Best eSIM for Bali :

And Skip the SIM Card Circus

Landing in Bali is all vibes… until you realise you’ve got no data, the airport Wi‑Fi is crawling, your ride-share app won’t load, and you’re trying to find your driver while 200 people are waving SIM card flyers at you.

Bali or Bust Airport eSIM — Bali or Bust Saily eSIM before you arrive

We’ve been there. And if you’re traveling to Bali in 2026, staying connected isn’t optional anymore – it’s how you:

book airport transfers
check into your villa
navigate Ubud backstreets
pay by QR / check bank notifications
message your driver on WhatsApp
translate menus and signs
stay safe with live maps and emergency numbers

So let’s make this simple.

This guide breaks down the easiest way to get mobile data in Bali using an eSIM – and why we recommend Saily for most travelers who want a stress-free setup.

Quick verdict (if you just want the answer)

If your phone supports eSIM, Saily is our pick for Bali/Indonesia because you can install it before you fly, it activates when you arrive, and you can top up in-app if you underestimate your data. Saily lists Indonesia plans starting from USD $4.79 for 1GB/7 days on their site (Saily Indonesia eSIM).

Get Saily for Bali here: Saily eSIM for Bali (Indonesia)

The pain points (and why most Bali SIM advice is outdated)

1) Airport SIM booths: lines, upsells, and “tourist pricing”

Yes, you can buy a physical SIM at the Bali airport. But it’s often the most expensive and time-consuming moment to do it — right when you’re jet-lagged and just want to get to your accommodation.

2) Roaming charges can get ugly fast

Many Aussie/US/UK plans still charge high rates for overseas roaming data, and it’s very easy to chew through gigabytes in Bali without noticing (maps + Instagram + WhatsApp video calls + Grab/Gojek + Google Translate = goodbye wallet).

3) Public Wi‑Fi isn’t reliable (or secure)

Even at “nice” cafés and hotels, Wi‑Fi can be slow at peak times. And on open networks, security is a real consideration if you’re logging into banking apps or accessing sensitive accounts.

4) You don’t want to lose your home number

If you swap your physical SIM, you may stop receiving critical SMS/verification codes. With an eSIM, you can often keep your home SIM active for calls/SMS while using the eSIM for data (device-dependent).

eSIM vs physical SIM in Bali: what’s actually better?

Choose an eSIM if you want:

data ready when you land
no SIM swapping
a simple setup (especially if you’re not techy)
the ability to top up quickly if you run out
less time dealing with telecom shops and paperwork

Choose a physical SIM if you:

need a local Indonesian phone number for regular voice calls (most travelers don’t)
have a phone that doesn’t support eSIM
want to hunt down the absolute cheapest local bundles (this can be worth it for long-stays, but it’s more hassle)

Saily also has a detailed breakdown of Bali SIM options (physical SIM, where to buy, and common requirements like needing a passport) if you want the “local SIM route” (Saily SIM card for Bali guide).

Why we recommend Saily for Bali (and who it’s best for)

Saily is an eSIM app that sells data plans for Indonesia/Bali and other destinations. On their Indonesia plan page, they describe:

plans from 1GB to unlimited
activation that can happen automatically when you arrive (assuming your device settings are correct)
data-only (calls/SMS not included — you use WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, etc.)
Source: Saily Indonesia eSIM

Best for: most Bali or Bust readers

Luxury holidaymakers who just want it to work (and don’t want to waste time at the airport)
Budget travelers who want to avoid roaming costs and keep control of spending
Digital nomads who need reliable data for maps, bookings, and work calls
Long-stay / retirees who want less tech drama and easy top-ups

What to know (honest drawbacks)

Saily plans are typically data-only (no traditional calls/SMS) — use VoIP apps instead (Saily Indonesia eSIM).
Coverage and speed depend on the local networks in the area you’re in (true for any provider).
You still need an eSIM-compatible phone.

Case study: “The first 30 minutes in Bali” (how an eSIM changes the whole arrival experience)

Here’s a real-world scenario we see constantly.

Traveler: Aussie couple arriving in Denpasar at 9:30pm, staying in Ubud
Goal: Get from DPS to Ubud smoothly, message driver, navigate check-in, avoid roaming

Without an eSIM

Airport Wi‑Fi is slow and patchy.
Grab/Gojek won’t load properly.
You can’t confirm your driver pickup location.
You end up paying more for a taxi (or wasting time negotiating).
Stress level goes up right when your holiday should start.

