Buying Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs: Detailed Guide

This guide covers everything you need to know about how to get and activate an Vodafone Romania SIM & eSIM for tourists visiting Romania. 

While visiting Romania, it’s important to have internet access. Everything you require to obtain and activate Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs for visitors to Romania is covered in this guide. We’ll cover how to get and activate a Vodafone Romania SIM & eSIM in advance of your trip.

I. Overview about Vodafone Romania- What you need to know 

Vodafone Romania is a leading telecommunications provider in Romania, offering a wide range of mobile, Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs and fixed-line services to individuals, businesses, and the public sector. It is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vodafone Group, one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies. 

• Founded year: 1997
• Full company name: Vodafone Romania (formerly Connex)
• Types of services provided: Mobile telecommunications services (voice calls, SMS, data, mobile internet) and broadband internet services (through UPC Romania subsidiary).
• Speed: ranked second mobile internet speed in Romania
• Coverage: Offers wide coverage across Romania, including both urban and rural areas.

II. Vodafone Coverage in Romania

In Romania, Vodafone ranks second in terms of active users. 90% of the population is covered by its strong 3G/4G coverage. Here are the key findings:

• With a shared score of 10.6%, Vodafone is the second Romanian operator to win the 5G Availability award.
• Vodafone had high overall availability of 96.3% of time. This means users generally had a connection. This indicates that users were connected in general.
• While its nearest competitors spend roughly 13% of their time connected to an active 5G network, Vodafone subscribers spend 10.6% of their time doing so.

III. Vodafone Speed in Romania

Vodafone ranked second mobile internet speed in Romania. According to Opensignal’s measurements from July 2023, here are the following details:

• Average download speed on Vodafone was 31.3 Mbps while upload speed averaged at 11.6 Mbps. 
• Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs also had the lowest 5G download speed at 111.4 Mbps, around half of what Orange achieved.

Vodafone’s highest recorded 5G download speed was 31.3 Mbps. This speed is adequate for streaming, navigation, applications, online browsing, and more. You might use this operator for your upcoming trip to Romania due to its speed and coverage.

IV. Types of Vodafone Romania SIM Card Options for Tourists

For visitors to Romania, there are 4 connectivity options of Vodafone to stay connected: buying a SIM card; renting a pocket WiFi; and roaming. Vodafone also offers consumers eSIM in addition. But only certain phone models support eSIM, so be sure to double-check before you buy.

The advantages and disadvantages of the top connectivity choices for visitors to Romania are listed below: 

Option	Pros	Cons
Vodafone SIM Card	– Cost-effective for extended stays, – Wide network coverage in Romania, – Can be used for calls and data, – Keeps your phone number active	– Requires purchase of a SIM card, – Registration process at store, – May not be ideal for short trips, – Top-up required for additional data
eSIM	– No need for local SIM card, – Often works seamlessly with your existing plan	– Limited availability in some destinations, – May require unlocking your phone
Pocket WiFi Rental	– Shares data with multiple devices, – Convenient option for group travel, – No need for registration	– Additional rental cost, – Battery life limitations, – Potential for damage or loss fees
Roaming	Utilize the current number and supplier.	– High roaming charges, – Data usage can be expensive, – Limited network coverage in some areas

Therefore, it is evident that the most dependable and affordable option is Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs, which enables visitors to use their mobile devices continuously and to the fullest extent possible throughout their stay in Romania. 

V. Top Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs for Tourists & Prices

While details on prepaid SIM cards in Romania might be limited, Romania Vodafone appears to stand out for tourists with their diverse eSIM plans available for purchase online before your trip. Here are some Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs plans for tourists:

Type	Data	Call	Duration	Price
SIM Card	75GB (Only in Romania)	1000 mins	28 days	7$
eSIM	5GB (45+ countries included)	None	10 days	13$
	10GB (45+ countries included)	None	15 days	24$
	20GB (45+ countries included)	None	30 days	38$

The data included in your plan starts counting down from the moment you first connect to the Vodafone network in Romania. Vodafone Romania eSIM provides internet access only. You won’t receive a phone number to be able to make calls and send texts. 

