Best Data Plans for Tourists in Indonesia: Telkomsel, XL, Indosat Compared

You land at Soekarno-Hatta or Ngurah Rai after a long flight, the Gojek app needs data, your hotel wants a WhatsApp message, and four operator logos stare at you from the arrivals hall. Picking the wrong plan means paying too much, or losing signal on the island you came to see. This guide compares Telkomsel (including by.U), XL Axiata, Indosat Ooredoo (IM3) and Smartfren, so you can choose before you land. Plan details for 2026 can shift, so treat the prices below as realistic ranges and confirm them with the operator or vendor when you arrive.

What You Need Before You Buy a SIM

Good data matters here for more than scrolling. You will use it for Google Maps and Waze, WhatsApp, Gojek and Grab for rides and food delivery, and KAI Access for train tickets on Java.

Since 2017, every prepaid SIM in Indonesia must be registered with valid ID. For tourists, that means your passport. The vendor enters your passport number, name and date of birth into their system, and the SIM activates almost immediately. The whole process usually takes 5-10 minutes, so have your passport in your hand, not buried in your checked bag.

Your phone also needs to be unlocked before you arrive. A carrier-locked phone will reject a local SIM, and no kiosk worker can fix that for you.

The IMEI Rule and the 90-Day Limit

This rule catches longer-stay visitors by surprise. Since 2020, mobile phones brought into Indonesia must have their IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) registered with the Directorate General of Customs and Excise (Bea Cukai). If your IMEI is not registered, your connection to Telkomsel, XL, Indosat and Smartfren is blocked after about 90 days, and your SIM stops working.

If you stay under 90 days, you generally do not need to register. Your phone keeps working with a local SIM for the whole trip.

If you stay longer, register. Devices worth up to USD 500 (roughly IDR 7,500,000 to IDR 8,000,000, depending on the exchange rate) are exempt from import duties and taxes, but they still need IMEI registration for stays over 90 days. Check the current exemption limit before you travel, because it can change.

1. Before arrival (recommended): Fill out the electronic customs declaration at beacukai.go.id/register-imei.html. You need your passport details, flight number and phone IMEI. Dial *#06# to see the IMEI.
2. At the airport: Show the QR code from your online registration to a customs officer. They verify your details and register the IMEI.



3. Payment, if applicable: If your phone is worth more than USD 500, expect import duty (typically 10%), VAT (11%) and income tax (7.5% for non-taxpayers). You can usually pay at the airport customs office.
4. Confirmation: You should get an SMS confirming registration. Keep a record of it.

Telkomsel and by.U: The Coverage Pick

Telkomsel is the largest operator in Indonesia, with the widest and most reliable network, especially in remote areas and across islands. It is also generally the most expensive. If your trip includes volcano treks, small islands or long overland stretches, this is the safest choice.

Telkomsel Tourist SIM (physical): Sold at GraPARI stores, airport kiosks and authorised resellers. A typical package gives 25GB-35GB for 30 days at IDR 100,000-IDR 150,000, often with some local calls and SMS. Bigger packages of 50GB or more can reach IDR 200,000-IDR 300,000.

by.U (Telkomsel’s digital brand): Everything happens in the by.U app (byu.id). You can order a SIM online and have it delivered to your accommodation, which takes 1-3 days in major cities and longer elsewhere. You can also collect it at specific convenience stores or pick-up points. Activation uses your passport inside the app. Typical plans are 20GB for 30 days at IDR 60,000-IDR 80,000, or 50GB for 30 days at IDR 100,000-IDR 130,000. You can add “Topping” extras for specific apps like WhatsApp and Instagram, or buy short-term unlimited data.

by.U also supports eSIM activation directly in the app, which suits travellers who are comfortable with app-based setup. The main Telkomsel brand mainly offers eSIM for postpaid plans or specific digital products, not for prepaid tourist SIMs at kiosks, so check availability if you want eSIM from the main brand.

