Preparing to travel to Indonesia must be quite exciting. But one thing you must not forget is keeping your communication channels open during your vacation with an Indonesian SIM card.
Wherever you come from, being in Indonesia means that you must adhere to the customs and rules here, including our ways of communicating.
One of the things that you may or may not comply with is using an Indonesia SIM card. It’s an important possession that you must have while you are here.
Having a local SIM card will help you go through your travel smoothly, especially when you’re out in places where there are no WiFi facilities.
If you intend to visit the best Indonesia tourist destinations post pandemic, then acquiring the SIM card must be your first priority.
To understand more about how the Indonesia SIM card works, you can check the information below.
Indonesia SIM Card for Tourist
As a tourist, you must know that not every place you visit in Indonesia provides WiFi facilities, especially in remote travel destinations.
So, obtaining an Indonesia SIM card is necessary when you need to visit several spots during your holiday vacation.
An Indonesia SIM card for tourist is indeed a much-needed item you should have when you’re away from the comfort of your hotel room and its WIFi.
With the SIM card, you can communicate easily with your peers without facing any budgeting issues that you may face with roaming.
Roaming vs Local SIM Card
As you may notice, travelers usually tend to keep using their SIM cards even when going abroad for a vacation or business trip.
However practical it may be, it will be proven to be more expensive than using a local SIM card. Not only is it known for its expensive service, but its internet quotas are also limited.
While there may be WiFi facilities available in certain areas, you cannot simply rely on them. all the time.
To ensure that you can be reached by your peers without any issues, you can get a local SIM card and receive any forms of communication through your mobile device without having to search for WiFi any longer.
Read also: What Do I Need to Travel to Indonesia? Tips and Guidelines
Important Things to Note About Local SIM Cards in Indonesia
It’s important to know how to use a local SIM card before you buy it. So, here are several things you should take note of:
- Buy a prepaid SIM card at the nearby kiosks for around IDR 10,000
- Prices will vary depending on the GB of data you choose
- Enjoy 5G/4G LTE network while you are in big cities
- 3G coverage is still available in some remote places
Make sure you also buy a certain amount of balance, named “pulsa,” to call and text without internet packages.
In case of an emergency, you may not get to use your internet package. Hence, your number must always have “pulsa” to be able to deliver any type of communication form to your peers.
Where Do You Buy an Indonesia SIM Card?
Instead of purchasing the SIM card at the kiosk in the local neighborhood, you can get a local SIM card by buying it at the airport upon arrival.
Major airports in big cities, such as Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, have kiosks where you can buy local SIM cards.
There are several local providers that you need to know before deciding to buy a local SIM card for tourists, namely Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat Ooredoo.
Note that to activate your SIM card, you need to go through a registration process that requires you to provide a valid passport.
Therefore, you need to make sure to bring your passport along with you when purchasing a SIM card.
Another option for buying a local SIM card is to visit a local convenience store or a mobile phone shop.
You can find local convenience stores that sell SIM cards and mobile phone shops such as Global Teleshop and Indosat Ooredoo. These are the places where you can get help with the SIM card setup and registration process.
Indonesia SIM Card Providers: Coverage and Prices
When it comes to choosing a local provider, make sure to consider several factors such as coverage, data speed, and price.
In Indonesia, Telkomsel is the largest provider. It naturally has the widest coverage across the country.
As for the data packages, XL Axiata and Indosat Ooredoo can be your choices, as they offer competitive prices.
Other unmentioned providers also offer tourist-specific SIM cards. Each comes with additional perks, such as discounted rates for special occasions.
Prices for these SIM cards can range from IDR 25,000 to IDR 100,000 (approximately USD 1.75 to USD 7). Note that the prices vary depending on the provider and the amount of data in the package.
Overall, acquiring an Indonesia SIM card is pretty simple. It’s a more affordable way to stay connected during your travels in the country.
Other than the local SIM card, you should also prepare for your tourist visa application for your travel to Indonesia.
If you want to submit your application prior to your departure, you can use DoorToID’s mobile application, available on PlayStore and App Store.
Don’t hesitate to contact DoorToID if you need to ask for more information about your visa application to Indonesia.
With DoorToID, your visa application will be processed quickly, professionally, and transparently.
Read also: Indonesia Travel Guide 2023: A Refreshing Journey Awaits
