Are you visiting Indonesia and considering getting an e-sim card? In this blog post, we'll share how to avoid expensive roaming charges and connect in minutes. Get the complete guide on the best eSIM for Bali, Indonesia, and the latest prices per service provider.
Table of Contents
What is an eSIM card?
An eSIM (electronic SIM) is a modern alternative to traditional SIM cards, revolutionizing how we connect our devices to cellular networks. Integrated into your device, it's a small chip that acts like a SIM card without physical swapping. This technology is available in most new smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches.
Why buy an eSIM card for Bali, Indonesia?
Getting an eSIM card is the best way to stay connected while traveling in Indonesia, and you can set them up online with a few clicks. You won't have to go to a shop to swap SIM cards anymore. You can activate it in less than two minutes after you order online or purchase it via a kiosk in Bali airport.
You'll save money on high roaming costs while using all the necessary travel apps like Google Maps or booking online transport services from Grab or Gojek. Which also makes connecting with family or friends very easy while traveling in groups. You can also access any banking apps when paying contactless here in Bali.
Data roaming is still charged at $3 USD per MB by most mobile internet providers. That means that just starting the Instagram app will cost you 20 MB * $3 USD, which is $60 USD. The best way to avoid these high roaming costs is to get an E-sim card.
Photo by Frederik Lipfert / Unsplash
Does eSIM work on any phone in Bali?
No, eSIMS only works for unlocked phones. You'll need to request your mobile internet provider in your home country to unlock your phone. Most phones from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe are unlocked, while phones from America are often locked. Before buying an e-sim card, ensuring your smartphone is compatible with Esims is also essential. But don't worry if you have one of the newest smartphones. All of the latest smartphones from well-known names can use e-sim cards.
Best Esim for Tourists in Bali
1. Indotel e-sim card from Airalo for $24.75 USD - Editor's Choice
10 GB data-only e-sim
Valid in Indonesia only
Suitable only for 30 days
Getting eSIM via Airalo is advisable if Indonesia is one of many stops in Asia. If you are an iPhone user and don't want to register your phone in Indonesia, this is your best option.
2. Smartfren e-sim card for $6 USD - Cheapest eSIM in Bali
20 GB data-only e-sim
Valid in Indonesia only
Suitable only for 30 days
This is advisable if Indonesia is your only stop in Asia. Unfortunately, you can't buy this online.
3. Nomad e-sim card for $26 USD
15 GB data-only e-sim
Valid in Indonesia only
Suitable only for 30 days
Getting eSIM via Nomad is advisable if Indonesia is one of many stops in Asia.
Where can I buy an e-sim card for Indonesia?
Buy Bali eSIM Online
Only through an e-sim card provider can you purchase an e-sim card for Indonesia over the Internet. There are several e-sim card companies in Indonesia, including Airalo and Nomad. When ordering an e-sim card for Indonesia from one of the e-sim companies listed above, all you need is your email address, and the e-sim card is instantly available after installation. There is no need to register your ID.
Get Bali eSIM at the airport upon arrival
There are four leading mobile internet service companies in Indonesia.
Telkomsel
Smartfren
Indosat/Ooredoo
XL Axiata
It's too bad that Indonesia's three most prominent companies don't offer e-sim cards to tourists. In Indonesia, Smartfren is the only company that sells e-sim cards to tourists.
After you get to Bali, Indonesia, the only way for tourists to get a local SIM card is to buy a prepaid SIM card from Telkomsel, XL Axiata, or Indosat/Ooredoo. You can only register an e-sim card at Bali Airport and official Smartfren shops in Indonesia.
Read our complete guide on buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Indonesia or learn more about registering your phone's IMEI in Bali.
Indonesian airports do not sell many e-sim cards, though. Most of the time, they only sell physical prepaid SIM cards for foreigners. Always expect to pay higher tourist prices when buying a SIM card at the airport. To avoid this, read more about our guide on how to buy a SIM card for Bali.
When should I activate my e-sim card for Bali?
You can order an e-sim card for Indonesia at any time. Most e-sim cards must be inserted on the phone within one month after purchase, and some must be activated within one year, so you have time. The validity of some e-sim cards begins immediately after installation, whereas others start when they connect for the first time to a supported network.
Install your e-sim card on or before the day of your flight to Indonesia. You will need an internet connection in Indonesia to install your e-sim card. Every international airport in Indonesia provides free WiFi, which you might use to activate your e-sim card. Ensure you have a reliable internet connection; after receiving it, you must install/activate your e-sim card in your native country.
How to activate an e-sim card in Bali?
It is made as simple as possible to install and activate an e-sim card. Everyone can activate an e-sim card; the instructions are thorough and will be emailed immediately.
After you place an order for an e-sim card plan for Indonesia, our system will process your payment and send you an order summary that includes a QR code. This QR code will appear on your device's screen, and we will also email you detailed instructions on installing and activating your Indonesia e-sim card.
To activate your e-sim card, scan the QR code with the phone you plan to use. This code contains all the necessary details for your Indonesia e-sim card. Following a few easy steps after scanning, you can install and activate your e-sim card in under a minute. The process is quick and efficient, ensuring you can start using your e-sim card without any hassle.
