Planning a trip to Bali from Australia? Staying connected with is likely at the top of your checklist. Whether you're sharing dreamy beach photos, navigating Bali’s bustling streets, or checking in with loved ones back home, reliable mobile data is a given.
Here’s the kicker: if you don’t plan ahead and choose the right plan you could face data charges as high as $3,000 per GB from a certain telcos (yes, you know the one).
How do you stay connected without blowing a hole in your holiday budget? This guide breaks down the top three options for Australian travellers in Bali:
- Using Your Australian SIM card Abroad
- Buying a Local SIM card in Bali
- Switching to a Travellers eSIM
Roaming with Your Australian SIM card: Simple but $$$
Keeping your Australian SIM card while traveling to Bali is undeniably convenient making it super easy to receive calls, send texts, and use mobile data the moment you land. While we don’t recommend this strategy for when you use data overseas it could be an option for short-term travellers stopping over in Bali or those needing to keep their business number active while abroad.
If you haven’t planned your overseas data usage carefully, this can turn into a costly mistake, fast. Watching videos, scrolling through social media, or even having data-hungry apps running in the background can push you over your limit before you know it—especially if you're not connected to Wi-Fi.
To avoid bill shock, make sure you understand your provider's international rates, all the major telcos have a variety of holiday packs you can opt into before you jet off, however they are not all equal.
Vodafone’s $5 Roaming Is a Game-Changer for Travellers
Vodafone leads the pack with one of the most consumer-friendly and hassle-free international roaming options on the Australian market. Their $5-a-day roaming service for Bali is typically enabled by default, making it incredibly easy to stay connected without the stress of complicated setups.
Here’s how it works: for just $5 per day, you can use your plan’s inclusions—data, calls, and texts—just like you would back in Australia. What’s more, if you exceed your monthly data allowance while roaming, Vodafone keeps it affordable by only charging $5 per GB.
Optus $5 Roaming: What You Need to Know Before You Travel
Since 2023 Optus has stepped up its game with a competitive new data roaming offer: $5 for 5GB of data overseas within a 24-hour period. When you reach your limit another 5GB at $5 will automatically be charged. It doesn’t stop there—this pack also includes unlimited standard talk and text, making it a solid option for staying connected while in Bali.
However, there’s a catch: this deal is only available to customers on Choice Plus plans. If you’re on a different Optus plan, you’ll need to read the fine print to understand the roaming rates that apply to you or check the 'My Optus' App — they may not be as pocket-friendly as their Choice Plans.
Telstra