Get online the moment you land
No hunting for a SIM kiosk at 1am after a long flight. Here's how to walk out of Ngurah Rai airport already connected — and what mobile data actually costs in Bali.
Your phone is your lifeline in Bali — Grab rides, Gojek food, maps down tiny gangs, and WhatsApp for literally everything. Sort data before you fly and your arrival is effortless.
eSIM or local SIM?
A local SIM (Telkomsel is the strongest network) is cheapest if you're staying months and don't mind queueing and registering your passport. An eSIM is the easy button: buy it online, install before you fly, and you're connected the instant you turn off airplane mode. For your first weeks — when you most need maps and ride apps — the eSIM wins on convenience.
The simple plan
- Install an Indonesia eSIM before you fly (works on most phones from the last few years)
- Land already connected — order your Grab from the arrivals hall
- Top up online as you go; no plastic SIM to lose
- If you settle for the long term, add a cheap local Telkomsel SIM later
Our pick
Airalo eSIM
Install an Indonesia data plan before you land. No SIM swap, no airport queue.
Get Airalo eSIMCommon questions
Will my phone support an eSIM?
Most iPhones from XS onward and recent Samsung, Google and other Android flagships do. Check your settings for an 'Add eSIM' option before you buy.
Is the data fast enough to work?
4G/LTE covers the nomad areas well. For heavy work or calls, pair it with your coworking or villa wifi — most cafés and colivings have solid fibre.
How much data do I need?
10–20GB a month is plenty for maps, ride apps and messaging if you do video calls on wifi. Top up anytime from the app.