As a rough rule: a light user (maps, messaging, the odd email) needs about 1 GB per week; a typical traveller using maps, social media and photo uploads wants 3–5 GB per week; and a heavy user streaming video or hotspotting a laptop should plan for 10 GB or more. The table below turns that into real numbers so you can pick a plan that fits — and not overpay for data you will not touch.
How much data each activity uses
| Activity | Rough data use |
|---|---|
| Messaging (WhatsApp, iMessage) — text | ~1–5 MB per day |
| Maps & navigation | ~5–15 MB per hour |
| Web browsing & email | ~10–25 MB per hour |
| Social media (feeds, some video) | ~100–250 MB per hour |
| Music streaming | ~50–100 MB per hour |
| Video calls (FaceTime, Zoom) | ~200–400 MB per hour |
| Video streaming (SD → HD) | ~0.7–3 GB per hour |
Pick your traveller type
| Traveller | What you do | Suggested data |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Maps, messaging, occasional browsing. Wi-Fi most evenings. | ~1 GB / week |
| Typical | Maps, social, photo uploads, music, some video calls. | ~3–5 GB / week |
| Heavy | Streaming on the go, hotspotting a laptop, lots of video. | ~10 GB+ / week |
Five ways to stretch your allowance
- 1Download offline maps of your destination before you go (Google Maps and others support this).
- 2Save music and shows offline on Wi-Fi the night before a travel day.
- 3Turn off auto-play video and background app refresh in your settings.
- 4Cap streaming to SD when you are not on Wi-Fi — HD video is the single biggest data drain.
- 5Use Wi-Fi for big jobs — photo/cloud backups, app updates and OS updates.
Sized it up? See live plans and prices for your destination — Japan, Spain, the United States — or weigh it against roaming first.
Frequently asked questions
How much eSIM data do I need for a week abroad?
For a typical traveller using maps, social media and photos, 3–5 GB per week is comfortable. Light users can manage on about 1 GB, while heavy streamers should plan for 10 GB or more.
How much data does Google Maps use?
Navigation uses roughly 5–15 MB per hour — very little. You can cut it to almost nothing by downloading offline maps of your destination before you travel.
What uses the most data when travelling?
Video streaming by far — 0.7 to 3 GB per hour depending on quality — followed by video calls. Maps, messaging and browsing use very little by comparison.
Does unused travel eSIM data roll over?
No. Once a plan reaches its validity limit, any unused data expires. Choose a plan sized to your trip rather than buying a large allowance you will not finish in time.
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