What apps use per hour
| Per hour | |
|---|---|
| Maps and navigation | about 50 MB |
| Messages and calls | about 100 MB |
| Social media and short video | about 700 MB |
| Music and podcasts | about 70 MB |
| Video streaming | about 0.7 GB, in HD about 2 GB |
| Hotspot for a laptop | about 500 MB |
Typical values from the help pages of the apps and of a mobile network. Quality settings change them.
More per app: how much data you need.
How we count
Most travellers use about 0.7 GB a day: maps, chats, photos and a little video. Our shop and app suggest plans with the same rule.
We add a buffer of one fifth and round up to the next 0.5 GB. Video is the big one: an hour of HD streaming is about 2 GB.
Ways to save data
- Download offline maps before you go
- Let photo backups and app updates wait for Wi‑Fi
- Lower the video quality in streaming apps
- Use hotel Wi‑Fi for long video calls
Questions and answers
How much data do I need for a week abroad?
About 5 GB for typical use with maps, chats and social media. Light use needs about 2 GB, daily video 10 GB or more.
What if I run out of data?
Most plans can be topped up on the same eSIM under My eSIMs. No new eSIM needed.
Does a hotspot for my laptop use more data?
Yes. Laptops sync files and stream in higher quality. Plan about 500 MB for each hour of work.
Why do you add a buffer?
Data use varies from day to day, and networks report it with a delay of one to three hours. The buffer keeps you from running out on the last day.
Updated 3 Nov 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.