How much data do you need abroad? Choosing 3GB, 5GB or 10GB
Updated：2026-10-23
Too little data and you lose signal mid-trip; too much and you waste money. The rough figures below, based on common activities, should help you choose. Real usage depends on your phone settings, video quality and the network, so treat the numbers as a guide.
Roughly what common activities use
- Messaging (text): very little, almost negligible.
- Map navigation: low, roughly a few MB to a dozen or so MB per hour. Downloading offline maps beforehand saves more.
- Sending photos: about 1 to 3 MB each, depending on quality.
- Social media browsing (Instagram, Facebook, Threads): roughly 100 to 300 MB per hour, more if you watch a lot of short videos.
- Video streaming: a few hundred MB per hour at low quality, and 1 to 3 GB per hour at HD (1080p).
- Video calls: roughly a few hundred MB up to 1 GB per hour.
- Using your phone as a hotspot: usage goes up noticeably. Some plans may restrict hotspot, so check the plan details.
Estimate by trip
- 3 to 4 days, mainly maps and messaging: 1 to 3 GB is usually enough.
- 5 to 7 days, uploading photos and browsing social media daily: around 5 GB is safer.
- A week or more, lots of video or video calls: 10 GB or more.
- Sharing between two or more people via hotspot, remote work, long trips: 20 GB or more, and check the plan allows hotspot.
Three easy-to-miss points
- Data and validity are both limits: whichever runs out first ends the plan. When the data is used up the connection stops even if validity remains. "Full speed" means your speed isn't reduced while data lasts; it doesn't mean unlimited use.
- Background updates use data too: app updates, cloud photo backup and system updates. Before you leave, turn off automatic updates over mobile data in your phone settings.
- Go one tier up if unsure: the price gap between tiers is small, but losing signal mid-trip is a hassle. We don't offer top-ups yet, so if you run out you'd need to buy a new eSIM.
Once you've picked an amount, choose from the destination list, for example Japan, Taiwan or Europe. Each plan's details say how its validity is counted. Before you go, see the 8-step checklist.
Ready?
Pick your destination and get the eSIM QR code by email after payment. Choose a destination