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How to Get Wifi in Romania: Guide for Travelers
10 June 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
Whether you’re going to Bucharest or Transylvania, there’s nothing scarier than being without an internet connection when you need it.
While the beautiful painted monasteries of Bukovina and the Bioshgere Reserve of the Danube Delta will keep you off your phone and social media, an internet connection can be used to find out what something means in Romanian, look up directions, or contact your hotel or accommodation before you get home after a day trip.
There are plenty of ways to stay connected in Romania, which boasts the third-fastest mobile data connections in the world and over 80% network coverage across the country.
Generally, renting a pocket wifi is the most preferred option for travelers in Europe. However, since every trip to Romania is different, so is every way you can stay connected when you travel there. Here are the different ways to connect, the pros and cons of each, and how much you can expect to pay.
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Romania
There are five main ways for tourists to access the internet: Pocket WiFi, prepaid SIM cards, eSIM cards, international data roaming from their domestic mobile carrier, or local free WiFi networks. While free WiFi networks are available in many public places, it’s important to note that the quality and reliability of these networks can vary.
While pocket WiFi typically provides the fastest and most stable connections, especially in areas with a weaker single, it’s essential to understand the pros, cons, and cost of each connection type to choose the one that’s right for you and your group.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi is a dedicated device that connects to a mobile network and creates a WiFi network for your other devices (smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.).
Typically small and light, these devices are sometimes known as MiFi or portable mobile hotspots. Since they can connect several devices simultaneously, they’re not just handy, they’re a reliable companion for people traveling in groups or solo travelers with several WiFi-enabled devices, ensuring you’re always connected when you need to be.
Travelers rent these devices from providers, either having them shipped to them before they leave or picking them up at their destination in an airport, parcel shop, or even their accommodation.
Pros
Since pocket WIFi routers tend to have a better antenna than what you’d find in your average smartphone, they’re much better in rural areas like Maramureș.
As a dedicated device that only provides an internet connection to other devices, it also has better battery life than tethering a connection from a smartphone or other mobile device.
If your trip to Romania is part of a larger trip to other countries, you can rent pocket WiFi across Europe with a single device.
Cons
The downside is that you must take the device with you, and if you’re traveling light, it’s one more thing to worry about. However, most devices are smaller than smartphones, and even devices aren’t much bigger than a USB stick.
Cost
The most popular pocket WiFi provider for travelers in Romania is Hippocketwifi, offering the best value for money. There are other providers too, such as TravelWiFi, RentConnect, and MyWebspot. Here are the pocket wifi costs for each provider:
- Hippocketwifi costs between €4.90 and €7.90 per day for 1GB of daily data or between €6.90 and €9.90 per day for unlimited data. The longer you rent, the cheaper it works out each day. You can rent your pocket wifi in Romania here.
- MyWebspot costs €9.50 per day. You can choose an unlimited high-speed connection for an extra €2.90 each day.
- RentConnect costs $6.99 per day for an unlimited 4G mobile hotspot.
from
3.95€
per day
Your rental must be at least 3 days
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€For days in with data plan
SIM Cards
You can buy a domestic prepaid SIM card to access the internet from your smartphone while in Romania. Three of Romania’s four domestic network operators offer these: Orange, Vodafone, and Telekom Mobile. Digi doesn’t provide a prepaid solution.
Prepaid SIM cards are more suitable for tourists as they allow you to control your spending and avoid unexpected bills.
Buying a prepaid SIM card is a straightforward process. You simply purchase the card, insert it into your phone, register it, or set it up (if required), and you’re ready to start browsing. It’s that easy.
Pros
This solution is simple because your phone isn’t locked to a single network. Check if this is the case before you buy.
Cons
A SIM card or any connection that uses your smartphone’s antenna won’t be as good as a pocket WIFi connection in remote areas or anywhere with a weaker single.
You also won’t be able to use your everyday number if you have to remove your other SIM card (many smartphones only have one SIM card slot). You can still be reached on web-based apps like WhatsApp, Skype, Messenger, etc.
Cost
Orange PrePay SIM cards can be purchased at newsstands and Orange shops. If you order them online to a Romanian address, they can be picked up for free. A €5 SIM card comes with €6 of credit.
