Indonesia SIM Card with Unlimited Data: Where to Buy, Prices & Setup for Indian Travelers
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
You land at Ngurah Rai after 14 hours of flying. This is exactly when “I’ll sort SIM later” turns into airport tourist-trap markups or a panicked checkout of a Nomad eSIM plan you didn’t research. I’ve cross-checked current Indonesian telco pages to put together the best Indonesia SIM card unlimited data plan I wish I’d had on day one.
Indonesia does have honest prepaid “unlimited” data, but the word does real work differently at each carrier. Telkomsel gives you a daily quota at full speed, then throttles to 256 kbps for the rest of the day (still useful for WhatsApp and Maps). XL and Three (3 Indonesia) push much higher caps before throttling, and Three has a few plans that genuinely stay unmetered for popular apps. None of them require an Indonesian address, just your passport, and the airport kiosks accept rupee-loaded forex cards from India without fuss.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Best “unlimited” prepaid SIM for Indians | Telkomsel Tourist 7-day (15GB high-speed, then throttled) | ₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78) |
| Where to buy at the airport | Official Telkomsel/XL/Three counters at Ngurah Rai (Bali), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), Adi Sutjipto (Yogyakarta) | Free with SIM purchase |
| Documents required | Passport + valid visa (VoA or e-VoA); biometric photo at registration | ₹0 |
| Best unlimited eSIM alternative | Nomad eSIM (Indonesia plan) for Indian travelers | From ₹350 (~$3.63) |
| Total activation time at airport | 20 to 40 minutes including queue and biometric photo | ₹0 |
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Buy the SIM at the airport on landing even if it’s 30% more expensive than town. The 90 minutes you save is the difference between making your day-one sunset at Tanah Lot and watching it from your hotel lobby.
Why “Unlimited” Means Different Things in Indonesia
Indonesian prepaid carriers all use the FUP (Fair Use Policy) model. There’s no unlimited 5G SIM you can simply buy and walk away with. What you get instead is a high-speed bucket per day or per billing cycle (15 to 50 GB on most tourist plans), after which your speed drops to either 256 kbps or 1 Mbps, enough for WhatsApp, Google Maps, and email but not for video calls or Instagram uploads.
That fits Indian backpackers pretty well. A normal day of using Google Maps, WhatsApp calls home, Instagram stories, and a couple of YouTube clips burns about 2 to 3 GB. A 15 GB high-speed pool covers four or five heavy days. When it throttles, your Grab and Gojek still work because they use little bandwidth.
The newer “always-on” plans from XL and Three have started pushing the high-speed bucket higher. Three’s “AlwaysOn” branded packs advertise 30 GB at full 4G+ speed before throttling, which is the closest thing to genuine unlimited for a normal traveller.
The Three Carriers: Honest Comparison
Telkomsel. Best Coverage, Best Airport Availability
Telkomsel is the 800-pound gorilla of Indonesian telecom. Coverage reaches almost every populated island, including Komodo, the Gili Islands, and the smaller Raja Ampat hop points. For a first-time visitor, this is the boring-safe choice that works in every situation. See our best SIM card in Indonesia guide for the full comparison.
Their prepaid tourist SIMs come in three durations:
| Plan | High-Speed Data | After Throttle | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist 7-day | 15 GB | 256 kbps | 7 days | ₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78) |
| Tourist 14-day | 30 GB | 256 kbps | 14 days | ₹536 (~100,000 IDR or ~$5.56) |
| Tourist 30-day | 50 GB | 256 kbps | 30 days | ₹804 (~150,000 IDR or ~$8.34) |
All three are available at airport counters under the “Telkomsel PraBayar Tourist” brand, and the activation flow is the same: passport scan, biometric photo (they’ll take one on the spot, free), five-minute wait, SIM in your phone.
The downside is that 256 kbps throttling is genuinely slow. WhatsApp voice notes will load, but sending a 5 MB photo will take a minute. If you plan to stream Spotify for an entire beach day, this plan will frustrate you.
XL Axiata. Best Data Allowance, Good Java/Bali Coverage
XL has been the value pick for the last three years and has genuinely closed the coverage gap with Telkomsel across Java and Bali. Their “Xtra Combo” prepaid packs come in:
| Plan | High-Speed Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xtra Combo 5GB | 5 GB | 30 days | ₹161 (~30,000 IDR or ~$1.67) |
| Xtra Combo 15GB | 15 GB | 30 days | ₹321 (~60,000 IDR or ~$3.33) |
| Xtra Combo 30GB | 30 GB | 30 days | ₹536 (~100,000 IDR or ~$5.56) |
| Xtra Combo 50GB | 50 GB | 30 days | ₹804 (~150,000 IDR or ~$8.34) |
After exhausting the high-speed bucket, XL drops to 1 Mbps instead of Telkomsel’s 256 kbps, which is a meaningful difference for video calls. Travellers consistently report XL coverage being equal to Telkomsel in Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Lombok’s main towns. It gets patchy on the smaller islands.
