In Indonesia, most travelers don't stay on one island: Bali, Java, Lombok and smaller islands, with ferries and domestic flights in between. The rule for planning: one eSIM package for the entire country, validity length according to your whole trip, and decide in advance whether to take unlimited or by volume. You install the eSIM at home and activate it upon landing.
We've already written an eSIM installation and activation guide for Indonesia and a general guide to smart connectivity in Indonesia. Here we'll focus on a different question: how do you plan your browsing around a trip that spans multiple islands.
One package for the country, not one package per island
Our eSIM packages are designed for a country, so you don't need to buy a separate package for each island. Your Indonesia package is one, even if you move between several islands. What does change from place to place is reception: don't rely on continuous connection at every point, especially on small islands, in mountains and in the middle of the sea.
Travel days: ferries and domestic flights
Travel days are the days when it's most important to have information on your phone, and that's precisely when reception might disappear.
- On a ferry day to Gili or Lombok, download an offline map of the island and the port in advance.
- Save screenshots of ferry tickets, flight confirmations and accommodation bookings, including the address.
- Update your family before boarding a long ferry, so they don't worry if there are no messages.
- Take a portable charger in a bag that stays with you. Navigation and photos all day drain the battery fast.
Unlimited or by volume
Indonesia has both volume-based packages and unlimited packages, with different validity periods: from a few days to a month.
- By volume: suitable for those who browse mainly maps and messages, and sleep in places with Wi-Fi.
- Unlimited: suitable for those who upload videos, make video calls or work from their phone, and also for those who don't want to track usage. As shown on the package page, after using 3GB in a day, speed is reduced to 1 Mbps until the end of that day.
Important to know before purchasing: In volume-based packages you can add data with top-ups. In unlimited packages for Indonesia there are no top-ups. So if you choose unlimited, select the validity period in advance to cover your entire trip. If your trip gets extended, you can purchase an additional package. And if your trip might get extended, a volume-based package gives you more flexibility. For calculations by days and usage type, we have a guide on how much data you need abroad.
When does the validity start
As shown on the package page, the validity period begins when the eSIM connects to a supported network for the first time, not at the moment of purchase. So you can buy and install it some time before your flight, and the validity won't run in the meantime. It will start counting when your phone connects to a network in Indonesia.
Before the flight: Ten minutes of preparation
Don't wait until Indonesia airport. Installation requires Wi-Fi connection, and it's best to do it at home, without pressure.
1. Check that your phone supports eSIM on the eSIM compatibility check page. 2. Choose a package on the eSIM packages for Indonesia page, based on your trip length and usage. 3. Receive QR code by email immediately after payment. 4. Install at home, with Wi-Fi connection, according to the installation guide. Scan the code once. 5. Keep your Israeli SIM in the phone and turn off data roaming on it. 6. Upon landing: Select the eSIM line for cellular data, turn on data roaming for it, turn off Wi-Fi for a moment and open a website. Loaded? You're browsing through nRed.
Menu names may vary depending on your phone model and operating system version.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a separate package for each island? No. The package is for Indonesia, not for a specific island. Reception itself varies between locations, so it's good to be prepared for days with weak connection.
What happens to my Israeli SIM? Your Israeli SIM stays in the phone. It's recommended to turn off data roaming on it. Whether you can receive calls and SMS abroad, and at what price, depends on your operator's package. nRed's eSIM is for data only, without calls and SMS.
We're traveling as a couple. Can we share one package? The simplest way is for each phone to have its own eSIM package. That way each person is independent when you split between islands.
Continuing from Indonesia to another country. Do I need an additional package? Yes, the simple way is a package for each country, based on the number of days you'll be there. You can find destinations in the region on the eSIM for Asia page.
What do you do if there's no internet after landing? Check that the eSIM line is selected for data and data roaming is enabled on it, and restart your phone. If it still doesn't work, nRed's support team is available through the support page.
Heading to Indonesia?
Choose an eSIM package based on your trip length, install it at home and land connected.
The updated price appears on the packages page.
