Top 5 Best eSIM Providers for Bali & Indonesia Tourists

If you're planning a trip to Bali, Jakarta, or anywhere across Indonesia, getting connected the moment you land will make everything easier — from booking a Gojek ride to navigating with Google Maps or staying in touch with friends on WhatsApp.

For most international travelers today, the quickest, most flexible option is a bali esim purchased before travel or on arrival.

This guide expands on the original article to give a deeper, practical look at the top eSIM choices, an esim comparison across key factors, and step‑by‑step tips on esim activation, troubleshooting, and how to choose the best esim for bali travel or broader Indonesia trips.

Why choose an eSIM for Indonesia?

eSIMs remove the need to swap physical SIM cards and let you set up local mobile data instantly. Compared to data roaming and international esim plans from your home carrier, local prepaid esim plans in Indonesia typically offer far better value on data allowance and call/text bundles. An international esim might be convenient for multi-country itineraries, but for the best local coverage — especially if you want to explore remote beaches or islands — a indonesia esim from a major local operator will often be the best option.

Key advantages:

Instant esim activation via QR code or provider app (no airport queues).
Lower cost per GB and more generous data allowance than typical roaming.
Ability to keep your home number active while using a local data profile.
Easy esim purchase from online retailers or local kiosks before you travel.

Quick overview: the top 5 eSIM providers for tourists

Below we detail the five eSIM providers that consistently perform well for tourists: Telkomsel, XL Axiata, Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IM3), Smartfren, and Tri. This section highlights coverage, typical use cases, and which provider might be the best esim for bali or the best esim for indonesia depending on your travel plans.

1) Telkomsel — Best overall coverage and reliable network

Telkomsel is the dominant telco in Indonesia and is widely regarded as the top pick when coverage matters most. The telkomsel network reaches remote islands and mountainous areas that other operators sometimes miss. If your itinerary includes off‑the‑beaten‑path destinations (Nusa Penida, Flores, Lombok, Komodo), Telkomsel is often the safest bet.

Why choose Telkomsel:

Excellent nationwide coverage and strong mobile data speeds.
Ideal when reliability matters over long distances or in rural areas.
Many balisim and other local sellers offer Telkomsel eSIM plans that include a local phone number for app verifications.

If you plan to travel widely across Indonesia, a Telkomsel eSIM is frequently the best esim for indonesia travel.

2) XL Axiata — Great balance of coverage and value

XL Axiata provides very good national coverage with competitive pricing, making it a favorite for travelers seeking value without sacrificing too much reach. XL tends to perform well in Java, Bali, and major tourist hubs, and its prepaid esim options are easy to top up.

Why choose XL Axiata:

Strong urban and suburban coverage with growing 4G/5G footprints.
Often offers some of the best value esim for bali plans when comparing price per GB.
A sensible choice if you want a balance of speed, coverage, and cost — especially for island hopping around Bali and nearby areas.

Mentioning XL Axiata explicitly helps travellers searching for the operator name when comparing esim options.

✅ Both Telkomsel and XL eSIMs are available on balisim.com.

3) Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (IM3) — Affordable, good for city stays

Indosat (IM3) often provides larger data packages at lower prices and is a top pick for tourists who will stay mainly in major cities like Jakarta, Surabaya, or Denpasar. Coverage in remote spots may be weaker, but in urban centers Indosat can deliver excellent value for streaming, social media, and navigation.

Use case:

Best for short trips centered on cities where you want a lot of data for a low price.
If you’re choosing the best esim card for bali and plan to stay in tourist areas only, Indosat can be attractive.

4) Smartfren — Focused on data with competitive pricing

Smartfren promotes strong data deals and supports eSIM on a number of modern devices. Coverage is strongest in Java and many parts of Bali. Their plans might be particularly appealing to light users or those who only need data in urban or tourist districts.

Best for:

Travelers who want a straightforward data plan without voice/SMS complexity.
Users needing a low‑cost prepaid esim for basic browsing and messaging.

5) Tri (3) — Low‑cost plans for budget travelers

Tri is known for very cheap data bundles aimed at budget users. If your trip is brief or you primarily use Wi‑Fi and need only occasional mobile data, a Tri eSIM can be a sensible, low-risk choice. Coverage is good in populated areas but can be limited in remote islands.

Good choice when:

You want the cheapest option for city‑based travel.
You’re comfortable with limited rural coverage in exchange for low prices.

Detailed esim comparison: coverage, speed, and price

When comparing providers, consider:

Coverage map (who reaches the areas you’ll visit)
Average speeds (important for streaming or remote work)
Data allowance and validity period (how many GB and how long it lasts)
Top‑up options (ease of prepaid esim recharge)
Local phone number inclusion (useful for app verifications)

For many tourists, the best esim will be the one that balances coverage and data allowance for your itinerary. For travelers prioritizing coverage in remote or island destinations, Telkomsel typically tops the list. For those focused on city stays or value, XL Axiata or Indosat might be the best esim for bali or the best esim for bali travel.

View our Indonesia eSIM comparison table.

