Complete Guide to Buying a SIM Card in Indonesia – Stay Connected
Indonesia is a popular destination for travelers, thanks to its breathtaking landscapes, fascinating culture, and rich history. To stay in touch with the world and enjoy a hassle-free journey, it’s important to have a reliable means of communication. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about buying a SIM card in Indonesia to ensure you stay connected with ease and convenience throughout your trip.
Relaying just on wifi can lead to problems, especially when you are out and about and need to find information online. There is far away from wifi everywhere, and often it is also very bad and not secure.
Using a SIM Card for another country in Indonesia will often lead to extremely high mobile data costs. Most travelers don’t really use the SIM Card for texting or calling but for 4G/5G Mobile Data. When you have mobile data staying connected through WhatsApp and other apps is the preferred method for most travelers.
Choosing the Right SIM Card
With so many SIM card options available in Indonesia, it can be overwhelming to know which one to choose. In this guide, we break down your options and help you make an informed decision that aligns with your travel needs. It’s clever to read through the whole article before you board your flight to Indonesia, making the decision in the airport when you arrive is not the best way to do it!
Comparison of Top Providers
Indonesia’s telecom market is dominated by several key players, each offering unique packages tailored to different demographics. Providers such as Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo, XL Axiata, 3 (Tri), and Smartfren lead the market with extensive coverage and competitive rates. For tourists, Telkomsel’s ‘PraBayar’ plan is notably popular due to its comprehensive national coverage, even in remote destinations.
If you are not going to travel so much in Indonesia you might not need the operator with the best coverage. Check out the different coverage for the different operators on this map from nperf.com (Telkomsel is the best).
The prices are for the Data packages. When you buy with a SIM Card there will be an extra cost. See the attached image for prices at Jakarta Airport that include prices with SIM Card for Telkomsel.
As you can see the prices are much higher. The options are to get an E-SIM, Wifi or SIM card from your home country until you reach the city to get a better price. At the airport, it’s very nice to have internet on the phone so you can get a Grab if you land late in the evening. You should also download Grab before you arrive in Indonesia.
The good thing about getting it at the airport as I did even though it cost more is that they spoke English. They also set up the IMEI for the phone and installed the Telkomsel app which is very good! You need your passport and they take a picture of you before they can install the SIM Card.
Indonesia’s geography can pose connectivity challenges. If you’re just visiting Bali, and staying in tourist areas you will be fine with most operators. If you will do some traveling, we highly suggest you choose Telkomsel because of their coverage.
Telkomsel
- The Best Coverage
- Offers E-Sim and Physical, both can be prepaid or postpaid
- Data Plans for Digital Nomads
- Many Different Packages – But some of them are also confusing
- You Can Buy Different Speeds For Mobile Data
| Days | GB | Price (RP) |
| 8 | 5 | 13,000 |
| 31 | 5 | 20,000 |
| 30 | 35 | 105,000 |
| 30 | 55 | 155,000 |
This is just a selection of all their plans, check out all the plans here!
Indosat Ooredoo (IM3)
- Good Coverage
- Offers E-Sim and Physical, both can be prepaid or postpaid
- Data Plans for Digital Nomads
- Offers Daily, Monthly, and Yearly Plans
| Days | GB | Price (RP) |
| 30 | 3 | 25,000 |
| 30 | 9 | 49,000 |
| 30 | 20 | 81,000 |
| 30 | 50 | 138,000 |
| 30 | 100 | 200,000 |
| 90 | 100 | 250,000 |
| 180 | 200 | 450,000 |
| 360 | 400 | 850,000 |
This is just a selection of all their plans, check out all the plans here!
XL Axiata
- Good Coverage
- Offers E-Sim and Physical, both can be prepaid or postpaid
- Second Biggest Operator in Indonesia
- Easy to Set Up SIM Card
| Days | GB | Price (RP) |
| 30 | 30 | 50,000 |
| 30 | 125 | 125,000 |
| 30 | 205 | 200,000 |
| 30 | 260 | 300,000 |
Unfortunately, they don’t have an English webpage. Make sure they help if you go for this provider. You should also receive an SMS that confirms how much data you have bought.
3 (Tri)
- Good Coverage
- Offers E-Sim and Physical, both can be prepaid or postpaid
- Easy to Set Up SIM Card
| Days | GB | Price (RP) |
| 30 | 7 | 30,000 |
| 30 | 11 | 45,000 |
| 30 | 14 | 55,000 |
| 30 | 18 | 60,000 |
| 30 | 30 | 70,000 |
This is just a selection of all their plans, check out all the plans here!
Mostly easy to set up, but here it’s important to get help to set it up, and you should get an SMS verification. Widely available, but often not so easy to get help to set up if they don’t speak English at the store they sell it in.
