Visiting Indonesia soon? Make sure to know what to expect when purchasing an Indonesia SIM card.
In this guide, weâll explain where to buy a SIM card in Indonesia in person and online. Weâll also discuss prepaid SIM cards and eSIMs if your mobile supports them.
Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Indonesia.
If you donât mind not having Internet, youâll likely find free Wifi in restaurants, shopping malls, and hotels.
That said, if you need data to get around, call a cab, or translate Indonesian â you may want to get a SIM card for your travels in Indonesia.
Best SIM Cards In Indonesia
If youâre traveling in Indonesia, we recommend using a SIM card from Telkomsel, XL Axiata, Smartfren, or Airalo.
Iâll get back to Airalo later on, so keep reading to learn more!
That said, if youâre planning on visiting other countries during your trip to Asia, you might want to pick an option that offers coverage in other Asian countries.
How To Buy A SIM Card In Indonesia For Tourists
You can buy an Indonesia prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, mobile provider stores, convenience stores, or online.
Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we donât recommend buying a SIM card at the airport.
That said, you wonât necessarily find SIM card shops in every airport, so itâs essential to keep this in mind. And, when you see a shop, you might also have limited options.
For this reason, Iâd recommend buying a SIM card directly from the mobile provider store. Note that you may need your passport to buy one.
Although, this means you wonât get data right upon your arrival. So, if you prefer to be connected at all times, you could use an eSIM or purchase an Asia prepaid SIM card online.
Now, letâs look at the mobile data plans offered in Indonesia by Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Smartfren.
Telkomsel Tourist SIM Card
Telkomsel offers a prepaid tourist plan:
- 25 GB data, one month for IDR 150,000 ($9.66)
XL Axiata Tourist SIM Card
XL Axiata has two different prepaid plans available:
- 15 GB data, 30 days for IDR 41,736 ($2.69)
- 20 GB data, 30 days for IDR 88,946 ($5.73)
As you can see, it is a cheaper option than Telkomsel.
Smarfren Tourist SIM Card
Smartfren offers several SIM-only plans for tourists:
- 6 GB, 30 days, IDR 30,000 ($1.93)
- 12 GB, 30 days, IDR 45,000 ($2.90)
- 30 GB, 30 days, IDR 70,000 ($4.83)
- 45 GB, 30 days, IDR 100,000 ($6.44)
- 60 GB, 30 days, IDR 125,000 ($8.05)
Overall, we think Smartfren is the best option if you plan to buy your SIM card in person. That said, any mobile carrier would do if you canât find their store!
How To Buy An Indonesia Prepaid SIM Card Online
If you wish to have your SIM card ready for your arrival, you could purchase it online or on websites like Amazon.
Youâll find different plans on Amazon. For example, the Prepaid Asia-Pacific SIM Card works in more than 17 countries and gives you unlimited data for 14 days. Indonesia is included.
But there are many other options worth considering, so look and make sure the countries you plan on visiting are listed.
Another option is to purchase a prepaid Asian SIM card on SimOptions.
They currently offer two data plans in Indonesia:
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.90
- 10 GB, valid for 14 days for $49.90
Bikago Mobile offers physical SIM cards and eSIMs in Indonesia.
Youâll get access to the Telkomsel network (the best network in Indonesia and Bali), and you can top up online.
Their data plans are the most affordable ones.
You can pick between 7,15, and 30 days for some data plans.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Bikago Mobile:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $4.99
- 3GB, valid for 7/15/30 days, starting at $9.50
- 5GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $15.50
- 7GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $19.99
- 10GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $23.75
- 20GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $44.99
- 30GB, valid for 30 days for $66.99
- 50GB, valid for 30 days for $109.99
Youâll have three options to get your SIM card: collect it at the airport, the Bikago shop, or deliver it by courier.
The two first options are free, but youâll have to pay extra to get it by courier.
Finally, the last option is to buy an eSIM card for Indonesia or, if youâre traveling to multiple countries, an eSIM plan for Asia.
How To Buy An eSIM For Indonesia
eSIM is a new concept that allows you to have a virtual SIM card inside your phone.
If your mobile phone supports eSIM cards â itâs one of the best options to get data in Indonesia.
Curious? Learn more about eSIMs for travelers on eSIM Roamers.
