Quick Answer
- Romania has excellent mobile internet — fast 4G/5G coverage throughout Bucharest.
- Prepaid SIM cards from Orange, Vodafone, or Digi cost 5-10 EUR with generous data (50-100 GB).
- Buy SIMs at any Orange/Vodafone/Digi store with your passport. Airport SIMs are available but pricier.
- Free WiFi is widely available in cafes, restaurants, hotels, and shopping malls.
Mobile Internet in Romania
Romania has some of the fastest and cheapest mobile internet in Europe. 4G coverage is excellent throughout Bucharest, and 5G is increasingly available in central areas. You won’t have connectivity issues.
EU Roaming
If you have an EU/EEA mobile plan, your data, calls, and texts work in Romania at no extra cost under EU roaming regulations. Check your plan’s fair-use data allowance — most plans include generous roaming data.
If you’re from outside the EU, a local prepaid SIM is the best option.
Prepaid SIM Cards
Orange (Recommended for Tourists)
The largest network with the best coverage. Orange stores are everywhere in Bucharest.
- Tourist-friendly prepaid plans starting at ~25 RON (€5)
- Data: 50-100 GB per month on most plans
- Validity: 30 days, rechargeable
- Stores: Mall of Bucharest, Baneasa Shopping City, Unirea Shopping Center, and dozens of street locations
- Airport: Orange kiosk in Arrivals hall at Henri Coanda Airport
Vodafone
Second-largest operator with excellent 4G/5G coverage.
- Prepaid plans from ~20 RON (€4)
- Data: 30-100 GB depending on plan
- Stores: Widely available in malls and central Bucharest
- Airport: Available at the airport
Digi (RCS & RDS)
Romania’s budget operator. Cheapest option with surprisingly good coverage in Bucharest.
- Prepaid plans from ~15 RON (€3)
- Data: Very generous — often unlimited or 100+ GB
- Coverage: Excellent in Bucharest, less reliable in very rural areas
- Stores: Fewer locations than Orange/Vodafone, but available in major malls
How to Buy a SIM
- Bring your passport — required by Romanian law for SIM registration
- Visit any operator store (not a reseller kiosk)
- Tell them you want a prepaid SIM (“cartela prepay” in Romanian)
- Choose your plan — staff usually speak English
- They’ll activate it on the spot — takes 5-10 minutes
At the airport: SIM cards are available in the Arrivals hall, but expect to pay slightly more. If you arrive late at night, airport kiosks may be closed — buy one the next day in the city.
WiFi Availability
Free WiFi is widely available in Bucharest:
- Cafes and restaurants: Almost all offer free WiFi. Ask staff for the password.
- Hotels and hostels: Universal, usually good speed
- Shopping malls: Free WiFi throughout (Baneasa Shopping City, Promenada, AFI Cotroceni)
- Public spaces: Some parks and plazas have municipal WiFi (spotty quality)
- Public transport: Not available on buses/trams. Some metro stations have WiFi.
eSIM Option
If your phone supports eSIM, you can purchase an eSIM online before arriving. Providers like Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad offer Romania data plans starting at €5-10 for 1-5 GB. Convenient but typically more expensive per GB than a local SIM.
Practical Tips
- Romania uses European plugs (Type C and F). Bring an adapter if needed.
- Download offline Google Maps of Bucharest before you arrive — useful as a backup
- WhatsApp, Google Maps, Bolt, and Uber are the essential apps for getting around
- Public WiFi is generally safe, but avoid banking or sensitive transactions on open networks
