Prepaid Romania SIM Cards for Tourists: A-Z Guide

Purchasing Romania SIM cards is necessary for visitors to take advantage of reasonably priced cell service when visiting this country. This guide will help you in selecting the best prepaid Romania SIM card options, as well as where to get SIM cards and what to prepare when buying SIM cards.

I. What are the Best Romania SIM cards for Tourists?

Three biggest mobile operators offer the best Romania SIM card plans for tourists: Orange, Vodafone, and Telekom. Each provides a variety of prepaid plans, data bundles, and other mobile services to fulfill the demands of both locals and travelers.

1. Vodafone SIM cards

Vodafone Romania is a prominent mobile network provider in the nation, offering dependable service and wide 4G coverage. Vodafone offers a variety of choices for travelers searching for a reliable prepaid SIM card. 

• €9 Package: 10 GB of data 4G + Unlimited calls to all networks (200 international), 250 texts
• €10 Package: 15 GB 4G, 4.80 GB in EEA countries, unlimited calls to all networks (400 international), 250 texts
• €12 Package: 20 GB 4G, 5.76 GB in EEA countries, unlimited calls and unlimited texts
• €14 Package: Unlimited 4G, 6.72 GB in EEA countries + Unlimited calls to all networks (600 international), unlimited texts

2. Orange SIM cards

In Romania, Orange is one of the top mobile providers. Some statistics indicate that they serve over 10 million customers. Some options for tourists when buying Orange SIM card:

• €5 Package: 5 GB of data 4G, unlimited texts to Orange numbers (1000 min national and international to landline), unlimited minutes to Orange numbers (1000 min national and international to landline)
• €10 Package: 10 GB of data 4G, unlimited texts to Orange numbers, unlimited minutes to Orange numbers (2000 min national and international to landline)
• €12 Package: 12 GB of data 4G, unlimited texts to Orange numbers, Unlimited minutes to Orange numbers (2000 min national and international to landline) 

3. Telekom SIM cards

Telekom provides a diverse range of services, including mobile services (both fixed and mobile telephony) and broadband internet. Some of the more effective alternatives they have are:

• €5 Package: Mobile 5: Unlimited 4G + Unlimited calls to national networks + 100 texts to national networks.
• €6 Package: Mobile Unlimited – Unlimited 4G + Unlimited calls to national networks (100 minutes to EEA countries) + Unlimited texts to national networks.
• €16 Package: Mobile Pass 14 – Unlimited 4G (6 GB roaming) + Unlimited calls to national networks (300 minutes to EEA countries) + Unlimited texts to national networks.

Recommendation: 

• The exact costs vary amongst the various Romanian carriers. However, expect to pay about for a prepaid SIM with a few gigabytes of data. Some Romania SIM offers include additional credits in addition to the amount you prepaid. This expands your usage at no additional cost. 
• If your phone supports eSIM, try using an Romania eSIM, which is 100% online. You may buy and activate it online with no trouble. We’ll explain more below.

II. Where to Buy SIM Cards in Romania for Tourists?

You have 3 main ways to buy a tourist SIM card in Romania: purchasing online, or buying upon arrival at the Romania airport or in the city center.

1. Buy Romania SIM Card Online

Prior to your trip, you can purchase a tourist SIM card for Romania by choosing an appropriate package from a reputable online agency like Gigago, Maya Mobile. After roughly five to ten days, the SIM card will be mailed to your location. Don’t forget to bring the SIM card packet to Romania and insert it when you get there.

Pros:

• Convenience: You can research and choose the best plan for your needs in advance, saving time and hassle upon arrival.
• Potential Savings: Some eSIM providers offer competitive rates, especially compared to airport kiosks or tourist SIMs purchased at your destination.

Cons:

• Flexibility: Your travel plans might change, and a pre-purchased plan with a set data allowance might not be ideal.
• Activation Issues: There’s a slight chance of encountering activation problems with an eSIM purchased abroad.

2. Buy SIM card at Romania airports

When traveling to Romania, the easiest location to get a prepaid SIM card is at the Bucharest International Airport (OTP) and Cluj Avram Iancu Airport (CLJ), which are two main international airports in Romania . At both Bucharest and Cluj airports, SIM cards may only be purchased from Relay convenience stores. 

Relay stores are small convenience stores that are often found in airports and train stations. They may sell a number of things, such as SIM cards. This store is located at International departure and connecting passage between arrivals, departure terminals at Bucharest International Airport.

Some SIM card providers require you to have a passport or take pictures to register. Each airport will have similar process steps and they may be complicated procedures. Therefore, you should bring your passport when you go to buy a new SIM card.

Pros: Convenient. You’ll be able to get a SIM card as soon as you land and be connected right away.

Cons: 

• Higher Cost: Airports offer quick options but might be slightly pricier. Airport vendors often charge a premium compared to local stores or eSIMs purchased beforehand.
• Limited Selection: While there might be variety, you might not find the best deals or plans tailored for tourists compared to doing your research.

3. Buy SIM Card in Romania City

If you are in Romania city, it is best to head to official stores of Orange, Vodafone, or Telekom in Bucharest and other major cities. 

Pros: They are easily located with Google Maps. When you buy a Romania SIM card there, the staff will ensure your SIM is activated and help you with data connection before you leave. Moreover, these stores offer a wider selection of plans and packages compared to airport kiosks.

Cons: You need to carry your ID or passport with you and provide your personal information, which might be inconvenient while traveling.  