I started using eSIM as soon as my mobile phone supported it. To buy eSIMs, I usually use Airalo, one of the best eSIM apps.
Keep reading to learn more about the best eSIMs for Indonesia.
Airalo eSIM Indonesia
If you want to buy an eSIM for Indonesia, you could purchase one on Airalo.
This website offers many eSIM cards worldwide and special plans for Asia and Indonesia.
Iâve been using Airalo for several months, and it works fine. Read more about Airalo eSIM.
Here are the options available:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5.50
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $8
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $11
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $16.50
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $24.75
- I20 GB, valid for 30 days for $40
Hereâs an overview of the options available for Asia:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $5
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $13
- 5 GB, valid for 30 days for $20
- 10 GB, valid for 30 days for $37
- 50 GB, valid for 90 days for $100
- 100 GB, valid for 180 days for $185
The options mentioned above are part of Asialink and offer coverage in 14 countries, including Indonesia.
Alternatively, if youâre traveling in other countries that are not mentioned on the list, you can try Discover Global, which offers coverage in 124 countries, including Indonesia.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Discover Global:
- 1 GB, valid for 7 days for $9
- 2 GB, valid for 15 days for $17
- 3 GB, valid for 30 days for $24
- 5 GB, valid for 60 days for $35
- 10 GB, valid for 180 days for $59
- 20 GB, valid for 365 days for $69
Now, one important thing to note about Airalo is that youâll need to keep an eye out for the provider in each country.
Suppose you ever have trouble connecting to the Internet during your trip.
In that case, it might be because youâre connecting automatically to networks and need to select a network manually instead.
When you purchase the eSIM, youâll get access to the list of networks supported in each country.
Bikago Mobile eSIM Indonesia
Bikago Mobile offers eSIMs in Indonesia.
Youâll get access to the Telkomsel network (which is the best network in Indonesia and Bali), and youâll be able to top up online.
Their eSIM plans are the most affordable ones.
You can choose between 7,15, and 30 days.
Hereâs an overview of the options available on Bikago Mobile:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $4.99
- 3GB, valid for 7/15/30 days, starting at $9.50
- 5GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $15.50
- 7GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $19.99
- 10GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $23.75
- 20GB, valid for 15/30 days, starting at $44.99
- 30GB, valid for 30 days for $66.99
- 50GB, valid for 30 days for $109.99
If you have any issues, youâll also have the option to convert to a physical SIM card.
Holafly eSIM Indonesia
Alternatively, you could look at your options on Holafly. You can read our Holafly review to learn more about this eSIM store.
Holafly offers unlimited data plans in Indonesia.
Hereâs an overview of their plans for Indonesia:
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $21
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $29
- Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $37
- Unlimited data, valid for 15 days for $51
- Unlimited data, valid for 20 days for $62
- Unlimited data, valid for 30 days for $75
- Unlimited data, valid for 60 days for $107
- Unlimited data, valid for 90 days for $139
Nomad eSIM Indonesia
Finally, Nomad is also a great eSIM provider in Indonesia.
Hereâs an overview of the plans available for Indonesia:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $12
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $16
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $23
- 15GB, valid for 30 days for $35
Nomad also offers the following unlimited plans:
- Unlimited data, valid for 1 day for $7
- Unlimited data, valid for 3 days for $15
- Unlimited data, valid for 5 days for $20
- Unlimited data, valid for 7 days for $25
- Unlimited data, valid for 10 days for $30
Nomad also has APAC, an eSIM plan for Asia. This plan offers coverage in Indonesia.
Hereâs an overview:
- 1GB, valid for 7 days for $6
- 3GB, valid for 30 days for $15
- 5GB, valid for 30 days for $17
- 10GB, valid for 30 days for $50
- 20GB, valid for 30 days for $69
Final Thoughts On Indonesia SIM Cards
As you can see, getting a prepaid SIM card in Indonesia or even an eSIM for your travels in Indonesia is pretty straightforward.
Youâll even be able to stay connected wherever you go in Asia without changing your SIM card, especially if you purchase an Asia plan.
I believe the eSIM card is the most convenient way to get data in Indonesia if you wish to have data upon your arrival.
This way, you wonât need to go to a store to buy a SIM card.
However, you need to make sure your mobile phone supports eSIM first.
Are you heading to Indonesia soon? Read one of the following blog posts:
