How much data do I need when I travel? It is the question that decides which eSIM plan you buy, and the honest answer is that it depends on what you do with your phone. Someone who only checks maps and messages needs a fraction of the data of someone posting videos every evening.
This guide shows how much data common apps use, gives simple estimates by travel style, and ends with ten easy ways to make your data last longer.
In this guide:
- How mobile data is measured
- How much data apps use
- How much data you need per trip
- How to check your data usage
- 10 tips to use less data
- FAQs
How Mobile Data Is Measured
Mobile data is the internet your phone uses when it is not on Wi-Fi. It is measured in megabytes (MB) and gigabytes (GB), where 1 GB is about 1,000 MB. Text-based things like messages and emails use very little. Anything with video uses a lot.
That is why two people on the same trip can need completely different plans. The good news: once you know which apps you use most, choosing a plan is easy.
How Much Data Do Apps Use?
These are typical figures. Real usage varies with video quality, app settings, and network speed.
| Activity | Approximate data use |
|---|---|
| Messaging (WhatsApp, LINE, iMessage text) | Under 1 MB for dozens of messages |
| Sending photos in chats | About 0.1–0.5 MB per photo |
| Email, text only | Well under 1 MB per email |
| Google Maps navigation | About 5–10 MB per hour |
| Web browsing | About 50–150 MB per hour |
| Music streaming (standard quality) | About 40–70 MB per hour |
| Voice calls over apps | About 0.5–1 MB per minute |
| Video calls | About 5–10 MB per minute |
| Social media with video (Instagram, TikTok) | About 0.5–1 GB per hour |
| YouTube or Netflix in HD | About 1–3 GB per hour |
The pattern is clear: maps, messages, and email are cheap. Video, whether you watch it, stream it, or scroll through it, is what eats your plan. If you plan to make calls over apps, here is how calling works with a data-only eSIM.
How Much Data Do You Need Per Trip?
| Travel style | What you do | Per day | Per week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light | Maps, messages, a few searches, Wi-Fi at the hotel | 150–300 MB | 1–3 GB |
| Typical | All of the above, plus social media, photo uploads, short calls | 0.5–1.5 GB | 5–10 GB |
| Heavy | Video, hotspot for a laptop, remote work, frequent video calls | 2 GB or more | 15 GB or more |
When in doubt, size up. Running out of data halfway through a day trip is much more annoying than having a little left over. egoViet plans can't be topped up, so it pays to choose well up front.
Which type of egoViet plan fits you?
- Fixed data (for example 5 GB or 10 GB): One allowance for the whole trip. Best if your use goes up and down from day to day.
- Daily data (for example 1 GB per day): A fresh allowance every day. Best for steady use, so one heavy day doesn't ruin the rest of the trip.
- Unlimited: Available for many destinations, such as the Japan eSIM, for heavy users who would rather not count at all.
If you do use up your high-speed data, you stay connected at a basic speed of around 128 kbps, enough for messaging. Browse plans by destination in the egoViet eSIM store.
How to Check Your Data Usage
The best way to estimate is to look at your own habits. Check how much you use in a normal week at home, then adjust for the trip.
- iPhone: Settings > Cellular (or Mobile Data). Scroll down to see usage per app. Tap Reset Statistics at the bottom when your trip starts, so you can track it.
- Android: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs, then App data usage. On Samsung, look under Settings > Connections > Data usage.
10 Tips to Use Less Data When You Travel
- Turn on Low Data Mode (iPhone). Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options, then choose Low Data Mode for your travel eSIM. It pauses background tasks and lowers video quality.
- Turn on Data Saver (Android). Settings > Network & internet > Data Saver. It stops apps using data in the background.
- Download maps offline. In Google Maps, save the area you are visiting while on Wi-Fi. Navigation then uses almost no data.
- Download, don't stream. Save playlists, podcasts, and shows on Wi-Fi before a long journey.
- Stop photo backups on mobile data. Set iCloud Photos or Google Photos to back up on Wi-Fi only.
- Turn off automatic app updates on mobile data. Updates can be hundreds of megabytes each.
- Turn off Wi-Fi Assist (iPhone). It quietly switches to mobile data when Wi-Fi is weak. You will find it at the bottom of the Cellular settings.
- Lower video quality. Most streaming and social apps have a data saver setting.
- Use Wi-Fi where it is safe and free, such as your hotel, for big downloads and video calls.
- Watch your hotspot. Laptops sync files and install updates in the background. Pause them before sharing your connection.
Pick the Right Plan and Go
Work out your travel style, add a little buffer, and choose a plan that covers your whole trip. Our guide to how international eSIMs work explains country and regional options. Then install your eSIM at home with our installation guide, and you are ready to land connected.
FAQs: How Much Data Do I Need When I Travel?
Is 1 GB enough for a week of travel?
Only for very light use, such as maps and messages while relying on hotel Wi-Fi. Most travelers who use social media or make the odd video call need 5–10 GB per week.
How much data does Google Maps use?
Navigation uses roughly 5–10 MB per hour. Download offline maps on Wi-Fi before you go and it uses almost nothing.
Is a daily or a fixed data plan better?
A fixed plan suits trips where your use varies from day to day. A daily plan suits steady use, because each day starts with a fresh allowance.
What happens if I run out of data on my egoViet eSIM?
You stay connected at a basic speed of around 128 kbps, which is enough for messaging. egoViet plans can't be topped up, so choose a plan with some buffer.