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

Mobile internet in Romania is essential for travelers to stay connected and access online services. While visiting this country, staying connected to the internet is simple and offers a variety of choices. This article will discuss many mobile Internet access options, together with their costs and benefits, so you can make an informed decision and travel in Romania with ease.

I. Mobile Internet in Romania – Coverage and Speed 

In Romania, the four largest mobile network operators such as Digi, Orange, Telekom, and Vodafone provide 4G or 5G coverage to its clients at least 90% of the time.

1. Romania Mobile Internet Coverage

Here is an overview of the mobile internet coverage of the four main providers of mobile internet in Romania: 

• Orange boasts the widest 4G/5G coverage across Romania. Orange announced that it had expanded its 5G coverage to Craiova, the country’s sixth largest city.
• Vodafone ranks second for 4G coverage in mobile internet in Romania and focuses on expanding rural coverage.
• Digi Mobile is Romania’s third-largest operator with extensive coverage. 5G is accessible in several places.
• Telekom is the smallest mobile internet provider in Romania and also has the smallest 4G/LTE network.

► Our recommendation:

Orange or Vodafone provide the best coverage and network performance. Their networks provide high-speed LTE access throughout much of Romania.

2. Romania Mobile Internet Speed

According to the Speedtest data for Romania, it can be seen that:

• Romania ranked 47th in the world for mobile speeds and 12th for fixed broadband speeds during May 2024. The average download speed is 61.64Mbps, the average upload speed is 14.41Mbps, and the latency is 21ms. 
• In terms of median download speed for main mobile carriers in Romania, in 2023, Orange delivered the fastest download speed at 34.8Mbps, followed by Vodafone at 29 Mbps, Telekom at 17.5Mbps and Digi Mobile at 15Mbps.

► Our recommendation:

Orange provided the best overall speed and the most consistent performance on Romania’s mobile internet networks in 2023. You may select this carrier for your travel to Romania. Vodafone is also an excellent choice for mobile internet in Romania. 

II. What are Connectivity Options for Tourists to Romania?

Travelers visiting Romania have access to a variety of mobile internet choices, including pocket wifi, public wifi, roaming data, eSIM, and SIM cards. This table below provides you the pros and cons of each choice: 

Method	How it Works	Cost	Where to Buy	Convenience	Pros	Cons
SIM Card (Country Specific)	A physical SIM card from a local carrier. Replaces your existing SIM.	Varies by carrier and data plan.	Airports, phone stores, convenience stores (in the destination country).	Requires phones to be unlocked for different carriers. May need to change APN settings.	Affordable, good data plans, local phone number for calls/texts.	Requires buying a new SIM, may not work with all phones (check for SIM size compatibility).
eSIM (Country Specific)	A virtual SIM card downloaded onto your phone.	Varies by carrier and data plan.	Requires eSIM-compatible phone and purchase online from the carrier before travel (sometimes).	Convenient, no physical SIM to swap.	Newer technology may not be available with all carriers or phones.	Requires eSIM compatible phone, less common than physical SIM cards, activation process may vary
Roaming with Romanian Operators	Use your existing Romanian phone plan while abroad.	Depends on your Romanian provider’s roaming rates. Often expensive.	Not applicable (uses existing plan).	No need for additional purchases.	Expensive data usage can quickly drain credit.	Can be very expensive, especially for data usage, may have limited coverage in remote areas
Public WiFi	Free or paid WiFi offered in cafes, restaurants, hotels, etc.	Varies depending on the location (free or paid).	Available in many public places.	Free or affordable option depending on the location.	Security risks on public WiFi, unreliable speeds and connection.	Security risks on unsecured networks, speed and reliability can be inconsistent, limited coverage outside hotspots
Pocket WiFi	Portable WiFi device that provides internet access.	Varies by rental company and data plan.	Airports, online rental services.	Convenient portable internet access, can share connections with multiple devices.	Rental cost, battery life limitations, data usage limits.	Rental cost can add up, battery life may be limited, may need to be returned upon departure

► Our recommendations: 

• If affordability and convenience are your top priorities, getting a Romania SIM card can be the best option for mobile internet in Romania.

• If your smartphone is compatible with eSIM technology, getting eSIM will be a smart move. You no longer need to go to a physical store to get a SIM card if you have an eSIM and can connect to the Internet with ease. All you have to do to activate your Romania eSIM and start using the internet immediately is to scan a QR code. The cost of Gigago’s eSIM is affordable, and it offers limitless data so you can choose to buy Gigago’s eSIM to travel at ease. 

III. Internet Rates in Romania

Good to know: RON 1 = $0.22 and $1 = RON 4.57 ( as of July 2024)

The following table shows the internet rates for several mobile network alternatives in Romania.

Option	Rate (USD)
Romania SIM card	range from $2.2 to $4.40 for the SIM card, with data plans starting from around $2.2 for smaller bundles
Romania eSIM	Gigago offers plans starting from $3.00 to $95.90 for Daily 500MB – Daily 3GB or 1GB-30GB or Unlimited for 3-30 days
Roaming with Romania operators	Expect to pay around $8.25 with a cost per Mbps without any included roaming benefits, depends on your home operator
Public wifi	Free
Pocket wifi	Rental prices typically start at around $5.60-$6.70 per day, purchasing a pocket WiFi device can range from $112

Note: The charges listed above are for reference. Contact the provider to receive the most recent information.

