Looking for more information about mobile data for travelers? This article will discuss how much data do you need for international travel, how to use mobile data when traveling and how to manage mobile data usage effectively for travelling abroad.
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Mobile data is internet access provided over cellular networks. It allows you to browse the web, use apps, and stream content without WiFi, but may incur data charges.
You can manually control your mobile data usage by enabling and disabling it.
Activities that consume mobile data can be web browsing, online gaming, scroll through social media, streaming music, making calls over apps, checking email, using Google Maps, etc.
Let’s take a look at different apps you may use during travel:
Mobile data is typically measured in kilobytes (KB), megabytes (MB), and gigabytes (GB). 1024KB = 1MB and 1024MB = 1 GB.
Mobile network carriers track how much data you use each month. This is your monthly data usage. Tasks like web browsing, streaming, emailing use different amounts of data.
Your data usage are dependent on different factors:
Note: Many common activities and aps consume substantial amounts of mobile data. Some apps may use data in the background even when they are not in use.
When you are in a foreign country and want to stay connected with people at home, then you need Internet connection. However, you do not want to rely on an unsecured internet connection. That is when you need mobile data.
Benefits of mobile data for travel are:
First, let’s see what 1 MB of data can do?
1 MB of data can allow you to:
That is when you use mobile data, but if you use data roaming, it costs much more like $15 for just 2 seconds of video (equals to 1MB).
▶ Our recommendation: It is crucial to buy a prepaid physical SIM card or eSIM card with data to avoid such high costs.
Now, see how much data you will need for foreign travel?
In the table below, we estimate how much data common apps / activities use:
| Activity | Data used | Time |
| Browse the Internet and email | 50 MB | 1 hour |
| Watch videos (Netflix) | 250 MB | 1 hour |
| Streaming videos (Youtube) | 500 MB – standard | 1 hour |
| Use Google Maps | 3 – 5GB | 1 hour |
| Stream music on Spotify | 43 MB | 1 hour |
| Use social media (browsing) | Twitter: 360MBFacebook: 480MBInstagram: 600MBSnapchat: 720MBTikTok: 840MB | 1 hour |
| Text messages (WhatsApp/Facebook) | 50 MB | 1 hour |
| Make video calls | 200 MB – 300 MB | 1 hour |
From the table above, we can see that the activity of making video calls and using social media takes a lot of data.
According to a survey by Skyroam, an average traveler will use the Internet for these common activities: Google search, Google maps for directions, social media or text messages, and listening to music. Each activity will take about 45 minutes. Therefore, the total time of using the Internet for an average traveler is about 3 hours per day.
For an average traveler, the amount of data used is estimated here:
So, for most trips, it can be estimated that 3 GB to 5 GB of data will be enough for common data usage.
If you travel for 1 month or longer, then you should buy more data (from 7 GB above).
To see how much data you use, you need to look into your phone and see how much data each of your daily internet activities takes.
For iPhone, to find out how much data you use, take these steps:
For Android devices, to find out how much data you use, take the steps below:
To limit your data usage, you need to control and manage your data activities:
Here we instruct you how to turn on the Low Data Mode on your phone, be it iPhone or Android devices:
Planning your mobile data usage is a must for any on-budget traveler. You can use an international SIM or eSIM with data only for mobile data usage. It will save you money from expensive roaming charges. To better manage your cellular data usage, choose the prepaid plans.
Physical SIM cards are common and used by many travelers; however, it is not convenient for international travelers due to the hassle of obtaining, inserting and replacing the SIM card; inflexibility of locking to one carrier or plan; and the risk of losing tiny physical SIM cards while traveling.
Instead, if your phone is equipped with eSIM technology, it is highly recommended to use a prepaid eSIM for travel. Regardless of your country destination, there will always be a prepaid eSIM plan that fits your needs.
As a specific recommendation, we would like to invite you to use Gigago eSIM which offers eSIM plans for more than 200 countries and territories in the world. With each country/territory, there are a wide range of plans that fit the needs of different travelers. With an eSIM, you just need to buy online, scan a QR code received in the registered email to activate the eSIM, and connect to a mobile network within minutes. That is simple!
Good to know: To see if you can use eSIM, either learn to check if your phone supports eSIM here or refer the updated list of eSIM-compatible devices.
Upon traveling, you may want to find a data plan which is suitable for your travel needs.
Here are some tips to choose a right data plan:
Acknowledging what type of data user you are is essential to choose the right data plan for your trip. A tip is to count how much data you use on a regular basis, then extrapolate it for your trip.
Bear in mind that you may use more than usual when traveling, because you will not always get connected to WiFi like you can on a regular basis.
Regular plans offer a fixed amount of data. Unlimited plans do not go with a fixed amount of data, but go by duration.
Nonetheless, be aware that most so-called unlimited plans will throttle the data speed after a specific amount of usage.
Both mobile data and WiFi connection all enable users to access Internet services without a wired connection. However, these connectivity options have many differences.
Here is a table comparing mobile data and WiFi networks:
| Feature | Mobile Data | WiFi |
| Internet Access | Uses cellular network (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) | Uses wireless router connected to broadband |
| Speed | Varies based on cellular tech; typically slower than WiFi | Speed depends on router and broadband connection; typically faster |
| Availability | Works over larger geographic areas; outside WiFi range | Limited to range of wireless router (100-150 ft) |
| Mobility | Allows internet access on the go | Limited mobility within router range |
| Reliability | Prone to gaps in coverage, network congestion | More reliable within router range; walls can weaken signal |
| Security | Encrypted connections for privacy | Encrypted connections for privacy |
| Cost | Usually a monthly data plan fee | Typically free or included in existing broadband subscription |
| Data Usage | Counts against monthly data allowance | No limits on data use generally |
| Devices Supported | Smartphones, cellular-enabled tablets, laptops, mobile hotspots | Laptops, tablets, smartphones, media devices with WiFi capability |
| Power Usage | Uses more battery power on devices | Uses less battery power |
▶ Our recommendation: From the above table, we can see that mobile data gives much activeness for users, especially travelers when being abroad. Moreover, mobile data is more secure, faster, and stabler than WiFi networks.
If you want to have a rewarding experience of Internet connection while traveling internationally, go for mobile data.
There are many tips to save mobile data when traveling but here we give the most practical and applicable ones:
If you turn off mobile data, your cell phone will not be able to access the Internet, perform app updates, make video calls or download media. You need to get connected to WiFi to use the internet instead.
Mobile data uses a signal from the nearest mobile phone tower while the data in your home internet comes from the street, like your gas or electricity supply.
No. If you always turn on your mobile data, it will consume your allowance even when you do not use anything on your phone actively. It even gets worse if you allow your apps to update by using mobile data.
Whether you use a physical SIM or eSIM during your trip, this guide will walk you through the simple process of reconnecting with your home network and avoid any unwanted roaming charges.
Using one eSIM in multiple countries simplifies international travel and connectivity. Modern eSIM technology lets travelers stay connected across borders without switching physical SIM cards or paying high roaming fees.
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