Your detailed Guide to Getting a Romania SIM card

Traveling to Romania is more convenient and easier with Romanian SIM cards. In this guide, visitors will be equipped with useful tips (prices and plans, where to buy,..) on finding the best SIM card plan for their travel in Romania

I. Why choose a prepaid Romania SIM card over roaming?

Using a local prepaid card when visiting Romania has its advantages over the bulky roaming prices. Here’s why a local SIM might be the better option:

• Affordable Rates: Local prepaid SIM cards in Romania are cheaper than the international roaming charges for calls, SMSs and even data usage in Romania.
• Better Coverage: Romanian’s key vendors are Orange, Vodafone and Telekom providers who provide expansive coverages that guarantee consistent service in urban and rural regions.
• Flexible Plans: From this, one can subscribe to several plans based on one’s needs, for instance, if you need more data for browsing or more minutes for calls.
• Quick and Easy Activation: Prepaid SIM cards are easily acquired and registered upon purchase, making them ready to use immediately.
• Local Number: Local contact numbers make calling locals and accessing essential services easier and more accessible.

II. Romania SIM card type – Which is the best for tourists?

The citizens of Romania have inexhaustible facilities to get a new SIM card each time they go to the tourist-based area of the country. Here’s an overview to help you choose the best one for your trip:

1. Prepaid Romania SIM card

Prepaid SIM cards are highly recommended to any tourist wishing to access cheap means of communication and the internet when travelling in Romania.

Pros:

• Easy to Access: Available in airports, convenience stores, and mobile shops.
• Affordable Plans: Low-priced calls, text messages, and internet plans.
• Local Number: Includes Romanian number for convenient local services.

✨ Ideal for: Local communication and low internet cost

Cons:

• Device Compatibility: Ensure the unlocked telephone is compatible with Romanian network frequencies.
• Physical SIM Swap: Swap required, potentially disruptive during travel.

2. Prepaid Romania eSIM

A prepaid eSIM Romania is a contemporary, digital replacement to physical SIM cards for travelers who use cellphones that are eSIM-compatible.

Romania eSIM has changed the way people connect to the internet, here is why:

• No physical card is required: eSIMs are built into your smartphone, enabling you to retain your primary SIM card intact.
• Quick Online Setup: Purchase and activate your eSIM online to save visiting a physical shop.
• Suitable for dual SIM functionality: Because eSIMs do not need a physical slot, they are ideal for utilizing two numbers concurrently.

However, eSIM still has drawbacks:

• Limited Device Support: Limited to devices supporting eSIM, cell phone compatibility required.
• No Local Number: ESIM primarily offers data, lacks local numbers, not ideal for calls.
• Not available on all devices: eSIM is not supported on older or budget phones.

III. How much does a Romania prepaid tourist SIM card/ eSIM cost?

The average price of a SIM card is between €5 and €15, while small bundles of data plans start at about €5. Depending on the amount of data and the length of the plan, larger data plans could cost more. The operator and data plan you choose will affect the cost of a prepaid SIM card in Romania.

IV. Romania  eSIM – Alternative to SIM card with unlimited data/data and calls for Romania 

Romania provides eSIM services through which customers enable them to connect to mobile networks without physically owning SIM cards. This is ideal for individuals who would wish to have free access to data and calls while on a country tour.

A Romania eSIM offers a variety of advantages for travellers and residents alike:

Consider using Romania eSIM from europe-esim.com as the #1 eSIM provider in Romania which provide multiple plans for any traveling’s budget.

V. Buying a prepaid Romania SIM card – Where to buy?

Here’s a detailed breakdown of where tourists can buy Romanian SIM cards:

Buying a prepaid Romania SIM card at the airports

Romania tourists can find Romania SIM cards at major airports such as Henri Coanda (Otopeni) Airport, Cluj International Airport, Timisoara Airport.

• Pros: Immediate activation of English-speaking staff, convenient location to find and buy SIM cards.

