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  • Bali eSIM guide 2026: what to buy and why

    Bali eSIM guide 2026: what to buy and why

    Last updated 15 April 2026 · 5 min read

    Your phone should just work on arrival. This guide covers exactly what to buy and how to set it up.

    You land in Denpasar, the plane doors open, and within ninety seconds your phone racks up a double-digit roaming charge. You haven’t even walked to baggage claim yet.

    An eSIM fixes this. Not in a tech deep-dive way — in a “you want Google Maps to work when you leave the airport” way. This guide covers what to buy, how much data you need, and which network actually works in Bali.

    If you want to know exactly how this compares to roaming from your home country, the comparison articles at the bottom break it down by telco.

    On this page

    The short answer

    For a week or less in Bali, buy a Bali eSIM for around $8-14 USD before you fly. It gives you 5-10 GB on Telkomsel — the carrier with the best Bali coverage — and activates the moment you land. No SIM swap, no roaming bill, no airport kiosk queue.

    Browse Bali plans →

    The rest of this guide is for people who want to know why.

    Which network works in Bali

    Bali is not one homogeneous internet experience. The signal in Seminyak is not the signal in East Bali or on Nusa Penida.

    Telkomsel has the widest coverage. Canggu, Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan — Telkomsel gets you 4G or 5G almost everywhere except the most remote beaches. Most reputable Bali eSIMs run on Telkomsel.

    Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison is second. Good in tourist areas, patchier in East Bali and the mountains around Kintamani.

    XL Axiata is third. Fine in Denpasar and the south coast, weak elsewhere.

    “Multi-network” eSIM coverage isn’t a bonus. It’s a hedge against one carrier failing. Telkomsel as the primary network is what you actually want.

    How much data you actually need

    Most guides tell you to buy 20 GB because “streaming uses a lot.” You are not going to Bali to stream Netflix.

    Real numbers for 7 days:

    • Maps and navigation — 500 MB to 1 GB
    • Instagram and TikTok scrolling — 1-3 GB
    • WhatsApp, messages, email — under 500 MB
    • Video calls home — 1-2 GB
    • Grab / Gojek rides (these apps are data-heavy) — 500 MB to 1 GB
    • Music streaming — 1-2 GB

    Total for a normal traveller: 5-8 GB. Content creators uploading daily reels should double it.

    Buy for your actual usage, not your anxious usage. If you run out, most eSIMs let you top up in under a minute.

    Calls and SMS: do you need them?

    Most Bali eSIMs are data-only. That surprises travellers who expect phone service to include a number. Honest answer: you rarely need one.

    Everyone you’d actually call in Bali — driver, villa host, dive instructor — uses WhatsApp. So does your family back home. Grab and Gojek verify through the app, not SMS.

    The exceptions are hotel check-in codes and bank OTPs that your home bank SMSes you. Fix: keep your home SIM on a second line (dual SIM) with data roaming off. Your home number stays reachable for SMS and calls, free. Use the eSIM as the data line.

    If your phone only supports one SIM, Travelren’s Indonesia plans with a local number and minutes are marked with a 📞 chip on the Indonesia plans page.

    Install before you fly

    The single biggest eSIM mistake is waiting until you land.

    eSIMs install over the internet. You need Wi-Fi to download the profile. If you try at Denpasar airport, you’re stuck choosing between unreliable airport Wi-Fi and turning on roaming (which defeats the point).

    Install at home the night before. Scan the QR code from your eSIM provider. Your phone downloads the profile. The plan doesn’t start until you connect in Indonesia — so you can install a week early.

    When you land, turn on the eSIM as your data line:

    1. Open Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or Connections → SIM manager (Android) 2. Select your Indonesia line for cellular data 3. Wait 30 seconds for Telkomsel to appear in the status bar

    Google Maps opens. You find your Grab. You leave.

    Will your phone even work?

    Two things have to be true:

    1. Your phone supports eSIM. iPhone XS (2018) and newer. Most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer. Pixel 3 and newer. 2. Your phone is unlocked. Phones bought outright or on a 24+ month plan are almost certainly unlocked. Phones on recent finance plans might still be locked.

    Check in 60 seconds at our device check tool.

    If your phone isn’t eSIM-compatible, a physical Indonesian SIM at Denpasar airport runs about $10 USD for a week. More hassle, same job.

