How Tourists Can Stay Connected in Indonesia Without Roaming
Let’s face it: sorting out travel logistics can be a pain in the backside, regardless of how beautiful your target destination looks. The trouble of planning out travel logistics can be amplified the further away from Australia you go, even if it’s our next-door neighbour, Indonesia.
From finding affordable flights to fulfilling your packing checklist, you’ll have to spend a lot of time ensuring you’re maximising value and not going overboard with your spending while overseas.
A key part of travel planning is making sure you’ll have reliable internet access throughout your trip. While your phone carrier likely allows you to roam the internet abroad with their plans, this can be prohibitively expensive for the average traveller.
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Regardless, having access to the Internet while travelling around Indonesia is essential. You wouldn’t want to be stranded in a rural town without knowing how to get back to your hotel, struggling to speak with locals who can’t understand the only language you know.
If you want to save on costs while still maintaining a stable Internet connection, we have some good news. It’s indeed possible for you to access the internet for cheap while travelling in Indonesia—and this can be achieved in multiple ways.
Let’s take a look at how tourists can stay connected to the Internet without roaming in Indonesia.
How Tourists Can Stay Connected
Why Avoid International Roaming in Indonesia?
So, what’s wrong with international roaming in Indonesia? There are several reasons why international roaming is not an ideal choice for Aussie travellers looking to travel to Indonesia, and not for reasons you may be led to believe. Here are a couple of reasons why they’re not the top source for a reliable Internet connection:
High costs: International roaming plans with your existing SIM card tend to fetch a higher price per MB. This is partly because of partnership agreements outside the SIM carrier’s coverage area and because of the convenience offered by this SIM plan.
Unreliable coverage: Despite the cost, international roaming doesn’t guarantee blazingly fast Internet or coverage in remote areas of Indonesia. The Internet can be quite spotty, making it unreliable in the more rural regions of the country.
Limited data and speed: International roaming carriers don’t always have strong partnerships with Indonesian providers. This can lead to them getting slower Internet and limited data access in the country.
Outside of coverage area: Some domestic SIM card carriers may simply not have Indonesian partners in their coverage agreement. Given this, it’s important to first figure out if your data plan can provide international Internet access in the country.
Given all these facts, relying solely on an international roaming plan as your Internet source in your chosen travel destination may not be the best idea. The good news is that there are several other ways that you can stay connected to the Internet.Let’s explore each one.
4 Ways Tourists Can Stay Connected While Travelling in Indonesia
There are four main ways tourists can stay connected to the Internet while embarking on an Indonesian trip. Let’s take a look at these ways in greater detail.
Get an International eSIM
The most convenient way of getting internet access in Indonesia as a tourist is by downloading and setting up a travel eSIM. An eSIM, unlike a physical SIM card, can be bought in advance and accessed digitally. You can find some of the best eSIM for Indonesian tourists online, and they’re often competitively priced and available in a wide selection of data caps at different price points to suit any traveller.Another perk of an eSIM is the fact that you don’t have to line up in an airport kiosk and waste precious vacation time fumbling for your airport and SIM ejector pin that you swore you brought. They can be activated as soon as your aircraft lands on Indonesian soil, giving you immediate Internet access to start your adventure on the right foot.Furthermore, if you plan to transit to other countries, then an eSIM can also help ensure that Internet connectivity in each port is smooth and hassle-free. Unlike with a SIM card, you don’t have to swap SIM cards to make room for an Indonesian SIM. You simply have to activate it by scanning the QR code that comes with it. Select providers can even allow users to top up their eSIM plan With all these perks, an eSIM is a great way to keep your travel stress-free and easy. You don’t have to rely on spotty airport WiFi or pay for an overcharged local SIM at a kiosk—all you have to do is simply get your Internet connection up and going as soon as you depart your aircraft.
Get a Physical Indonesian SIM Card
A viable alternative to getting a stable Internet connection in Indonesia is getting a physical SIM card. Indonesian airports tend to have many kiosks selling SIM cards that you can set up and install right away, granting you access to the Internet in a fairly accessible manner. These SIM cards can be offered at cheap rates too, helping travellers of all budgets access the Internet with relative ease.What makes this option preferable over getting an eSIM is its ability to let you register for a phone number, albeit a temporary one. A phone number makes it possible for you to register for Indonesian apps like Grab. It also allows you to be reachable via SMS and calls without needing an Internet connection.If you plan to stay in Indonesia for a long time, a physical, prepaid SIM card may be a better option. It allows you to access larger data bundles at lower local rates, especially if you purchase them in convenience stores or outside the airport. It can offer better value and flexibility for roaming in the entire country.Tourist Using Mobile Phone To Find Directions
Use a Pocket WiFi Device
Another way to stay connected in Indonesia is by using a pocket WiFi device. If you’re travelling with multiple people and want to stay connected, then this portable device can be of big help. A pocket wifi device not only allows you to connect to the internet via your smartphone, but it can also be the access point for your laptop and tablet—two non-SIM devices—to gain internet access overseas.You can rent a pocket wifi device from the airport and return it on your departure date. The cost is calculated per day, and the daily data cap is also taken into account. Alternatively, you can also bring your own pocket wifi device. You will have to top it up to ensure that it can meet your browsing needs, and this process differs per provider. As such, review how to do it before your trip so that you can easily connect to it once you’ve landed in Indonesia.
Rely on WiFi Connection Networks
If you’re not keen on buying a SIM card or using a pocket wifi device for one reason or another, you’re not completely out of luck when exploring the country. Indonesia has ample WiFi coverage in many public places, such as cafes, hotels, and malls. You can simply connect your device to the WiFi in these locations and enjoy your Internet fix.The WiFi network in Indonesia works just as well as anywhere else, and for simple tasks like browsing the web and talking to people on social media, it’s more than serviceable to take on the tasks.If you plan to rely heavily on WiFi, even for sensitive activities like banking, it’s smart to use a VPN for added protection. This ensures that you have better control of your data and won’t unknowingly put your information at risk when using WiFi networks in unfamiliar places.While not the most reliable method for constant connectivity, WiFi networks can be a handy alternative when travelling through Indonesia, especially if you’re already used to travelling here and don’t need to be glued to online maps for navigation.We wish you the best in getting your internet needs met in Indonesia. All the best in exploring their beautiful island country!
