Romania

If you’re traveling to Romania and landing at Bucharest Henri Coandă International Airport (OTP), chances are you’ll want mobile data immediately.

I’ve personally bought prepaid SIM cards at Bucharest Airport and also tested multiple eSIMs for Romania. In this updated 2026 guide, I’ll show you exactly:

• where to buy a SIM card at Bucharest Airport
• current airport SIM card prices
• the cheapest options for budget travelers
• why I usually choose an eSIM for Romania instead
• and what I recommend based on real experience

Finding the best eSIM for Romania used to be complicated. These days, it’s honestly one of the easiest ways to get mobile data while traveling in Romania.

I’ve been testing SIM cards and eSIMs around the world for years and Romania is no exception. From arriving at Bucharest Airport to traveling through Transylvania and smaller towns, I’ve personally used both physical SIM cards and multiple Romania eSIMs.

In this guide I share my real-world experience, compare the best eSIM providers for Romania in 2026, and explain which option offers the best value for tourists.

Last update: July 2026

My Recommendation: Best eSIM for Romania in 2026

If you just want the short answer:

Airalo is my overall recommendation for most travelers visiting Romania.

🎁 Exclusive Airalo discount for Traveltomtom readers: get 20% off with coupon code TT20. Valid until mid July 2026 and only for first-time Airalo users.

It consistently offers competitive pricing, reliable local networks, easy installation, and flexible data packages. I’ve personally used Airalo in Romania and across Europe, and it’s the eSIM I still default to when I want something simple that just works.

That said, depending on your travel style, providers like Saily, SimOptions, Holafly, GigSky, or Roamless might suit you better. I’ll explain all of them below but if you want a great eSIM for traveling all around Europe I recommend SimOptions. They have lots of eSIMs valid in all of Europe.

Whichever option you choose, buying an eSIM online before flying to Romania saves time, avoids airport queues, and usually costs less than buying a SIM card after arrival.

Best eSIMs for Romania Compared (2026)

*Prices change frequently. Always check the provider website for the latest deals.

Why I Prefer eSIMs Over Physical SIM Cards in Romania

I’ve bought local SIM cards at Bucharest Airport before. It works, but it’s not ideal.

You’ll usually deal with language barriers, limited plan choices, queues after landing, and higher tourist prices. On my last arrival at OTP Airport, I filmed the entire process for my YouTube channel and it reminded me why I now almost always use eSIMs.

With an eSIM, everything is arranged before you fly:

• No passport registration at the airport
• No swapping physical SIM cards
• Instant activation upon landing
• You keep your WhatsApp number

For me, that convenience alone makes eSIMs the smarter option.

Airalo Romania eSIM – Best Overall Pick

Airalo is my go-to eSIM provider for Romania in 2026.

They offer local Romania plans and Europe-wide eSIMs, which is perfect if Romania is part of a longer trip. Setup takes about two minutes, and I’ve consistently had good speeds in Bucharest, Brasov, Sibiu, and Cluj-Napoca.

Airalo uses major Romanian networks and supports 4G/5G where available.

This is the eSIM I personally recommend for most travelers.

Click here to order an eSIM from Airalo.

🎁 Exclusive Airalo discount for Traveltomtom readers: get 20% off with coupon code TT20. Valid until mid July 2026 and only for first-time Airalo users.

Saily Romania eSIM – Great for First-Time eSIM Users

Saily offers clean, easy-to-understand plans with fast activation. If you’re new to eSIMs and want something straightforward, Saily is a solid choice.

I like their simple interface and transparent pricing. Coverage in Romania is reliable and comparable to Airalo.

Click here to order a Saily eSIM for Romania.

Here is my Saily Review for more information.

SimOptions – Best for Europe Trips Including Romania

If Romania is just one stop on a bigger Europe itinerary, SimOptions becomes very interesting.

Their regional Europe eSIMs often offer large data packages that work across multiple countries. I’ve used SimOptions on multi-country trips where I didn’t want to keep switching eSIMs.

