The best eSIM for Indonesia depends on how much data you need, but for a typical trip eSIM Ahora offers plans from $1.20, activated by QR code in about 30 seconds with no roaming from your home carrier. A 3 GB, 30-day plan costs $4.50. You connect, with top-ups available and nationwide coverage. Compatible with iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Google Pixel 3+.
Full-speed data every day; after the daily cap the speed is reduced.
Full speed up to 500 MB/day, then 512 Kbps.
Every eSIM can be installed within 180 days of purchase. Plan validity starts when you first connect.
Your eSIM picks between these networks on its own. If you see bars and nothing loads, you can pick one by hand.
Your Indonesia eSIM runs on Telkomsel, Smartfren and XL, and your phone picks whichever has the better signal. Other local networks won't carry your data: if you see signal bars and nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection (iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Network Selection; Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your eSIM) and pick Telkomsel, Smartfren or XL by hand.
Indonesia has three main carriers: Telkomsel (Telkom subsidiary, largest nationwide coverage with 5G in major cities), Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison (Ooredoo subsidiary, broad urban 5G), and XL Axiata (best value). Plugs are Type C and F (standard European), 220V — no adapter needed from continental Europe. 4G coverage reaches all of Bali, Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Bandung, Medan, Lombok, and main tourist islands (Komodo, Bunaken). Indonesia has 17,000+ islands — coverage follows inhabited zones.
Bali Ngurah Rai (DPS), Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta (CGK), and Yogyakarta (YIA) airports offer free WiFi after verification. The currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR, ~16,000 IDR/USD — prices have many zeros). BCA, Mandiri, and BNI ATMs accept foreign cards (~25,000 IDR commission per transaction). Tips are 10% (sometimes included). VOA (visa on arrival) costs USD 35 for 30 days, eVOA online more convenient. WhatsApp dominates communication. Gojek and Grab apps for motorbikes, taxis, and delivery (Gojek is Indonesian, BETTER than Grab in Indonesia). Beware "taxi mafias" in Bali — use only official Bluebird or Gojek/Grab.