Buying a SIM Card at Bali-Denpasar Airport (Ngurah Rai – DPS): Travelers Guide

Flying to Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), aka Bali-Denpasar? Looking for the best way to stay connected while in Indonesia? Get yourself an Indonesian SIM card or eSIM. This guide is for travelers who want to buy SIM card at Bali-Denpasar Airport: where and how to purchase, the best packages, and the latest prices.

I. Why Buy a SIM Card in Bali?

An Indonesian prepaid SIM card is the best way to get online in Bali. It gives you unlimited access to Indonesia’s fast 4G or even 5G networks anywhere and anytime. You can also use free Wifi for Internet connectivity. This option sounds convenient but you cannot rely on it. You cannot always find hotspots like hotels or restaurants to access free Wi-Fi. Besides, signals can be spotty and networks get overloaded with people. You will certainly love the freedom and value a SIM card gives over other options. 

Which type of SIM card to get for Bali?

To search the information and navigate the map as well as stay connected with family and friends via chat apps, you have 2 options:

• Physical prepaid SIM card: reasonable price, diverse data plans
• eSIM: easy purchase, simple activation, no risk of loss. Need eSIM-compatible devices.

II. Where to Purchase a SIM Card for Bali?

Here are three main methods to get a Bali SIM card.

1. Buy Online before departure (Bali SIM & eSIM)

You may order Bali SIM cards online and they will be delivered to your home before your trip. This way, you can have Internet connectivity right when you land. eSIM is even easier and you do everything online within a few minutes. 

Where to buy: websites of trusted third-party providers

What to prepare: email, payment method, delivery address

Note: Additional delivery fees

2. Buy at Bali-Denpasar Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport – DPS)

The best place to get a Bali prepaid SIM card is on arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which is also called as Bali-Denpasar airport. Nevertheless, buying SIM cards at Bali airport is more costly than in phone stores in the city. 

After you get your passport stamped, walk through duty-free, and at the end of duty-free, you will see several tables where they offer SIM cards for Bali. In addition, you also can find some places selling Bali SIM cards such as

• Telkomsel kiosk: next to the luggage belt 4 – baggage claim area.
• XL Axiata store and Telkomsel store: After collecting your luggage and passing the customs baggage check, you come out in the arrival hall of the international terminal. You will see these stores on your left-hand side.
• Indosat Ooredoo kiosk: opposite Starbucks Coffee.

Those are three of the main mobile network carriers in Indonesia and they sell Bali prepaid SIM cards for international tourists.

• Opening hours: from early morning till late at night
• Payment method: Indonesian Rupiahs (IDR), credit cards 

Where to buy: stores of major mobile operators, English-speaking staff

What to prepare: IDR cash, passport as ID proof

3. In Bali center

If you want to buy a SIM card for Bali with the cheapest deals, you may go around Bali to the official stores of the main operators or convenience stores. Keep in mind that you may have to deal with language barriers and even negotiate for the best price.

Where to buy: official stores of operators like Telkomsel, Indosat, XL Axiata across Bali; convenience stores like Alfamart.

What to prepare: your hotel address for registration, passport 

III. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Bali Airport – Registration Process

Here are the key points about getting a SIM card at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Bali:

Location: You can buy SIM cards at the airport near luggage belt 4 after clearing customs/baggage claim. There are also stores just outside customs in the arrival hall.

Registration process: You need to bring your passport for registration. They will make a copy of your passport and register the SIM card under your name and passport number.

What to prepare:

• Bring your passport for registration and identification
• Have some Indonesian cash ready to pay as some stores may not accept cards
• Know your hotel address in Bali for registration if you are staying more than 60 days
• Check if your phone is unlocked before traveling, as SIM cards will not work on locked phones
• Buying options: You can buy SIM cards from Telkomsel, XL, Indosat counters at the airport
• Prices are slightly higher at the airport than at local stores but more convenient on arrival in Bali
• Do not have to worry about language barriers since staff at SIM card stores can speak English. They also support activating your SIM card. 

▶ Our recommendations:

• If you need Internet right away or have limited time, it is worth buying a Bali SIM card at Bali airport.
• If you have time to find better deals, consider buying it at stores in the Bali center for attractive prices and a diverse selection of data plans.
• Consider eSIM for the best flexibility and value.

IV. Best Tourist Bali Airport SIM Cards Deals and Price

Here are several popular SIM card options from three of the major network carriers in Indonesia for tourists at Bali International Airport: 

Operator	Data/ Validity	Price (IDR/ USD)
Indosat	18GB/ 30 days	250,000 IDR/ $16 USD
Indosat	30GB/ 30 days	350,000 IDR/ $22.50 USD
Indosat	45GB/ 30 days	450,000 IDR
XL Axiata	18GB/ 30 days	250,000 IDR
XL Axiata	25GB/ 30 days	350,000 IDR
XL Axiata	44GB/ 30 days	450,000 IDR
Telkomsel	18GB/ 30 days	250,000 IDR
Telkomsel	25GB/ 30 days	400,000 IDR
Telkomsel	51GB/ 30 days	450,000 IDR

Telkomsel seems to be more expensive, but it offers the best value based on the data plans, prices, and network coverage. It also has larger data allotments compared to the other carriers. Indosat also offers good value. XL Axiata provides great data plans with unlimited calls at cheap prices. All three operators accept payment via cash, MasterCard, and Visa.

V. Best Mobile Network in Bali – Coverage Map

Let us compare coverage maps of the main mobile network carriers to find the best mobile network in Bali.

Indonesia has 03 major cellular network operators, which are: XL, Indosat, Telkomsel.

In general, all of these operators perform well in Bali. To be specific, Telkomsel has the greatest coverage and possesses the most advanced mobile network in Bali. XL Axiata is the second best and they are expanding the 5G network rapidly. The signal of Indosat 4G is also very robust so tourists can use SIM cards from any of them. 

Besides, you may choose eSIMs, a convenient and flexible option for overseas tourists visiting Indonesia, offering service on both 4G and 5G in Bali without the need for a physical SIM card.  

VI. Indonesia eSIM for Bali – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card Bali

An e-sim card is not the cheapest option, but it is a very easy method to access the Internet immediately upon arrival in Bali. You can do everything online within just a few minutes. You order an eSIM card from reliable providers like Gigago, receive a code via your email, follow the instructions, enter the settings, and then you are instantly connected.

Indonesian eSIM from Gigago gives you a wide selection of both call-inclusive and data-only plans, 24/7 support, and various plans with large data allocations, so you can travel hassle-free.

Indeed, 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.

Do not forget to check if your mobile phone is eSIM-compatible. Check out our updated list of eSIM-compatible devices.

VII. FAQs about SIM Card at Bali-Denpasar Airport

VIII. Conclusion

In conclusion, buying a SIM card at Bali-Denpasar Airport – Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is the fastest option to get connected when traveling in Indonesia. But for that convenience, you may need to pay more compared to getting SIM cards at stores in the city or buying eSIM from Gigago. Reputable operators like Indosat or Telkomsel with extensive coverage will help you stay connected during your trip to Indonesia.