SIM Card Guides

Indonesia SIM card: All you need to know to stay connected on your trip

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.

Indonesia offers sun-soaked beaches, bustling markets, and food good enough to start a cult following. That said, the country is much easier to enjoy if you’ve got a reliable connection throughout your stay.

Imagine trying to find that hidden café everyone’s raving about and ending up in someone’s backyard instead. Or bravely ordering a dish, only to realise you’ve just asked for the spiciest thing on the menu.

In this article, we explore the top Indonesia SIM card options to stay connected and share an eSIM alternative to consider for your trip.

In this article

Where can I buy a SIM card for Indonesia?

You’re all set for your Indonesia trip—bags packed, sunscreen ready, and a playlist that screams ‘vacation mode.’ But there’s one thing left on your list: a local Indonesia SIM card.

Where do you actually get one? Let’s break down your options.

Order online before you fly: get your physical SIM card delivered to you before your trip. Order it online and have it delivered to your home, hotel in Indonesia, or the airport you’ll be arriving at to ensure instant access to mobile internet in Indonesia.
Grab one when you land: If you’re the type who likes to roll with the punches and grab things on the fly, this option is for you. 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.

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. Telksomsel 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 at selected locations, such as Bali and Mandalika Lombok.

The Tourist Prepaid Card is priced at IDR 150,000 (approximately $9.63 USD) and is valid for 30 days. You need an unlocked phone, passport, and IMEI for registration.

It includes:

25 GB of data
25 minutes of local calls
25 minutes of international calls

Other prepaid plans include:

11 GB for IDR 42,000 ($2.70)
18 GB for IDR 66,000 ($4.30)
35 GB for IDR 83,000 ($5.40)
51 GB for IDR 115,000 ($7.40)
70 GB for IDR 138,000 ($8.90)

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 authorised retailer at the time of registration. There is also a limit on the number of SIM cards you can register—a maximum of three per person.

2. XL Axiata tourist SIM card

XL Axiata is one of Indonesia’s leading mobile service providers that offers extensive coverage across Indonesia, including popular destinations like Bali, Java and Lombok.

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

Popular plans include:

3 GB for IDR 35,000 (~$2.15)
20 GB for IDR 370,000 (~$22.70)
50 GB for IDR 770,000 (~$42.20)

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 relatively new mobile network operator in Indonesia, offering competitive prepaid SIM and eSIM cards tailored for tourists.

Their tourist starter pack offers unlimited data + unlimited WhatsApp and LINE use for IDR 200,000 ($12.60 USD). This package includes 15 off-net minutes, 10 international minutes, and 500 local SMS, 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:

30GB data for IDR 30,000 ($3 USD)
60GB data for IDR 50,000 ($5 USD)
84GB data for IDR 70,000 ($7 USD)

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:

30GB data plan starting at IDR 100,000 ($6.40 USD) for 30 days with 10 domestic and international call minutes
80GB data plan at IDR 200,000 ($12.80 USD) for 30 days with 30 domestic and international call minutes

These plans also come with a bonus allowance of 1GB for data roaming in countries like India, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, the UAE, and the USA.

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.

How much does a prepaid SIM card for Indonesia cost?

The cost of a prepaid SIM card in Indonesia ranges from around $2-$3 for low-data options and can go up to $40 or more for high-data plans that include 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 services 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 customer support, ensuring that you’ll never lose connection.

The prices start at $1.55/day for the longer plans and go up to $6.90/day for the shortest validity options. You can choose any plan duration from 1 to 90 days, allowing you to match your eSIM to your holiday and avoid paying for any days you don’t need.

If you plan to travel the world for a while longer, Holafly Plans might be the best option for you. It’s a pay-monthly eSIM subscription with prices ranging from $39.90 to $64.90/month, depending on the data limit. All plans cover 170+ destinations worldwide and don’t require any long-term commitments. Simply stay connected for as long as you need and cancel any time. fly!

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

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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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