How much mobile data do I need for a trip?
Updated 30 October 2026
Most travellers use between 0.3 and 1 GB a day. What makes the difference is video: streaming, video calls and video-heavy social media. Here's what common apps use and which plan size fits your trip.
What uses how much
| Activity | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Messaging (text and photos) | under 50 MB a day |
| Maps and navigation | about 10 MB an hour |
| Browsing, taxis and food apps | 50–150 MB an hour |
| Social media with video (Instagram, TikTok) | 0.5–1 GB an hour |
| Voice calls in apps | about 50 MB an hour |
| Video calls | 0.5–1.5 GB an hour |
| Streaming video in HD | about 3 GB an hour |
These are rounded typical values; your apps' quality settings change them a lot.
Which plan size to take
| Trip | Light: maps, messaging | Average: plus social media and photos | Heavy: video calls, streaming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekend | 1 GB | 3 GB | 5 GB |
| 1 week | 3 GB | 5 GB | 10–15 GB |
| 2 weeks | 5 GB | 10 GB | 30 GB |
| 1 month | 10 GB | 15–30 GB | 50 GB |
Not sure? Pick the smaller size. If you run low, you can add data to the same eSIM in a few taps, with nothing new to install.
Make your data last
- Download offline maps for the cities you'll visit before you leave.
- Set photo backup (iCloud, Google Photos) to Wi-Fi only.
- Turn off video autoplay in social apps, or set it to Wi-Fi only.
- Use hotel and café Wi-Fi for big downloads and streaming.
- Check your usage in your phone's settings, or in My eSIMs.
Questions
Can I share my data with a laptop?
Yes, hotspot and tethering work on every plan. A laptop uses much more data than a phone, so take a bigger plan.
What happens when the data runs out?
Mobile data stops until you add more. Top up from My eSIMs; it goes onto the same eSIM straight away.
Do unused gigabytes expire?
Yes, at the end of the plan's validity, which starts when you first connect at your destination.