SIM Card Guides

Where and how to buy a SIM card for Indonesia in 2026

Indonesia SIM cards for tourists offer a reliable way to stay connected. Follow along as we look at some of the best options and alternatives to consider.

Telkomsel, Smartfren, IM3, and XL are the main local providers offering prepaid SIM cards in Indonesia. Buying one allows you to get mobile data while avoiding excessive roaming charges. But how do you buy one? How do they compare? And which one should you get?

In this article, we explore these questions and some of the top Indonesia SIM card options for staying connected, along with Holafly’s eSIM for Indonesia as a travel connectivity option.

In this article

Where can I buy a SIM card for Indonesia?

You can either get your SIM card before your trip or buy one after you land.

Order online before you fly: Get your physical SIM card delivered to you before your trip. Local providers don’t deliver abroad, but can deliver to a hotel in Indonesia or the airport you’ll be arriving at to ensure instant access to mobile internet in Indonesia. If you want the card delivered to your home, consider buying one from Amazon or SimOptions.
Grab one when you land: Once you land, you’ll be able to find SIM card stands at most airports or buy your card in dedicated shops or even shopping centers in cities and tourist areas throughout Indonesia. For foreign visitors, buying from an official operator outlet can make the registration process easier.
Opt for an eSIM instead: Who needs tiny plastic cards when you can go digital? You can buy, set up, and activate your eSIM online within minutes. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone and an internet connection for the purchase process. Our dedicated guides on activating an eSIM on an iPhone or a Samsung device cover everything in detail.

Requirements for buying a tourist SIM card in Indonesia

Getting a tourist SIM card in Indonesia is relatively straightforward, but foreign visitors need to complete the required registration process. A valid passport is required for foreign tourists, and registration is generally completed with help from staff at an operator outlet. Since July 1, 2026, Indonesia has implemented biometric registration requirements for new mobile numbers.

You may also need your phone’s IMEI number during registration, depending on the operator and registration process.

If you’re using a phone brought from Australia, you generally don’t need to separately register its IMEI with Indonesian Customs just to use an Indonesian SIM for a short tourist stay. Foreign tourists can obtain access to Indonesian mobile networks for up to 90 days through the operator’s foreign-tourist registration process.

Other than that, you should make sure your phone is unlocked before using a local SIM or eSIM.

4 Best Indonesia SIM cards to consider

Whether you need extensive data for work and streaming or just basic connectivity for maps, messages, and the occasional doom scroll, here are some popular Indonesian prepaid SIM options to consider:

1. Telkomsel tourist SIM card

Telkomsel is Indonesia’s largest mobile network operator and has extensive coverage across the country. The company offers a Tourist Prepaid Card designed for international visitors.

The Tourist Prepaid Card costs Rp150,000 (about AUD $12) and includes:

25GB of data on all Telkomsel networks
25 minutes of local calls

The card can currently be pre-ordered online and picked up at Telkomsel stores, booths, and outlets in Bali and Mandalika-Lombok.

Telkomsel also offers a special SIMPATI SIM card for foreign visitors for Rp100,000 (about AUD $8). It includes:

25GB of data
25 minutes of local calls
25 minutes of international calls
30-day validity

Other current SIMPATI packages include:

13GB for 7 days – Rp30,000 (about AUD $2.40)
25GB for 28 days – Rp70,000 (about AUD $5.50)
6GB for 30 days – Rp40,000 (about AUD $3.20)
15GB for 30 days – Rp50,000 (about AUD $4)

Package prices and allowances can change, so check the latest offer when you arrive.

Foreign visitors need to present their passport during registration. The number of prepaid SIMs you can register is also subject to operator and identity limits.

2. XL Axiata tourist SIM card

XL is one of Indonesia’s leading mobile service providers, with coverage across Java, Bali, and Lombok, as well as major cities in other parts of the country.. It operates under XLSMART, the company created through the 2025 merger of XL Axiata and Smartfren. The XL, AXIS, and Smartfren brands continue to operate.

XL currently offers a 3GB starter card for 30 days at Rp35,000 (about AUD $3) through its official store.

XL’s current standard tariff information also includes free calls and SMS to XL, AXIS, and Smartfren numbers, while calls to other operators are charged separately.

Offers for tourists and prepaid customers can change, so check the latest options when you buy your SIM. Foreign visitors also need to complete the required registration process with their passport.

3. Smartfren

Smartfren is an established Indonesian mobile network brand and is now part of XLSMART following its merger with XL Axiata in April 2025. It offers prepaid SIM and eSIM options for international tourists.

Its Tourist Starter Pack Unlimited costs Rp200,000 (about AUD $16) and is valid for 14 days. It includes:

Unlimited data, subject to a 1.5GB-per-day fair-use limit
Unlimited WhatsApp and LINE access
15 minutes of calls to other domestic operators
10 minutes of international calls
500 SMS to domestic operators
Free calls to other Smartfren numbers

After the 1.5GB daily fair-use limit is reached, the connection speed is reduced to 128kbps until the end of that day. It returns to normal the following day.

Other tourist options include:

5GB for 30 days – Rp45,000 (about AUD $3.60)
45GB for 30 days – Rp150,000 (about AUD $12)

Smartfren also offers these tourist plans as eSIMs, so you may not need a physical SIM card if your phone supports eSIM.

Smartfren SIM cards are aimed at tourists, but all notifications and installation instructions are in Indonesian. Therefore, you might want to get your Smartfren SIM card set up at an official store, where staff can assist with the setup process.

4. IM3 Indosat SIM

IM3, the consumer mobile brand of Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, also offers Travel On packages for international visitors.

Current Travel On options include:

30GB for 30 days – Rp100,000 (about AUD $8), with 10 minutes of international calls
80GB for 30 days – Rp200,000 (about AUD $16), with 30 minutes of international calls

To place an international call, you dial 001 or 008, followed by the country code, area code, and destination number.

You can find IM3 SIM cards and customer service outlets in Indonesia, including at some airports, shopping centres, and dedicated operator locations. Availability and pricing can vary, so check the latest offer when you arrive.

Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of September 25, 2026, and is subject to change.

How much does a prepaid SIM card for Indonesia cost?

Indonesian SIM card prices depend on the data allowance, validity period, and provider you choose. Basic prepaid options start at around Rp35,000 (about AUD $3), while tourist packages with larger data allowances can cost around Rp100,000–Rp200,000 (about AUD $8–AUD $16).

Prices can also vary by retailer and may change over time. The exchange rate between the Australian dollar and Indonesian rupiah can also affect the final cost in Australian dollars.

Overall, local prepaid SIM cards in Indonesia are relatively affordable and can cost less than using international roaming with your Australian mobile provider.

Holafly eSIM for Indonesia: Stay connected without physical cards

Don’t want to fiddle around with plastic SIM cards or spend your precious holiday time looking for a place that sells them? Holafly eSIMs offer a way to connect to local networks through a service designed for travellers.

Get your digital SIM online, set it up before your trip, and connect when you arrive. All Holafly eSIMs for Indonesia include unlimited data and 24/7 customer support, helping you stay connected throughout your trip.

You can choose a plan duration of 1 to 90 days, so you can match your eSIM to your trip and avoid paying for days you don’t need.

Plus, you can do even more with your trip thanks to Always On, a Holafly perk that gives you 1 GB of monthly backup data in 150+ worldwide destinations. The added data allowance will appear as soon as your Holafly eSIM is activated, and for as long as you keep it installed.

Looking for SIM card information in other popular destinations? Find more country-specific details here:

FAQs about Indonesia SIM card

Which SIM card is best in Indonesia?

Telkomsel has extensive network coverage across Indonesia, which can be particularly useful when travelling beyond major cities and tourist areas. XLSMART operates the XL and Smartfren brands, while Indosat operates IM3. The right choice depends on where you’re travelling and how much data you need. If you would rather not swap physical cards, an eSIM can be installed before you leave Australia and activated when you arrive.

Can foreigners buy SIM cards in Indonesia?

Yes. Foreign tourists can buy and register local SIM cards using a valid passport. Registration is generally completed with assistance from staff at an operator outlet. Depending on the provider and registration process, you may also need your phone’s IMEI number.

How much is a SIM card in Indonesia?

Indonesia SIM card prices start at around Rp35,000 (about AUD $3) for basic prepaid options and can reach around Rp200,000 (about AUD $16) for larger tourist plans. Telkomsel’s Tourist Prepaid Card costs Rp150,000 (about AUD$12) and includes 25GB of data plus 25 minutes of local calls.

How do I top up an Indonesia SIM card?

You can top up through your provider’s app, at their branded stores, or at convenience stores and kiosks that sell prepaid vouchers. You will need your Indonesian phone number and, for app top-ups, a payment method your provider accepts.

How do I activate an eSIM for Bali or Indonesia?

You install the eSIM using the QR code or activation link sent after purchase, then select it as the line for mobile data. Depending on the eSIM provider, you may need to enable data roaming for the eSIM. Setup generally requires an internet connection. Our guides cover how to activate an eSIM on iPhone and activate an eSIM on Samsung devices in detail.

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Violet Lee

SEO Content Specialist

Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.

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