Are you planning to enjoy the beaches of Indonesian islands and the local nature? During your travels in Bali, Jakarta, or Java, you certainly want to stay online and share your experiences with your loved ones. If you prefer to avoid dealing with SIM card purchases locally, showing your passport, and negotiating with local vendors, there is another solution. The answer is eSIM Indonesia. Read on to discover which plans are the most cost-effective. We will also compare them with the classic SIM options.
eSIM Indonesia: How to Choose the Best One?
You should decide based on the expected length of your stay and the amount of data you will need. Remember that while on vacation, you are often away from Wi-Fi, so your data usage might be higher than at home.
It’s also important to consider where exactly you are heading. If you’re targeting tourist areas like Bali, Jakarta, or Java, you should be fine with most operators. Telkomsel offers the best coverage and is ideal for exploring islands. XL Axiata and IM3 are also reliable, although their signal may be weaker in remote areas. All of them offer 5G coverage in major tourist destinations.
If you are on a trip and plan to visit nearby countries, a regional eSIM covering multiple countries might be worth considering. If you’re unsure, check out our article on how to choose the best eSIM.
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The Most Cost-Effective eSIM Plans for Indonesia
Let’s take a look at the prices of the most popular data plans. We’ve selected the most affordable and reliable providers for you.
The Cheapest Plans
If you only need 1 GB as a backup and won’t use the internet much otherwise, the cheapest option is Airhub, which offers 1 GB for 7 days at $0.95.
eSIM4Travel is another good option, offering a plan for 7 days at $1.40. The connection uses Telkomsel.
Global YO is priced at $1.49. If you only need data for one day, it’s available for just $0.89.
Jetpac offers a 4-day plan for $1.
If you prefer using the popular Airalo, the cost is $5.50. Interestingly, the Asialink plan, which includes 18 countries including Indonesia, costs $5. For better value, choose 2 GB for $8 with a validity of 15 days, also on the Telkomsel network.
Moderate Data Usage (5 GB)
If you use Wi-Fi during your vacation but still want to check maps or opening hours occasionally, 5 GB might suffice.
The best price is from Global YO, available for $5.09.
eSIM4Travel offers 5 GB for $5.95 with a 30-day validity.
At Maya Mobile, prices depend on the selected duration. The shortest option costs $6.99, 10 days costs $7.99, and 15 days is $8.99. Plans for 30 days or more are priced at $9.99.
YOHO Mobile allows you to choose data and duration combinations, such as 5 GB for 15 days at $6.24, covering Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Mobimatter offers 5 GB for $6.99. If you plan to visit other Asian countries, a 10-country plan is available for just $0.50 more.
At Airalo, the 5 GB plan with a 30-day validity costs $16.50.
High Data Usage (10 GB)
If you enjoy browsing the internet and want to stay online during your vacation, 10 GB should be enough for a regular trip.
The cheapest option can once again be found at Global YO. You can get 10 GB for 30 days at just $9.09.
eSIM4Travel also offers a good price at $10.93.
Mobimatter provides even more with 15 GB for a reasonable $11.99.
Airhub also offers a higher data package with 12 GB at $11.80.
With Maya Mobile, you pay $11.99 for 10 days of data. If you need 15 days, it will cost you one dollar more.
If 15 days are sufficient, YOHO Mobile is an attractive option at $10.20, where you can customize the data amount and validity period.
If you’d like the ability to make calls, consider GlobaleSIM, priced at $18.
Unlimited Data with eSIM Indonesia
You’ll find a relatively rich selection if you need unlimited data.
A leader in unlimited data offers is Holafly. They offer a standard vacation package with 15 days for $50.90. Note that data sharing is not possible with Holafly in Indonesia.
The cheapest option is with Global YO, where 15 days of unlimited data cost just $16.29. However, note the limitation of 1 GB per day. After reaching the daily limit, the speed slows down, but essential functions like email, maps, and messaging apps such as Messenger or WhatsApp should still work fine.
A relatively good price for unlimited eSIM with 15 days is available at eTravelSIM, priced at $39.
For safer surfing, try Yesim, which includes free VPN services. 15 days cost $47.30.
For 30 days, YOHO Mobile offers unlimited data for an attractive $39.99. Be aware that speeds drop to 1 Mbps after consuming 30 GB. The advantage is that hotspot functionality is available.
With Maya Mobile, you can get 15 days of unlimited data for $38.99. If you want to share the data, it will cost $58.99.
eSIM4Travel offers daily plans, such as 2 GB per day for 10 days at $17.30.
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Overview of the Best eSIM Packages for Indonesia
| Provider | GB | Price | Validity |
| Airhub | 1 GB | $0.95 | 7 days |
| Global YO | 5 GB | $5.09 | 30 days |
| Global YO | 15 GB | $9.09 | 30 days |
| Global YO | Unlimited | $16.29 | 15 days |
Traditional SIM Card in Indonesia
If you don’t need to be online immediately after landing and want to save even more, buying a local SIM card is worth considering. Data here is incredibly cheap. However, keep in mind that the speeds may not be as high as you’re used to. Most of the time, you’ll get 4G/LTE networks. But this is gradually improving as Indonesia continues to develop.
You can buy a SIM card at the major airports right after landing. Just expect a more limited selection and potentially higher prices. Presenting your passport is mandatory when purchasing. Alternatively, we recommend visiting an operator’s store in the city. However, you won’t have data immediately upon arrival.
The best signal across Indonesia is provided by Telkomsel. If you plan to travel extensively, we recommend buying a SIM card from this company. They offer a tourist package where you can get 25 GB of data and 25 minutes of calls for approximately $10 (150,000 rupiah, depending on the current exchange rate). The advantage is that you can order it before your trip and pick it up at one of the designated locations.
While at the store, you might find even better packages. Check out the offers, and don’t let them sell you just the tourist SIM card.
Even cheaper options are available with XL Axiata. For 30 GB of data, you’ll pay around $4. If you’re heading to tourist destinations and don’t need to be online immediately at the airport, this is a good choice.
IM3 also offers good coverage, as it was formed through the merger of three operators. You can get 20 GB for approximately $7.
The fourth player is Smartfren. It is a relatively new competitor in the market, and therefore, it has the worst coverage and doesn’t offer 5G anywhere. They try to compensate with very competitive prices. However, given that the previous operators also have excellent pricing with much better coverage, we currently cannot recommend this operator.
Summary: SIM vs. eSIM in Indonesia
Indonesia is known to many as a fantastic destination for digital nomads. Affordable internet is one reason why it’s so popular among them. In the best tourist destinations, you have quality connectivity and often the fastest 5G network.
Data is relatively inexpensive whether you opt for an eSIM or a local SIM card. It ultimately depends on whether you’re willing to visit a store to buy a cheap package with a local number or if you prefer to set up an eSIM comfortably from home or right at the airport before departure.
