Stay Connected in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Network coverage, costs, and options
Connectivity Overview
Bosnia and Herzegovina has come a long way with mobile connectivity, though it's still a bit of a mixed bag depending on where you're heading. The main cities—Sarajevo, Mostar, Banja Luka—have solid 4G coverage that'll handle video calls and streaming without much fuss. Venture into the countryside or mountainous areas, and things get spottier, as you'd expect. There are three main carriers operating here, and they've all been gradually improving their networks. WiFi is pretty standard in hotels and cafes, though speeds can be hit-or-miss. The good news is that staying connected here isn't particularly expensive or complicated. You've got a few solid options whether you go with a local SIM or set up an eSIM before you arrive. Worth noting that Bosnia isn't in the EU, so those EU roaming packages won't help you here.
Get Connected Before You Land
We recommend Airalo for peace of mind. Buy your eSIM now and activate it when you arrive—no hunting for SIM card shops, no language barriers, no connection problems. Just turn it on and you're immediately connected in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Network Coverage & Speed
The three main carriers you'll encounter are BH Telecom, HT Eronet, and m:tel. They all offer 4G coverage across the major urban areas, with BH Telecom and m:tel generally having the most extensive reach into rural regions. Network speeds in cities are respectable—you'll typically see 10-30 Mbps download speeds, which is perfectly adequate for most travel needs like navigation, messaging, and uploading photos. Video calls work well enough, though you might notice the occasional hiccup during peak hours.
Coverage along major highways and tourist routes to places like Mostar, Jajce, and Bihać is generally reliable. That said, if you're planning hiking trips in the Dinaric Alps or exploring remote villages, expect your signal to come and go. 5G is starting to roll out in Sarajevo and a few other cities, but it's not something you should count on for your trip. The networks here are stable rather than spectacular—they'll do what you need them to do without being particularly impressive. International roaming works, but it tends to be expensive unless your home carrier has specific Balkans packages.
How to Stay Connected
eSIM
eSIM is actually a pretty sensible choice for Bosnia and Herzegovina, especially if you're doing a multi-country Balkans trip. The main advantage is convenience—you can set everything up before you leave home and have data the moment you land. Providers like Airalo offer regional Balkans packages that work across multiple countries, which is handy if you're also hitting Croatia, Serbia, or Montenegro.
Cost-wise, eSIMs run a bit more than local SIMs—you might pay €15-20 for a week's worth of data versus €10-12 for a local option. For most travelers, that difference is worth it for the time saved and hassle avoided. You won't need to find a shop, deal with language barriers, or worry about having your passport photocopied. The setup takes about five minutes from your hotel room. The main limitation is that you'll need an eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone XS or newer, recent Samsung Galaxy models, Google Pixels). If you've got an older device, you're stuck with physical SIMs.
Local SIM Card
Getting a local SIM in Bosnia is straightforward enough if you don't mind the extra step. You'll find carrier shops at Sarajevo Airport and throughout the main cities—BH Telecom and m:tel have the most locations. You'll need your passport for registration, which is a legal requirement here. The process usually takes 10-20 minutes, sometimes longer if there's a queue or if the staff's English is limited.
Pricing is pretty reasonable: expect to pay around 10-15 BAM (€5-8) for a starter package with 5-10GB of data, valid for a week or two. Top-ups are easy enough through kiosks or the carrier apps. The main advantage is cost—it's genuinely the cheapest option if you're on a tight budget or staying for several weeks. The downsides? You're spending part of your first day dealing with it, and if something goes wrong, you'll need to visit a shop to sort it out. Also worth mentioning that smaller shops might try to sell you more expensive tourist packages, so it's worth checking the standard prepaid rates first.
Comparison
Here's the honest breakdown: Local SIM is cheapest (€5-8 for a week), eSIM is most convenient (€15-20), and international roaming is usually eye-wateringly expensive unless you've got a specific package. For a typical week-long trip, the price difference between local SIM and eSIM is maybe the cost of two coffees. eSIM wins on convenience and immediate connectivity. Local SIM makes sense if you're staying longer than a month or genuinely need to pinch every penny. Roaming might work if your carrier has Balkans coverage and you're only here briefly, but check those rates carefully—bill shock is real.
Staying Safe on Public WiFi
Public WiFi in Bosnia is about as secure as anywhere else, which is to say not very. Hotel networks, airport hotspots, and cafe WiFi are convenient but inherently risky—anyone on the same network can potentially intercept what you're doing. This matters more when you're traveling because you're constantly accessing sensitive stuff: booking confirmations, banking apps, passport scans you're emailing to yourself.
The practical solution is using a VPN, which encrypts your connection so others can't see your data. NordVPN is a solid choice here—it's straightforward to use and works reliably in the Balkans. Just flip it on before connecting to public networks, and you're protected. It's not about being paranoid; it's just basic digital hygiene when you're away from home. Think of it like locking your hotel room—you're probably fine either way, but why take the chance?
Protect Your Data with a VPN
When using hotel WiFi, airport networks, or cafe hotspots in Bosnia and Herzegovina, your personal data and banking information can be vulnerable. A VPN encrypts your connection, keeping your passwords, credit cards, and private communications safe from hackers on the same network.
Our Recommendations
First-time visitors: Go with an eSIM through Airalo. You'll have connectivity immediately when you land, which means you can grab an Uber, message your accommodation, and pull up maps without hunting for a SIM shop. The peace of mind is worth the few extra euros, and you can actually start your trip instead of spending an hour sorting out phone stuff.
Budget travelers: If you're genuinely on a shoestring budget, a local SIM will save you maybe €10 over a week. That said, factor in the time and hassle—is it worth spending part of your first day dealing with it? For most people, probably not, but if every euro counts, it's a viable option.
Long-term stays (1+ months): Local SIM makes more sense here. The cost savings add up over time, and you'll want the flexibility of easy top-ups and potentially better data allowances. You've got time to sort it out properly.
Business travelers: eSIM is really your only sensible option. Your time is valuable, you need immediate connectivity for calls and emails, and you can't afford to waste half a day dealing with SIM card shops. Set it up before you leave and focus on why you're actually there.
Our Top Pick: Airalo
For convenience, price, and safety, we recommend Airalo. Purchase your eSIM before your trip and activate it upon arrival—you'll have instant connectivity without the hassle of finding a local shop, dealing with language barriers, or risking being offline when you first arrive. It's the smart, safe choice for staying connected in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Exclusive discounts: 15% off for new customers • 10% off for return customers