G with 466.5 Mbps, nearly 200 Mbps faster than Vivacom, and the quickest 5G upload speed at 47.3 Mbps.
• Yettel is the most reliable with a consistent quality score of 84%, meaning it’s good with mobile apps.

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.

II. What are Connectivity Options for Tourists to Bulgaria?

As a tourist visiting Bulgaria, you have several options to stay connected during your trip. They are:

1. Bulgaria SIM Card
2. Bulgaria eSIM
3. Roaming with Bulgaria Operators
4. Public WiFi
5. Pocket WiFi for Bulgaria

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.

III. Internet Rates in Bulgaria

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:

• Bulgaria SIM: $2.70/GB, cheapest for tourists.
• Roaming: $8.10/GB, more expensive.
• eSIM: $3.78/GB, slightly costlier.
• Free WiFi: available but possibly slow/unreliable.
• Pocket WiFi: $5.40/day, good for constant use but a SIM could be more economical for heavy data users.

IV. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Bulgaria

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:

• A1 Traveler SIM: 15 BGN (~ $8.10) for 10GB, valid for 14 days.
• A1 Traveler SIM Plus: 25 BGN (~ $13.50) for 20GB, valid for 30 days.
• A1 Traveler eSIM: 20 BGN (~ $10.80) for 15GB, valid for 30 days.

Vivacom offers:

• Vivacom Traveler SIM: 18 BGN (~$9.70) for 12GB, valid for 15 days.
• Vivacom Traveler SIM Plus: 28 BGN (~$15.10) for 22GB, valid for 30 days.

Telenor Bulgaria has:

• Telenor Traveler SIM: 16 BGN (~$8.60) for 10GB, valid for 14 days.
• Telenor Traveler SIM Plus: 24 BGN (~$13.00) for 18GB, valid for 30 days.

V. Data eSIM for Bulgaria – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet for Tourists

Easiest ways to get an eSIM for Bulgaria trip:

• Buy eSIM from Bulgaria operators
• Buy eSIM from Gigago

Let’s see more details below!

1. Buy eSIM from Bulgaria operators

• eSIM providers: A1, Vivacom, Telenor
• Buying method: Buy eSIM plans from their websites or apps.
• Pros:
  • Buy directly from local providers
  • Easy for those who know these operators
• Cons:

• Fewer plan choices than other eSIM services
• Might need extra steps to install the eSIM

2. Buy eSIM from Gigago

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:

1. Visit Gigago, click “Buy eSIM”
2. Look for “Bulgaria” and pick a plan
3. Pay
4. Get the email with eSIM details
5. Scan the QR code or enter the activation code
6. Enable data roaming
7. Done! Enjoy the internet in Bulgaria.

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.

VI. FAQs about mobile internet in Bulgaria

VII. Conclusion

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.