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 the top Indonesia SIM card options to stay connected and share Holafly’s eSIM for Indonesia for a travel solution you can trust.

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 throughout Indonesia.
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 pretty easy and doesn’t include a long list of requirements. The only thing you need is your ID or passport for SIM card registration. So make sure to have it handy when you go shopping for your SIM. Some providers may ask for your phone’s IMEI number, but that’s not always the case.

Other than that, you should make sure your phone is unlocked for international use. Otherwise, you won’t be able to use travel SIM cards at all, no matter where you go.

4 Best Indonesia SIM cards to consider

Whether you need extensive data for work and streaming or just basic coverage for calls, messages, and the occasional doom scroll, here are the best prepaid Indonesia SIM card carriers that can cater to your needs:

1. Telkomsel tourist SIM card

Telkomsel SIM is Indonesia’s largest and most widely used mobile network operator. The company offers a Tourist Prepaid Card designed to keep you connected throughout your stay.

This card can be pre-ordered online and picked up in the Bali and Mandalika Lombok areas, which are currently the only collection points.

The Tourist Prepaid Card is priced at Rp150,000 ($8.43 USD). You need an unlocked phone, passport, and IMEI for registration.

It includes:

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

Telkomsel also runs a pre-order SIMPATI card for foreign visitors at Rp100,000 ($5.62), which adds 25 minutes of international calls and a 30-day validity period.

Other prepaid plans include:

13 GB for 7 days – Rp30,000 ($1.69)
25 GB for 28 days – Rp70,000 ($3.93)
GB for 30 days – Rp40,000 ($2.25)
15 GB for 30 days – Rp50,000 ($2.81)
15 GB for 30 days – Rp50,000 ($2.81)

Validity affects the price more than the data allowance does, so a large short-term package can cost less than a smaller one that lasts a month. You can purchase this SIM card online or from select outlets, such as GraPARI stores in Bali, Jakarta, or Batam.

Remember, you need to present your passport at a Telkomsel office or authorized retailer at the time of registration. There is also a limit on the number of SIM cards you can register, at a maximum of three per passport.

2. XL Axiata tourist SIM card

XL is one of Indonesia’s leading mobile service providers, with coverage across Java, Bali, and Lombok, plus the main cities of Sumatra, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi. It operates under XLSmart, the company formed when XL Axiata and Smartfren merged in April 2025, and the XL, AXIS, and Smartfren brands all continue to serve customers.

Its prepaid SIM cards can be pre-ordered online and delivered to your home or hotel in Indonesia.

Popular plans for tourists is XL 3 GB Starter Card for 30 days – Rp35,000 ($1.97). It comes with 60 minutes of calls to all operators and unlimited calls to other XL, AXIS, and Smartfren numbers.

That said, XL’s offers for tourists seem to change quite frequently, so different data allowances at different price points can be available at the time of your visit. As with any other local SIM card, you’ll be asked to provide your ID for the SIM card registration process.

3. Smartfren

Smartfren is a well-established mobile network operator in Indonesia, now part of XLSmart following the April 2025 merger with XL Axiata. It offers prepaid SIM and eSIM packs aimed at travelers.

Their Tourist Starter Pack Unlimited offers unlimited data plus unlimited WhatsApp and LINE access for Rp200,000 ($11.24). This package includes 15 minutes of calls to other domestic operators, 10 minutes of calls to operators overseas, 500 SMS to domestic operators, and free calls to other Smartfren numbers, valid for 14 days.

That said, their fair usage policy applies after 1.5 GB of data is used in a day, after which, your connection slows down. So, even though it offers unlimited data, you may still want to monitor data usage while using the SIM.

Other prepaid plans with a validity of 30 days include:

5 GB – from Rp45,000 ($2.53)
45 GB – from Rp150,000 ($8.43)

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

Another popular mobile network operator in Indonesia, IM3 Indosat, also known as Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison, offers high data packages starting from:

Travel On 30 GB – Rp100,000 ($5.62), valid for 30 days, with 10 minutes of international calls
Travel On 80 GB – Rp200,000 ($11.24), valid for 30 days, with 30 minutes of international calls

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

As with all SIM cards on this list, you can get yours online, but you’ll also be able to find IM3 cards in Indonesia. Look for them at international airports, dedicated customer centers, and larger shopping malls.

Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of August 19, 2026, and is subject to change.

How much does a prepaid SIM card for Indonesia cost?

Indonesia SIM card price depends on the data allowance you choose and the provider you buy from. A prepaid SIM card in Indonesia starts at around $2 for a basic starter pack and reaches roughly $11 for a tourist plan with 45 GB or more, plus calls and text messages.

Outside of mobile data allowance, the price also varies depending on the provider you choose, and even the exchange rate on the day of your arrival. That said, the travel SIM cards in Indonesia are fairly affordable and are often cheaper than international roaming with your existing SIM card.

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 while using a service that’s made for travellers, by travellers.

Get your digital SIM online, set it up within minutes from the comfort of your home, hotel, or the airport, and enjoy reliable coverage wherever you go. All Holafly eSIMs for Indonesia include unlimited data and 24/7 support, ensuring that you’ll never lose connection.

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 the widest network reach, which matters most outside the main cities. XLSmart, which now runs the XL and Smartfren brands, and Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison both perform well across Java, Bali, and Lombok. If you would rather not swap physical cards, an eSIM card Indonesia travelers install before departure works from arrival.

Can foreigners buy SIM cards in Indonesia?

Yes. You need your passport, and some providers also ask for your phone’s IMEI number for registration. Your phone must be unlocked. Telkomsel allows a maximum of three SIM cards per passport.

How much is a SIM card in Indonesia?

Indonesia SIM card price starts at a few dollars for low-data options and rises with the data allowance. Telkomsel’s Tourist Prepaid Card costs Rp150,000 and includes 25 GB of data on all networks plus 25 minutes of voice 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 turn on data roaming for that line. Setup takes minutes and needs a WiFi or data connection. Our guides cover the steps for iPhone and Samsung devices in detail.

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Rokas Aniulis

Senior SEO copywriter

A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.

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