    Edge cases worth knowing

    Nusa Penida — Telkomsel works but signal drops around Kelingking Beach and Crystal Bay in peak hours because every tourist is hammering one tower. Download offline Google Maps before the ferry.

    Gili Islands (technically Lombok) — Telkomsel is patchy, Indosat wins. Get an Indonesia-wide multi-network plan if the Gilis are a priority.

    Long stays (30+ days) — a registered prepaid SIM at a Telkomsel store in Kuta (passport and photo required) is cheaper than an eSIM over a month.

    The 60-second checklist

    1. Check your phone supports eSIM → device check 2. Buy 5-10 GB for your trip length 3. Install the eSIM on home Wi-Fi before you fly 4. Keep your home SIM on a second line for SMS 5. Land, switch cellular data to the Indonesia line, done

    Compare costs for your home country

    The cost of “just turning on roaming” depends entirely on where you live. Pick your country:

    The bottom line

    A Bali eSIM does one job: your phone works when you land, for a fraction of what roaming costs. Buy it before you fly, install on home Wi-Fi, switch cellular data on arrival. That’s the whole thing.

    Browse Bali plans →

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need an Indonesian phone number for a short Bali trip?

    No. Data-only eSIMs cover WhatsApp, Google Maps, Grab, email, social media. For SMS codes from your bank, keep your home SIM active on a second line with roaming off.

    Can I use my Bali eSIM in the Gili Islands or Lombok?

    If the eSIM is Indonesia-wide, yes — but Telkomsel coverage is patchy in the Gilis. Check that your plan supports Indosat or multi-network if you're going.

    What happens if my eSIM doesn't activate when I land?

    Travelren refunds eSIMs that genuinely fail to activate. Most "not activating" issues are the eSIM not being set as the data line, or the phone not connecting to a local tower yet. Give it five minutes, toggle airplane mode, check settings.

    Is Telkomsel faster than Indosat in Bali?

    Negligible difference in tourist areas — both deliver 4G LTE comfortably. Telkomsel wins on coverage breadth (rural areas, East Bali, mountain regions).

    How much data does Netflix use in Bali?

    Medium quality uses about 700 MB per hour. A full movie is around 2 GB. Bali eSIMs work fine for streaming. Bump to 10 GB if you plan to binge a series.

  • Japan eSIM guide 2026: what to buy and why

    Japan eSIM guide 2026: what to buy and why

    Last updated 15 April 2026 · 5 min read

    Japan is the easiest country in Asia to get mobile data right. Here’s exactly what to buy.

    You land at Narita or Haneda. The trains are fast, the signage is in English, and your phone is the one thing standing between you and a smooth arrival. Google Translate for the ticket machine, Google Maps for the hotel, your hotel’s app for the room code.

    An eSIM gives you all of that from the moment you connect to the Japanese network. This guide covers which one to buy, how much data you actually need, and why Japan is genuinely one of the best eSIM destinations in the world.

    If you want a country-by-country comparison with your home telco, jump to the bottom.

    On this page

    The short answer

    For a one or two week Japan trip, buy a Japan eSIM for around $12-18 USD before you fly. It gives you 10-20 GB on SoftBank or Docomo — the two carriers with the best urban and rural coverage — and activates the moment you land.

    Browse Japan plans →

    The rest of this guide is for people who want to understand the choice.

    Which network works in Japan

    Japan has three major mobile networks. All three are excellent by global standards. The differences matter at the edges.

    NTT Docomo has the widest rural and mountain coverage. If your trip includes Hakone, Nikko, the Japanese Alps, Hokkaido wilderness, or remote Kyushu onsen towns, Docomo is the most reliable bet. Shinkansen coverage is excellent on all three carriers but Docomo edges it in tunnels.

    SoftBank is neck-and-neck with Docomo in cities. Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Fukuoka — you won’t notice a difference. SoftBank is the most common network powering tourist eSIMs.

    KDDI (au) is third but still strong. Good in cities, slightly behind Docomo for rural and mountain regions.

    Most Japan eSIMs run on SoftBank or Docomo. Both are fine. If your itinerary is urban-heavy, either works. If you’re going deep into the countryside, prefer Docomo.

    How much data you actually need

    Japan is a data-heavy trip because Google Translate and Google Maps become your second brain. Most travellers underestimate.

