Best Indonesian SIM Card Options: Prices, Coverage & the 90-Day Rule

Updated: October 2025

Getting an Indonesian SIM card doesn’t have to be complicated. You just need to know a few things before you land, and you’ll enjoy seamless connectivity throughout your trip.

Here’s the deal: You have three basic options for reliable internet access. You can grab a local SIM card (the most cost-effective option, which gives you a local number). You can use an eSIM plan from a global provider (super fast setup process). Or you can stick with your home carrier on data roaming (easiest, but watch those roaming charges).

The trick is picking the right option for your device and trip length.

Quick Verdict: Which Provider Should You Choose?

Best reliable coverage: Telkomsel. This mobile network operator wins if you’re traveling beyond major cities or heading to remote spots.

Runner-up for value: XL Axiata. Good speeds in urban areas with flexible data plans.

Budget pick: Indosat/IM3. Works fine for shorter trips in tourist areas.

These rankings come from Opensignal’s 2025 report on mobile network operators. Telkomsel consistently delivers the most reliable coverage across Indonesia.

The 90-Day Rule You Need to Know

Here’s where people get confused. Indonesia requires IMEI registration for foreign phones. But here’s the good news: if you’re visiting for shorter trips (90 days or less), you probably don’t need to worry about customs paperwork.

When you buy a tourist SIM card at Bali airport or any official store, they complete temporary registration. That gives you network access without dealing with complex IMEI registration immediately.

But if you’re staying for longer trips or want to keep your Indonesian number, you must register your device with Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai). You can do this at the airport using a QR code system or later at customs offices. Just know there’s a pick-up time limit and deadlines if you skip the airport window.

One exception: Using your home carrier for data roaming doesn’t require IMEI registration at all. No roaming fees mean no registration needed.

Before You Fly: Check Your Device Compatibility

Make sure your phone is unlocked. If you bought it directly from a carrier back home, it might be locked to that network. Call them and ask about device compatibility.

Most modern smartphones support eSIM technology. Newer iPhones and Android devices work with both physical SIM card options and eSIM plans. But double-check your smartphone specifications.

Here’s something nobody tells you: Indonesian banking apps, GoJek, Grab, and food delivery services often require a local number for activation. Those verification codes need cellular data and SMS capability. So if you’re planning to use these services, skip the data-only SIM card and get a prepaid SIM with voice and text.

Where to Buy Your Indonesian SIM Card

Airport Pick Up Points

You’ll find official mobile network operators at Bali airport and Jakarta’s Terminal 3. They’re fast and hassle-free. You walk up, show your passport, complete activation, and stay connected in ten minutes.

The downside? Higher prices than in city locations. Expect to pay around IDR 150,000-200,000 for a data package.

City Store Locations (Called GraPARI for Telkomsel)

Better value lives in the city. Head to a store called GraPARI (Telkomsel), XL Axiata center, or IM3 location. The staff will help you complete the setup process properly and explain data allowances clearly.

City stores offer better prices, around IDR 100,000-150,000 for comparable data bundles with similar data quotas.

Plus, you’ll see promotional data plans that don’t exist at airport pick-up points.

Online Pre-Order Options

Telkomsel offers a tourist SIM card you can pre-order online with pickup at designated points. You can get up to 3 prepaid SIM cards per passport. Watch the pick-up time limit carefully.

XL Axiata provides an eSIM plan you can activate online. The provider requires your passport details, a selfie, and your device IMEI number for activation.

Indosat/IM3 offers “Travel On” packages with an assisted setup process.

Global eSIM providers like Airalo and Holafly work wherever you go. They’re incredibly easy, just scan a QR code for activation instructions before you even leave home. The catch? Higher prices per gigabyte and usually data-only plans.

Most Popular Indonesian SIM Card Providers

Telkomsel: Premium Coverage Nationwide

Telkomsel delivers the widest reliable coverage nationwide, making it the best choice if you’re island-hopping or exploring remote areas beyond major cities. The provider offers flexible data plans with a generous data quota that work consistently wherever you go in Indonesia.

You can get a tourist SIM card through pre-order and pick it up at airport locations or their store called GraPARI for in-person service. The maximum prepaid SIM options per passport is 3, so you can grab extras.

