Download before flying
Save maps, playlists, language packs and entertainment on home Wi-Fi. This often removes the need for the next plan size.
How much data do I need for travel?
Estimate the mobile data your trip will actually use, then buy a plan with enough headroom - not an expensive bundle based on a guess.
What the calculator counts
The estimate uses transparent planning allowances, not a promise from your carrier. Actual use changes with app settings, video quality and network conditions.
| Activity | Allowance used | Why it varies |
|---|---|---|
| Maps | 5MB/hour | Offline maps reduce this; satellite imagery increases it. |
| Social media | 8MB/minute | Autoplay video is the main variable. |
| Music & podcasts | 1.2MB/minute | Audio quality and downloaded episodes matter. |
| Video calls | 10MB/minute | Resolution and the number of people change usage. |
| Video streaming | 15MB/minute | This assumes standard definition, not HD or 4K. |
| Messages, email & background use | 50MB/day | A base allowance for ordinary phone activity. |
Choosing the right travel data plan
Check the restrictions
Validity, hotspot access, throttling and fair-use terms can matter more than the headline number of gigabytes.
Protect your Australian SIM
Turn off data roaming on your home line. You can keep it active for bank SMS while selecting the travel eSIM for mobile data.
Frequently asked questions
How much data do I need for a two-week trip?
For maps, messages and light social media, 3-5GB is often enough for two weeks. Regular video calls, reels or streaming can move that to 10-20GB. Use the calculator with your own habits rather than buying from a generic rule of thumb.
Is 1GB enough for travel?
It can be enough for a short trip if you mainly use messaging, email and occasional maps, keep video off mobile data and use Wi-Fi for uploads. It is unlikely to be comfortable if you watch video or use social media every day.
What uses the most mobile data overseas?
Video streaming, short-form social video, video calls and automatic photo backup are usually the biggest users. Maps and text messages use comparatively little data once offline maps are downloaded.
Should I buy unlimited travel data?
Only if the estimate is high enough to justify it or you value not monitoring usage. Check the plan’s fair-use, hotspot and speed restrictions: unlimited does not always mean unrestricted full-speed data.
Does an eSIM use more data than roaming?
No. The SIM changes how your phone connects and what you pay, not how much data an app consumes. Background updates and photo backup can use data on either an eSIM or your Australian SIM.
What is actually worth booking.
New destination guides and side-by-side comparisons for Australian travellers - which eSIM, which travel card, which insurance is worth paying for, and what to sort before you go. Prices in Australian dollars, a few emails a year.