XL Axiata is currently Indonesia’s top network for speed and connection reliability. While Telkomsel remains the largest network by overall subscriber count and remote coverage, XL Axiata has surged ahead in independent speed tests, making it an excellent choice for travelers staying in major cities, tourist hubs, and popular island destinations.
If you are planning a trip to Indonesia and considering XL Axiata for your mobile data, this guide covers everything you need to know about XL Axiata SIM cards for tourists, including official plan pricing, airport store locations, passport registration rules, and whether a local SIM or a travel eSIM is the right choice for your journey.
In this article
XL Axiata is Indonesia’s third-largest mobile operator, famous for offering high speed and great value.
Operating since 1989, XL Axiata merged with Smartfren in April 2025 to form a combined company called XLSMART. Despite the corporate merger, the consumer brand remains XL.
While Telkomsel and Indosat are larger in total company size, XL has heavily upgraded its infrastructure, making it a market leader in network performance across popular destinations like Bali, Jakarta, and Lombok.
XL Axiata offers Indonesia’s fastest mobile data speeds and most reliable connection quality.
In accordance with the report carried out Opensignal, XL dominates performance in terms of Speed, reliability, entertainment and coverage:
If you concern about data speed and steady connection quality, choose XL. But if you are traveling to extremely remote islands or deep inland areas where maximum raw coverage footprint matters most, choose others.
XL’s official “Xtra Combo Flex” tourist eSIM packages range from Rp 46,000 (~$3 USD) to Rp 140,000 (~$9 USD).
Official plan options include:
Payment Note for Online Buyers: While XL’s official site accepts foreign credit cards, travelers occasionally report international card payments failing online. Having a local e-wallet option (like GoPay or DANA) or buying in person upon landing is a reliable backup plan.
You can easily buy an XL SIM card at major international airports or at thousands of retail stores across Indonesia.
If you miss the airport counters, you can visit an official XL Center or any authorized dealer in town.
For example, in Jakarta, there is an official XL Center inside Grand Indonesia Mall (East Mall, Level 3A) open daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
In other cities, a quick search for “XL Center” on Google Maps or asking your hotel staff will easily point you to the nearest store.
Pro Tip: If you are landing on a late-night flight, keep in mind that airport counter operating hours can vary, so having a travel eSIM or downloaded offline maps as a backup plan is always a smart move.
Yes, buying a Gigago Indonesia eSIM is the most convenient option if you want to skip registration paperwork and connect the instant you land.
The eSIM allows you to set up your mobile data before departing, bypassing long airport queues, passport submission forms, and card payment issues on local sites. However, note that Gigago’s eSIM for Indonesia connects directly to Telkomsel (not XL Axiata), but still offers massive nationwide 4G/LTE coverage across all major islands.
If staying on XL’s specific network for maximum speed is your priority, pick up a local XL SIM upon landing. If you prefer zero stress, instant connection, and broad nationwide coverage, a Gigago eSIM is the easier option.
Yes. In latest independent performance tests, XL wins every speed and connection reliability category in Indonesia. Telkomsel leads primarily in total geographic coverage in remote areas.
Yes. XL operates official counters in the arrivals hall at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, where staff handle passport registration for you.
Yes. Government regulations require all foreign tourists to present a valid passport to register any local physical SIM or eSIM.
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.
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.
This blog will uncover the different ways to access the Internet on your mobile phone, the pros and cons, and the price of each, so you can choose what is best for you to explore Indonesia with ease!
