How much data do I need when travelling? The eSIM data guide
mySIM24 Team · Published 7/3/2026 · Updated 7/15/2026 · 3 min read
How much data do I need?
It depends on how you use your phone. Here are rough benchmarks per day:
- Light (maps, WhatsApp, email): ~0.3 GB/day
- Normal (social media, browsing, some navigation): ~0.7 GB/day
- Heavy (streaming, video calls, hotspot): ~1.5 GB/day and up
Example for a 1-week holiday
- Light user: ~3 GB
- Normal user: ~5–10 GB
- Heavy user: 20 GB or an unlimited daily package
Tip
Use our plan finder: enter your destination and number of days, and we automatically recommend the right amount of data. Cut your usage by downloading maps offline and turning off video auto-play.
Typical use by activity
| Activity | Approximate data |
|---|---|
| One hour of navigation | 5–20 MB |
| 100 text messages | usually under 5 MB without media |
| One hour of music | 40–150 MB |
| One hour of HD video | 1–3 GB |
| One hour of video calling | 300 MB–1 GB |
Values vary by app, quality and settings. Automatic photo backups and system updates can consume more than the activity you notice.
Allowance by trip type
For a weekend, 3–5 GB is often enough. One or two weeks with social media is more comfortable with 10–20 GB. Daily work, video calls or laptop tethering may justify a large package or unlimited data with a clear fair-use policy.
Reduce data use
- Download offline maps and translation packs
- Restrict updates and cloud backup to Wi-Fi
- Lower video quality and disable autoplay
- Check consumption by app
- Use trusted accommodation Wi-Fi for large downloads
Keep a reserve
Add roughly 20 percent headroom. Top-ups are not available on every package and may cost more during the trip. Compare validity and allowance together in the plan finder.
Example for a ten-day trip
Suppose you use navigation and messaging every day, upload photos and stream one hour of video on five evenings. Basic use and social media may consume about 5–8 GB, while five hours of HD video can add another 5–15 GB. A 20 GB package provides more headroom than 10 GB in this scenario. Without video, a much smaller plan may be enough.
Monitor consumption
Reset the phone's statistics on departure and check them after the first 24 hours. Multiply daily use by the remaining days and keep a reserve. Both iPhone and Android identify the apps using the most data.
Does hotspot use extra data? Technically it uses the same allowance, but a plan may restrict tethering.
What happens when data runs out? The connection may stop, slow down or support a top-up. Check before purchase.
Regular video and tethering users should read about unlimited eSIM and fair use.