How much data do you need for your trip? A guide by traveler type

Before buying an eSIM for your trip, the inevitable question is: how many GB do I need? Buying too little and running out of data halfway through a trip is frustrating. Buying too much is a waste of money. This guide gives you the real data to calculate exactly what you need.

Actual consumption per activity (in MB per hour)

These are the actual consumption data, measured under normal travel conditions:

How many GB you need according to your traveler profile

Light traveler — 1 to 2 GB per week

You are a light traveler if:

• You mainly use your mobile for WhatsApp (text and photos, no video calls)
• You have Google Maps offline maps downloaded before leaving
• You connect to Wi-Fi at the hotel or restaurants to download heavy content
• You don't use social media intensively outside the hotel
• You don't have video conference work meetings

With this profile, 1-2 GB per week is enough. For a 10-day trip, a 3 GB plan will give you peace of mind.

Moderate traveler — 3 to 5 GB per week

This is the most common profile for today's traveler. You recognize it if:

• You frequently use Google Maps to get around (even with taxis or subways)
• You upload photos and stories to Instagram once or twice a day
• You use WhatsApp with videos and audio normally
• You check reviews on TripAdvisor or Google while walking around
• You listen to Spotify while walking
• You don't work remotely during the trip

For this profile, 3-5 GB per week comfortably covers everything. For a two-week trip, an 8-10 GB plan is recommended.

Intensive traveler — 8 to 15 GB per week

You are an intensive user if:

• You create content for social media (high-quality photos and videos, constant uploads)
• You have Zoom or Teams work meetings during the trip
• You use your mobile as a Wi-Fi hotspot for your laptop
• You watch YouTube or Netflix videos on public transport
• You work remotely full-time from your trip

For this profile, 10-15 GB per week is the minimum recommended. Look for unlimited or high-volume plans.

Digital nomad — unlimited data or >20 GB

If travel is your regular office, unlimited data or high-volume plans (20-50 GB) are the right choice. The extra cost is worth it compared to the anxiety of running out of data in the middle of a video call with a client.

The mental calculator: how to calculate your GB before leaving

Use this quick formula:

1. Travel days × your estimated daily consumption = base GB
2. Add a 20-30% margin for unforeseen events (airport, delays, extra searches)
3. Subtract what you will use on hotel Wi-Fi (if you know you will have a good connection most of the time)

Practical example: trip to Mexico, 10 days, moderate profile.

• Estimated consumption: 400 MB/day × 10 days = 4 GB
• 25% margin: +1 GB
• Hotel Wi-Fi at night (estimated 1 GB): -1 GB
• Recommended plan: 5 GB

Tips to spend less data without noticing the difference

With these simple adjustments, you can reduce your consumption by up to 40% without changing your usage habits:

Download offline maps before leaving

Google Maps allows you to download entire areas for offline use. A city like Mexico City takes up about 200 MB when downloaded. With offline maps, navigation consumes 10 times less data than without them. Always do this before leaving, using home Wi-Fi.

Disable automatic video playback

Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook automatically play videos as you scroll. In each app's settings, you can configure videos to only play with Wi-Fi. This alone can save you 300-500 MB per day if you use social media regularly.

Activate data saving on your phone

On iPhone: Settings → Mobile Data → Mobile Data Options → enable "Low Data Mode". On Android: Settings → Network → Data Saver. This reduces background consumption of apps you are not actively using.

Use WhatsApp with reduced image quality

In the WhatsApp app → Storage and data → Mobile data usage → disable automatic download of photos and videos. Download them manually only when you want to view them.

Spotify in offline mode

Download your favorite playlists at home before leaving. Spotify streaming at normal quality consumes about 40 MB/hour — multiplied by flight hours, transfers, and walks, it adds up significantly.

Postpone app updates

Configure apps to only update with Wi-Fi (both on iPhone and Android). An app update can weigh between 100 MB and 1 GB. With mobile data, this can drain your plan without you realizing it.

How much data do the different PuraSIM plans offer?

PuraSIM plans are designed for every type of traveler. These are the most popular:

• 3 GB — ideal for short trips (up to 5 days) with a light or moderate profile
• 5 GB — the favorite for one-week travelers with normal usage
• 10 GB — recommended for two-week trips or moderate-intensive users
• 20 GB — for long trips or digital nomads with intensive usage
• Unlimited — available in some destinations, ideal for remote work

Check the plans available for your destination — coverage and volume vary by region.

How much data does each popular travel app consume?

These are the most used travel apps and their approximate actual consumption per usage session:

• Google Translate with real-time camera: 10-30 MB per session
• Uber / Bolt to order a taxi: 5-15 MB per trip
• Booking / Airbnb to search for accommodation: 20-50 MB per search session
• Tripadvisor consulting restaurants: 10-30 MB per session
• Google Search normal browsing: 5-15 MB per search
• iMessage / SMS: practically nothing

What happens if I run out of data?

With a prepaid eSIM like PuraSIM, if you run out of data, the plan simply stops working — there are no additional automatic charges. You have several options:

• Buy a new eSIM plan on the spot (you can do it from your mobile)
• Activate the data from your Spanish SIM (using roaming, with the corresponding costs)
• Connect to your hotel's Wi-Fi or a cafe until you can resolve it

That's why we always recommend buying a plan with a 20-30% margin over your estimate. The extra cost of going from 5 GB to 8 GB is usually 2-4€ — much less than the stress of running out of data.

Frequently asked questions about data consumption while traveling

How many GB do I need for 2 weeks outside Europe?

For a moderate traveler (Maps, Instagram, WhatsApp), 8-10 GB for two weeks is recommended. If you work remotely or create content, go up to 15-20 GB.

Do my plan's data accumulate or expire?

PuraSIM plans have a specific validity (usually 30 days from activation). Unused data at the end of that period does not accumulate for the next plan.

Can I share data with my partner or family?

The eSIM is personal to each device. If two or more people are traveling, each needs their own plan. However, you can activate the hotspot on your mobile to share the connection with other devices — keep in mind that consumption multiplies.

Does receiving normal calls consume data?

No. Traditional phone calls go through your operator's voice network, not data. WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom do consume data.

Summary: quick recommendations by trip type

• Weekend (2-3 days), light usage: 1-2 GB
• One week, moderate usage: 3-5 GB
• Two weeks, moderate usage: 8-10 GB
• Long trip (+3 weeks) or intensive: 15-20 GB or unlimited plan
• Digital nomad, remote work: unlimited plan or 20+ GB

If you still have doubts, the 5 GB plan is the most popular for a reason: it covers most one-week trips with enough margin not to worry. Check the plans available for your destination.

Escrito por Marc González Sáez Fundador de PuraSim y especialista en eSIM y conectividad para viajeros. Lleva años ayudando a viajar conectado por todo el mundo sin pagar de más por el roaming, y prueba personalmente las eSIM en cada destino antes de recomendarlas.