Planning your trip to Indonesia and trying to avoid high roaming costs? Let me help you to stay connected and show you what is the best prepaid sim card for tourists in Indonesia in 2025.
In this guide you will find everything you need to know before buying a prepaid sim card in Indonesia: where to buy a sim card, a comparison of the prepaid sim cards and the mobile internet operators in Indonesia, the best 4G/5G network, up to date prices as per January 2025, my recommendation and info about eSIMs
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Indonesia?
- Mobile internet operators in Indonesia
- Where to buy a sim card for Indonesia
- Indonesia prepaid sim card prices in 2025
- Best 4G/5G network in Indonesia in 2025
- Best prepaid sim card for Indonesia in 2025
- Best eSIMs for Indonesia
- Order a prepaid sim card for Indonesia online
- Indonesia travel tips
Buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Indonesia is easy and it will let you use data as if you were at home without having to struggle with slow overseas data roaming plans or high roaming costs.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in Indonesia myself, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected.
Are you traveling to Bali? Then I have dedicated Bali guides:
Traveltomtom also wrote a specific guide for buying a sim card at Jakarta Airport and one with the best eSIMs for traveling to Indonesia in 2025.
Some links in this article about the best ways to stay connected when traveling to Indonesia are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Telkomsel sim card for Indonesia. You can already get a Telkomsel prepaid sim card for tourists with 18 GB data for between $5 to $15 USD depending on where you buy it. Telkomsel has the best 4G/5G network in Indonesia.
On arrival at the international airports in Indonesia they sell the same sim cards for tourist prices. Read more about it in my guides for buying a sim card at Jakarta Airport and Bali Denpasar Airport.
However, the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Indonesia in 2025 is definitely an eSIM as you arrange everything online within just a couple clicks and it starts already from $5.5 USD for 1 GB data.
Traveltomtom recommends a Jetpac eSIM for Indonesia with 20 GB data for only $21 USD.
Check out my complete guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for traveling to Indonesia in 2025.
Another great alternative is a world travel sim card with data and global coverage. Check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying an international sim card with global coverage in 2025 and find a comparison of the best sim cards for travelers. Pick the one that suits your trip to South East Asia the best.
When traveling to more countries in Asia on your trip then have a look at Traveltomtom's comparison of the best prepaid and eSIMs for Asia in 2025.
Need some Indonesia travel inspiration? Chasing waterfalls in North Bali, climbing mount Rinjani in Lombok, exploring secret beaches in Nusa Penida, finding the walking Dead in Tana Toraja. I have traveled to Indonesia more than 10 times and I am happy to help.
Why buying a sim card for Indonesia?
Don't let those slow overseas data roaming packages fool you. They reduce the internet speed and you will end up with a terribly slow data connection on your phone. You want the fastest data speed in Indonesia? Then buy a local prepaid sim card or order an eSIM online.
First of all we want to avoid high roaming costs! Overseas data plans cost a minimum of $5 USD per day and even more. With an eSIM or an Indonesia prepaid sim card you might not spend more than $10 USD for the whole month.
Staying connected while traveling to Indonesia makes life so much easier and traveling more fun! Think about ordering an Uber/Grab, checking Google Maps for directions and making sure you don't get lost, finding a good nearby restaurant or finding your nearby friends via Live Location or WhatsApp. So many reasons for staying connected when traveling to Indonesia.
Don't rely on free public WiFi, although widespread in Indonesia there is no guarantee and trust me a 4G/5G data connections is much faster than your hotels' crappy free WiFi.
Also another reminder that public WiFi is on an UNSECURED network connection. The use of a VPN is recommended.
Mobile internet operators in Indonesia
There are 5 different mobile internet providers in Indonesia. Don't forget that Indonesia is one of the world's biggest countries by population: 280 million already as of 2025. All mobile internet providers sell prepaid sim cards for tourists:
- Telkomsel
- IM3 (Indosat/Ooredoo)
- XL Axiata
- Smartfren
Smartfren is a fairly new mobile internet provider in Indonesia and the Smartfren mobile data network is not as advanced yet as for example Telkomsel. Especially if you are going off the beaten path in Indonesia I would not recommend a Smartfren prepaid sim card.
