The right data amount depends on what you do on your phone while travelling. Here is a breakdown by activity type to help you estimate.
Data usage by activity
| Activity | Approximate usage |
|---|---|
| Messaging (WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram) | 30-50 MB per day |
| Email (text, occasional attachments) | 50-100 MB per day |
| Web browsing | 60 MB per hour |
| Social media (scrolling Instagram, X, TikTok) | 150-300 MB per hour |
| Google Maps navigation | 5-10 MB per hour |
| Music streaming (Spotify, Apple Music) | 70-150 MB per hour |
| Video calls (Zoom, FaceTime, WhatsApp) | 300-500 MB per hour |
| Video streaming (YouTube, Netflix) | 1-3 GB per hour |
These are estimates. Actual usage varies depending on settings, video quality, and network conditions.
Quick guide by traveller type
Light user. Messaging, maps, and occasional web browsing. You use Wi-Fi at your hotel for heavier tasks.
- 1 GB covers roughly 5-7 days.
Moderate user. Regular social media, maps navigation, some video calls, and occasional streaming on the go.
- 3-5 GB covers roughly 7-10 days.
Heavy user. Frequent video calls, streaming, uploading photos and videos, using your phone as a hotspot.
- 10 GB or more for a 7-day trip.
Tips to reduce data usage
- Download offline maps in Google Maps or Apple Maps before you leave. Offline maps use very little data for navigation.
- Set social media apps to load lower-quality images and videos.
- Download music playlists and podcasts on Wi-Fi before your trip.
- Disable automatic app updates and cloud photo backups over mobile data.
- Use Wi-Fi at hotels, cafes, and airports for video calls and streaming when possible.
Choosing the right allowance
If you are unsure, a mid-range plan is a safe starting point. You can check your remaining data during your trip and top up if you need more.
See Choosing the right plan for your trip for help deciding between plan types.