Click here for more info or to order an eSIM from SimOptions.

For more information about SimOptions check out my independent review.

Holafly – Unlimited Data eSIM for Romania

Holafly focuses on unlimited data plans.

This can be appealing if you stream a lot or work remotely. Just be aware that unlimited plans usually come with fair-use policies and don’t always allow hotspot sharing. Holafly uses a FUP but does not specify what the exact limits are.

Click here to order a Holafly eSIM.

GigSky – Good for Short Stays

GigSky offers smaller data packages that work well for short visits to Romania. If you’re only in Bucharest for a couple of days, this can be a budget-friendly option.

Click here to order a Gigsky eSIM.

For more information about GigSky check out my honest and full review.

Roamless – Flexible Pay-As-You-Go Option

Roamless works differently from most providers. You preload credit and only pay for what you use.

I like Roamless for travelers who don’t know how much data they’ll need or who travel frequently to different countries.

Click here to order a Roamless eSIM.

Check out my extensive Roamless review for more info.

Orange

Orange is one of the mobile internet providers in Romania. You can not order an Orange Romania eSIM online, you can only buy them in an Orange store in Romania.

These local eSIMs give you the best value for money and you already get about 100 GB data for just $10 USD, including local calls.

There is no EU data roaming included. So for traveling around Europe it is not recommended. Therefore you better order a sim card for traveling in Europe online.

What is the cheapest eSIM for Romania?

There are already eSIMs starting from $1 USD, but not directly from recommended eSIM providers. Airalo has eSIMs starting from just $4 USD.

Is Romania eSIM Coverage Good?

Yes. Romania has excellent mobile infrastructure.

In my experience, speeds are fast in cities and surprisingly solid even in rural areas. All major eSIM providers connect to top Romanian networks, so coverage is rarely an issue.

For a comparison of the best mobile data network in Romania check my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Romania.

Can Your Phone Use eSIM in Romania?

Most modern phones support eSIM, including newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy devices, Google Pixel, and many others.

Always double-check compatibility before buying.

Also make sure your phone is unlocked. eSIMs only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.

Conclusion: What Is the Best eSIM for Romania in 2026?

After personally testing multiple providers, Airalo remains my top recommendation for Romania. It offers the best balance between price, performance, and ease of use.

🎁 Exclusive Airalo discount for Traveltomtom readers: get 20% off with coupon code TT20. Valid until mid July 2026 and only for first-time Airalo users.

If you’re traveling through Europe, SimOptions is a great alternative. For unlimited data, Holafly is worth considering. For flexibility, Roamless stands out.

As someone who travels full-time and reviews SIM cards professionally, I strongly recommend buying your Romania eSIM online before departure. It’s cheaper, easier, and saves you time at Bucharest Airport.

Traveltomtom eSIM discount codes

Get yourself an extra discount when ordering an eSIM, use the following codes at checkout:

• Jetpac = TOMTOM10  - first users get 10% discount
• Sim Local = TRAVELTOMTOM - 15% discount on all eSIMs
• SimOptions = TRAVELTOMTOM - 10% discount on all eSIMs
• Airalo = TOMTOM3 - first users get $3 USD off
• Holafly = TRAVELTOMTOM - 5% discount on all eSIMs

If you want more Romania travel tips, SIM card guides, and honest eSIM reviews, check out the rest of my articles on Traveltomtom. 

If you’re traveling to Romania and want to stay connected, buying a prepaid SIM card is still a popular option. I’ve personally bought tourist SIM cards in Romania multiple times, including in Bucharest, and in this guide I explain exactly how and where to do it in 2026.

As a full-time travel blogger who reviews SIM cards worldwide, I also share an easier alternative: eSIMs. But this article is written for travelers who still prefer walking into a phone shop and buying a physical prepaid SIM card.

Planning a trip to Romania and wondering how to spend 1 week seeing some of the most amazing places to visit? In this travel blog you can find a road trip itinerary for Romania for 7 days. Renting a car is easy, affordable and the best way to explore the country. Traveling to Romania is full of surprises.