There is a big difference in mobile network coverage, so keep reading before you are stuck on an island without a phone signal.
All mobile internet providers now also offer eSIMs for tourists in their phone stores in Indonesia as of 2025.
Where to buy a sim card for Indonesia
It is easy to buy a local prepaid sim card in Indonesia as they are sold on basically every street corner. Convenience stores, gas stations, mobile phone shops, official retail stores, electronic shops and so on.
International Airport on arrival
If you decide to buy a local prepaid sim card in Indonesia then the easiest place is at the international airport on arrival. Most probably your trip to Indonesia starts in either Jakarta or Bali. Both International Airports have multiple phone stores that sell prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Flying to Denpasar? Check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Bali Airport in 2025.
Flying to Jakarta? Check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Jakarta Airport in 2025.
Reminder that you pay tourist prices for Indonesia prepaid sim cards on airports. Expect to pay about 50% more for prepaid sim card plans at Bali or Jakarta Airport. On the contrary, it is very convenient to get connected instantly on arrival and the sim cards with data plans are still quite cheap.
Official retail store mobile internet providers
The best place to buy a local prepaid sim card in Indonesia is at an official mobile internet provider retail store. Here you will get the best service, proper registration, instant activation and the best sim card plans. Go where the locals go and find the cheapest sim card deals.
At an official phone store of the mobile internet operators you can now also get eSIMs for tourists as well as prepaid sim cards.
Random phone stores
When looking for tourist sim cards in Indonesia you can find them in every phone store. But also expect to find different prices everywhere. To get the best prepaid sim card deal you have to shop around, even haggling about the price could be worth it. Good thing is that prices for prepaid sim cards are fairly cheap in Indonesia and most probably you don't care paying $1-2 USD more for your prepaid package.
Online
If buying a sim card on arrival in Indonesia already sounds like too much hassle then order yourself a prepaid sim card or an eSIM for Indonesia on the internet.
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected as you arrange everything online and as soon as the plane lands you are connected.
Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Indonesia in 2025, but make sure your phone is eSIM compatible. If not, then you can also buy an international prepaid sim card for Indonesia online.
Indonesia prepaid sim card prices in 2025
All prices and info are updated as per January 2025. Prices are in Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) and $1 USD = 16,350 IDR and 100,000 IDR = $6.1 USD.
In tourist hotspots like Bali expect prepaid sim cards to be more expensive than the official prices. Also in Indonesia, the same prepaid sim card could be priced differently in every other phone shop, convenience store, etc.
Mobile internet in Indonesia is CHEAP, but internet data speed in Indonesia is NOT what it is like in your home country, so have low expectations about 4G/LTE and 5G data speed.
XL Axiata
At XL Axiata they have 4 prepaid sim card plans valid for 30 days:
- 30 GB data = 62,000 IDR - $4 USD
- 65 GB data = 125,000 IDR - $8 USD
- 147 GB data = 205,000 IDR - $13.2 USD
- 260 GB data = 320,000 IDR - $20.7 USD
For the latest prepaid sim card offers check the XL Axiata website. In XL Axiata stores around Indonesia you can get a physical prepaid sim card as well as an eSIM.
Telkomsel
A Telkomsel prepaid sim card comes with three different data quotas: social media, internet and local quota. The local quota is pretty much for the region/island where you buy your prepaid sim card like: Bali, Java, Sumatra. Confusing a bit to be honest! All prepaid plans are valid for 30 days:
- Maximum 11 GB data = 42,000 IDR - $2.7 USD
- Maximum 18 GB data = 66,000 IDR - $4.3 USD
- Maximum 35 GB data = 83,000 IDR - $5.4 USD
- Maximum 51 GB data = 115,000 IDR - $7.4 USD
- Maximum 70 GB data = 138,000 IDR - $8.9 USD
These are the prices for simPATI packages the prepaid sim cards that you can expect in Telkomsel stores around Indonesia. For more info check the Telkomsel website. Telkomsel stores around Indonesia now also offer eSIMs for tourists.