IV. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Romania

For travelers visiting this beautiful nation, a data physical SIM card for Romania is highly recommended. Travelers using Romania mobile SIM cards can have a quick Internet connection to use apps to stay in touch with family and friends back home thanks to exceptional coverage, affordable rates, and excellent data plans. 

Here is the table about several SIM card packages of operators in Romania prices in both local currency and USD 

Operator	Cost	Data
Orange	$7.5	66 GB data + 2,000 minutes for 28 days
Orange	$10	88 GB data + 2,000 minutes for 28 days
Vodafone	$14	Unlimited 4G, 6.72 GB in EEA countries + Unlimited calls to all networks (600 international), unlimited texts
Vodafone	$9	10 GB of data 4G + Unlimited calls to all networks (200 international), 250 texts
Vodafone	$10	15 GB 4G, 4.80 GB in EEA countries, unlimited calls to all networks (400 international), 250 texts
Telekom	$10	unlimited data, calls & sms for 28 days
Telekom	$5	Unlimited 4G + Unlimited calls to national networks + 100 texts to national networks.

Note: The data plans shown above are only a few of the many Romania SIM card choices available to tourists. Details of the plan might change over time. 

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

Tourists can avoid the inconvenience of physical SIM cards, enjoy quick activation, and select from a variety of data plans that meet your needs with digital Romania eSIM. When you buy a Romania eSIM, you can easily switch between different mobile plans and carriers without changing tiny SIM cards.

There are two main ways to purchase an eSIM for Romania: buy directly from Romania mobile operators or buy from eSIM providers. Either way is online purchasing.

1. Buy eSIM from Romania Operators

There are some options available for you to buy eSIM from Romania operators. As major mobile operators in Romania, Orange, Vodafone, Telekom and Digi Mobile all offer eSIM services for tourists to have mobile internet in Romania. It’s recommended to check their official website or contact their customer support for the latest information.

How to buy: Check the operator’s official websites or visit their physical stores in Romania to purchase an eSIM directly from the Romania operators. To complete the registration process with Romania operators, you will need to present a valid passport or ID card for verification purposes. 

Here are some Romania eSIM plans for you:

Romania operators	Data	Length	Price
Orange	1GB	7 days	4.99€ (5.45$)
	12GB	14 days	15.99€ (17.48$)
	30GB	14 days	39.99€ (43.71$)
	100GB	28 days	49.99€ (54.64$)
Vodafone	5GB	10 days	13$
	10GB	15 days	24$
	20GB	30 days	38$
Telekom	500 MB	30 days	€4.95 ($5.30)
	3GB	30 days	€9.95 ($10.65)
	5GB	30 days	€14.95 ($16.01)
	7GB	30 days	€24.95 ($26.72)
	Unlimited	30 days	€99.95 ($107.02)

Please note that: This eSIM plan’s price is valid as of current and may be subject to change.

Pros: eSIM can be purchased online before your trip to Romania and you won’t need to wait in line for a physical SIM card after landing.

Cons: The registration process might require additional steps such as filling in your ID or passport. Also, some Romania operators’ websites might not be available in English or your native language.

2. Buy eSIM from Gigago

Buying an eSIM from a reputable provider like Gigago is easier compared to getting one from Romanian operators. Buying from a travel eSIM provider has several advantages that make it the most convenient option for travelers to get mobile internet in Romania. 

The entire process can be done online. Unlike some Romanian operators, Gigago doesn’t require ID or passport verification to buy Romania eSIM. You’ll receive a QR code after purchase to your email. Before you land, scan the QR code, you’ll have internet access as soon as you turn on your phone in Romania.

Here is a step-by-step for you to buy Gigago Romania eSIM:

• Choose Your Plan: Browse Gigago’s website, search for Romania eSIM and select the data package that best suits your needs, budget, and trip duration.
• Make the Payment: Proceed to checkout and make an online payment.
• Receive Your eSIM:  Shortly after payment, you’ll receive an email containing your Romania eSIM information.
• Activate Your Romania eSIM: Scan the QR code in the email with your phone’s camera. This will usually launch the eSIM installation process automatically.
• Enable Data Roaming: To connect mobile internet in Romania, make sure data roaming is enabled in your phone’s settings.

After completing these steps, your phone should be connected to the Romania network using your Gigago eSIM. Ensure your phone is compatible with eSIM technology before purchasing. Gigago has information on compatible devices on website.

Gigago eSIM plans for Romania: eSIM packages from Gigago for Romania starting at around $3.00 – $95.90 . The most affordable option $3.00 comes with 500MB of data valid for 3 days. 

Gigago offers the widest selection of Romania eSIM plans, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your needs and budget. Gigago can support multiple languages and also provides plans with phone numbers for 14 and 28 days Romania eSIM plans. 

VI. FAQs

VII. Conclusion 

To summarize, there are several possibilities for mobile internet in Romania. Romania SIM cards and eSIMs are the ideal option due to their extensive coverage, ease, and price. Tourists who own eSIM-enabled handsets should purchase an eSIM plan for the best value and flexibility. Don’t forget to choose the option that best suits your requirements and budget.