Telkomsel Data Plan Costs (Typical Tourist Packages):

• 15 GB / 30 days: IDR 120,000-150,000
• 30 GB / 30 days: IDR 180,000-220,000
• 50 GB / 30 days: IDR 250,000-300,000
• 100 GB / 60 days: IDR 400,000-500,000

Coverage in Popular Tourist Cities:

• Bali (Denpasar, Ubud, Seminyak): Excellent coverage with 4G LTE throughout
• Jakarta: Fastest speeds; reliable coverage in all districts
• Yogyakarta: Strong coverage in the city center and tourist areas
• Bandung: Consistent 4G coverage in main areas
• Lombok (Mataram): Good coverage; spotty in remote beach areas

XL Axiata: Value-Focused Urban Coverage

XL Axiata offers cost-effective data packages with competitive data bundles and a strong mobile network in major cities. The provider offers eSIM plans online, requiring only your passport, selfie, and device IMEI for quick activation.

Perfect for budget-conscious travelers who spend most of their time in urban areas and tourist hotspots. Provides good, reliable internet access in all major cities with decent data allowances.

XL Axiata Data Plan Costs (Typical Tourist Packages):

• 12 GB / 30 days: IDR 100,000-130,000
• 25 GB / 30 days: IDR 160,000-190,000
• 40 GB / 30 days: IDR 220,000-270,000
• 80 GB / 60 days: IDR 350,000-420,000

Coverage in Popular Tourist Cities:

• Bali (South Coast): Strongest signal in Kuta, Seminyak, and airport area
• Jakarta: Very strong 4G coverage in business and tourist districts
• Bandung: Good speeds in the city center and shopping areas
• Surabaya: Reliable coverage in downtown and tourist zones
• Ubud (Bali): Moderate coverage; works in the main town

Indosat/IM3: Budget-Friendly Option for City Explorers

Indosat/IM3 offers budget-friendly data plans with the “Travel On” tourist packages and an assisted setup process available at store locations. Perfect for longer trips, they offer Freedom internet packages designed for extended stays.

Works well in major cities and tourist areas. Best for travelers focused on urban exploration and avoiding roaming charges with a local sim card.

Indosat/IM3 Data Plan Costs (Typical Tourist Packages):

• 10 GB / 30 days: IDR 85,000-110,000
• 20 GB / 30 days: IDR 135,000-160,000
• 35 GB / 30 days: IDR 190,000-240,000
• 70 GB / 60 days: IDR 300,000-380,000

Coverage in Popular Tourist Cities:

• Jakarta: Good coverage; works well for city navigation
• Bali (Denpasar): Reliable coverage in the city; weaker in beach areas
• Yogyakarta: Strong coverage in the city center and major tourist spots
• Bandung: Good urban coverage; reliable for apps and maps
• Medan: Decent coverage for main tourist areas

Quick Provider Comparison Chart

Feature	Telkomsel	XL Axiata	Indosat/IM3
Best For	Island-hopping, remote areas	City explorers, budget-conscious	Urban tourists, longer stays
Nationwide Coverage	Excellent	Good	Good
Major Cities	Excellent	Excellent	Very Good
Remote Islands	Best option	Spotty	Limited
Data Plan Cost	Mid-range	Low-mid	Lowest
Tourist SIM Card	Yes (pre-order)	Yes (esim)	Yes (Travel On)
Data Quota	Generous	Competitive	Standard
Setup Time	10-15 min	Instant (eSIM)	10-15 min
Best Store	GraPARI	XL Center	IM3 Store

What You’ll Actually Pay for Data Plans

Tourist prepaid SIM packages typically cost IDR 100,000-200,000 for 15-30 GB, valid for 30 days. Airport locations charge more than city stores.

Data bundles at city locations beat airport pricing every time.

Global eSIM plans charge premium rates but save you the airport hassle. You’re paying for convenience and the ability to stay online immediately.

Setting Up: The 10-Minute Activation Process

1. Buy your Indonesia SIM card or eSIM (scan the QR code for eSIM technology, or insert the physical SIM card)
2. The provider registers your passport (required by law)
3. Your smartphone auto-configures network settings
4. Test your cellular data and calls
5. Enable hotspot if needed
6. Save your account details and PUK code
7. Download your provider app for easy top-up later

That’s it. The setup process takes minutes with clear activation instructions.