Smartfren
- Good Coverage
- Daily and monthly plans
- Widely available
| Days | GB | Price (RP) |
| 10 | 1 | 11,000 |
| 30 | 6 | 38,500 |
| 30 | 12 | 55,000 |
| 30 | 30 | 77,000 |
| 30 | 45 | 110,000 |
| 30 | 60 | 137,500 |
This is just a selection of all their plans, check out all the plans here!
Where to Buy Your SIM Card
You can buy SIM cards upon arrival at the airport or from authorized retailers and convenience stores across cities and towns. Buying at the airport is more expensive, but it offers the convenience of immediate assistance and activation. Meanwhile, local shops provide the advantage of cheaper deals with more flexible plan options.
Either way, make sure you get help where you buy it! For some operators, the whole installation is only in Indonesian. So if they speak English and want to help you, it will make it a lot easier!
Understanding the Costs
Prices for SIM cards and prepaid plans in Indonesia are relatively affordable. The cost of a SIM card can range from IDR 10,000 to IDR 100,000, depending on the provider and initial credit included.
Consider getting an E-SIM Card if possible on your phone!
Cost of Prepaid SIM Cards
Prepaid SIM cards come with varying credit allowances, which can start from as low as IDR 25,000. Plans with larger data quotas, unlimited social media, or additional tourist benefits can be availed at higher prices. Make sure what your plan includes, and for what part of Indonesia.
I always get help from shops where they speak good English. Some packages are just for part of Indonesia, and others have data packages for YouTube or TikTok, some also include Tinder!
Top-Up Costs and How-To
Topping up is made convenient through multiple channels, including convenience stores, SMS, and apps. The cost depends on how much credit you wish to add, and with which operator.
E-Sim Cards
Using E-Sim can be very handy if you have a newer phone that can use it.
Registration and Activation: A Step-by-Step Guide
To use a SIM card in Indonesia, you must register it using a valid passport. Activation occurs once the registration is processed, which can take from a few minutes to 24 hours.
SIM Card Registration for Foreigners
Foreigners must provide their passport information and, occasionally, a local address or hotel booking reference. Some stores will register and activate your SIM card on the spot. If they are not willing to do that, I suggest you find a store where they are willing to do it!
Make sure you get a confirmation showing how much data you got, the best is if they can download the phone operator’s app also!
It’s also very important that your phone is not locked to a provider, then it will not be possible to register it with an Indonesian SIM Card!
Often you will need a SIM Card from your country to verify different things through SMS, therefore it’s often nice to bring with you. Or just to check if you got a text message. Remember to bring the pin to open the SIM Card Case!
IMEI Registration: Navigating the New Regulation
A new regulation requires that any mobile device used with an Indonesian SIM card must have its IMEI number registered. This measure combats the use of stolen phones, fake phones and ensures network security.
You will have to write the IMEI code for your phone, computer, and other electronic devices on arrival to Indonesia.
Understanding IMEI Registration
The IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) is a unique code used to identify your device. Registration is mandatory to access cellular networks in Indonesia.
How to Register Your Device’s IMEI
You can register your IMEI online or at the airport upon arrival. It’s a simple process that associates your device with the network and is essential for first-time users in Indonesia.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for SIM Card Purchase in Indonesia
In this section, we’ll answer your frequently asked questions about SIM cards in Indonesia. We’ll cover the technicalities, costs, and troubleshooting associated with SIM cards.
Tourist Concerns: What You Need to Know
Travelers often ask whether WhatsApp usage requires payment, if there are any English-speaking services available, and how to dial emergency numbers. To use WhatsApp, you’ll need a data plan. Many providers offer customer service in English, and you can dial 112 from any phone in case of an emergency in Indonesia. The phone number for the police is 110.
Using a Dual-SIM Phone
If you’re carrying a dual-SIM phone, we’ll discuss how you can use a local Indonesian SIM for data and calls while keeping your original SIM card active for urgent international communication.
Many Indonesians use Dual-SIM Phones so they can call for free to other people using the same phone operator company.
Keeping Track of Data Usage
Monitoring your data usage is crucial to avoid running out of credit at an inconvenient time. I only tested the Telkomsel app, but that works very well! Some of the operators don’t have an app, and some don’t have an English app!
Most Travelers Should Get An Indonesian SIM Card!
There are also providers of international travel SIM Cards and International E-SIM Card. Holafly is one of those providers. Many travelblogs also refer to them, mostly because of the Affiliate program they have!
Getting an international travel sim is good when you want it as easy as possible, but it’s not the cheapest or best option for most travelers!
We suggest you use Telkomsel if you want to travel to Indonesia. Safe travels!
