Ah, the million-megabyte question! How much data you need totally depends on how you use your phone – are you a map-checking, music-loving, TikTok-scrolling, Netflix-bingeing travel adventurer, or more of an “email and chill” kind of explorer? Let’s break it down so you’re never caught off-guard abroad.
First things first: what’s a GB?
Think of it like this - 1 GB (Gigabytes) = 1000 MB (Megabytes), and every app you use is nibbling (or chomping!) away at it. Here's a fun little cheat sheet to help you out:
Quick guide to help you along:
3 GB for 7+ days
Perfect for: quick check-in, light browsing, and saying "hi" to mum on WhatsApp.
Lasts: around 7-10 days if you keep it low key ... even more if it’s just emails.
5 GB for 15+ days
Do everything in Small, plus sprinkle in some tunes, Insta-stories, and Google Maps magic.
You’re looking at ~2-3 weeks of good vibes.
10 GB for up to 30 days
All of Medium’s perks, but double the freedom - more social media, more music, and map hopping.
Should keep you sorted for ~3-4 weeks.
20 GB for up to 30 days
You’re living the digital nomad life: Google Meets, video shares, your favorite TV series episode (you just had to know!), TikTok marathons and so much more.
Still good for ~3-4 weeks
Bonus tip: Need more? No panic! Cedar Mobile lets you top up at the same price as buying a new eSIM. No hidden nasties.
Let’s do a deep drive - What uses what?
Google Maps: ~ 60 MB/hour
Pro tip: download your route via hotel Wi-Fi and save your data for more important things. Like memes.
Email: ~20-30 MB/hour for basics.
Add attachments and photos ... and boom it climbs up fast.
Internet Browsing: ~50 MB/hour
Not bad, but try not getting carried away all day.
Messaging (WhatsApp, etc.): ~50 MB/hour
If you attach Pics and videos? They’ll munch even more.
Music Streaming:
- Standard: ~50 MB/hour
- High Quality: ~150 MB/hour
Best to download your playlist at home and jam offline like a pro.
Video Calls (Zoom, Google Meet): ~300 MB+/hour
Save these for your hotel Wi-Fi unless you really need to see your cat in real time.
Speed Tests: up to 600 MB/test Depending on which speed test you use, you can chew up a lot of data.
YouTube:
- SD: ~500 MB/hour
- HD: ~3-4 GB/hour
- 4K: ~15-20 GB/hour ... wow!!
Download first on your Wi-Fi, watch later - your data will thank you.
Social Media:
- TikTok: ~1 GB/hour
- Snapchat: ~700 MB/hour
- Instagram: ~600 MB/hour
- Facebook: ~500 MB/hour
- Twitter (X): ~400 MB/hour
It adds up really fast!
Netflix:
- SD Movie (2 hours): ~2 GB
- HD: ~1 GB+ for 15-20 mins
- 4K/UHD: ~7 GB+/hour (ouch!)
Download before leave home - watch your favorite movies/series later on the go
In short: plan your data like you plan your outfits - a little thought goes a long way. Happy scrolling, snapping and streaming, wherever you go!