Planning your trip to Indonesia and landing at Jakarta Airport? Forget about slow and pricey overseas data roaming plans, all you need is a local prepaid SIM card or eSIM. Find out where to get an Indonesian tourist SIM card, the best packages, and up-to-date prices. Let’s dive into our guide on buying a SIM card at Jakarta Airport (Soekarno-Hatta – CGK)!
Need to know: Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, has 02 primary airports:
Hence, in this guide, when we mention Jakarta airport, it means Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK).
In this article
A local SIM card is the most affordable and convenient way to stay online in Indonesia. For just a few dollars, you can get multiple gigabytes of data valid for several days, ensuring you have reliable internet access anytime, anywhere—even in remote areas. This makes it easy to:
Other options, like pocket WiFi and free WiFi, have significant drawbacks:
Why SIM cards are better:
A local SIM card is the most affordable and convenient way to stay online in Indonesia. For just a few dollars, you can get multiple gigabytes of data valid for several days, ensuring you have reliable internet access anytime, anywhere—even in remote areas. This makes it easy to:
Tip: Check if your phone is compatible with eSIM before deciding.
There are 03 main ways to buy a SIM card in Jakarta.
You can order a SIM card from trusted providers before your trip. The card will be delivered to your home, ready to use when you arrive.
What you need: Your email, delivery address, and payment method.
Price: vary by provider
Pros:
Cons:
You can purchase a SIM card as soon as you land at Jakarta’s Soekarno–Hatta airport. Shops are located both inside and outside the arrival hall.
In the Arrival Hall:
Outside the Arrival Hall:
You need to prepare your passport as ID and cash in IDR. The prices are higher than in the city, with rates depending on the provider. This is the fastest option to get connected upon arrival and staff can speak English and can help you choose the right plan. However, note that limited selection compared to city stores.
SIM cards are widely available in official stores or convenience stores like Alfamart.
You need to prepare your passport, cash in IDR, and knowledge of store locations. The prices are comparable to airport, but city stores often provide better bundles with more data or longer validity.
Pros:
Cons:
Indonesia has three main mobile network carriers: Telkomsel, Indosat, and XL Axiata. You can buy their SIM plans for tourists at the airports. Below are the most noticeable:
| Provider | Plan Name | Data | Call Quota | Validity | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Telkomsel | Tourist SIMPATI Card | 25GB (3G/4G/5G) | 25 minutes (local/international) | 30 days | Rp. 150,000 (~$10) | Extensive nationwide coverage, including remote areas and islands. |
| Indosat | Travel On 30GB | 30GB | 10 minutes (local/international) | 30 days | IDR 100,000 (~$6.40) | Includes 1GB roaming data for select countries (India, Malaysia, Japan, Australia, UAE, USA). |
| Indosat | Travel On 80GB | 80GB | 30 minutes (local/international) | 30 days | IDR 200,000 (~$12.80) | Large data package with international roaming bonus. |
| XL Axiata | XL Starter Packs | 3GB to 50GB | Roaming: 24-hour access | 45–60 days | Rp. 35,000 – Rp. 745,000 | Flexible plans with generous data and roaming benefits, optimized for tourist use. |
These plans are commonly available at kiosks or counters operated by each provider in the airport’s arrival terminals.
Note: Prices in the table are for reference only and may be higher at the airport due to convenience fees. Also, some advanced or promotional plans advertised online might not be available at the airport.
Here’s what you need to prepare to get a SIM card at Soekarno–Hatta International Airport (CGK):
The SIM card will be activated within 2–5 minutes and ready to use.
Optional: Connect to airport WiFi to verify the SIM is activated.
Pro Tip: You do not need to worry about the language barrier, as the staff at the SIM card shops at the airport can speak English. Besides, they will support the SIM card set-up process.
Now that you know the best tourist Soekarno–Hatta International Airport SIM Card deals and prices. Let us delve into the best mobile network in Jakarta and their coverage and speeds:
The main network operators in Jakarta—Telkomsel, XL Axiata, and Indosat—offer extensive coverage across the city, including most urban and suburban areas (source: nPerf).
When it comes to speed, the performance of the three main operators varies slightly:
Based on both coverage and speed, Telkomsel is the best mobile network in Jakarta. It offers the most robust and reliable service, making it the top choice for tourists needing consistent internet access during their trip.
An eSIM is a convenient alternative to a physical prepaid SIM card when traveling to Jakarta. It offers several advantages:
By getting eSIM for Jakarta Indonesia from a trusted provider like Gigago, you will have:
For Indonesia, Gigago offers multiple eSIM plans starting from a 3-day plan with 500MB per day for $2.90. They also provide 5-day, 7-day, 10-day, 15-day, 20-day, and 30-day plans with options ranging from 500MB to 3GB per day or 3GB to 50GB total data, with prices ranging from $2.90 to $81.50. All plans include hotspot/tethering and reliable coverage through Telkomsel, Indonesia’s leading network provider.
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.
