Staying Connected in Indonesia : International Roaming, eSIMs, or a Local SIM?

When you’re heading to Indonesia, staying connected by phone is essential for everything from finding your way around to keeping in touch with family back home. But with so many options for mobile service, it can be tricky to know what will work best for your trip. In this post, we’ll compare three popular options: international roaming (using Telstra, Optus, and Boost Mobile as examples), using an eSIM, and buying a local SIM card on arrival.

1. International Roaming: Telstra, Optus, and Boost Mobile

If you’re using an Australian carrier, you might be tempted by the convenience of international roaming. While it’s easy to activate, roaming can be costly compared to other options. Let’s compare what Telstra, Optus, and Boost Mobile offer.

Telstra International Roaming

Telstra offers a Day Pass for international roaming in many countries, including Indonesia.

• Price: $10 per day.

• Inclusions: Unlimited standard national and international calls and texts, plus 2GB of data per day (excess data $10/2GB with 31day expiry)

• Pros:

  • Easy to use without switching SIM cards.

  • Keep your current number for calls and texts.

• Cons:

  • Expensive for longer stays (e.g., $70 for a week).

  • Only 2GB of data per day, which might not be enough if you use data heavily.

Optus International Roaming

Optus offers a Travel Pass with competitive rates for Bali.

• Price: $5 per day.

• Inclusions: Unlimited calls and texts, plus 5GB of data per day.

• Pros:

  • More affordable than Telstra.

  • More data per day (5GB) for a lower cost.

• Cons:

  • Like Telstra, costs rise for longer trips, and you might forget to turn off roaming after your trip.

Boost Mobile International Roaming

Boost Mobile, which uses Telstra’s network, is a great prepaid alternative to the major carriers. They offer a small, medium or large roaming pack.

Price:

Small pack $20 

Medium pack $30

Large pack $40

Inclusions:

Small - 1GB of data, 15 minutes of calls and 15 texts, 3 days expiry

Medium - 3GB of data, 30 minutes of calls and 30 texts, 7 days expiry

Large - 5GB of data, 60 minutes of calls and 60 texts, 14 days expiry

Pros:

• A good value for light data users on shorter trips.

• Cheaper upfront cost than Telstra and Optus if you’re not using a lot of data.

Cons:

• Only 5GB of data for 14 days; not ideal for heavy data usage.

• Limited call and text inclusions compared to Telstra and Optus.

2. eSIM: Affordable and Easy to Use Mobile Data

Image from vecteezy.com

I was unsure about using an eSIM but we decided to give Nomad a try because they actually offer a 3 day, 1GB trial eSIM for free to make sure that everything will work smoothly with your device. They also use Telkomsel as their network in Indonesia, which is generally the most reliable in the most places. With Nomad, you also won't pay the full amount when topping up or purchasing a second time because you accumulate points on each purchase which give you a discount on future purchases, another unique feature we quite liked.

To check out their deals click the banner below, or scan the QR code.

Enjoy $5USD off the price of your eSIM using code

RACHMARZTK

3. Buying a Local SIM Card for Your Mobile Phone

For those planning a longer stay or needing more data, buying a local SIM card in Indonesia can be a cost-effective option. You can pick one up at the airport or if you're in Bali, arrange for one to be delivered to your hotel when you arrive by clicking here:

Telkomsel Sim Delivery

Price and Inclusions:

• Price:

  21GB: $19.89 AUD

  36GB: $29.89 AUD

  63GB: $39.89 AUD

• Inclusions: data only

Pros:

• Best value: For longer trips or heavy data use, local SIM cards provide a good chunk of data at a low cost.

• Widespread availability: You can easily buy a SIM at the airport or a convenience store, and if you are in Bali, there are even sellers who will come to you and set it up in your hotel room or villa.

Cons:

• Inconvenience: You’ll need to swap out your home SIM card and may lose access to your regular phone number.

• Registration: Due to government regulations, local SIMs require passport registration, which can add a small hassle when purchasing.

Each option has its strengths, so think about how long you’ll be travelling and what your data needs are.

Safe travels, and happy exploring!