Top-up: For Telkomsel, use the MyTelkomsel app, Gojek, Grab, OVO or Dana, ATMs, Indomaret and Alfamart, or physical vouchers. For by.U, top up only inside the app with e-wallets or bank transfer. Find the operator sites at telkomsel.com and byu.id.

XL Axiata: The Middle-Ground Pick

XL is the second-largest operator. Pricing is competitive and coverage is good, especially in cities and popular tourist destinations. It suits travellers who want a balance of price and reach. The downside is that coverage can be less consistent than Telkomsel in very remote regions.

• XL Tourist SIM: About 20GB for 30 days at IDR 70,000-IDR 100,000, often with unlimited local calls to XL numbers and some cross-network calls.



• XL Xtra Combo Flex / Xtra Combo Mini (standard prepaid): For example, 15GB plus unlimited apps for 30 days at IDR 50,000-IDR 70,000. Other data sizes are available.

You can buy at XL Centers, airport kiosks and authorised resellers, with your passport for registration. XL is expanding eSIM mostly for postpaid customers. Prepaid eSIM for tourists is appearing at select XL Centers and through online channels, but it is not as simple as Smartfren, so confirm availability before counting on it. Top up through the myXL app, e-payment platforms, ATMs, convenience stores or vouchers. The website is xl.co.id.

Indosat Ooredoo (IM3): The Urban Value Pick

Indosat, marketed to prepaid users as IM3, is strong in major cities and known for very competitive data packages. It is a good fit if you are sticking to well-covered urban areas and want value. Like XL, its coverage is less robust than Telkomsel’s in remote or inter-island areas.

• IM3 Tourist SIM: About 20GB for 30 days at IDR 60,000-IDR 90,000, often with some local calls and SMS.
• IM3 Freedom Internet (standard prepaid): For example, 25GB for 30 days at IDR 75,000-IDR 95,000. Packages vary and often include “unlimited” access to certain apps or at night.

Buy at Indosat Ooredoo stores, airport kiosks or authorised resellers with your passport. Prepaid eSIM is rolling out gradually and may need a visit to a main store or a specific online process. Top up with the myIM3 app, e-payment platforms, ATMs, convenience stores or vouchers. See indosatooredoo.com and im3.id.

Smartfren: The Cheapest and Easiest eSIM

Smartfren runs a 4G LTE-Advanced network and competes on price. It was the first to offer eSIM widely in Indonesia, and it remains the easiest and most reliable prepaid eSIM option for tourists. You can activate it in the MySmartfren app or at a Smartfren store.

• 30GB for 30 days: IDR 50,000-IDR 70,000.
• 50GB for 30 days: IDR 80,000-IDR 100,000.
• Often includes unlimited calls to other Smartfren numbers.

Buy at Smartfren stores and authorised resellers with your passport. Top up through the MySmartfren app, e-payment platforms and convenience stores (smartfren.com). The trade-off is coverage. It is strong in major cities and towns but can be much more limited in truly remote areas, so it is not a good solo choice for off-the-beaten-path travel.

Where Your Signal Holds Up

• Excellent: Java and Bali have excellent 4G/LTE from all major operators. 5G is accelerating in major urban centres in 2026.



• Good: Lombok, Sumatra (Medan, Padang) and Sulawesi (Makassar) generally have good coverage from Telkomsel, XL and Indosat. Smartfren tends to concentrate on urban hubs there.
• Variable or limited: Remote islands, mountain regions and undeveloped areas see coverage drop sharply. Telkomsel gives the best chance of a signal, though even it can be patchy. XL and Indosat have bigger gaps, and Smartfren may have no service at all.

WiFi in Cafes, Hotels and Public Spaces

WiFi is common, but it is a backup, not a plan. Most cafes, restaurants and warungs in tourist areas of Bali, Java and Lombok offer free WiFi for customers. Quality ranges from fast fibre to slow, unreliable ADSL.

Hotels, guesthouses and homestays almost always provide free WiFi, and higher-end places tend to be faster and steadier. Public WiFi in airports, malls and government buildings is limited, often slow and less secure. A local SIM or eSIM gives you continuous, secure connectivity without hunting for hotspots.

