If you’re planning to travel to Bali, Indonesia, staying connected with a local network can help you stay in touch with loved ones, access important travel information, and navigate the island with ease. In this guide, we will provide you with all the information you need to know about buying a SIM card or eSIM in Bali.

Where to buy a SIM card or eSIM in Bali?

When you arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali, you will find kiosks from various providers, including Telkomsel, Indosat Ooredoo, XL Axiata, and Smartfren. These kiosk often only accept cash payment in IDR currency. It is also widely known that the bundle packages they sell are not what you get. For example they would sell a package with 30 GB, but the reality is that you can only use 5GB in the day time and the other 20 GB can only be used in the middle of the night and only from local content providers. Also there’s often very long queues at these kiosk as these providers have a requirement to register your passport, and register the IMEI number of your phone. This can take a very long time and there will be many others waiting in front and behind you.

However, if you prefer the convenience of an eSIM, you can purchase one from Bikago Mobile, a roaming provider that uses the Telkomsel network.

Roaming and other providers

There are various roaming providers available online, such as Bikago Mobile. 

Holafly: offers unlimited bundles, however they use the worst network in Indonesia and have very low rated reviews due to their bad customer support and network coverage, they use the smallest network 3.

KKDay: this is a reseller of physical SIM cards from Telkomsel, XL and Indosat

Klook: this is a reseller of physical SIM cards from Telkomsel, XL and Indosat.

Airalo: a very good option for eSIMS ,however Bikago Mobile is slightly cheaper and provides better customer support, and has the ability to get you a physical SIM card as well.

 What SIM card to buy in Bali?

If you prefer a physical SIM card, Telkomsel is the largest provider in Indonesia and offers the best coverage in Bali. They have a range of prepaid plans, including Simpati and Kartu As, which offer data and call credit. Prepaid plans are recommended for tourists as they offer flexibility and affordability. However, as noted above, if you buy it from the Telkomsel kiosk at the airport directly you will get inflated prices, complex bundle structures and long waiting times to register your SIM card.

What eSIM card to buy in Bali?

An eSIM is a digital SIM that can be downloaded onto your compatible device without the need for a physical SIM card. If you prefer the convenience of an eSIM, Bikago Mobile offers Telkomsel network as one of its options for travelers to use. Once you purchase an eSIM from Bikago Mobile, you can download it onto your device and use it to access the Telkomsel network in Bali.

Bali SIM card tourist price

The price of a SIM card or eSIM in Bali will vary depending on the provider and the plan you choose. The prices usually start at IDR 250,000 ( USD 16) up to IDR 800,000 (USD 52).  (see notes above though about the bundling practises )

Bikago Mobile offers various eSIM plans starting at USD 4.99.

Typically, people use 500MB – 3000 MB per day.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer a physical SIM card or the convenience of an eSIM, staying connected in Bali is essential for any traveler. Telkomsel offers the best coverage in Bali, and their prepaid plans are a popular choice for tourists. However, if you prefer the convenience of an eSIM, Bikago Mobile offers Telkomsel network as one of its options for travelers to use. The other advantage over other providers Bikago Mobile offers, is that it does not require IMEI registration, and it’s customers are able to top-up their bundle online with convenient online payment options.

With the information provided in this guide, you can choose the best option for your needs and stay connected during your visit to Bali.