Here are some locations to find Romania SIM card you can refer to:

• Orange official store: Bulevardul Nicolae Bălcescu Nr. 3-5, Bloc Dunarea, București, Romania.
• Vodafone official store: Bulevardul General Gheorghe Magheru 1, București, Romania.
• Telekom official store: Calea Crângași 16, București, Romania

Note: Official stores might be hard to find in some cities, especially depending on the popularity of the specific mobile provider in a particular area. In that case, you can conveniently find Romania SIM cards at kiosks, convenience stores, and even supermarkets. 

III. How Much is a Tourist Romania SIM Card?

A SIM card typically costs between €5 and €15, with data plans starting at around €5 for small bundles. Larger data plans may be more expensive, based on data amount and plan duration. The price of a prepaid SIM card in Romania varies according to the operator and data package you select. 

IV. What types of Romania SIM cards are available for tourists? 

Tourists in Romania can choose between a physical prepaid Romania SIM card and a prepaid eSIM for Romania. Here is the summary of the key differences between physical prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs in Romania.

	Prepaid SIM card Romania	Tourists eSIM for Romania
Convenience	Readily available at airports, phone stores, and convenience stores. Requires showing your passport for registration.	Purchase online before your trip and activate remotely. No need to deal with registration upon arrival.
Compatibility	Works with unlocked GSM phones	Requires a phone compatible with eSIM technology. Check your phone’s specifications.
How to use	Once activated, simply top up with credit to use data, calls, or texts.	Download the eSIM provider’s app. Usually involves scanning a QR code.
Plan Example	Telecom offers unlimited mobile packages  (€6): Unlimited 4G, calls to national networks (100 minutes to EEA countries) and texts to national networks.	Gigago offers Romania eSIM from multiple mostly-use suppliers in Romania. Expect to have 4G/LTE/5G speed. Unlimited data at 128kbps after max-speed data usage exceeds
Price	Prices vary depending on data allowance and validity period. Generally starts from €10 and goes up.	Generally more expensive compared to prepaid SIM cards, but can be convenient for some travelers.

► Our recommendations: 

• If you are visiting Romania and your phone does not support eSIM, get a prepaid sim card. The physical prepaid SIM card is the simpler and more readily available option. It’s suitable for basic tasks such as maps, internet, and app calls.
• If your phone supports eSIM, select prepaid data eSIM. It is the greatest way to access the internet on your phone in Romania.

V. Do I Need to Buy a Sim Card for Romania travel?

Yes. Using a local SIM card in Romania offers significant benefits for travelers: 

• Cost-effective: Using a local SIM card is far more affordable than depending on the roaming fees associated with your home phone.
• Variety of Plans: Select from a number of data bundles and prepaid plans.
• Direct Customer Support: Get assistance from experienced customer service agents for assistance.
• Good Coverage: In Romania, all major operators provide a wide range of mobile coverage.

VI. What to prepare when buying a SIM card in Romania

Before purchasing a SIM card in Romania, you must have certain documents ready, such as your ID card and passport. Sometimes you might also have to present your visa. You can use your credit or debit card to make the payment, but be sure it is approved for foreign use. Keeping some cash on hand for emergencies is also a smart move. Having these things ready will make it easier for you to get a SIM card in Romania.

VII. Romania eSIM – alternative to Tourist SIM cards

Romania eSIM offers several advantages over traditional SIM cards for tourists in Romania. With eSIM, you won’t need to find a store upon arrival and change tiny physical cards. You can easily get online as soon as you arrive if you purchase an eSIM before departure. Romania eSIM is ideal for convenience, security, and some potential for faster activation and installation. 

You can buy eSIM from trusted websites like Gigago. Gigago offers Romania eSIM from multiple mostly-use suppliers in Romania such as Orange, DIGI, Telekom and Vodafone. Gigago Romania eSIM packages range around $3.00 – $95.90 . The minimum of data is 500MB in 3 days for $3.00 , perfect for light internet users on a short trip or someone who needs extended data. 

VIII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Romania?

Tourist SIM card plans commonly offer validity periods from a few days of 3, 5, 7 to more than one week like 10, 14, 15, 20, 28 days or 1 month. The lifespan of a tourist Romania SIM card depends on the SIM plan and the activation time. Most tourist SIM cards in Romania are prepaid plans with a set validity period. 

The specific validity period of your plan should be clearly stated on the purchase information or packaging. You can extend its validity by adding more credit before it expires. However, this might not be possible with all plans.

IX. How to activate a SIM card in Romania 

Getting connected in Romania with a tourist mobile plan depends on whether you choose a traditional SIM card or an eSIM option. The activation process can be simple for either type, but it will vary slightly.

1. Using Prepaid Romania tourist SIM Cards

After purchasing a Romania SIM card, take these procedures to use it:

• Insert the SIM card and switch on your phone.
• When prompted, select Romania’s carrier network.
• You will receive a text verifying activation.
• Load prepaid credit with vouchers from businesses and kiosks.
• Enable a data package via the provider app or text code.
• Begin using! Calls, texts, and mobile data will be deducted from your balance.
• When you run low on credits, simply add more.

2. Setting up and activating Romania eSIM:

To use an eSIM in Romania, you should follow these steps:

• Download the app of the eSIM provider you purchased from or visit the official website of the eSim provider.
• The app will guide you through the activation process, typically involving scanning a QR code provided by the provider.
• Once activated, your phone should automatically connect to the mobile network.

X. FAQs about Romania SIM card

XI. Conclusion 

To conclude, a Romania SIM card is required for visitors to Romania to stay connected effortlessly during their visit. Prepaid SIMs are suitable for short journeys, while postpaid contracts provide better value for longer visits. The eSIM digital package provides an instant connection across the country or region. Visitors can use internet tools and communication to better their travels by developing a suitable plan.