2026 Budget Reality: What Data Costs

Prices below are realistic ranges for 30-day plans. They are estimates based on current packages, so confirm them on arrival.

Budget

• Smartfren 30GB: IDR 50,000-IDR 70,000
• XL Xtra Combo 15GB plus unlimited apps: IDR 50,000-IDR 70,000
• by.U 20GB: IDR 60,000-IDR 80,000
• IM3 Tourist SIM 20GB: IDR 60,000-IDR 90,000

Mid-range

• XL Tourist SIM 20GB: IDR 70,000-IDR 100,000
• IM3 Freedom Internet 25GB: IDR 75,000-IDR 95,000
• Smartfren 50GB: IDR 80,000-IDR 100,000
• by.U 50GB: IDR 100,000-IDR 130,000

Comfortable

• Telkomsel Tourist SIM 25GB-35GB: IDR 100,000-IDR 150,000
• Telkomsel packages of 50GB or more: IDR 200,000-IDR 300,000

The extra IDR 50,000-IDR 100,000 for Telkomsel is cheap insurance if your route includes remote areas. For a city-and-beach loop on Java and Bali, the budget tier is plenty.

What Has Changed Since 2024

• IMEI enforcement: The system is more streamlined, online pre-registration is heavily encouraged, and enforcement is stricter. The 90-day limit and USD 500 exemption remain the key rules.
• eSIM: Prepaid tourist eSIM is more available, led by Smartfren and by.U. XL and Indosat are expanding, though physical SIMs still dominate.



• 5G: It has spread beyond the pilot cities of Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar to more urban areas.
• Plans: Operators keep refining tourist packages, bundling data with local calls and SMS and offering bigger allowances at competitive prices. No major operator mergers or full service shutdowns are expected among the main players, though older plan types may be phased out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Arriving with a locked phone. Unlock it at home.
• Forgetting your passport. No passport means no registered SIM.
• Ignoring the 90-day IMEI limit. Your SIM will simply stop working.
• Buying the cheapest plan for a remote-island trip. Smartfren may have no service at all there. Choose Telkomsel or carry a backup.
• Counting on a prepaid eSIM from XL or Indosat without checking. Availability can depend on the store or online process.
• Relying only on public WiFi. Speeds and security vary too much.
• Skipping offline maps. Download them for areas with patchy signal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which operator is best for tourists in Indonesia?

Telkomsel has the widest, most reliable coverage, especially in remote areas and islands, but costs the most. XL and IM3 balance price and coverage in popular areas. Smartfren is the cheapest with data-heavy plans, mostly suited to cities. Your route should decide which one fits.

Do tourists need to register a SIM card in Indonesia?

Yes. Since 2017, all prepaid SIM cards must be registered with valid ID, which for tourists means your passport. The vendor enters your passport number, name and date of birth, and the SIM activates almost immediately. The process typically takes 5-10 minutes.

Can I use an eSIM in Indonesia?

Yes, though physical SIMs still dominate. Smartfren is the easiest prepaid eSIM for tourists, activated through the MySmartfren app or in a store. Telkomsel’s by.U also offers eSIM through its app. XL and Indosat are expanding eSIM, but may require a store visit or specific online process.

Do I need to register my phone’s IMEI?

If you stay under 90 days, generally no. After about 90 days, an unregistered IMEI is blocked from Indonesian networks and your SIM stops working. For longer stays, register at beacukai.go.id/register-imei.html, ideally before arrival. Duties apply if your phone is worth over USD 500.

Is WiFi enough, or do I need a local SIM?

WiFi is widely available in cafes, hotels and guesthouses across Bali, Java and Lombok, but quality ranges from fibre to slow ADSL, and public networks are less secure. A local SIM or eSIM gives continuous, secure data for maps, Gojek and Grab, so most travellers should have both.

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📷 Featured image by Ilmi Amali Q.A on Unsplash.