Packing for a trip? Don't forget to plan for your phone's data needs alongside your wardrobe. These days, figuring out how much data you'll need is just as crucial as choosing the right shoes. The wrong data plan can leave you either wasting money on unused gigabytes or facing those nasty roaming charges waiting for you when you get home. 'How much data do I need for travel?' is a tricky question, though with some simple steps you can get a rough idea of a reasonable amount, as well as learning how to save on mobile data when required.
Estimating your data usage is all about understanding your digital habits while traveling. Are you the minimalist traveller, opting for quick email checks and the occasional map search? Or perhaps you envision long video calls with family and friends back home with fabulous travelogue updates for your fans? Or maybe you're mixing business with pleasure, needing to access large work files while also streaming your favourite shows on the move.
To estimate how much data you'll need while travelling, find out your current monthly data usage (find this in your phone's Settings menu) and add 1GB extra as a buffer zone.
This will prevent you from unexpectedly running out of data and account for any increases in data usage on holiday, such as checking the map and sharing photos online.
We'll break down the data consumption of common travel apps, helping you create an informed estimate for your next trip. This will ensure not only smooth connectivity but also peace of mind when it comes to your travel budget.
How to Measure and Save Mobile Data While Travelling
Nearly all smartphones allow users to view their mobile data usage over time. Here's how to find out your phone's data usage:
iOS:
1. Open the Settings app and select Cellular or Mobile Data
2. Scroll down to view individual app data usage as well as overall data use
Android:
1. Open the Settings app and select Connections > Data Usage > Mobile Data Usage
2. Here you can view your overall data use for a specific period. You can also view data usage for individual apps, which may help to identify any potential data sinks.
Many apps, such as Netflix and Spotify, have 'low data' or 'Wi-Fi only' modes that can be temporarily toggled on while travelling to truncate data consumption.
Both iPhones and Android devices also offer 'Low Data Mode' (on iPhone) and 'Data Saver Mode' (Android). When turned on, these modes will limit app functions like HD streaming, automatic downloads or background refreshes to reduce their data consumption. The exact effect will vary from app to app.
How Many GB of data are needed for Travel?
How much data you need depends entirely on your digital habits.
- 1
If you're a light user and intend to stick to browsing, emails, and the occasional WhatsApp call you can get by comfortably with around 5GB per month.
- 2
In the middle ground, if you’re planning to do some video streaming or scroll through data-hungry social media feeds, then consider bumping your plan up to around 8GB per month.
- 3
For the heavy users, or those who will be using their phone as a hotspot for multiple people or devices, then expect to easily reach that 20GB to 30GB per month mark.
- 4
At the super-heavyweight end of things, it’s possible to use a SIM-capable travel router to replicate your home network on a mobile connection but be warned that even an average home now sees over 500GB of traffic every month, thanks to on-demand video streaming, device updates and gaming.
Planning Your Data Usage
Feeling unsure about your data needs? It's easy to get a clearer picture by considering what kind of apps you use most:
1. How much data does iMessage use?
Not all messaging apps are created equal when it comes to data usage. iMessage, the built-in messaging app for iPhones, tends to be a bit more data-hungry than its Android counterparts and other messaging options. If you're a heavy iMessage user, expect to use up to 70MB of data per hour.
2. How much data do Navigation Apps use?
Navigation apps are surprisingly frugal with data. They average around 0.93 MB every 20 minutes for location tracking and route updates. That translates to about 2.79 MB for a full hour of driving. However, there are differences: Apple Maps is the most data-hungry at 5.49 MB an hour, followed by Google Maps at 2.19 MB. Waze is the most efficient, using just 0.69 MB an hour. Remember, all three major navigation apps let you download your route in advance, saving you precious data while on the road.
3. How much data do Zoom and other video calls use?
Video calls can be data hogs. Apps like Zoom can easily consume anywhere from 550MB to a whopping 2.5GB per hour. Whether you're in HD or using extra meeting features plays a big role. Need to conserve data? Opt for a voice-only call to drastically reduce your usage.
4. How much data does Social Media use?
Social media apps can have vastly different data appetites. Apps focused on photos and videos will always be hungrier than those relying mostly on text. Facebook uses a moderate 80 MB per hour for typical browsing, similar to general web surfing. But if you're into Facebook videos, that number can climb to 160 MB. The most demanding are the purely visual platforms, like Instagram and TikTok. An hour on Instagram can easily use around 720 MB, while TikTok clocks in at nearly a full 1GB. While Instagram doesn't offer many data-saving options, you can adjust video quality in TikTok to save a significant 360 MB per hour.
5. How much data does Netflix use?
Streaming on standard definition will use around 1GB per hour. However, if you crave that crisp HD quality, prepare for that number to jump to over 3GB per hour. Also, keep in mind that platforms like Netflix can sometimes place restrictions on what you can watch while roaming, and how long your account can be away from home.
6. How much data does Spotify use?
The amount of data Spotify consumes depends entirely on how picky you are about your audio quality. On the lowest setting, you could enjoy music for over 92 hours before using a gigabyte of data. That's a very, very long playlist. However, if you're an audiophile and demand crystal-clear sound, that same gigabyte will disappear in less than 7 hours on the highest quality setting.
If you're mainly into podcasts or spoken-word content or, like many of us, can't tell the difference between the quality settings then sticking to low quality is a smart way to stretch your data further.
How to Estimate Data Use While Travelling
When it comes to travel data it's always better to err on the side of caution. Most smartphone and connected devices will have built-in trackers that can show you exactly how much time and traffic you spend on each app, making it easy to get a realistic picture of your data usage.
Go the Extra Mile with a BetterRoaming eSIM
For frequent travellers, eSIMs are a game-changer. Gone are the days of scrambling for a local SIM card upon arrival or facing hefty roaming charges from your home provider.
eSIMs (embedded SIM cards) downloaded directly to your phone allow you to switch to a local data plan for your holiday destination with ease. This means you can enjoy affordable internet access, stay connected with loved ones back home, and navigate unfamiliar cities without breaking the bank. Plus, you can keep your home phone number active for calls and texts, ensuring seamless communication throughout your trip.
