How Much Data Do I Need for Travel?
Most travellers need less data than they think, as long as big downloads happen on Wi-Fi. Pick the column that sounds like you and the row for your trip length, and you have your number. Below the table: where the rates come from, how to check them against your own phone, and what to do when your trip doesn't fit neatly into one column.
The table
Each cell shows the raw need, then the figure with 15% headroom, rounded up to the next 0.1 GB. Buy a plan at or above the second number.
| Trip length | Maps and messaging (0.2 GB/day) | Socials and photos (0.5 GB/day) | Streaming or hotspot (1.3 GB/day) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 days | 0.6 → 0.7 GB | 1.5 → 1.8 GB | 3.9 → 4.5 GB |
| 7 days | 1.4 → 1.7 GB | 3.5 → 4.1 GB | 9.1 → 10.5 GB |
| 10 days | 2 → 2.3 GB | 5 → 5.8 GB | 13 → 15 GB |
| 14 days | 2.8 → 3.3 GB | 7 → 8.1 GB | 18.2 → 21 GB |
| 30 days | 6 → 6.9 GB | 15 → 17.3 GB | 39 → 44.9 GB |
Where the rates come from
Our plan recommender uses three daily rates: 0.2 GB a day for maps and messaging, 0.5 GB for social media and photos, and 1.3 GB for streaming or hotspot use. It then adds 15% headroom so you don't run dry on the last day.
Each rate describes a kind of day, not a single app:
- Maps and messaging, 0.2 GB a day: navigation, ride-hail, WhatsApp or iMessage text and photos, email, a little browsing, translation apps. Light use with offline maps downloaded before you go.
- Socials and photos, 0.5 GB a day: all of the above plus scrolling Instagram or TikTok, posting photos and stories, a short video call now and then.
- Streaming or hotspot, 1.3 GB a day: watching video or music on mobile data, regular video calls, or sharing your connection with a laptop or another phone.
The 15% headroom covers the day you get lost, the long video call home, or the app update that slips through.
Check the rates against your own phone
Your own usage beats any average. Before the trip, look at how much mobile data you used at home last month. On iPhone it's under Settings → Mobile Data (or Cellular); on Android it's usually under Settings → Network & internet → Data usage, though the menu name varies by brand. Divide by the days in the period to get a daily figure. Travel days usually run heavier on maps and photos and lighter on streaming, but if your home figure is well above 0.5 GB a day, budget at the streaming rate. Once you've arrived, the same screen shows how much the eSIM line has used.
When your trip mixes columns
Few trips are one kind of day. Add up the days instead. Worked example, ten days:
- 7 sightseeing days on socials: 7 × 0.5 = 3.5 GB.
- 3 travel days with a hotspot for the laptop on the train: 3 × 1.3 = 3.9 GB.
- Total 7.4 GB, plus 15% = about 8.6 GB.
Planning two weeks in Europe? Data for 2 weeks in Europe works through that trip by usage profile.
For couples or families sharing one hotspot, add each person's days. Two people on socials for a week is 2 × 7 × 0.5 = 7 GB, about 8.1 GB with headroom. Hotspot note: most plans allow sharing, but it depends on the local network. Check the plan details before you rely on it, and budget data at the streaming rate.
Fixed plan or unlimited
For the first two columns, a fixed plan sized to the table is usually the better buy. In the streaming column the numbers climb quickly: a month at 1.3 GB a day is 44.9 GB with headroom. That's where unlimited plans come in. They have a daily high-speed cap shown on the plan, and after it speed drops for the rest of the day. Compare the cap to 1.3 GB: if your heaviest day fits under it, unlimited means you never have to think about it. If a large fixed plan covers your total for less, our recommender will suggest that instead.
Buy close to the number, top up if needed
Don't buy double "just in case". If you run low, a top-up is a tap from your account, and nothing renews by itself. The plan's validity starts when you connect in the destination, so you can buy early without losing days.
See current plans and prices on Japan, Europe or Global. Destination guides such as the Japan guide show a trip-by-usage table against real plans for that country.
Ways to use less
- Download offline maps, playlists and shows on Wi-Fi before you leave.
- Set photo backup and app updates to Wi-Fi only.
- Turn off autoplay video in social apps.
- Keep data roaming off on your home line so it can't use data at all. See avoiding roaming charges.
First trip with an eSIM? The first-trip FAQ covers the rest.
Questions
What if my trip is longer than the plan's days?
A plan has both a data amount and a number of days. Pick one whose days cover your trip. If either runs out early, you can top up from your account.
Is 5 GB enough for two weeks?
For maps and messaging, yes (about 3.3 GB with headroom). For daily social media you'd want about 8 GB.
Does a video call use a lot of data?
Yes, more than most apps. Count days with regular video calls at the streaming rate of 1.3 GB.
What happens if I run out?
Data stops until you top up from your account or join Wi-Fi. Nothing renews automatically.