VI. Where to Buy Vodafone Romania SIM cards for tourists?

There are three ways to buy a Vodafone SIM card in Romania: kiosks at airports, Vodafone stores, and other authorized retail stores. 

1. Buy Vodafone SIM at Romania airports

At major airports in Romania, like Henri Coandă International Airport (Otopeni Airport) in Bucharest, you can conveniently purchase a Vodafone SIM card upon arrival at a few locations:

• Relay Stores: These stores are often found in the arrivals area and generally have extended hours to cater to travelers.  You should be able to find Vodafone SIM cards alongside other travel essentials.
• Carrefour Express:  This convenience store chain may also have a location within the airport terminal, offering Vodafone SIM cards along with snacks, drinks, and travel necessities.

Compared to Vodafone stores outside the airport, the selection of plans and data packages may be more limited at airport retailers. You’ll also need to show your passport or take a picture to register the SIM card in Romania.

2. Buy Vodafone SIM in Romania city center

Vodafone has a wide network of retail stores across Romania city center, making it easy to find one near you. These stores offer a wider selection of SIM cards and plans than airport kiosks, and you can also get assistance from staff if you need help choosing the right plan.

You can find Vodafone official store in Bulevardul General Gheorghe Magheru 1, București, Romania. You can also visit the Vodafone Romania website to find a store near you. 

Vodafone SIM cards are also sold at numerous locations throughout the nation by independent businesses such supermarkets, convenience stores, and newsagents. Travelers should check the store’s reputation before making a purchase. Making sure your phone is compatible with Romania’s networks is also crucial.

3. Buy Vodafone SIM online before departure

Several internet shops, including Gigago and Maya Mobile, sell pre-activated Vodafone SIM cards for Romania. These cards are normally delivered to your house before your trip.

You can explore purchasing an eSIM for Romania from online retailers. This option allows for immediate activation without the need for a physical SIM card. Gigago offers Romania eSIM plans that you can purchase and install directly on your compatible smartphone before you leave. This is a much more convenient and efficient option.

VII. Where to Buy Vodafone Romania eSIM for tourists?

Vodafone Romania travel eSIM, which is a wonderful alternative to a typical SIM card, provides several benefits to travelers. You may buy online and install it easily; there is no need to change your original SIM card. You will avoid time-consuming steps like passport presentation and difficult registration.

Make sure you buy a Vodafone Romania travel eSIM from a trustworthy eSIM provider before departing. Gigago is a popular travel eSIM supplier with several advantages including affordable pricing, a wide range of eSIM packages, and a stable connection.

Explore Romania thoroughly with Gigago Romania eSIM packages, starting at just $3.00 for 500MB of data in 3 days. Gigago offers a variety of choices, ranging from $3.00 – $95.90 , suitable for all travelers’ needs.

VIII. How to Top-up Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs

You can recharge your Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs anytime online through any of these methods:

• My Vodafone App: Access your Vodafone account, top up your Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs, and make the payment using your credit card anywhere.
• Ding Website: There are many different top-up plans for you to choose from. Simply enter your Vodafone Romania SIM card number (not available for Vodafone tourist eSIM), and Ding will guide you through the payment process, accepting a wide range of payment options.

IX. FAQs about Vodafone Romania SIM cards & eSIMs

X. Conclusion

To sum up, staying connected while traveling in Romania is easy with Vodafone. They offer both Vodafone SIM cards and eSIM options, ensuring you have mobile internet access throughout your trip. By choosing Vodafone, you benefit from their extensive network coverage and potentially faster 4.5G speeds in major cities. Remember to compare plans and choose the data allowance that best suits your needs. With Vodafone, you can explore Romania with peace of mind, knowing you’ll have a reliable connection to stay informed, navigate, and share your experiences.