How much data for your trip?
Set your everyday usage: we work out what you need, margin included, and the plan that covers it at the best price.
Your destination
Trip duration
7 days
Your usage per day
Video streaming0.5 h/day
Social media1 h/day
Web browsing1 h/day
Maps & navigation0.5 h/day
Music streaming1 h/day
Messaging & email1 h/day
Your estimated need
≈ 8.1 GB
For 7 days, about 1.2 GB a day, 15% margin included.
- Video streaming44 %
- Social media20 %
- Web browsing15 %
- Music streaming9 %
Choose your destination to see the plans that cover this need.
How we calculate the numbers
Each activity uses an average amount of data per hour. These averages vary with apps and video quality: the 15% margin covers the difference.
- Video streaming≈ 900 MB/h
- Social media≈ 210 MB/h
- Maps & navigation≈ 150 MB/h
- Web browsing≈ 150 MB/h
- Music streaming≈ 90 MB/h
- Messaging & email≈ 50 MB/h
Safety margin included
Actual data use is unpredictable. Background updates and high-definition streaming can consume your allowance quickly.
Your estimated usage+15% margin
Our calculator automatically adds this 15% margin to your estimate, so you don't run short of data.
Frequently asked questions
Everything you need to know about data estimation.
Our estimates are based on global averages for popular apps (Instagram, TikTok, Google Maps, etc.). Your actual usage depends on video quality (4K vs 1080p) and background app updates, so we recommend a plan slightly larger than your estimate.
No. This calculator only covers mobile data. Most travel eSIMs are data-only. For calls, use apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Telegram, which run on the data calculated here.
No problem. With Simsima, you can top up your eSIM in a few taps from our app or website, with no new eSIM to install. We alert you when you've used 80% of your data.
For most travelers, yes. At this calculator's rates, 5 GB covers about 4 hours a day of web browsing, social media, and Google Maps for a week. If you plan to stream Netflix or make long video calls, we recommend 10 GB or more.
Instagram is data-intensive. Scrolling through your feed uses about 100 MB per hour, but watching Reels or Stories can consume up to 800 MB per hour. Enable "Data Saver" mode in Instagram settings to reduce this by 50%.
About 1.8 GB for a two-hour film at standard quality, using the 900 MB per hour this calculator applies to video. In HD the same film can reach 6 GB, and in 4K considerably more. Downloading the film over hotel Wi-Fi before you travel costs you nothing on your plan.
Around 900 MB per hour at the default quality this calculator uses. Dropping to 480p roughly halves that, while 1080p can triple it. Capping quality in the YouTube app under Settings, Video quality preferences is the single most effective saving while abroad.
About 150 MB per hour of active navigation, which is modest compared with video. Downloading the area offline before you leave brings it close to zero, and offline maps keep working for turn-by-turn directions even with mobile data switched off entirely.
A voice call uses roughly 30 MB per hour, so an hour of talking uses about as much as two minutes of video streaming. A WhatsApp video call is far heavier, around 300 MB per hour. Voice calls are the cheapest way to stay reachable on a data-only travel eSIM.
Around 210 MB per hour, the rate this calculator applies to social media. Sending snaps costs little; watching Stories and Spotlight is what consumes data. Turning on Travel Mode in Snapchat settings stops media loading automatically and cuts usage sharply.
About 900 MB with video on, the same rate this calculator applies to video streaming. Turning your camera off drops it to roughly 30 MB per hour. On a travel plan, joining by audio only is the difference between a meeting costing 1 GB and costing almost nothing.
Open Settings, then Cellular, and scroll to Cellular Data Usage. The figure shown is cumulative since you last reset it, so tap Reset Statistics at the bottom when your trip starts to read usage for that trip alone. Each app is listed with its own consumption.
Open Settings, then Network and internet, then SIMs or Data usage, depending on your manufacturer. You can set a billing cycle and a data warning there. Android also lets you cap mobile data per app, which iOS does not.
Three causes account for most of it: photo and video backup running over mobile data, autoplay video in social apps, and background app refresh. Disabling automatic backup and setting social apps to play video on Wi-Fi only typically halves consumption without changing how you use your phone.
On average, travelers use between 0.5 and 1.5 GB per day. This covers web browsing, social media, maps, and messaging. For video streaming or frequent video calls, plan for 2 to 3 GB per day. Our calculator above gives you a personalized estimate.
For most travelers, 3 to 5 GB is sufficient for a week. This covers browsing, messaging, searches, and moderate social media use. For heavier usage (streaming, video calls), plan for 7 to 10 GB.
If you are using your home carrier's SIM, yes — to avoid roaming charges. But with a Simsima eSIM, it is the opposite: you need to enable data roaming for your Simsima eSIM, as this is how you connect to the local network. You only use the plan you purchased.
Helpful articles
Find detailed guides and answers in our Help Center
Check remaining dataMonitor your data usage and see how much data is left on your plan.Country coverageSee which countries and regions are covered by Simsima plans.Regional & multi-country plansOne plan for multiple countries — ideal for multi-destination trips.Plan validity & expirationUnderstand when your plan starts, how long it lasts, and what happens when it expires.
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