Planning
How much data do you need abroad?
Most people overbuy data out of fear, or underbuy and stress. The fix is knowing what actually burns data — the real numbers are below.
The quick answer
Maps, messaging, email, a few photos. Wi-Fi at the hotel does the heavy lifting.
All of the above + social feeds, music streaming, occasional video calls.
Video streaming, hotspot for a laptop, posting reels, no Wi-Fi safety net.
What actually burns data
| Activity | Typical burn |
|---|---|
| Google Maps navigation | ~5 MB / hour — almost nothing |
| WhatsApp texts | ~1 MB / day; voice notes a bit more |
| WhatsApp / FaceTime video call | ~200–350 MB / hour |
| Instagram / TikTok scrolling | ~150–800 MB / hour — the real killer |
| Spotify streaming | ~50 MB / hour (normal quality) |
| YouTube 480p / 1080p | ~500 MB / ~1.5 GB per hour |
| Photo backup (100 photos) | ~300 MB — queue it for Wi-Fi |
Five tricks that halve your usage
- Download offline maps of your city before flying — navigation then costs almost zero.
- Set app stores & photo backup to Wi-Fi-only — the two silent gigabyte-eaters.
- Disable autoplay on Instagram/TikTok/X — feeds pre-load video you never watch.
- Download playlists & episodes on hotel Wi-Fi instead of streaming in transit.
- Voice-message instead of video-calling when the connection is expensive.
Picking the pack — the smart way
Every destination has 1 / 3 / 5 / 10 / 20 / 50 GB packs, each valid 30 days.
- Start one size smaller than your fear. Top-ups take one tap from your balance — running out is a 2-minute fix, overbuying is money gone.
- Per-GB price drops with size — heavy users should buy up front.
- Multi-country trip? Regional plans beat juggling three local packs.
Rule of thumb: 1 GB scouting trip · 3–5 GB normal week · 10 GB+ if the phone is your office.
Questions, answered
What happens when my data runs out?
Nothing dramatic — the connection stops. Top up the same eSIM from your order page in one tap, no reinstall, and you’re back online in minutes.
Does unused data roll over?
Packs last 30 days from first connection; whatever’s left simply expires. Another reason to start small and top up.
Does hotspot / tethering count against the same data?
Yes — a laptop through your hotspot burns from the same pack, and laptops are hungry (OS updates!). Budget a size up if you’ll tether daily.