IM3 - Indosat/Ooredoo
IM3 is the mobile data brand name of a merger of Tri, Indosat and Ooredoo and offers prepaid sim cards with unlimited calls/text to other IM3 phone numbers:
- 2 GB data = 45,000 IDR - $2.9 USD
- 6 GB data + 30 minutes calling time = 99,000 IDR - $6.4 USD
- 16 GB data + 60 minutes calling time + 60 sms = 199,000 IDR - $12.8 USD
- 30 GB data + 120 minutes calling time + 120 sms = 299,000 - $19.3 USD
For more info check the Indosat website. In Indosat Ooredoo stores around Indonesia you can now get a physical prepaid sim card as well as an eSIM for tourists.
Smartfren
Smartfren has very competitive prepaid sim card deals as it is a fairly new provider and has one of the smallest 3G/4G mobile networks in Indoneisa. The Smartfren prepaid plans come with unlimited social media apps and are valid for 28 days:
- 1 GB data per day = 45,000 IND - $2.9 USD
- 2 GB data per day = 80,000 IND - $5.2 USD
- 3 GB data per day = 100,000 IND - $6.4 USD
Check the Smartfren website for more info. In Smartfren stores around Indonesia you can get a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM.
Best 4G/5G network in Indonesia in 2025
Mobile internet network coverage is quite important for finding the best sim card for traveling in Indonesia. You don't want to get stuck on an island with no phone signal. In some islands you only find a signal of specific providers and others not at all.
The best example is East Indonesia. From Flores towards the far East in Papua there is basically only a Telkomsel signal available.
If you are traveling somewhere specific I would recommend you to have a look at the Indonesia 4G/5G network coverage maps.
Is there 5G in Indonesia?
Yes, there is 5G in Indonesia but I would not get too excited! As per 2025 the 5G network in Indonesia is still very limited.
You can find 5G in places like Jakarta, Badung and Denpasar. When traveling around Indonesia you will mostly not find 5G and the fastest data connection you find is 4G/LTE. In some places you can actually be happy that there is a phone signal at all, but that is only if you travel off the beaten path.
In general most of the best places to visit and tourist hotspots in Indonesia are covered with a 4G/LTE phone signal.
XL Axiata 4G/5G network coverage map
IM3 (Indosat/Ooredoo) 4G/5G network coverage map
Smartfren 4G/5G network coverage map
Telkomsel 4G/5G network coverage map
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Indonesia in 2025.
From the above 4G/5G coverage maps for Indonesia we can clearly see that one providers sticks out. After comparing all the 4G/5G network coverage maps it is clear that Telkomsel has by far the best mobile internet network in Indonesia in 2025. Without a doubt!
Best prepaid sim card for Indonesia in 2025
Prepaid sim cards in Indonesia are very cheap and you get a lot of data. When looking for the best deal then Traveltomtom recommends buying a local prepaid sim card in a phone store in Indonesia rather than ordering an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card on the internet.
However, eSIMs are so convenient that I mostly order an eSIM for Indonesia directly on the internet.
It is just so chill to be online as soon as the plane lands. It saves you the hassle of buying a prepaid sim card on arrival. Plus it is affordable: a Jetpac eSIM for Indonesia with 20 GB data is only $21 USD.
Check out my guide about the best eSIMs for traveling to Indonesia in 2025 for more detailed info, answers to FAQ about eSIMs and everything else you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Indonesia.
Anyway, for those looking to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Indonesia it is a fairly easy conclusion that Telkomsel is the best prepaid sim card for tourists in Indonesia.
Telkomsel has by far the best 4G/5G mobile data network coverage around Indonesia. Prices for prepaid tourist sim cards are also fairly cheap and do not differ much from the other mobile internet operators like Xl Axiata, Smartfren or IM3.
If you are traveling off the beaten path in Indonesia then Traveltomtom only recommends a Telkomsel prepaid sim card. Are you going on a Bali holiday and have no intension leaving the island then a Smartfren, XL or Ooredoo or IM3 prepaid sim card will also do the job.
