Heading to Bali real soon? Before you go on your island getaway and grab your bucket of Bintangs, make sure you have everything on your Bali tourist checklist, including getting a SIM card for your trip!
Do I need a SIM card in Bali?
Stay connected even when you’re away from home. Photo by Uriel Mont on Pexels
For sure! While on vacay in Bali, staying connected is a must for booking scooters or taxis, staying in touch with mates, and searching for the location of your next stop. Not to mention all the pics you have to post while you’re on your trip.
Make your Bali holiday hassle-free by getting a local prepaid Bali SIM card. SIM cards are very affordable and reliableand 4G networks are available in most areas in Bali!
Getting a Bali SIM card is the most reliable and affordable way to access the internet anytime and anywhere on the island. All you have to do is register for it with your passport and avail an internet package depending on the duration of your trip.
Where can you buy prepaid SIM cards in Bali?
For tourists in Bali, prepaid cards are available at airports or in mobile phone shops along the main tourist streets. Some airlines may even offer you a prepaid SIM card before you land! If you’re on a budget and don’t need internet right away, small phone shops in non-touristy areas have the best prices.
A regular SIM card can cost up to AUD $3, and internet packages can go up to AUD $44 for 14 GB for 30 days.
Find the Klook sign at the airport to get your SIM card!
Klook tip: book your Bali SIM card before your trip, so you won’t have to worry about it when you land! With Klook, you can easily pick up your SIM card at the International Arrival Hall of I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. Plus, you get your prepaid cards at the best price possible: an 18 GB Telkomsel SIM card only costs AUD $9.65!
How do I use an internet package with my Bali prepaid SIM card?
Be ready to post your Insta pics while on vacay! Credits: @iputuandrepratamaa
Be ready to post your Insta pics while on vacay! Credits: @iputuandrepratamaa
Using an internet package for your Bali SIM Card is easy with Klook. All you need to do is choose your mobile operator, and the data packages are already predetermined for you. Here are the internet packages you can book with Klook:
- Telkomsel: 18 GB, 35 GB, and 51 GB
- Smartfren: 10 GB and 20 GB
- XL Axiata: 16 GB and 32 GB
- Indosat: 9 GB and 16 GB
If you’re buying your Bali SIM card from an airport booth or a mobile phone store, the local vendor will assist you in activating your card online. They could offer you a package similar to the ones above or ask how much money you want to top up as phone credit, or what they call PULSA in Bali, if you don’t want to avail an internet plan or package.
Klook tip: We recommend you opt for internet packages rather than PULSA! You might find yourself using Whatsapp, Facetime, or any other social media network to communicate, and these would use more internet data than emails or text messages.
What is the best SIM card in Bali?
Give your mates back home FOMO instantly
We know there are a lot of mobile operators in Bali. So how would you know which Bali SIM card to avail of? Here’s the 411 on Bali’s primary SIM card providers:
- Telkomsel has the best coverage among the rest but is considered to be the most expensive SIM card. They even have a dedicated SIM card for Bali tourists called Wonderful Indonesia! Its signal works great in Nusa Penida and Lembongan areas, where WiFi isn’t as stable as expected.
- Getting a Smartfren SIM card is an excellent idea if you visit Jakarta, Yogyakarta, and Badung during your trip.
- XL Axiata is perfect if you’re frequenting the Denpasar and Badung areas. It has limited internet coverage in Ubud, though.
- Indosat works best in the South Bali area.
Are there other ways to stay connected in Bali?
Yes, there are other ways to stay connected besides getting a Bali SIM card. You can always connect via your hotel’s WiFi. Restaurants and cafes also offer free WiFi—don’t expect super-fast internet, though, since you’ll be sharing access with other customers.
On a work-cation? There are also coworking spaces all over Bali, just like Zin Cafe in Canggu. This cafe on Nelayan Street is just a few steps away from the beach, so you can quickly chill after meetings and deadlines.
Written by: Elle David
