Average data usage per app
| App or activity | Usage | In practice |
|---|---|---|
| WhatsApp (messages and voice) | ± 1 MB per hour | Negligible, a few MB per day |
| Google Maps (navigation) | 30 to 50 MB per hour | City trip ± 40 MB per day, road trip ± 120 MB |
| Instagram and TikTok | 500 MB to 1 GB per hour | Often the biggest data drain when travelling |
| YouTube and Netflix | 1 to 3 GB per hour | SD ± 1 GB, HD ± 3 GB per hour |
| Spotify and podcasts | ± 60 MB per hour | Downloading on wifi saves a lot |
| Video calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) | ± 500 MB per hour | A short daily call home ± 400 MB per day |
| Email and browsing | ± 25 MB per hour | 50 to 100 MB per day with normal use |
Prefer a full breakdown per trip type? Read our guide on holiday data usage.
Frequently asked questions about data usage abroad
How much data do I use per day on holiday?
Most travellers use between 300 MB and 1 GB per day. WhatsApp, email and navigation only add up to a few hundred MB per day; the big consumption comes from social media and watching video without wifi.
Is 3 GB enough for a week away?
For WhatsApp, email, navigation and occasional social media, 3 GB is plenty for a week. If you watch video daily or scroll Instagram or TikTok a lot without wifi, expect 5 to 10 GB instead.
How much data does Google Maps use?
Roughly 30 to 50 MB per hour of active navigation. For a city trip that is about 40 MB per day; a road trip is more like 100 to 150 MB per day.
How much data do Instagram and TikTok use?
Expect 500 MB to 1 GB per hour of scrolling, depending on how much video comes by. When travelling this is usually the biggest data drain, so it largely determines the bundle size you need.
What happens when my data runs out?
Your eSIM simply stops passing data; there are no surprise charges. You can top up online right away and nothing needs to be reinstalled.
Should I get an unlimited bundle instead?
Only if you genuinely use a lot, for example daily video or hotspotting. Unlimited bundles have a daily cap after which the speed drops. For most travellers a fixed bundle of 3 to 10 GB works out cheaper.
Do I use more data abroad than at home?
Usually yes. On the road you are on wifi less, navigate more and share more photos and videos. So allow some margin; our calculator does that automatically.