    Real numbers for 7 days:

    • Google Maps (every transit decision is a map lookup) — 1-2 GB
    • Google Translate (camera mode especially) — 500 MB to 1 GB
    • Instagram, TikTok scrolling — 2-3 GB
    • WhatsApp, iMessage, email — under 500 MB
    • Video calls home — 1-2 GB
    • Transit apps (Japan Travel by Navitime, Shinkansen apps) — 200 MB
    • Music streaming — 1-2 GB

    Total for a normal traveller: 7-10 GB per week. Double it for heavy content creators uploading daily.

    For two weeks, buy 15-20 GB. Top-ups are cheap if you run out.

    Calls, SMS, and bank 2FA

    Most Japan eSIMs are data-only. You don’t get a Japanese phone number. This is fine — Japan runs on apps, not calls.

    Restaurants you care about use LINE or Instagram. Hotels use email and app-based check-in. Taxis use Uber or GO. The only people who’ll call a Japanese number are tour operators, and they’ll WhatsApp if you ask.

    The exception is bank 2FA SMS to your home number. Fix: keep your home SIM on a second line (dual SIM) with data roaming off. Your home number still receives SMS and calls at no cost. The eSIM handles all data.

    If your phone only supports one SIM and you genuinely need a Japanese number for a long stay, the physical tourist SIM counters at Narita and Haneda sell number-included plans.

    Install before you fly

    The single biggest eSIM mistake: waiting until you land.

    eSIMs install over the internet. You need Wi-Fi to download the profile. Narita and Haneda both have free Wi-Fi, but it’s inconsistent — airport Wi-Fi dying while your flight was boarding is a real thing.

    Install at home the night before. Scan the QR from your eSIM provider. The plan itself doesn’t start until you connect to a Japanese tower, so you can install a week ahead.

    When you land:

    1. Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or Connections → SIM manager (Android) 2. Select your Japan line for cellular data 3. Wait 30 seconds for SoftBank or Docomo to appear in the status bar

    Google Maps opens. You find the JR line to Tokyo or the Keikyu to Shinagawa. You leave.

    Will your phone even work?

    Two conditions:

    1. Your phone supports eSIM. iPhone XS (2018) and newer. Most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer. Pixel 3 and newer. 2. Your phone is unlocked. Almost all phones bought outright in the last five years are unlocked.

    Check in 60 seconds at our device check tool.

    If your phone isn’t eSIM-compatible, a physical Japan tourist SIM at Narita or Haneda runs $25-45 USD for one to two weeks. More friction, same underlying network.

    Edge cases worth knowing

    Shinkansen coverage is excellent but drops briefly in tunnels. Download offline Google Maps for your route if you’re working on the train.

    Rural Hokkaido, Kyushu onsen towns, and the Japanese Alps — Docomo is notably stronger than SoftBank. Pick a Docomo-routed eSIM if your itinerary goes deep.

    The Tokyo Metro has full coverage on all three carriers in every station and tunnel. You can work the whole ride.

    Long stays (30+ days) — a registered Japanese SIM from a Bic Camera or Yodobashi store is cheaper over a month. Passport and paperwork required.

    Pocket Wi-Fi rental is still common in Japan and fine if you want to share data across a group. But for a solo or couple trip, an eSIM is lighter and cheaper.

    The 60-second checklist

    1. Check your phone supports eSIM → device check 2. Buy 10-20 GB for your trip length 3. Install the eSIM on home Wi-Fi before you fly 4. Keep your home SIM on a second line for SMS 5. Land, switch cellular data to the Japan line, done

    Compare costs for your home country

    The cost of turning on home-country roaming for Japan varies wildly by telco. Pick your country:

    The bottom line

    A Japan eSIM does one job: Google Maps and Translate work from the Shinkansen to the sushi counter, for a fraction of what roaming costs. Buy before you fly, install on home Wi-Fi, switch cellular data on arrival.

    Browse Japan plans →

    Frequently asked questions

    Do I need a Japanese phone number for a short trip?

    No. Data-only eSIMs cover Google Maps, Translate, WhatsApp, LINE, email, social media. For SMS codes from your bank, keep your home SIM active on a second line with roaming off.

    Is SoftBank or Docomo better for tourists?

    Cities — identical. Rural Japan, mountains, and Hokkaido — Docomo has the edge. Most eSIMs run on SoftBank; it's fine for urban-focused trips.

    What happens if my eSIM doesn't activate when I land?

    Narita and Haneda both have free airport Wi-Fi. Contact your eSIM provider for a replacement QR. Travelren refunds eSIMs that genuinely fail to activate.

