Indonesia is one of Southeast Asia’s most connected countries, and buying a prepaid SIM card is the easiest way to stay online while traveling. Whether you are visiting Bali, Jakarta, Lombok, or Yogyakarta, local SIM cards offer fast 4G/5G internet, affordable data plans, and excellent nationwide coverage.
This complete guide covers the best prepaid SIM cards in Indonesia, prices, networks, frequencies, registration rules, and data packages for tourists.
Basics Information
Country: Indonesia
SIM Types: Physical SIM & eSIM
Average Price: IDR 10,000 – 100,000 (USD 1 – 7)
Network Technology: 2G / 3G / 4G LTE / 5G
Largest Operators: Telkomsel, XL Axiata, Indosat (IM3)
Tourist SIM Validity: 7 – 90 days (depending on plan)
Availability
Prepaid SIM cards are widely available throughout Indonesia, including major cities and tourist hotspots.
You can find SIM cards at:
Airports
Shopping malls
Official operator stores
Convenience stores (Indomaret, Alfamart)
Online platforms
Where to Buy
You can easily buy SIM cards at:
Airports: Bali (Denpasar), Jakarta, Surabaya
Official Brand Stores: Telkomsel GraPARI, XL Center, IM3 stores
Convenience Stores: Indomaret & Alfamart
Online: Shopee, Tokopedia
A passport is required for registration.
Frequencies Table
Operator
2G
3G
4G LTE Bands
5G
Telkomsel
900 / 1800 MHz
2100 MHz
B1 / B3 / B5 / B8 / B40
n40 / n78
XL Axiata
900 / 1800 MHz
2100 MHz
B3 / B5 / B8 / B40
Limited
Indosat (IM3)
900 / 1800 MHz
2100 MHz
B1 / B3 / B8
Limited
Coverage & Speed Table
Operator
Coverage
Avg 4G Speed
5G Availability
Telkomsel
Nationwide (Best)
20–80 Mbps
Major cities
XL Axiata
Urban & suburban
15–60 Mbps
Limited areas
Indosat (IM3)
Cities & towns
10–50 Mbps
Limited areas
At a Glance Comparison
Feature
Telkomsel
XL Axiata
Indosat (IM3)
Coverage
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
Speed
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐⭐
⭐⭐⭐
Tourist-friendly
Excellent
Good
Good
Best For
Rural + Islands
Cities
Budget users
Biometric User Registration
Indonesia requires biometric SIM registration:
Passport scanning
Facial photo capture
Fingerprint (in most official stores)
This is mandatory for all tourists.
Device Registration (IMEI Rules)
Foreign phones used in Indonesia for more than 90 days must be registered through the Indonesian CEIR system.
Short-term tourists (under 90 days) do not need registration.
Special Tourist SIM cards are available at airports, usually bundled with:
10–25 GB data
Validity: 7–30 days
Price: IDR 100,000 – 300,000
Digital eSIM Providers
You can also use international eSIM services in Indonesia:
Airalo
Nomad
Holafly
Ubigi
These work instantly without visiting stores.
Other Connectivity Options
Portable Wi-Fi (Pocket WiFi) rental
Hotel Wi-Fi
Free public Wi-Fi in malls and cafes
SIM Card Activation
Insert the SIM card
Complete biometric registration
Restart phone
Network activates within 5–10 minutes
Help Line Numbers
Operator
Customer Care
Telkomsel
188
XL Axiata
817
Indosat (IM3)
185
How to Top Up in Indonesia
You can top up your balance via:
Indomaret / Alfamart stores
ATM banking
Shopee / Tokopedia
Official operator apps
Ask for “Pulsa top up” and give your phone number.
Conclusion
Prepaid SIM cards in Indonesia are affordable, easy to buy, and offer excellent nationwide coverage. Telkomsel is the best option for travelers going to remote areas, while XL Axiata and Indosat (IM3) provide excellent value for city travelers. For maximum convenience, tourists can choose airport SIM cards or digital eSIMs.
With fast 4G/5G networks and inexpensive data packages, Indonesia is one of the best-connected destinations in Southeast Asia for tourists and digital nomads.