• Cons: Higher prices (10-15% more), limited time for comparison and can be busy during peak hours

Buying a prepaid Romania SIM card in city center

Romania SIM cards also available in several spots in city center:

1. Bucharest

• Bucuresti Mall
• AFI Cotroceni Mall
• Unirii Shopping Center
• Calea Victoriei

2. Cluj-Napoca

• VIVO! Shopping Center
• Iulius Mall
• Central area (Piata Unirii)

3. Timisoara

• Iulius Mall
• Shopping City Timisoara

4. Brasov

• Coresi Shopping Resort
• AFI Brasov

The physical stores from major mobile operators such as Vodafone, Orange, and DIGI also offer comprehensive plans for visitors.

• Pros: Best prices, more plans to compare with full service available, more locations to visit.
• Cons: Need to travel from the airport, can be crowded at peak hours, variable English proficiency.

🔔 Read also: Buying a SIM Card at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP)

VI. How to use a Romania SIM card

To use a Romania SIM card, follow these simple steps:

1. Purchase a SIM card: Available in stores, airports, convenience stores, and authorized shops.
2. Insert the SIM card: Ensure the card fits well on your phone.
3. Activate the card: Enter the code provided in the SIM card directions.
4. Top-up or select a plan: Click on a local store or purchase a prepaid deal.
5. Test the connection: Use call or mobile data to check if the SIM is functional.

With these steps, you are now set to make calls and use the internet with your Romania SIM card.

VII. How much mobile data do you need when travelling to Romania?

When in Romania it is also important to consider your mobile data usage as you may not access free Wi-Fi during your visit. Here’s a quick guide to help you decide how much data you’ll need:

• 1-2GB per day: For online searching, map services, and social networks mostly.
• 5-10GB for heavier use: If you intend to watch videos, listen to music, or indulge in browsing heavy data usage applications.
• Local SIM cards: Offer the data packages at a reasonable price depending on the client’s need.
• Consider a larger plan: Either if you are going to be their tenant for a longer time or if you have to do more downloads.

That way you can keep on connecting without worrying about those rather steep overage charges.

VIII. Best mobile operators in Romania  

The table below is a comparison of the major mobile operators in Romania, with key features to help tourists pick the most suitable one themselves:

Operator	Network Coverage	Services	Monthly Cost Range (USD)	Notes
Orange	Best overall	Comprehensive plans (voice, data, 5G), roaming	$10–$50	Leader in coverage and quality
Vodafone	Excellent	Competitive plans with 5G, roaming, and international options	$10–$45	Strong competition to Orange
Telekom	Good	Voice, data (up to 4G), some 5G availability	$9–$40	Focuses on affordability
Digi Mobile	Moderate	Budget-friendly, high data allowances	$5–$20	Best value for cost

Recommendation:

• Orange Romania is often considered the best operator due to its excellent coverage, reliability, and strong 5G performance. It dominates the market alongside Vodafone, holding a significant share of mobile subscriptions.
• If cost is a key factor, Digi Mobil offers excellent value for budget-conscious users. However, its coverage and service quality may not match Orange’s, especially in rural areas

IX. Tips on using prepaid SIM cards in Romania  

It is possible to more or less improve one’s travel by employing an Amsterdam SIM card, or more specifically, a SIM card for Romania. Here are some pragmatic approaches to help you get the most out of your convenience and control the process:

• Check Compatibility: Make sure that your phone is unlocked and compatible with Dutch networks.
• Choose the Right Plan: Select a plan that meets the company’s data requirement and the organization’s monetary capacity.
• Activate Before Use: As highlighted in the activation instructions, ensure you do not waste time.
• Monitor Your Usage: Do not overuse data since this may run out.
• Use Wi-Fi When Possible: Ensure you minimize the use of data by using Wcab and any other free internet connection available.

If you follow these tips, you get through with the prepaid SIM card which is very useful in a long holiday in Romania for the purpose of communication and data connection.

X. FAQs about buying Romania SIM cards

XI. Conclusion

In conclusion, obtaining a Romanian SIM card is necessary for dependable, reasonably priced connectivity when on the road. Look at the services and packages that suit your needs and schedule. Consider using an eSIM Romania option if your device is eSIM compatible for immediate activation without a physical card. Using a Romania SIM card or eSIM Romania to stay connected will facilitate communication and navigation during your trip.