Three (3 Indonesia). Best “Always On” Speeds
Three is the most aggressive on the “unlimited” branding. Their prepaid packs use a different model: a daily high-speed quota plus unmetered access to certain apps.
| Plan | High-Speed Data | App Bonuses | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AlwaysOn 3GB/day | 3 GB per day | Unlimited WhatsApp/Gojek | 30 days | ₹536 (~100,000 IDR or ~$5.56) |
| AlwaysOn 5GB/day | 5 GB per day | Unlimited WhatsApp/Gojek/Maps | 30 days | ₹804 (~150,000 IDR or ~$8.34) |
| AlwaysON 30GB | 30 GB total | None | 30 days | ₹536 (~100,000 IDR or ~$5.56) |
The AlwaysOn 3 GB/day plan is what most Indian backpackers I know use. 3 GB at full 4G+ speed every morning, plus unmetered WhatsApp (which is where 80% of communication with home happens anyway), is more than enough for a two-week Bali trip. Throttling kicks in at 256 kbps at day’s end and resets at midnight.
The catch: Three coverage outside Java, Bali, and Lombok is genuinely poor. If you’re heading to Komodo, Raja Ampat, or Flores, Three is a bad bet.
Where to Buy
At the Airport (Recommended for First-Time Visitors)
Every major Indonesian international airport has all three carriers in the arrivals hall. The queues are worst at Ngurah Rai (DPS) and Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), but they’re the only queue that runs on a predictable 20 to 40 minutes. Each carrier has a branded booth. Look for the Telkomsel orange, XL blue, or Three red.
Process at airport counter:
- Show passport and visa (printed or digital).
- Pick your plan, pay in IDR or card.
- They take a biometric photo (small camera at the counter).
- They cut the SIM, slot it into your phone, and verify it’s registered.
- Within five minutes you have signal.
Total time: 20 to 40 minutes depending on queue. If you’ve already filled out your Indonesia VoA e-CD on the plane, it’s faster.
In Town (Cheaper, but Takes Effort)
In every city with a tourist presence, you’ll find authorised resellers called “counter HP” (phone shops). They sell the same SIMs for 10 to 20% less than the airport, but you’ll need to navigate a few things:
- Indonesian language barrier (Google Translate camera helps)
- The same biometric registration (they’ll have the kit)
- Possible upsells on accessories
In Bali, the easiest non-airport option is the XL or Telkomsel branded shop in any major mall (Beachwalk, Discovery, Lippo Kuta). See our what SIM card to buy in Bali guide for exact locations. In Jakarta, head to any Roxy phone-shop cluster. In Yogyakarta, Malioboro Mall has both XL and Three counters.
Before You Fly (eSIM Alternative)
If you’d rather land with data already working, a regional Nomad eSIM is the cleaner option. The Indonesia-specific plan starts at 1 GB for 7 days up to 20 GB for 30 days, all unmetered speed on Telkomsel’s underlying network. Activation is QR-code scan, no passport, no biometric photo, no airport queue.
ESIM is also a parallel choice, not just an alternative. Many Indian travellers now carry a Nomad eSIM as their primary data line (works the moment the plane lands) and pick up a local Indonesian physical SIM later as a backup for areas with weak eSIM roaming. You don’t have to choose one or the other.
The catch with eSIM: your phone must be eSIM-compatible. Most iPhones from XS onwards, most Samsung Galaxy S20 onwards, and most Pixel phones from 3 onwards are. If you’re on a budget Redmi or older Realme, double-check before you buy.
Activation, Documents, and the Biometric Rule
Indonesia rolled out mandatory SIM card registration in 2018, and the rules tightened again in 2024 with biometric capture required at point of sale. For Indian travellers, here’s the actual flow:
| Step | What happens | What you need |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Document scan | Your passport is scanned | Passport (physical, not expired within 6 months) |
| 2. Visa check | They confirm you have legal right to be in Indonesia | Printed or digital VoA / e-VoA |
| 3. Biometric photo | They take your photo for the carrier’s KYC database | Your face, 30 seconds |
| 4. Phone number assignment | Indonesian mobile number issued | None (automatic) |
| 5. SIM activation | SIM slotted into your phone, signal confirmed | Your phone, unlocked |
A common question: do I need to show my return ticket? Sometimes, yes, especially for the longer 30-day plans. Carry a screenshot of your return flight on your phone, just in case.