    Does the Shinkansen have mobile signal?

    Yes, excellent on all three carriers. Brief drops in some tunnels. Download offline Google Maps for your route if you're working on the train.

    How much data does Google Translate camera mode use?

    Very little — under 50 MB per session. Google Maps uses more than Translate. Budget for Maps first.

    Can I use one eSIM for Japan and Korea?

    Yes, if you buy a multi-country Asia eSIM. Slightly more per GB but saves the hassle of switching plans between countries.

  • China eSIM guide 2026: bypass the Great Firewall

    China eSIM guide 2026: bypass the Great Firewall

    Last updated 15 April 2026 · 6 min read

    The right eSIM keeps Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram working in China without a VPN. Here’s exactly how.

    If you’ve read anything about travelling to China, you’ve read about the Great Firewall. Google, Gmail, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, most Western news sites — all blocked on Chinese domestic networks.

    The workaround most guides push is a VPN, which is a hassle to set up, unreliable in China (the firewall actively targets VPN traffic), and legally grey.

    The better workaround is simpler: a foreign-routed eSIM. Your data traffic leaves the country before the firewall filters it, so you get unfiltered internet. Your phone works like it does at home.

    This guide covers how that works, which eSIM to buy, and what trade-offs to expect.

    On this page

    The short answer

    For a one or two week China trip, buy a foreign-routed China eSIM for around $15-25 USD before you fly. It gives you 5-10 GB with your data traffic routed through Hong Kong or overseas, so Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram work without a VPN.

    Browse China plans →

    The rest of this guide explains why this works when almost nothing else does.

    How foreign-routed eSIMs beat the firewall

    The Great Firewall filters internet traffic at the point where it enters or leaves mainland China on Chinese carrier networks (China Mobile, China Unicom, China Telecom). If you’re on a domestic SIM, your data request for google.com gets dropped before it reaches Google’s servers.

    A foreign-routed eSIM — sometimes called “international roaming style” — works differently. Your phone connects to a Chinese tower (usually China Unicom) but your data traffic is immediately tunneled to a foreign gateway, most commonly in Hong Kong. From the firewall’s perspective, you’re not requesting Google from inside China — you’re requesting it from a foreign network.

    This isn’t a loophole. It’s how any international roaming has always worked. The firewall was built to filter domestic traffic, not inbound tourists using foreign carrier agreements.

    The practical result: Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter/X, YouTube, Signal — all work normally. You don’t need a VPN.

    Which network routing actually works

    Not every “China eSIM” is foreign-routed. Some are cheap domestic SIMs sold to tourists, and they’re behind the firewall.

    What to look for:

    • The plan explicitly says it routes through Hong Kong or overseas, or mentions “works without a VPN”
    • It lists the foreign gateway or notes it uses international roaming style delivery
    • Customer reviews mention Google and WhatsApp working

    What to avoid:

    • Plans that say “local China SIM” or mention China Mobile / Unicom / Telecom prepaid SIM — these are domestic-filtered
    • Dirt-cheap “China SIM” listings on Amazon or AliExpress
    • Airport kiosk SIMs in Beijing, Shanghai, or Guangzhou — almost all are domestic and firewalled

    Reputable providers (including Travelren) use China Unicom international roaming with Hong Kong or overseas routing. This is the setup that works.

    How much data you actually need

    China is data-heavy for tourists because most things you’d normally use at home need to stay working:

    Real numbers for 7 days:

    • Google Maps (transit, walking, subway) — 1-2 GB
    • Google Translate (camera mode is heavy) — 500 MB to 1 GB
    • Instagram, WhatsApp, email — 1-2 GB
    • Video calls home — 1-2 GB
    • Didi ride-hailing (Chinese Uber — you’ll use it) — 300-500 MB
    • Checking home-country news and social — 500 MB to 1 GB

    Total for a normal traveller: 5-8 GB per week. Heavy users bump to 10-12 GB.

    What still doesn’t work (honestly)

    A foreign-routed eSIM is not a magic bypass for everything. Here’s what to know:

    Banking apps sometimes flag the foreign routing. If your home bank’s app detects you’re in China but your traffic is coming from Hong Kong, it may challenge you with extra verification. Not a deal-breaker, but factor it into your trip.

