Romania surprises many visitors with how fast its mobile internet is — Bucharest and the Transylvanian cities have strong 4G and 5G, and travel data is cheap. The gaps are in the Carpathians, on the Transfăgărășan high road and in the Danube Delta. Near the Moldovan and Ukrainian borders, phones can also join networks outside the EU.
Short answer: a 5–10GB Romania plan installed before you fly suits most trips. Download offline maps before mountain drives and the Danube Delta.
What a Romania eSIM costs
At the time of writing (October 2026), Wanderly's Romania plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with 10GB for 30 days around $8 and 20GB for 15 days around $12. The median across data-only Romania plans is about $0.80 per GB — well under the $1.43 median across 187 countries in the Wanderly eSIM Price Index.
Do you need an eSIM with your phone plan?
EU plans roam in Romania at domestic rates, subject to fair use. UK, US and Canadian plans usually charge for roaming. See eSIM vs international plan.
Networks and coverage
Romania's networks are Orange, Vodafone and Digi. Travel eSIMs connect to a partner network automatically.
- Bucharest (including the metro): excellent 4G and 5G.
- Brașov, Sibiu, Sighișoara, Cluj-Napoca: excellent.
- Bran Castle and Peleș Castle: good coverage.
- Transfăgărășan and Transalpina roads: coverage near the ends and at some stops; long gaps over the high passes.
- Carpathian hikes (Bucegi, Piatra Craiului): patchy on trails.
- Danube Delta: coverage in Tulcea and the main villages; limited on the waterways.
- Painted monasteries of Bucovina and Maramureș: good in towns, weaker in rural valleys.
The Moldovan and Ukrainian borders are outside the EU. In border areas, keep your home line's data roaming off.
How much data you need
| Trip | Suggested data |
|---|---|
| Bucharest city break | 1–3 GB |
| One week in Transylvania | 5 GB |
| Two-week road trip | 10 GB |
| Remote work | 20 GB+ |
See how much data you need for travel.
Romania on a wider trip
Combining Romania with Hungary, Bulgaria or Serbia? Serbia is outside the EU, and a Romania-only plan covers Romania. See the best eSIM for Europe and check every country on a bundle's list. Heading to Poland too? See the best eSIM for Poland.
Setting it up
- 1Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility checker.
- 2Install the eSIM over WiFi before you fly — iPhone or Android steps.
- 3On arrival, select the eSIM for mobile data and turn on data roaming for that line.
FAQ
How much does an eSIM for Romania cost? Wanderly Romania plans start at $2.99 for 1GB, with a median of about $0.80 per GB.
Is there signal on the Transfăgărășan? Near the ends and at some stops; expect long gaps over the high pass.
Is there coverage in the Danube Delta? In Tulcea and the main villages; limited on the waterways.
Does my EU plan work in Romania? Yes, under EU roaming rules, subject to fair use.
Which networks do travel eSIMs use in Romania? They connect automatically to Orange, Vodafone or Digi.