How much mobile data do I need for travel?
Updated 21 October 2026 · 4 min read · by the Hopsim team
Short answer
Most travellers use 0.5 GB a day for maps and messaging, about 1 GB a day with social media, and 2 GB or more a day with video, streaming or hotspot. For a one-week trip, 3–5 GB is usually enough; for two weeks, 5–10 GB; for a month, 10–20 GB.
Typical data use per app
- Google Maps navigation: ~5–10 MB per hour
- WhatsApp messages: tiny; voice calls ~0.5 MB/min; video calls ~5–10 MB/min
- Instagram / TikTok scrolling: ~0.5–1 GB per hour (video-heavy)
- YouTube / Netflix (SD–HD): ~0.7–3 GB per hour
- Web browsing and email: ~50–100 MB per hour
- Hotspot for a laptop: plan 1–3 GB per day of work
How many GB to buy
- Weekend city trip: 1–3 GB
- 1 week: 3–5 GB (normal use), 10 GB (heavy)
- 2 weeks: 5–10 GB (normal), 20 GB (heavy)
- 1 month: 10–20 GB (normal), 50 GB or unlimited (heavy/remote work)
Tips to save data
- Download offline maps before you go.
- Turn off auto-play videos in social apps.
- Back up photos on hotel Wi-Fi, not mobile data.
- Check usage in Settings → Mobile Data per app.
