Visiting Medan, Indonesia in 2024? Then getting a local SIM card is essential for navigation, transport, social media, and chat during your trip. This is a complete guide on buying an Indonesian SIM card at Medan Kualanamu Airport (KNO) for tourists: where to buy, finest plans, and up-to-date prices.
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Yes. Getting an Indonesia SIM card is the most convenient way to stay connected when visiting Medan. You need the Internet to look for directions on Google Maps, find information about traveling, order a taxi via an app, keep up with social media, or use chat apps to inform your family. Having data on your mobile phone when visiting Medan makes life much easier!
Another way to get online in Medan is using international roaming. With this option, you may have to rack up large bills and suffer limited usage unwittingly as not every network operator in your home country can connect with network carriers in Indonesia.
You can select from two types of SIM cards for Medan:
Pro Tip: Many tourists utilize VPN services for extra data protection.
To get a SIM Card for Medan, there are 03 main ways as follows:
The first way is to order Medan SIM cards online and have them delivered to your house before your visit. You can also get eSIM from trusted eSIM providers. It is best to buy an eSIM and activate it before boarding so that you will have the Internet right when you land.
Where to buy: websites of reliable providers
What to prepare: delivery address, email, payment methods, additional shipping fees
Getting SIM card at Medan Kualanamu International Airport upon arrival is the most convenient for international tourists who want immediate Internet connectivity instead of commuting to the city center. But for that convenience, you will have to pay more as buying SIM card at Medan airport is more pricey than at stores in the city center.
From the plane, you walk directly into the building through the bridge. On some occasions, you may be able to walk down the plane’s stairway and onto the sidewalk to reach the arrival hall.
Two stores are selling Indonesian SIM cards, inside and outside the airport arrival hall:
Telkomsel store (GraPARI):
Smaller kiosk:
If you want to buy Medan SIM cards at the finest prices, you may go to the official stores of major network carriers or convenience stores in the Medan city center. You may have to negotiate for the best deals and deal with language barriers as not everyone can speak English.
Where to get: official stores of Indosat, Telkomsel, XL Axiata across Medan, convenience stores like Indomaret and Alfamart
What to prepare: passport, hotel address for SIM registration, IDR cash
Good to know: $1 USD = 15,500 IDR; 10,000 IDR = $0.65 USD (updated in January 2024)
Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL Axiata are three of the major mobile network providers in Indonesia. You can select the SIM card that best fits your needs. Below are several popular SIM card options available for international tourists at Medan Kualanamu International Airport (KNO).
| Operator | Data/ Validity | Price (IDR/ USD) |
| Telkomsel | 15GB data valid for 30 days | IDR 150,000 / USD 9.5 |
| Telkomsel | 10GB data valid for 7 days | IDR 70,000 / USD 4.5 |
| Indosat | 10GB data valid for 30 days | IDR 150,000 / USD 9.5 |
| Indosat | 2GB data valid for 7 days | IDR 35,000 / USD 2.2 |
| XL Axiata | 10GB data valid for 30 days | IDR 150,000 / USD 9.5 |
| XL Axiata | 5GB data valid for 7 days | IDR 50,000 / USD 3.2 |
Pro Tips:
You need to know the registration process to get a SIM card at Medan Airport. Here is how:
Registration process:
Document required: passport, IDR cash
SIM card activation: Your SIM card will be activated immediately upon purchase. After that, you need to insert the SIM into your mobile phone to start using data and calls. Do not be worried as English-speaking staff will support you wholeheartedly.
▶ Our recommendations:
Using an eSIM for Medan instead of a prepaid physical SIM card will be more convenient for international tourists visiting Indonesia.
Gigago offers multiple data plan options for Indonesia, starting from a 5-day plan with 1GB per day for $5 as their most minimal plan. They also have 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day plans ranging from 1GB to 50GB of total data, or 1GB to 3GB per day, with prices from $5 up to $89.50.
By going with Indonesia eSIM by Gigago, you can be Internet-ready with ease. Gigago offers affordable plans, wide plan options, no hidden fees, and 24/7 English and Indonesian support via hotline, email, and app.
You need your passport for ID proof. Have some IDR cash as several stores accept only cash payments.
Yes! Many SIM card shops accept both cash and credit card like MasterCard or Visa. However, it is advisable to prepare some IDR cash for smooth payment.
Whether you can use your local SIM card in Medan depends on your home country and network provider. For instance, it is unlikely your SIM from the US or Canada will work in Indonesia since networks operate on different technology and frequencies. You will need a local Indonesian SIM.
You can buy a SIM card for Medan at the airport if you want immediate Internet connectivity upon arrival. Buy SIM cards in Medan city for the best deals. Consider the eSIM option for the convenience and best value.
In conclusion, it is convenient to buy a SIM card at Medan Airport. You can choose to buy a SIM card from the stores of major operators once you reach Medan city as you have more choices in plans and better value for money. Consider ordering an eSIM from a trusted provider like Gigago before your trip. Proper research and the right choice will help you stay connected in Medan seamlessly.
Pocket Wifi in Indonesia is a convenient solution for staying in touch while exploring the Land of Thousand Islands. Renting a pocket Wifi hotspot allows you to have reliable Internet access on the go.
To get a stable Internet access while traveling Indonesia, tourists can obtain affordable prepaid Indosat SIM cards or opt for an Indosat eSIM plan.
XL Axiata SIM cards and eSIMs give tourists secure and affordable access to XL’s extensive 4G network during their trips to Indonesia.
This guide will uncover where and how to buy SIM card in Jakarta, the best plans and prices, and essential tips shared by locals.
Telkomsel is one of the largest network carriers in Indonesia, offering reliable coverage across the country with competitive SIM plans and fast 4G/5G networks.
Data roaming in Indonesia is one of the ways but the rates can be quite costly. That is why we recommend finding another way to access Internet while exploring this beautiful country.
