Internet
Yes
Calls
No
SMS
No
4G
Yes
Works only on unlocked eSIM-supported devices — check your phone compatibility before purchase
Most packages do not include calls or SMS
Choose one of three methods:
Scan QR code
Install via 'Quick Install' button
Manual setup through phone settings
Use the package within 3 months from purchase
Local (one country), Regional (multiple countries), Global (many countries)
Not available for Sicily
Bulgaria suits independent travel: in one holiday you can see ancient Plovdiv, the fortress of Veliko Tarnovo, Rila Monastery and the Black Sea coast. Between towns and mountain villages you travel by bus, train and rental car, and navigation, bookings and taxis are increasingly handled from the phone. An eSIM is installed at home and lets you switch on internet right after landing, with no hunt for Wi-Fi or a point of sale.
This page is the quickest way to buy a travel eSIM for Bulgaria from 3 500 ₸. Pick a plan, pay online and install the digital SIM card at home before the flight — no passport and no queue at an airport kiosk.
The eSIM connects to local mobile networks, so you have data wherever they have coverage — Sofia and the rest of the country.
Compared with roaming in Bulgaria, an eSIM is usually much cheaper for mobile data: the price of the package is fixed and known in advance. Your home number stays active on the main SIM for calls and SMS.
If your phone does not support eSIM, you can buy a regular physical SIM card with data for Bulgaria at a Funsim point of sale: at Almaty and Shymkent airports, or at our offices in Almaty — 130/1 Abay St and 1 Pozharsky St. Handy if you remember about the internet right before departure.
The country is small, but routes through it are varied: the capital, towns with Roman and medieval monuments, mountain monasteries and resorts. One profile is enough for the whole trip, and there is no switching between operators. Bulgaria plans are listed above, and if you continue to neighbouring Balkan countries, look at the regional plans.
Your main SIM stays in the phone for calls and bank SMS, while internet goes through the eSIM. Most plans have no voice calls or SMS, so it is simpler to reach hosts, guides and transfer drivers on messengers. It also helps if you work remotely: a hotspot comes in handy when hotel Wi-Fi is weak.
| Criterion | eSIM Funsim | Roaming | Local SIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| When to set up | At home, before the flight | Often only on arrival | After landing, in a shop or at an operator |
| What you do in Bulgaria | Switch data on | Check your operator's terms | Find a point of sale and get a SIM |
| Cost of data | Fixed package, see plans above | Usually much more expensive | Depends on the operator's tariff |
| Your main number | Stays for calls and banking | Stays active | You need a second SIM or a swap |
| Trips between towns | One profile for the whole country | Depends on operator terms | Yes, but you need time to buy it |
In towns and on main roads coverage is usually good, while in the mountains, gorges and at monasteries there may be gaps. These are the places and routes where you will use the internet most.
One of Europe's oldest cities, with a Roman theatre, hills and a pedestrian street. The old town is a web of narrow cobbled streets, so a map and museum opening hours are needed all the time. People usually come from Sofia by train or bus and then walk around, so an app for finding cafes and galleries is handy.
The former capital with the Tsarevets fortress above the bends of the Yantra river. The streets are steep and viewpoints are scattered across town, so without a map it is easy to waste a lot of energy. You need internet for finding accommodation, entry tickets and taxis, especially if you come for just one day.
The country's largest Orthodox monastery in the Rila mountains, and lakes higher up reached by chairlift and on foot. At the monastery there is usually signal, while on the trails and by the lakes it weakens. Mountain weather changes fast, so check the forecast and the last chairlift time before setting out.
Mountains in the south with villages such as Shiroka Laka and Trigrad, and the Devil's Throat cave. The roads wind, and signal can drop in the gorges. Download an offline map and save your accommodation address, and use the internet for bookings and contacting hosts.
Ski resorts besides Bansko: Borovets in the Rila mountains and Pamporovo in the Rhodopes. Signal on the slopes varies, so look at the piste map and equipment rental in advance. Internet helps with the forecast, lift tickets and contact with an instructor.
The country's smallest town, known for wine and sandstone cliffs not far from the Pirin mountains. The lanes are quiet, and some wineries are several kilometres from the centre. You need internet for the map, booking a tasting and a taxi if you plan to drink wine.
The northern coast, quieter and less crowded than the south: the botanical garden in Balchik and the rocky Cape Kaliakra. The resorts here are small and there is not much transport between them, so many people rent a car. Mobile internet helps with the map, weather forecast and finding accommodation along the shore.
The airports of Burgas and Varna receive most summer flights. From there resorts are reached by transfers, taxis and buses, so it is useful to arrange a meeting in a messenger in advance. If your flight is delayed, you can tell the driver straight away in a messenger.
Bulgarian services are similar to European ones, and messengers are used as actively here as at home.
The familiar way to call a taxi in Sofia and other big cities. The price is shown in advance, the address is entered in the app and you can pay by card. Install it at home and check that the confirmation reaches your main number.
Shows walking, driving and public transport routes. For the Rhodopes, Rila and the coast outside resorts, download offline maps in advance.
Food and grocery delivery in big cities. Handy when you come back late and do not want to look for an open cafe. Give the address in detail so the courier finds the entrance faster.
Many locals and small businesses in Bulgaria use it. If your host or transfer driver suggests contacting them on Viber, install the app in advance.
Bulgarian Cyrillic is understandable to a Russian speaker, but words often mean something different. The camera translator helps with menus, notices and signs.
Handy for finding hotels and guesthouses in towns and resorts. Save confirmations and hosts' phone numbers in case signal drops in the mountains.
This is how you reach hosts, guides and transfer drivers. Since most plans have no voice calls, a messenger takes the place of an ordinary call.
Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not tied to a single carrier. You can see this in the settings or on the manufacturer's website.
Choose a Bulgaria plan above and pay by card on the site, no passport needed. If you are travelling on through the Balkans, look at the regional plans.
Install the eSIM at home by QR code, the Quick install button or manually while you have home Wi-Fi.
After landing, select the eSIM as your mobile data line and switch data roaming on for it.
Keep your main SIM for calls and bank SMS, but turn off mobile data on it so traffic does not go through roaming.
If the data runs out, buy an extra package on the site. Hotspot for a laptop is available on most plans, but it is best to check the terms on the plan page.
Before heading into the mountains, download offline maps and save bookings: signal can drop in gorges and by high-altitude lakes.