Coverage: Which Network Works Where?

Opensignal’s 2025 data shows Telkomsel winning most nationwide experience awards. XL Axiata and IM3 compete well in major cities but fall behind in rural areas for reliable coverage.

Bali, Java, and Lombok

All three mobile network operators work fine here. Telkomsel remains the safest bet for reliable internet access beyond main tourist zones. XL Axiata performs strongly in southern Bali. IM3 works perfectly in major cities.

Remote Islands (Komodo, Raja Ampat)

Expect spotty mobile network coverage everywhere. Telkomsel offers the most dependable signal for seamless connectivity based on nationwide metrics. But even then, you’ll hit dead zones wherever you go off the beaten path.

Understanding Data Validation and Usage

Tourist data packages typically include data validation for 30 days. Some eSIM plans claim up to 90 days of internet access, but confirm this when you buy your new SIM.

Watch your data usage through the provider app. Most data plans include a main quota for high-speed cellular data, then throttled speeds after you hit your data allowance.

Telkomsel limits you to 3 Indonesian SIM card purchases per passport. Pick-up time limit rules apply for pre-order options.

If you’re staying long-term, complete IMEI registration to keep reliable internet access. Otherwise, your prepaid SIM might get blocked mid-trip.

Common Problems (And How to Fix Them)

eSIM won’t activate? Install your eSIM plan while connected to WiFi before airport queues. Ensure your device is unlocked and compatible with eSIM technology.

Cellular data stopped working after 30-90 days? You hit the tourist data validation limit. Either buy a new SIM or complete IMEI registration for extended internet access.

Can’t receive verification codes? Your data-only sim card doesn’t include SMS. Get a local SIM card with voice and text to stay connected with apps.

eSIM vs Physical SIM Card: Which One?

eSIM advantages: Instant activation with qr code. No tiny plastic to lose. Perfect for shorter trips. Most modern smartphones support it.

eSIM disadvantages: Some eSIM plans are data only (no voice calls). Slightly higher prices. Not all Android devices support eSIM technology.

Physical SIM advantages: Works on older phones. Easy top-up at any convenience store. More flexible data plans are available. Better cost-effective options.

Physical SIM disadvantages: You need to physically visit a store or pick up points. That tiny card is easy to lose when you get your new SIM.

Smart strategy: Start with a global eSIM plan for day one when you land tired. Then switch to a local SIM card once you’re settled for better data bundles and to stay connected affordably.

Legal Requirements (Don’t Skip This)

Foreign tourists must register prepaid SIM cards with their passports. The provider completes this for you at the point of purchase.

IMEI registration rules:

• Not needed for data roaming with home carrier
• Not needed for tourist SIM card used for 90 days or less
• Required for longer trips beyond 90 days
• Can be done at Bali airport or later at customs offices
• Uses QR code system for hassle-free registration
• Deadlines apply if you skip airport registration
• Indonesian citizens have different rules

Device Compatibility Checklist

Most modern smartphones work in Indonesia. Check these details before you travel:

• Phone must be unlocked (not tied to your home carrier)
• Android devices typically support a physical SIM card and eSIM technology
• Newer iPhones (XR and later) offer eSIM support
• Check if your device is compatible with the provider network
• Verify your smartphone supports Indonesian cellular data frequencies

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use unlimited data plans in Indonesia? True unlimited data packages are rare. Most data plans include a main quota at high speed, then slower speeds afterward. Check package details carefully.

Can I use my phone as a hotspot? Usually, yes, with prepaid SIM options, but verify with your specific data package when you complete activation.

How do I top up my data allowance? Use the provider app, visit any convenience store, or go to official pick-up points. Top-up options are everywhere in major cities.

What about other countries like Hong Kong or Costa Rica? This guide covers Indonesia only. For Hong Kong, Costa Rica, or other destinations, you’ll need different local SIM card options or global eSIM plans that work wherever you go.

Do roaming fees apply with a local prepaid SIM? No. Roaming charges only apply when using your home carrier network. A local SIM card eliminates roaming fees completely.

How much data usage do I need? For basic internet access (maps, messaging, social media): 1-2 GB daily. For video streaming: 5+ GB daily. Choose data plans based on your typical data usage patterns.