SIM Card Guides

How to get a Bali SIM card in 2025

Looking to buy a travel SIM card in Bali? Follow along for the best options as well as some alternatives to consider.

It seems like everyone is visiting Bali these days. In fact, by March, three times more visitors came to the Island of Gods from Australia than any other country in 2024. Despite being well set up to deal with this influx of tourists nowadays, Australians and others, you’ll need a Bali SIM card to make the most of your trip.

Having mobile internet in Bali allows you to find your way around easily, check reviews of places you want to visit, and buy tickets for things you want to do without having to queue for hours. Follow along for the best travel SIM cards in Bali, as well as a comparison of SIM cards vs. eSIM and what each option has to offer.

In this article

Where can I buy a prepaid SIM card for Bali?

There are a few ways to get a Bali prepaid SIM card for your trip:

In online stores: You can buy international SIM cards online and have them shipped to your home before the trip to Bali.
Physical shops on the island: You can get prepaid SIM cards from local operators, dedicated stands at the airport, or corner shops around the island.
Buy an eSIM instead: If you have an eSIM-compatible phone, you can simply buy and set up an eSIM online and enjoy having the same benefits without any of the inconveniences of physical SIM cards.

No matter which option you choose, your SIM card should work on one of Bali’s local networks. Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL are three of the most popular providers on the island, though there are some other options available as well.

Buy an international SIM card before your trip

Buying a SIM card before your trip to Bali gives you peace of mind, knowing that you’ll have a connection as soon as you arrive on the island. While many international communications providers have switched to eSIMs, companies like SimCorner or SimDirect still deliver physical prepaid tourist SIM cards to your door, even offering free delivery in Australia.

SimCorner, for example, has distribution centers in Australia, New Zealand, the US, and multiple countries in Europe to ensure speedy delivery. The selection of Bali plans is a tad limited, though, and the price varies depending on the region you’re shopping from:

6 GB of data for 10 days for $18 USD or $25 AUD
6 GB of data for 15 days for $32 USD or $55 AUD

That said, most international companies simply act as third-party resellers of local SIM cards. If you want to get a SIM card directly from the provider, you can order it online and pick it up at the airport upon arrival.

Buy a tourist SIM card in Bali

If you decide against buying a SIM card or an eSIM for Bali before your trip, you can get one when you arrive. You’ll find Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL kiosks at the Bali-Denpasar Airport, where you can get Bali SIM cards with different amounts of data, calls, and messages.

Other than that, you’ll be able to get the same deal at the official shops throughout the island. Various corner shops, supermarkets, and general stores also sell travel SIMs, too. But keep an eye on their price, as they can take advantage of tourists by charging more in busy areas.

Best SIM cards in Bali

Bali has a number of providers that sell SIM cards to tourists, though the market is largely dominated by the three biggest ones: Telksomsel, Indosat, and XL. Their Bali tourist SIM cards are readily available in most stores and typically offer the best coverage on the island.

The only downside to these cards is that the online reservation process is unnecessarily complicated. On top of that, you may encounter queues at airport purchase points, which can eat away at your time on the island.

Telkomsel

Telkomsel is the largest local cell service provider in Indonesia, though it only offers one SIM card for tourists in Indonesia. You can get a card with 25 GB of data and 25 minutes of calls for Rp150,000 (~$9.50 USD or ~$14.50 AUD). Each card has a validity period of 30 days and can be purchased either online or in physical Telkomsel stores.

The online reservation process requires you to enter your full name and passport number, after which you can select the pickup date and location.

Indosat

Indosat, also known as IM3, is another popular local provider that offers prepaid local SIM cards for tourists. You can choose from one of two call and data packages:

30 GB of data and 10 minutes of calls for Rp100,000 (~$6.30 USD or ~$9.60 AUD)
80 GB of data and 30 minutes of calls for Rp200,000 (~$12.60 USD or ~$19.20 AUD)

Just as with Telkomsel, the online reservation process is a touch tedious. You might just want to pick up the Bali SIM card at an Indosat stand at the airport. That said, you can sometimes encounter queues at the SIM card stand if you arrive at a busy time, and it may take a while for you to finally get your card.

XL Axiata

If you want more internet packages to choose from, XL Axiata has plenty of options for you. All of them are very affordable too, so you shouldn’t have an issue finding one that suits your needs.

12 GB and 5 minutes of calls for Rp38,000 (~$2.40 USD or ~$3.70 AUD)
22 GB and 5 minutes of calls for Rp55,000 (~$3.50 USD or ~$5.35 AUD)
40 GB and 5 minutes of calls for Rp75,000 (~$4.75 USD or ~$7.25 AUD)
60 GB and 5 minutes of calls for Rp90,000 (~$5.70 USD or ~$8.70 AUD)
80 GB and 5 minutes of calls for Rp120,000 (~$7.60 USD or ~$11.60 AUD)

Once again, the process of buying one of their SIM cards online can be confusing, and the website is only available in the Indonesian Malay language. So you might be better off simply getting yours at the airport or one of the local stores in Bali.

eSIM vs. travel SIM cards in Bali

With more phones supporting eSIM technology and accessibility no longer being an issue, eSIMs have become the most popular way to stay connected in Bali. It offers convenience and ease of use that a physical SIM card simply can’t match. That said, travel SIMs still offer a solid option for staying connected. Let’s take a look at how the two of them compare:

Why should I use an eSIM in Bali?

Convenience is one of the main selling points for eSIMs in Bali. You probably don’t want to waste a second of your time on the island. The purchase and setup process for an eSIM is much faster, and you can get unlimited data plans to ensure that you never lose connection.

Quick purchase process — you can buy your eSIM online within minutes. No need to look for physical stores or navigate confusing reservation processes.
Instant delivery — you’ll get a QR code in your email as soon as you make your purchase. Simply scan it, follow the prompts, and your eSIM will be ready. The whole process rarely takes more than a couple of minutes.
Keep your regular phone number — an eSIM doesn’t take up the SIM card slot on your phone, so you can keep receiving calls and messages and use WhatsApp with your regular phone number.
Vast selection of options — there are more international eSIM providers than there are options to buy a physical SIM card in Bali. This means that you’re more likely to find a plan that’s perfect for your needs.
24/7 customer support — local providers tend to only operate during local working hours. On the other hand, many international eSIM providers offer 24/7 customer support. This means you can get help whenever you need it.
Multi-destination coverage — if you plan to visit multiple islands in Indonesia, you can get an Indonesia eSIM stay connected everywhere with a single plan. Meanwhile, multi-country trips under one data plan are possible with the Asia eSIM plan. This way, you won’t have to worry about buying a new SIM card as soon as you cross a border.
Best coverage possible — Holafly’s eSIM works with Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL networks, automatically connecting you to the one that works best in your area. That way, you’re sure to always have the best coverage possible.
Monthly plans — Hopping from Bali to Lombok, then to Bangkok and Krabi? Holafly’s monthly plans keep you connected wherever you go, globally. Choose up-to unlimited data and unlimited hotspot and get rid of that travel stress. With our monthly subscription, you can stay have 5G internet wherever your travels take you, and for as long as you need. Cancel anytime to make sure you never pay for data you don’t use.

Holafly eSIM for Bali. Souce: Holafly

Why use a travel SIM card in Bali?

Though eSIMs do have quite a lot to offer, there are still some advantages to using a physical SIM card to get mobile data Bali.

Local phone number — eSIMs tend to only offer mobile data, while you can get a travel SIM card with a local phone number for calls and messages.
Price — you can get a travel SIM card slightly cheaper than an eSIM for Bali. That said, eSIMs are still an affordable option.
Compatibility with older — some older phones are not compatible with eSIM technology, so if you can’t use an eSIM on your phone, getting a travel SIM card is your best bet.

Get a Holafly eSIM for Bali

If you’re looking for the best eSIM for Bali, look no further than Holafly. You get unlimited data with all plans, so you won’t have to worry about monitoring data usage or losing connection at the worst time.

Forget the inconvenience of having to buy a local SIM card every time you travel. Simply choose a Holafly plan that suits your needs and get connected within minutes. All Holafly plans include unlimited data. Simply choose the duration to match your stay in Bali:

1 day of unlimited data for $6.90 USD (~$9 AUD)
5 days of unlimited data for $20.90 USD (~$29 AUD)
7 days of unlimited data for $29.90 USD (~$39 AUD)
10 days of unlimited data for $36.90 USD (~$67 AUD)
15 days of unlimited data for $50.90 USD (~$69 AUD)
20 days of unlimited data for $61.90 USD (~$84 AUD)
30 days of unlimited data for $74.90 USD (~$102 AUD)
60 days of unlimited data for $106.90 USD (~$146 AUD)
90 days of unlimited data for $139.90 USD (~$190 AUD)

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Leoneska Ruiz

SEO Specialist Jr.

Hi! Leoneska here, your guide to traveling connected. I'm a Venezuelan SEO content specialist with over four years of experience sharing tips and tricks for using mobile internet while traveling and making the most of your adventures. At Holafly, I take care of providing reliable and high-quality information to travelers like you. I hope you enjoy my content and find it useful!

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