Buying options: where to get an eSIM for Bali or Indonesia

You have several options for esim purchase:

Order online from local sellers like balisim.com before your trip and receive a QR code by email.
Buy an international esim from global resellers (convenient for multi‑country trips but often more expensive).
Purchase a physical sim card in bali at the airport or local kiosks if your device does not support eSIM.

If you prefer to skip airport queues, ordering a bali esim in advance is a simple way to ensure connectivity on arrival. Many shops provide clear instructions for esim activation and can include a local phone number.

eSIM vs physical SIM: which should you choose?

The debate of esim vs physical sim often comes down to convenience and device compatibility:

eSIM pros: Instant activation, no physical card to lose, easy to switch profiles, can keep your home SIM active.
Physical SIM pros: Universally compatible with all phones, sometimes easier for travelers who want a local number immediately without checking device support.

For most travelers with eSIM‑capable devices, an eSIM is the best esim card for bali trips due to speed of setup and ease of managing multiple plans. But if you prefer a tangible sim card in bali or your phone doesn’t support eSIM, buying a sim card in bali remains a valid fallback.

How to handle esim activation and common issues

esim activation is typically simple, but problems can happen. Here’s a practical walkthrough and troubleshooting checklist.

Typical activation steps:

Purchase and receive a QR code (email or app).
On your phone, go to Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM (or similar, depending on device).
Scan the QR code and follow prompts to install the eSIM profile.
Set the new profile as your data line (if required) and restart the phone if needed.

esim troubleshooting tips:

If data does not connect after installation, check APN settings — your seller or provider should list the correct APN.
Toggle airplane mode on/off and ensure mobile data is enabled for the eSIM profile.
Make sure you selected the correct network priority in dual SIM settings (some phones default to the physical SIM for data).
If the QR code fails, try manual activation via the provider’s app or contact support for a reissue.
For persistent issues, ask for a step‑by‑step guide from the seller — many include specific instructions for iPhone and Android.

If the eSIM activation still fails, you can temporarily use data roaming as a backup while troubleshooting or purchase a prepaid esim from another provider.

How much data do you need? Understanding data allowance

Determining the right data allowance depends on how you use your phone:

Light use (messaging, email, maps): 1–3 GB per week.
Moderate use (social media, occasional streaming): 5–10 GB per week.
Heavy use (navigation plus streaming and uploads): 10–20+ GB per week.

Always check the data allowance included in the plan and whether the validity period matches your trip length. Many eSIM plans aimed at tourists are prepaid esim bundles designed for short stays, with easy top‑up options if you need more data.

Specific tips for Bali travelers

If you’re island hopping or visiting remote beaches, prioritize coverage (the telkomsel network is best for this).
For a stay centered in Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud, or Canggu, XL Axiata or Indosat can provide excellent speeds and affordable data.
If you want the best esim for bali travel with the best value, compare price per GB and consider promotions on balisim or other sellers.
Keep a local phone number active for ride‑hailing and local verification; most local esims for bali include a number.

Prepaid eSIMs and top‑ups

Most tourist eSIM plans are prepaid esim packages. Top‑up options vary by provider but often include:

Online top‑ups through the provider’s website or app.
Voucher codes sold at local shops and kiosks.
Third‑party top‑up services accepted by multiple carriers.

When planning a longer stay, make sure your chosen provider offers convenient top‑up methods you can access from abroad.

International eSIMs vs local Indonesia eSIMs

An international esim is useful for multi‑country travel, but local indonesia esim packages usually beat international plans on price and speed for single‑country trips. If your entire trip is within Indonesia, a local indonesia esim is usually the best choice. If visiting several countries, you might start with an international esim and then switch to a local indonesia esim once you arrive for the best value.

Choosing the best esim: a practical checklist

Before buying, check:

Does the plan include a local phone number? (useful for Gojek, Grab, and local verifications)
How much data allowance and how long is it valid?
Coverage maps for the telkomsel network, XL axiata, and other carriers in the areas you’ll visit.
Support options for esim troubleshooting in case activation issues arise.
Ease of esim purchase and whether you prefer to complete the esim purchase online or in person.

For many travelers who want dependable coverage across both the islands and major cities, Telkomsel remains the best overall option. For travelers prioritizing price and city speeds, XL Axiata and Indosat are excellent alternatives.

Practical examples and recommendations

If you want the best esim for bali (coverage + reliability): Choose a Telkomsel eSIM and a plan with generous data allowance.
If you want the best value esim for bali (price per GB): Compare XL Axiata and Indosat prepaid plans for promotional deals.
If you need a budget backup for city stays: Consider Tri or Smartfren for cheap data packages.

Also consider ordering an eSIM in advance from a reputable seller — many customers find that ordering a bali esim before departure avoids airport queues and guarantees connectivity on arrival.

SIM Purchase Options & Recommendations

If you’re ready to buy, many travelers often use specialized local sellers who deliver QR codes instantly and provide clear instructions for esim activation. Whether you need an Indonesia travel esim for an extended swing through Java and Sumatra, or simply a bali esim for a short beach holiday, planning ahead and matching data allowance to your needs will save both money and hassle.

For travelers weighing esim vs physical sim: if your phone supports eSIM and you value convenience, an eSIM is usually the better option; if you need a physical sim (for example, for certain older devices), you can buy a physical SIM and we will deliver it to you.