Quick answer: A tourist SIM or eSIM in Bali costs from about Rp50,000 for a small 3GB plan to Rp900,000 for the largest plans. What you actually pay depends less on the network and more on where you buy: airport counters, town shops, pre-ordered airport pickup, eSIMs and roaming all price the same data differently. This guide shows the real numbers and what you get for them.
Our current Bali SIM and eSIM prices
These are the current prices for plans you can pre-order and collect at the international arrivals exit of Ngurah Rai Airport. Every plan is valid for 28 days and works across Indonesia, not just Bali.
| Data | eSIM | Physical SIM | eSIM cost per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3GB | Rp50,000 | Rp50,000 | Rp16,700 |
| 10GB | Rp100,000 | Rp100,000 | Rp10,000 |
| 26GB | Rp200,000 | Rp250,000 | Rp7,700 |
| 68GB | Rp350,000 | Rp450,000 | Rp5,100 |
| 152GB | Rp800,000 | Rp900,000 | Rp5,300 |
Two things stand out. First, the price per GB drops sharply up to about 68GB, so a mid-size plan is usually better value than topping up a small one twice. Second, from 13GB upwards the eSIM version costs Rp25,000–Rp100,000 less than the same physical SIM. See every plan, including 13GB, 19GB, 34GB, 53GB and 103GB, on the XL tourist SIM pricing page or in the shop.
Buying at other airport counters
Several operators run counters in the arrivals hall, and they sell their own tourist packages on the spot. Travel publishers have reported that buying on arrival is not always cheap: one 2026 traveller report paid Rp250,000 for an 18GB SIM at the airport (trvlogue), and another guide estimates airport SIMs at 20–30% above official stores in town (Pickyourtrail).
Before paying at any counter, ask three questions: how many GB in total, how many days, and whether the data works across Indonesia or only in Bali. A package that looks cheap may split its quota into local-only data or night-time data.
Buying in town
Official operator stores in Kuta, Seminyak, Denpasar and Ubud can be cheaper for similar data. Pickyourtrail lists Telkomsel and XL tourist packs with around 25GB for roughly Rp150,000–Rp160,000 when bought at official stores (source).
The catch is timing. You arrive without mobile data, so you rely on airport Wi-Fi for maps and ride-hailing, then spend part of your first day finding a store, queueing and registering your passport. For a short trip, that hour often costs more than the price difference.
Pre-ordering with airport pickup
Pre-ordering means you compare plans at home, see the final price before you fly, and collect the SIM or eSIM straight after Customs. Staff handle the passport registration and test the connection with you before you leave the counter. You can pay online or at pickup.
You pay a little more than the cheapest town store for some sizes, but you are online for the ride to your hotel, and the price does not change when you are tired and in a queue. Read how to pre-order a Bali SIM card for the steps.
eSIM: usually the best value per GB
If your phone supports eSIM, it is usually the cheapest way to get a larger plan. On our current prices, a 68GB eSIM costs Rp100,000 less than the physical SIM with the same data. You still need passport registration, but there is no SIM tray to open. Check whether your phone supports eSIM before you order.
Roaming and international travel eSIMs
Roaming with your home number is the simplest option, but daily roaming fees add up quickly on a one- or two-week trip. Check your own provider’s daily rate before you fly.
International travel eSIMs bought from global brands are priced in US dollars and are often data-only, with no Indonesian +62 number. That matters because some local apps and services work more smoothly with a local number. Compare total GB, validity and whether you get a local number, not just the headline price.
Which option is cheapest for your trip?
| Your trip | Usually the best value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 3–5 days, light use | 3GB or 10GB plan, pre-ordered | Small price gap with town, and you are online from landing |
| 1–2 weeks, normal use | 26GB eSIM, or physical SIM if your phone has no eSIM | Lowest price per GB in the mid-range |
| 2–4 weeks or remote work | 68GB eSIM | About Rp5,100 per GB, the best ratio in the catalog |
| Longer than 28 days | Any plan plus a top-up or extension | Plans last 28 days; top up instead of buying a second SIM |
| Phone without eSIM, budget first | Official store in town | Cheapest if you can manage the first hours on Wi-Fi |
Costs people forget
- Calls and SMS: tourist plans are data-only. If you need to call a local number, add phone credit (pulsa) at Indomaret, Alfamart or a phone kiosk.
- Extra data: heavy video use or hotspotting can drain a small plan in days. Use the Bali data usage calculator before you choose.
- Unregistered SIMs: a cheap SIM sold without proper passport registration can be blocked mid-trip. Only buy from sellers who register it in front of you.
FAQ
How much is a SIM card at Bali Airport? Our plans for airport pickup start at Rp50,000 for 3GB and go up to Rp900,000 for 152GB on a physical SIM. Other counters set their own prices; travel publishers have reported around Rp250,000 for 18GB on arrival.
Is it cheaper to buy a SIM card in town? Sometimes, for similar data. Official operator stores can be cheaper, but you will be without mobile data until you reach one.
Is an eSIM cheaper than a physical SIM in Bali? For plans of 13GB and above in our catalog, yes, by Rp25,000–Rp100,000 depending on the plan.
Do I pay more for airport pickup? No. Pickup and activation are included in the plan price shown in the shop.