My personal recommendation would be the Telkomsel prepaid sim card for Indonesia with 18 GB data for just $4.5 USD. Although, in tourists hotspots this same package will be sold for at least $14 USD.
A local prepaid sim card is the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Indonesia in 2025, but you have to go where the locals go to get a a local sim card deal, otherwise you still end up paying the tourist price.
Best eSIMs for Indonesia
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Indonesia in 2025 is an eSIM. No more visiting a sim card store and swapping sim cards. When you get yourself an eSIM for Indonesia you arrange everything online and get connected in just 2 minutes.
You order an eSIM for Indonesia on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have an Indonesia eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Indonesia it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Indonesia. Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide with everything you need to know about using eSIMs when traveling to Indonesia.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a Singapore based eSIM provider and they clearly know the Indonesia eSIM market very well. Not only does Jetpac have the best and cheapest eSIM deals for Indonesia, their eSIMs also operate on the Telkomsel network.
Click here to read our independent Jetpac review.
Here are the Jetpac Indonesia eSIM plans:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $8 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $21 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $50 USD
- 50 GB data for 10 days = $25 USD
Click here for more info or to order the Jetpac Indonesia eSIM.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% discount when using the code TOMTOM10 at check out.
Jetpac has now a crazy eSIM deal for Indonesia with 50 GB data for only $25 USD! That is only $0.5 USD per Gigabyte.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue.
Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Indonesia for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $11 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $16.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.75 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
- Unlimited data for 10 days = $35 USD
*3 GB high speed data per day, then reduced data speed at 1 Mbps.
Click here to order an eSIM for Indonesia via Airalo or find more info.
The above data-only eSIMs from Indotel operate on the Indosat and Three 4G/5G network.
Traveltomtom wrote a complete guide for Indonesia eSIMs with much more details about the above eSIM plans. Check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Indonesia in 2025 including an answer to all FAQ about using eSIMs when traveling abroad.
Order a prepaid sim card for Indonesia online
SimOptions also offers physical prepaid sim cards for those who don't have an eSIM compatible phone. If buying a prepaid sim card on arrival in Indonesia sounds like too much effort then order a physical prepaid sim card online.
Arrive prepared in Indonesia with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Indonesia, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
- Three Data Pack 10 GB - $24.90 USD = 10 GB data for 30 days
- Orange Holiday World - $49.90 USD = 10 GB data for 14 days
Click here to order one of the above international sim cards for Indonesia directly online or have a look for more info. Personally I would go for the first option: Three Data Pack 10GB as its gives you 10 GB data for less than $24.90 USD.
Also a last reminder that if you have an eSIM compatible phone you can order an eSIM for Indonesia with very competitive prices. You can already get an eSIM for just $0.95 USD.
Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for traveling to Indonesia in 2025, including a comparison of the best eSIMs and an answer to all FAQ about eSIMs.
Indonesia travel tips
In total I traveled more than 10 months in Indonesia over the last few years. I wrote numerous travel blogs from meeting the King of Bali to the Walking Dead of Toraja in Sulawesi. Have a look at my Indonesia Traveltomtom landing page and find more than 25 blogs with travel tips for Indonesia.
Most valuable and related article is my guide for buying a prepaid tourist sim card for Bali in 2025.
If you have any further questions about getting connected in Indonesia or want some extra travel tips or recommendations please leave me a message below and happy to help you.
Looking for transportation while traveling in Indonesia? Check out all the bus and boat routes, schedules and prices as well as domestic flights in Indonesia below in the transportation search engine.
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Boats to Gili Trawangan or Lombok from Bali? From Bali to Gili Trawangan: 3h 30min - $25 USD. From Bali to Lombok: 3h 30min - $28 USD.
Finding out what is the best way to stay connected is the first thing I do when planning a new adventure abroad. In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected.
As a full time nomadic travel blogger who is also aiming to visit every country in the world I constantly get to new countries and since I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Auckland, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangkok, Vietnam, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Kenya, USA, Canada, Europe, Asia, UK, Turkey and many more.
So when planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money!
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go to 197.
Enjoy your trip to Indonesia!
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