How much eSIM data do I actually need?
By Coco Lin · · updated
Buying too much data is a waste, and running out mid trip is worse. Here is how I size a plan, based on years of watching my own usage.
My rough rule
For light use, which is maps, messaging, and a bit of browsing, I plan on about 500 MB a day. For heavier use with social video and the odd call, I plan on 1 GB a day. I round up to the nearest plan size.
By trip length
| Trip | Light use | Heavier use |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend, 3 days | 1 to 3 GB | 3 to 5 GB |
| One week | 3 GB | 5 to 10 GB |
| Two weeks | 5 GB | 10 to 20 GB |
| A month | 10 GB | 20 GB or unlimited |
What quietly burns data
- Auto playing video in social apps. I turn autoplay off before a trip.
- Video calls. A ten minute call can use 100 MB or more.
- Cloud photo backup on mobile data. I set mine to Wi-Fi only.
- Map downloads. I download offline maps at the hotel to save data on the road.
When I go unlimited instead
If I am working from the road and tethering a laptop, I stop counting gigabytes and buy an unlimited plan. It costs more per day, but I am not rationing data during a work call. You will see those options flagged on the country pages where they are worth it.
The short version: most one week trips are fine on 3 to 5 GB. Check the plan tables and match the tier to your days.
