Guides · Updated September 2026
How much data do you need for a trip?
What a gigabyte actually buys you in maps, messages, Instagram and video, and how to pick between 3, 5, 10 GB or unlimited without overpaying.
Most people either buy far too much data or run out on day four. Both come from not knowing what a gigabyte is worth. Here is what an hour of the usual things costs, roughly.
| Activity | Data per hour, about |
|---|---|
| Google Maps navigation | 5 to 10 MB |
| WhatsApp, iMessage, email (text) | Almost nothing |
| Sending and receiving photos in chats | 2 to 5 MB per photo |
| Web browsing, booking sites | 30 to 60 MB |
| Instagram and TikTok scrolling | 150 to 300 MB |
| Spotify or podcasts | 40 to 100 MB |
| Video call (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | 300 to 500 MB |
| YouTube at 480p | About 500 MB |
| YouTube or Netflix in HD | 1.5 to 3 GB |
| Hotspot for a laptop (email, docs) | 200 to 500 MB |
Two things follow from that table. Maps and messaging, the things you actually need on a trip, use very little. Video, in any form, is what eats a plan.
Pick by what kind of traveler you are
- Maps, messages, a few photos, hotel Wi-Fi in the evenings: 1 GB a week is enough. A 3 GB plan covers two weeks with room to spare.
- Social media every day, no video calls: 5 GB for two weeks, 10 GB for a month.
- Video calls home, streaming on the bus, hotspot for a laptop: 10 GB for a week, 20 GB for two weeks. Or go unlimited and stop thinking about it.
- Working remotely: unlimited. A daily quota of a few gigabytes at full speed covers a working day, and it never cuts off.
Where it goes wrong
Automatic app updates and photo backups are the usual culprits. iPhone and Android both default to doing these over cellular in some cases. Before you fly, set app updates to Wi-Fi only, and set iCloud Photos or Google Photos backup to Wi-Fi only. That alone can save a gigabyte a day.
Video quality is the other lever. Instagram and TikTok have a data saver setting. YouTube lets you cap playback at 480p. On a phone screen you will barely notice.
What if I run out?
You top up from your order page, no new install needed. Top-ups apply within a minute. Buying slightly less than you think you need and topping up once is usually cheaper than buying the biggest plan up front.
Common questions
Is 1 GB enough for a week?
For maps and messaging with Wi-Fi at the hotel, yes. Add any daily video and it is not.
Can I see how much I have used?
Your order page shows live usage and days remaining. Bookmark it from your order email.
Does the eSIM slow down when I run out?
Fixed-data plans stop when the data is used up until you top up. Unlimited plans slow down after the daily quota and speed back up the next day.
Install in about a minute. No app, no account. Your plan starts when you land.