| Option | Indicative price (Oct. 2026) | To remember |
|---|---|---|
| International eSIM (e.g. Airalo) | about 130,000 to 150,000 IDR for 10 GB, 30 days | installed before departure, no formalities on arrival |
| Unlimited eSIM (e.g. Holafly) | about 19 USD for 5 days, 64 USD for 30 days | the most expensive |
| Telkomsel tourist SIM | about 150,000 IDR for 25 GB and 25 minutes of calls, 30 days | best coverage; passport registration |
| XL SIM | from a few tens of thousands of IDR for 14 GB | good second network |
| SIM at the airport | one guide cites 350,000 IDR for 25 GB | noticeably more expensive than in town |
eSIM or SIM card: which to choose?
For a stay of under five days, an eSIM is the simplest: you install it before the flight and the connection starts on landing, with no formalities. For a longer stay, a Telkomsel or XL card bought in town (for example at a GraPARI shop) is generally the cheapest per gigabyte. Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM-compatible for the first option.
How much does internet cost in Bali?
October 2026 sources disagree: one guide cites a Telkomsel plan of 3 GB for 20,000 IDR and an XL plan of 14 GB from 46,000 IDR, another a Telkomsel tourist plan of 25 GB for 150,000 IDR. At the airport, expect a surcharge of 10,000 to 20,000 IDR according to one guide, or a much higher price according to another; one guide adds that you can no longer collect a tourist card at the airport counters (to be checked). These are blogs, not official tariffs.
Registration and coverage
A local SIM card must be registered with your passport, and some local eSIMs ask for identity verification before sending the QR code. Telkomsel is generally the widest network; XL is a good complement in remote areas. In Ubud, Canggu and Seminyak coverage is good, more variable in the hills or in the east of the island.
Practical tips
- Install the eSIM before leaving, on a wifi connection.
- Keep your original SIM for your banks' security texts.
- For arriving at the airport and the transfer, see from Bali airport to Ubud, Canggu or Seminyak.
- For the rest of the budget, see the budget for a trip to Bali and money in Bali.
FAQ
Do you need an eSIM or a SIM card in Bali?
An eSIM for under five days (simple); a Telkomsel or XL card bought in town for a longer stay (cheaper).
How much does a tourist SIM card cost in Bali?
About 150,000 IDR for 25 GB over 30 days with Telkomsel according to one guide; prices vary by point of sale.
Do you have to show your passport for a SIM?
Yes, a local SIM card must be registered with your passport.
Which network has the best coverage in Bali?
Telkomsel is most often cited; XL serves as a complementary network.
Going further
See Bali in 10 days, scams and safety in Bali and before you go to Bali.
