How much data you need for a trip

Rough data use for maps, social media, video and calls, so you buy neither too much nor too little.

Data use varies a lot with what you do. Here is a rough overview. These are approximate figures; real use depends on video quality, the app and your settings.

• Messages and e-mail: negligible, tens of MB per week.
• Maps and navigation: roughly a few to tens of MB per hour. Offline maps cut it down further.
• Instagram and Facebook: about 100 to 300 MB per hour of browsing, more with videos.
• Music: about 50 to 100 MB per hour.
• Video calls: about 0.5 to 1 GB per hour.
• Video streaming: about 0.7 GB per hour in standard quality and several GB per hour in HD.

How to turn that into a trip

For a week with maps, messages and occasional social media, about 3 to 5 GB is usually enough. For two weeks with more photos and videos, plan on 5 to 10 GB. If you share your connection with another device, usage goes up.

Not sure? On the home page you will find an advisor that suggests a plan based on the length of your trip and what you will be doing.

Tips to save data

• Download offline maps before you fly.
• Turn off automatic app updates and photo backup over mobile data.
• Videos on social media use a lot of data. Turn off autoplay.