Data packs are available for between €5 and €16 for between 5GB and 16GB with plenty of bonus data (between 150GB and 460GB, valid exclusively in Romania).
Vodafone’s prepaid SIM card “Cartela Vodafone” for €5 with €6.20 of credit in newsstands and Vodafone stores. Data starts at €4 for 117GB or €15 for unlimited data within Romania.
Telekom Mobile also offers a SIM card starter pack that you can pick up in Magazin, their brand stores. However, you can only top up with a Romanian credit card or by buying vouchers. 2GB of data starts at €2 and €12 for 15GB. However, the “Net Nelimitat” option unlocks unlimited data for 28 days.
eSIM
An eSIM is essentially a virtual SIM card. More modern smartphones have a dedicated chipset that allows you to configure SIM cards. You do this by buying or contracting the service and following the instructions.
Pros
For eSIM-compatible devices, eSIM cards offer a level of flexibility that physical SIM cards can’t match. They allow users to swap SIM cards without inserting or removing any physical SIM cards, giving you the freedom to switch networks as you please.
Cons
Since eSIM cards also use your phone’s antenna, they won’t be as good at picking up weaker signals as a pocket WiFi device.
It doesn’t provide a convenient way to connect laptops or computers to the internet. Instead, you’ll need to tether them to your smartphone’s connection, which will make it slower and drain the battery.
Cost
The Airalo Noroc eSIM cards cost between $4.50 and $32 for 1GB over 7 days and 20GB over 30 days, with various options in between.
GoMoWorld offers 3GB for €3.99 or 30GB for €19.99.
Orange offers the Holiday Europe eSIM cards that offer 1GB for €4.99, 12GB for €19.99, 30GB for €39.99, and 50GB for €49.99.
Data Roaming International Plan
Suppose you don’t rent a pocket WiFi device in Romania, SIM, or eSIM. In that case, you can always contract international data roaming through your domestic mobile carrier.
In this case, your usual mobile carrier will provide coverage using a partner network in Romania.
Pros
International data roaming is relatively easy to set up. Contact your mobile network carrier by calling, sending an SMS, or using their website or app.
Cons
International data roaming is usually slower than the other connections since you’re using a partner network.
Cost
The cost of data roaming can vary wildly depending on your network carrier. Unplanned data roaming can cost a fortune. Some networks will charge users disgusting amounts simply for connecting to the internet when they land in Romania. Be careful!
Use Free WiFi
Suppose you need internet options when traveling in and around Romania. In that case, you can always look to local businesses, public spaces, and anywhere else offering a WiFi network you can connect to.
While far from the best option, using free WiFi is better than not having internet access, but not by much.
Pros
Free WiFi might help you out of a tight spot when you need directions, to message someone, or to check some information.
Cons
These WiFi networks mightn’t be secure or even set up by scammers to steal tourists’ sensitive information.
In busy areas, these networks can also be incredibly slow and unreliable.
Cost
Using these networks will usually cost nothing, though some premium public WiFi networks will charge for higher-speed access or if you want to use them for longer than 30 minutes.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Romania Trip
Now that
you know your options, it’s time to make your decision. Pocket WiFi usually offers the fastest and stablest internet connections, but since every traveler is different, think about it.
Rental Duration
The longer you rent pocket WiFi or use a SIM or eSIM solution, the less you tend to pay for it. Consider the length of your trip and compare the prices for the solutions according to how long you’ll need them.
Data Limit
Not every user uses the same amount of data. Many of the solutions available in Romania offer more data than you could possibly need. However, you can still check your phone’s settings to see your typical data use.
Usage
Business travelers may need to pay a premium for 5G connections rather than 4G connections. 4G connections are fast enough for most everyday use, casual travelers, or families.
However, if you are making video calls or sending large files, it can pay to opt for a 5G option, as it’s typically 100 times faster than 4G.
Connectivity
From the Carpathian Mountains to the Iza Valley, Romania has plenty of places with beautiful villages and traditional wooden houses. In areas with limited connectivity or weaker mobile network signals, you’ll want to choose a solution like pocket WiFi that provides faster and better connections.