With Saily installed before departure

You land, turn on the eSIM line, and you’re online.
You message your driver immediately on WhatsApp.
You pull up Google Maps and confirm the pickup point.
You check in smoothly, no Wi‑Fi hunting.
You book tomorrow’s activities over breakfast, not at midnight in a hotel lobby.

That’s the whole Bali or Bust philosophy: reduce friction, travel smarter, and keep the holiday feeling like a holiday.

How to set up a Saily eSIM for Bali (step-by-step)

Step 1: Check your phone supports eSIM

Most newer iPhones and many newer Android models do — but don’t assume. (Saily also has an eSIM compatibility section on their site: Saily homepage.)

Step 2: Buy your Indonesia plan (before you fly)

Go here: Saily eSIM for Bali (Indonesia)

On Saily’s Indonesia eSIM page, they show plan examples like:

1GB / 7 days — USD $4.79
5GB / 30 days — USD $13.99
20GB / 30 days — USD $35.99
Unlimited / 15 days — USD $49.99
Source: Saily Indonesia eSIM

(Tip: if you’re a “maps + WhatsApp + bookings” user, 5–10GB is usually comfortable for a typical 7–14 day Bali trip. If you’re working remotely, hotspotting, or watching videos, go bigger.)

Step 3: Install the eSIM (while still at home on Wi‑Fi)

Saily’s Indonesia page outlines that you download the app, set up the eSIM, and your plan can activate on arrival depending on settings (Saily Indonesia eSIM).

Step 4: When you land in Bali, switch it on

Turn on the eSIM line
Enable data roaming for the eSIM (required for most travel eSIMs)
Give it a minute to connect

Step 5: Keep your home SIM active (optional)

If your phone supports dual SIM (physical + eSIM or eSIM + eSIM), you can often keep your home number for calls/SMS and use Saily for data. This is great for bank codes and login verifications.

What if your Saily eSIM isn’t working? (quick fixes)

Before you panic:

Restart your phone
Ensure the eSIM line is enabled
Ensure data roaming is enabled for the eSIM
Confirm the eSIM is selected for mobile data

Saily also mentions 24/7 chat support on their Indonesia page (Saily Indonesia eSIM).

Bali travel tip: eSIM + travel insurance is the real “stress-free combo”

Connectivity helps you avoid small problems (wrong turn, missed driver, lost booking). Travel insurance is what you want for the big ones (medical, cancellations, scooter accidents, etc.). If you’re riding scooters in Bali, read your policy details carefully.

(We’ll be publishing a full Bali travel insurance guide soon — and we’ll be very honest about what’s covered and what’s not.)

Our recommended solution: Saily eSIM for Bali (Indonesia)

If you want the cleanest setup with the least drama:

Get Saily here: Saily eSIM for Bali (Indonesia)

Why we like it:

install before you fly, connect on arrival (Saily Indonesia eSIM)
flexible plans from light users to heavy users
no airport SIM queues
good for short stays and longer Bali trips

Soft disclaimer: Coverage varies by location. Expect better speeds in tourist hubs (Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Sanur) than in very remote pockets of the island.

FAQs: eSIMs in Bali (quick answers)

Do I need an eSIM for Bali?

You don’t need one, but it makes Bali travel easier, safer, and less stressful — especially on arrival.

Can I use WhatsApp with a data-only eSIM?

Yes. Data-only plans work perfectly for WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, Google Maps, Grab/Gojek, etc. (Saily notes calls/SMS aren’t included and VoIP apps are the workaround) (Saily Indonesia eSIM).

Can I buy a SIM at the Bali airport instead?

Yes, but it’s usually more expensive and time-consuming. If you value convenience, set up an eSIM before you fly.

Will Saily work across Indonesia or just Bali?

Saily positions its Indonesia plan as covering Indonesia (coverage depends on local networks) (Saily Indonesia eSIM).

Next steps (what to do now)

Check if your phone supports eSIM
Pick your data size for your trip length
Install Saily at home on Wi‑Fi
Land in Bali connected, and start the holiday properly

Ready to get set up?
Get your Bali eSIM with Saily here

Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you buy through our link, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It helps keep Bali or Bust running and funds more on-the-ground research. We only recommend products we believe are genuinely useful.