How much data do I need for my trip?
Tell us how long you are away and how you use your phone. We estimate the data you need and the plan size to pick, so you neither run out nor pay for gigabytes you never use.
How do you use your phone?
Plus social media, music and the odd call
Hours a day
How much data do apps use?
Typical use on a phone. Real use depends on the app's quality settings and the network.
| Activity | Per hour | 1 hour a day for a week |
|---|---|---|
| Maps & navigationGoogle Maps, Apple Maps, ride apps | 10 MB | 70 MB |
| MessagingWhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram, with photos | 30 MB | 180 MB |
| Browsing & emailWebsites, email, booking apps | 60 MB | 420 MB |
| Music & podcastsSpotify, Apple Music | 70 MB | 490 MB |
| Internet voice callsWhatsApp, FaceTime Audio | 40 MB | 280 MB |
| Social mediaInstagram, TikTok, Facebook | 700 MB | 4.8 GB |
| Video callsWhatsApp video, FaceTime, Zoom | 500 MB | 3.4 GB |
| Video streamingYouTube, Netflix | 1 GB | 6.8 GB |
| Hotspot for a laptopLight work: email, documents, browsing | 500 MB | 3.4 GB |
How much data for a trip?
The three profiles above, for common trip lengths.
| Profile | 3 days | 1 week | 2 weeks | 1 month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LightMaps, messages and a little browsing | 960 MB | 2.2 GB | 4.4 GB | 9.3 GB |
| ModeratePlus social media, music and the odd call | 3.5 GB | 8.1 GB | 16 GB | 35 GB |
| HeavyPlus video, video calls and a hotspot | 11 GB | 25 GB | 50 GB | 107 GB |
How to make your data last
- Download offline maps, playlists and shows over Wi-Fi before you leave.
- Turn off automatic app updates and photo backups (iCloud, Google Photos) while you travel.
- Set Instagram, TikTok and YouTube to data saver or a lower video quality.
- Keep video calls and big downloads for your hotel's Wi-Fi.
- Check your usage in your phone's settings or the MobiSIM app, so there are no surprises.
Questions about data
How much data do I need for a week abroad?
Most travellers use 3 to 10 GB a week. With maps, messages and some browsing, 3 GB is usually enough; add social media and music and you are closer to 10 GB; streaming video or using your phone as a hotspot can take 20 GB or more.
How much data does Google Maps use?
Navigating with Google Maps uses roughly 5 to 10 MB an hour, so maps alone barely touch a plan. Download offline maps over Wi-Fi before you go to use even less.
Does WhatsApp use a lot of data?
Text messages use almost nothing. Photos, voice notes and voice calls (about 40 MB an hour) add up slowly; video calls are the big one, at around 500 MB an hour.
What happens if I run out of data?
The plan stops working until you add more. Where a plan offers top-ups, you add data in the MobiSIM app without a new QR code; otherwise you buy another plan for the same destination.
Should I buy a bigger plan to be safe?
If you are unsure, yes: bigger plans usually cost less per GB, and running out abroad is more hassle than a few unused gigabytes. The calculator already adds a 10% margin.