The Best eSIM Comparison for Bali
Here are Indonesia e-sim card plans from Airalo :
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
Indotel's Airalo e-sim cards for Indonesia use Telkomsel's 4G/LTE network, Indonesia's top mobile data network. Unfortunately, Indonesian Airalo Indotel e-sim cards are not 5G ready. Indonesia has little 5G as of 2023. However, 4G/LTE signals are available in most of Indonesia's fantastic destinations, and data speeds are good.
All Airalo e-sim cards are data-only and don't support phone/SMS services. When you get an Airalo e-sim card placed within a month and activated, credit validity begins when it connects to a supported network.
Read more on our complete guide to the best tourist sim card for Indonesia in 2024, which includes network coverage maps of all mobile internet providers and information about the best 4G/5G network in Indonesia.
If traveling to multiple Asian countries, check out the Airalo website to get their Asia or Global eSIM packages.
Smartfren eSIM
Smartfren is an Indonesian mobile internet service provider. It is Indonesia's fourth-smallest mobile internet provider, following Telkomsel, Indosat/Ooredoo, and XL Axiata. Smartfren is the only provider of tourist e-sim cards. All other suppliers exclusively sell prepaid SIM cards to travelers.
Remember that you may only purchase a Smartfren e-sim card for Indonesia upon arrival at Bali Airport or an approved Smartfren store.
Smartfren offers the following e-sim card plans for Indonesia:
12 GB data for 30 days = 70,000 IDR - $5 USD
30 GB data for 30 days = 90,000 IDR - $6 USD
45 GB data for 30 days = 120,000 IDR - $8 USD
Smartfren e-sim cards are significantly less expensive than e-sim cards for Indonesia purchased online. A Smartfren e-sim card is a prepaid local sim card.
Buying a Smartfren e-sim card includes an Indonesia phone number beginning with +62. Incoming calls are supported, while outgoing calls are possible after purchasing more calling credit for your e-sim card.
Nomad eSIM
Last is Nomad, which provides the cheapest Indonesia e-sim card plans and Indonesia e-sim cards with unlimited data. Be careful; it is unlimited with many restrictions.
Nomad offers the following e-sim card plans for Indonesia:
3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
15 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
We recommend Nomad e-sim cards with standard data plans for Indonesia, rather than the ones with unlimited data. The standard plans work perfectly, but the unlimited ones do not offer unlimited data at maximum speed. After you use 2 GB of data daily, the data speed is reduced to 512 Kbps, barely enough for WhatsApp. If you want to access social media, you must wait 24 hours until your maximum data speed is restored.
Joytel offers Nomad e-SIM cards exclusively for use in Indonesia. It's important to note that these e-SIM cards are data-only and incompatible with 5G networks. They can only run on 4G/LTE networks provided by Telkomsel and Indosat. It's worth noting that these e-SIM cards do not support incoming or outgoing phone calls, and SMS features are also unavailable.
>>> Check our guide on buying a SIM card and ESIM in Bali.
>>> Learn how to register your phone in Bali Indonesia.
>>>Don’t get scammed, know more about exchanging money in Bali and using ATMs in Bali.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Bali eSIM.
Which online eSIM for Bali is the cheapest?
Which eSIM for Bali offers the most data?
Nomad eSIM offers the most data, but it has a tendency to be slow.
Can I use my Overseas Data Roaming plans in Bali?
You can use your data roaming plans in Bali, but we don't recommend it. Most mobile internet providers set a limit on your data speed whenever you travel overseas. That's why data roaming plans may be slow, meaning you have 3G data speed. It might be frustrating, especially if you go to the rural area of Bali, where there is limited connection for international internet providers, unlike Airalo or Smartfren, which are connected directly to Indonesian servers with 4G/LTE available.
If you think we missed out on other eSIM providers, we should try in Bali; send us a message, and we would be happy to update our list.
🥥🌴🍍🌸Beauty Guide Bali Tips🥥🌴🍍🌸
Check out the cheapest flight to Bali today! Visit Wayaway.com
Book your accommodations in advance to get the latest hotel deals, visit Booking.com & Agoda.com
Arrange your Airport transfers to your hotel via Klook.com and avoid the stress of negotiating.
Learn the best way to go around Bali. Book a Private Car via Klook or Rent a bike via Bikago.
Learn how to register your phone in Bali. If you’re an iPhone user & don't want to register your phone, get your eSIM via Airalo.com.
Not sure when to fly out from Bali? Get your Onward Ticket fast for your visit.
Get Travel Insurance with Safetywing.com and worry less if any accidents happen.
Book your tours and activities before departure with Get Your Guide, Viator, and Klook.
Get your ferry tickets to Nusa Penida or other islands in Indonesia via 12go.com
Browse safely in Bali, and protect your mobile device with Nord VPN.
* Disclaimer: Some links in this blog are affiliate links; if you make a purchase at no extra cost, we receive a commission. We thank you in advance, as it helps to keep this website going. For more information, visit our disclaimer page.