The best eSIM for Romania depends on how much data you need, but for a typical trip eSIM Ahora offers plans from $0.96, activated by QR code in about 30 seconds with no roaming from your home carrier. A 3 GB, 30-day plan costs $2.45. You connect, with top-ups available and nationwide coverage. It includes EU roaming if you continue your trip across Europe. Compatible with iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Google Pixel 3+.
Full-speed data every day; after the daily cap the speed is reduced.
Full speed up to 500 MB/day, then 512 Kbps.
Every eSIM can be installed within 180 days of purchase. Plan validity starts when you first connect.
Your eSIM picks between these networks on its own. If you see bars and nothing loads, you can pick one by hand.
Your Romania eSIM runs on Orange and Vodafone, and your phone picks whichever has the better signal. Other local networks won't carry your data: if you see signal bars and nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection (iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Network Selection; Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your eSIM) and pick Orange or Vodafone by hand.
Orange, Vodafone, Digi and Telekom Romania cover the country with 5G across Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Timișoara, Iași and Brașov. Romania has some of Europe's most affordable 5G per gigabyte. Transylvanian Carpathians (Brașov, Sibiu, Sinaia) have solid coverage in valleys and tourist hubs — high peaks and remote Bucovina monasteries can have weak signal. Danube Delta: 4G in Tulcea and main channels, weak in inner branches. Romania is in the EU roam-like-at-home zone. Type C/F European plugs, 230V/50Hz.
Fly into Bucharest-Otopeni (OTP) or Cluj (CLJ); express bus 783 to Bucharest center ~7 lei (~1.5€). Currency Romanian leu (RON), ~5 RON per euro — cheaper than Western EU but no longer ultra-budget (mid-range dinner 10-18€). Bucharest has the world's second-largest government building (Palace of Parliament). Brașov, Sibiu and Sighișoara are Saxon medieval gems. Bran Castle (Dracula association) near Brașov. CFR trains are slow but cheap; FlixBus and coaches are faster. Visa/Mastercard widely accepted.