    Some streaming services geo-block by actual IP, not by phone location. Netflix and similar services may serve you the Hong Kong catalogue or block entirely if your IP is routed through Hong Kong. Use airport Wi-Fi or a hotel Wi-Fi for your home-country streaming if it matters.

    Speed is 4G, not 5G, on most foreign-routed eSIMs. Still completely usable — 4G is plenty for Maps, video calls, social media. But if you were hoping for the Chinese 5G experience, that’s reserved for domestic SIMs.

    WeChat, Alipay, and Chinese apps work fine. These are designed for inside-China use. They work regardless of your routing.

    Calls, SMS, and WeChat

    Most China eSIMs are data-only. That’s not a problem in China because WeChat handles everything — messaging, calls, payments, contact exchange. Every shop, driver, hotel, and tour operator uses it.

    For bank 2FA SMS to your home number, keep your home SIM on a second line (dual SIM) with data roaming off. Calls and SMS still reach your home number at no cost.

    For making calls to Chinese numbers: use the business’s WeChat. Phone calls to Chinese landlines are genuinely rare.

    Install before you fly

    China has a specific reason why installing before you fly matters more than anywhere else: many eSIM providers’ own websites are blocked in China. If your eSIM fails to activate when you land and you try to troubleshoot from a Beijing hotel’s Wi-Fi, you may not be able to reach your provider’s support page without a VPN.

    Install at home. Save the provider’s support email and a troubleshooting PDF offline. This is belt-and-braces but it’s saved plenty of trips.

    When you land:

    1. Settings → Cellular → select China line for cellular data 2. Wait 60 seconds for China Unicom to appear (international routing takes slightly longer to handshake) 3. Test: open Google Maps. If it loads, you’re good

    Will your phone even work?

    Two conditions:

    1. Your phone supports eSIM. iPhone XS (2018) and newer. Most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer. Pixel 3 and newer. 2. Your phone is unlocked.

    Check in 60 seconds at our device check tool.

    iPhones sold in mainland China are eSIM-compatible but have some China-specific restrictions. iPhones bought outside China work exactly like anywhere else.

    Edge cases worth knowing

    Tibet and Xinjiang have additional network restrictions that affect any routing. Some foreign-routed eSIMs have reduced coverage or degraded service in these regions. If your trip includes these areas, confirm with your provider first.

    Hong Kong and Macau are separate networks and most “China eSIMs” exclude them. If your trip includes Hong Kong, buy a Hong Kong or greater-China eSIM instead.

    Long stays (30+ days) — foreign-routed eSIMs work for long stays but can be more expensive per GB than a registered China Unicom SIM plus a VPN. For most 1-2 week trips, the eSIM is the clear winner.

    The 60-second checklist

    1. Check your phone supports eSIM → device check 2. Buy a foreign-routed China eSIM (not a domestic SIM), 5-10 GB 3. Install on home Wi-Fi before you fly — save support contact offline 4. Keep home SIM on a second line for bank SMS 5. Land, switch cellular data to the China line, test with Google Maps

    Compare costs for your home country

    Home-country roaming in China is expensive and often still firewalled. Pick your country:

    The bottom line

    A foreign-routed China eSIM does what no domestic option can: keeps your phone working exactly like it does at home, without a VPN, for less than $25. Install before you fly.

    Browse China plans →

    Frequently asked questions

    Will Google Maps work in China with a foreign-routed eSIM?

    Yes. Your data traffic is routed through Hong Kong or overseas, bypassing the firewall. Google Maps, Gmail, WhatsApp, Instagram, and other blocked services work normally.

    Do I still need a VPN with a China eSIM?

    No, for most uses. Foreign-routed eSIMs already bypass the firewall. VPNs in China are increasingly unreliable anyway — the firewall actively targets VPN traffic.

    Can my Chinese hotel Wi-Fi access Google if I use the eSIM's hotspot?

    Yes. If you tether your laptop to the eSIM's hotspot, the laptop's traffic also routes through the foreign gateway.

    Will WeChat still work with a foreign-routed eSIM?

    Yes. WeChat is designed for inside-China use and works regardless of routing. Your eSIM just gives you simultaneous access to Western apps.

    Is a foreign-routed eSIM legal in China?

    Yes. International roaming has always worked this way. You're not circumventing anything — you're using a standard inbound tourist data path.

    What if my eSIM stops working halfway through the trip?

    Most providers offer remote support. Save your provider's support contact offline before you fly, because the provider's website itself may be inaccessible without the working eSIM.