The whole process is free. There is no “registration fee” or “activation fee” beyond the cost of the SIM itself.
Topping Up and Managing Data
Once your SIM is active, there are three ways to manage it:
The Carrier Apps
Telkomsel has myTelkomsel, XL has myXL, and Three has Bima+. Each app lets you:
- Check remaining high-speed quota in real time
- Buy additional data add-ons (called “quota tambahan”)
- Top up credit via card, OVO, GoPay, or DANA
For Indian users, the catch is that you’ll need an Indonesian e-wallet to use GoPay/OVO/DANA, and getting one requires an Indonesian bank account. Credit card top-up works fine for one-off purchases.
USSD Codes
The old-school way. Dial:
- *363# for Telkomsel menu
- *123# for XL menu
- *123# for Three menu
These work without data, so they’re useful right after activation before your plan is fully provisioned.
Physical Top-Up Vouchers
Available at every Indomaret and Alfamart (the Indonesian equivalents of 7-Eleven). Scratch the back, dial the code, done. Useful if your card gets declined and you need data immediately.
Picking the Right Plan for Your Trip
| Trip Type | Recommended Plan | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bali only, 7 days, mostly Ubud/Canggu/Seminyak | Telkomsel Tourist 7-day or XL Xtra Combo 15GB | Coverage is equal; XL is better value |
| Bali + Gili Islands + Lombok, 14 days | XL Xtra Combo 30GB | Better throttled speed for the slower islands |
| Java loop, 14 days (Jakarta-Yogyakarta-Bromo) | Three AlwaysOn 3GB/day | Java coverage is excellent, daily refresh fits the way you move |
| Multi-island, 30 days (Bali + Komodo + Flores) | Telkomsel Tourist 30-day | Best coverage on smaller islands |
| Digital nomad, long stay, working from cafes | XL Xtra Combo 50GB + eSIM backup | High-speed pool for hotspot use |
| Don’t want to think about it | Regional Nomad eSIM | One purchase, one activation, no queue |
What About UPI and Forex Cards?
This comes up a lot. Indonesian airport SIM counters accept Visa/Mastercard forex cards (HDFC, ICICI, Axis 365) without issue. They will not accept UPI directly, because UPI is India-only.
If you’re paying cash, withdraw IDR from a city ATM after landing, since airport counters don’t always give good rates. For a useful breakdown, see our guide on using ATMs in Indonesia as an Indian traveler.
Connectivity Beyond the SIM
A working SIM solves 90% of your Indonesia problems, but two other things catch Indian travelers off guard:
Wi-Fi Calling
Indian networks (Jio, Airtel, Vi) charge international roaming rates by default. With a local Indonesian SIM in your phone, your Indian SIM goes silent. The fix: enable Wi-Fi calling on your Indian number before you fly, then call home over WhatsApp or FaceTime Audio from your hotel Wi-Fi. It’s free on both ends.
Offline Maps
Download Indonesia offline maps on Google Maps and Maps.me before you fly. Cell signal drops constantly in interior Bali, around Mount Bromo, and on inter-island ferries. An offline map plus your Telkomsel throttled 256 kbps is enough to navigate.
For the full app stack Indian travelers carry, our best apps for Indonesia travel guide covers Grab, Gojek, Klook, Traveloka, and a few local-specific ones that will save you money.
Common Problems and Quick Fixes
If your SIM doesn’t connect within 15 minutes of activation, or your APN settings won’t auto-populate:
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| No signal at all | Reseat the SIM. Restart phone. Wait 5 minutes for carrier registration |
| APN settings wrong | Manually set APN to “internet” for Telkomsel, “www.xl.co.id” for XL, “3gprs” for Three |
| Data not working | Turn off Wi-Fi. Toggle airplane mode. Restart |
| IMEI not registered | Indonesia requires IMEI registration for phones used over 90 days. For tourists under 90 days, the SIM registration usually triggers automatic IMEI clearance |
| SIM works but calls don’t | You may be on an Indonesian number now. Outgoing calls to India cost extra; use WhatsApp |
If you’re still stuck, our dedicated guide covers 9 real fixes for Indonesia SIM problems that Indian travelers use.
When to Buy What: A Timeline
| Timing | Action |
|---|---|
| 2 to 3 days before flight | Buy Nomad eSIM as a backup. Verify phone is eSIM-compatible |
| On the flight | Fill out Indonesia VoA e-CD if you haven’t done e-VoA. Keep passport ready |
| At airport arrivals | Buy physical SIM at carrier counter. 20 to 40 minutes |
| Day 1 evening | Test the SIM with Grab. Verify WhatsApp calls work |
| Day 3 onwards | Top up via carrier app or Indomaret voucher if running low |
This timing keeps you online from the moment you leave the airport, with no 4-hour shop crawl on day two.
Other Indian Travelers Report
A pattern from the last six months of reports from the Bananarchy community:
- Bali-bound travellers who bought XL at the airport paid ₹321 (~60,000 IDR or ~$3.33) for the 15 GB plan and reported identical coverage to friends on Telkomsel in Ubud, Canggu, and Uluwatu.
- Yogyakarta-Bromo-Ijen route travelers strongly preferred Three for daily refresh, but flagged that Three drops to 2G on the Ijen crater climb.
- Multi-island travellers on 30-day trips all ended up on Telkomsel Tourist 30-day (50 GB) because XL doesn’t cover the smaller islands.
- eSIM-only travellers (Nomad, Airalo) had zero airport waits but ran into problems with hotspot tethering, since some eSIM plans don’t allow it.
Pricing Notes for the FX-Curious
All IDR prices in this guide were verified against operator sites and counter pricing in early July 2026. At current rates (1 IDR ≈ ₹0.0053, 1 INR ≈ 188.7 IDR), here’s what the headline numbers work out to:
- Telkomsel Tourist 7-day: ₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78) ≈ ₹265 (~$2.75)- XL Xtra Combo 30GB: ₹536 (~100,000 IDR or ~$5.56) ≈ ₹530 (~$5.50)- Three AlwaysOn 3GB/day: ₹536 (~100,000 IDR or ~$5.56) ≈ ₹530 (~$5.50) These are roughly half what you’d pay for a comparable data plan in India with international roaming enabled, which is why buying local in Indonesia always wins.
FAQ
Which Indonesian SIM has unlimited data?
None of them are unmetered, but Three’s AlwaysOn 3GB/day plan is the closest. You get 3 GB at full speed daily plus unmetered WhatsApp and Gojek, and the high-speed bucket resets every midnight. For most travellers, that’s effectively unlimited for normal use.
Can I buy an Indonesian SIM without a visa?
No. Indonesian SIM registration requires your passport plus a valid visa (VoA, e-VoA, or stay permit). Buy the VoA on arrival or apply for e-VoA before flying through the official Indonesia e-VoA portal. Without a valid visa, the carrier’s KYC system won’t issue a number.
Is the airport SIM more expensive than town?
Yes, but only by 10 to 20%. A ₹268 (~50,000 IDR or ~$2.78) Telkomsel SIM at the airport might cost ₹321 (~60,000 IDR or ~$3.33) in town. For most travelers, the 90 minutes saved is worth the ₹54 (~10,000 IDR or ~$0.56) premium. If you’re a long-stayer, buy one airport SIM for activation and switch to town SIMs after day one.
Should I get an eSIM or a physical SIM?
If your phone supports eSIM, both. Use the eSIM as your primary data line (works the moment you land), pick up a local physical SIM as backup for areas with weak eSIM roaming. If you can only pick one, pick eSIM if you’re Bali-only and under 14 days, physical if you’re multi-island and 30 days.
Will my Indian phone work in Indonesia?
Yes, as long as it’s unlocked (not carrier-locked to Jio/Airtel/Vi). Most Indian-bought phones are factory-unlocked. Indonesia uses GSM, and all three carriers operate on 900/1800 MHz bands plus 4G LTE bands 1, 3, 5, 8. Most Indian phones sold since 2020 support all of these.
How long does SIM activation take at the airport?
20 to 40 minutes total, including the queue, document scan, biometric photo, and signal verification. Ngurah Rai in Bali has the longest queues, especially between 2 PM and 6 PM when multiple wide-bodies land close together. Early morning or late night arrivals have shorter waits.
Can I top up with UPI or Indian forex cards?
Forex cards (Visa/Mastercard) work at airport counters. UPI does not, since UPI is India-only. For top-ups after activation, use the carrier app with a forex card, or buy physical vouchers at any Indomaret/Alfamart with IDR cash.
