How to Choose the Best eSIM Based on the Duration of Your Trip

Introduction

Choosing the right eSIM cards for your trip is essential for staying connected – whether you're a traveler, digital nomad, business professional, tourist, or frequent traveler. The last thing you want is to run out of data when you need it most or overpay for a plan that's too large. 

But how do you choose the right plan size? It can be hard to know how much data you’ll need without thinking through the logistics of your trip and considering how you plan to use your device while away from home.

This guide will walk you through the key considerations for selecting the best eSIM plan that fits your needs perfectly.

Understanding Your Data Usage Needs

Before purchasing a virtual SIM card, it's crucial to understand your typical daily data usage (TDDU). Here's a breakdown of how much data common activities consume:

Work

• Email (without attachments): ~10 KB per email
• Video conferencing (e.g., Zoom, Skype): ~1 GB per hour
• Document downloads/uploads: ~5 MB per document

Entertainment

• Social Media Browsing (Facebook, Instagram): ~2 MB per minute
• Music Streaming (e.g., Spotify): ~1 MB per minute
• Video Streaming (e.g., Netflix, YouTube) at SD quality: ~700 MB per hour

Communication

• Text messaging (e.g., WhatsApp, iMessage): ~1 KB per message
• Voice calls (e.g., Skype, WhatsApp): ~1 MB per minute

Tips to Estimate Your Data Requirements

• Calculate the average time you spend on each activity daily.
• Multiply the time by the data usage estimate for each activity.
• Sum up the daily data usage and multiply it by the number of days in your trip.

Duration of Your Trip: Short vs. Long-term

The length of your trip significantly influences your data needs. Once you know the length of your trip – including your travel days! – here's how to approach choosing the best eSIM app for your trip:

100 MB

• Short trip (1 to 2 days): Perfect for minimal use on very short trips. For example, if you’re visiting a neighboring country for just a day (like when traveling through Germany and stopping by Austria to see Salzburg) this is a great amount of data. some text
  • Usage examples: Very light web browsing, brief GPS usage, and checking email.
  • Right now all new GigSky customers can get 100MB of data for free!

512 MB

• Extended weekend (2 to 5 days): Suitable for more frequent browsing and app use, with some photo sharing. This amount is usually perfect for those going on a cruise, and just need enough data to stay in touch with the “outside world.”some text
  • Usage examples: Light social media use, occasional web browsing, GPS, and sharing some photos, with limited video streaming or downloads.

1GB to 3GB

• Vacation (1 to 2 weeks): For those headed on a typical vacation – whether you’re headed to the beach to relax or off on a grand adventure – these plans are good for regular use, like browsing, social media, and limited streaming. Lighter users can reasonably get by with 1GB on vacation; heavier users should opt for a 3GB plan. some text
  • Usage examples: Frequent web use, navigation, checking social media, photo sharing, and light music streaming or short videos.
  • We broke down 1GB of data usage on our blog in more detail, for those who are interested. 

5GB to 10GB

• Even longer vacation (2 to 4 weeks): Maybe you’re setting off on a retirement trip; perhaps you’re taking a mini-sabbatical; possibly you’re doing some work at home to help your family; or maybe you’re living that digital nomad life and settling in a different location month-to-month. Regardless of the reason, for those traveling for longer periods of time, these plans are well-suited for moderate to heavy usage, including streaming. Lighter users can reasonably get by with 5GB on a longer trip; heavier users should opt for a 10GB plan.some text
  • Usage examples: Daily social media, frequent GPS, streaming a few hours of video, downloading media, and using apps extensively.
  • We broke down 5GB of data usage on our blog in more detail, for those who are interested. 

50GB or Unlimited Plans

• Long-term stay or extended work trip (2 to 4 weeks): Whether you “fly south” for the winter or are on a longer work trip where you’ll settle for a month or two, this amount is for very heavy data users who may need to rely on mobile data for a longer period.some text
  • Usage examples: Streaming video and music regularly, video conferencing, downloading large files, and using mobile data as a primary source of the Internet for work or entertainment.
  • We broke down everything one needs to know about eSIM unlimited data plans on our blog, for those who are interested. 

Keep in mind that all of the above are estimates. How much data a person uses depends completely on how they manage their screen time and what data-saving techniques they employ. 

Utilizing Wi-Fi & Data-Saving Techniques

While having enough data for your trip is important, there are ways to make the most of the plan you choose. As any modern-device user knows, in many cases, you’re not stuck with only using your data. Maximizing the use of Wi-Fi can save significant amounts of mobile data. Here are some tips:

Wi-Fi Tips:

• Accommodation: Confirm Wi-Fi availability at hotels or rentals. Ensure that it’s a safe network before connecting! 
• Public Areas: Identify cafes, libraries, and other places offering free Wi-Fi. Use caution when utilizing these sources, and avoid accessing any personal information.  

Data-Saving Techniques:

• Settings: Adjust your smartphone settings to reduce data usage.
• Download Offline: Download maps, playlists, and shows before your trip.
• Low Data Mode: Activate low data mode on your devices – like limiting push notifications and automatic updates.

There are a plethora of ways to save data on your trip. We have an entire blog post dedicated to maximizing your data usage. 

Cost Comparison: Local SIM vs. Home Country's Roaming Plan

When traveling, you can often choose between purchasing a local SIM card, using your home country’s roaming plan or purchasing a travel eSIM. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of each option.  

Local SIM:

Pros:

• Typically cheaper than home carrier roaming plans
• Better coverage and speed thanks to the use of local networks

Cons:

• Hassle to purchase and set up
• May require an unlocked phone
• Requires physically removing your home carrier’s SIM card
• Usually connected to only one network, which can result in unreliable coverage
• No customer service available on-the-go

Home Carrier Roaming Plan:

Pros:

• Convenience of keeping your number
• Usually requires no manual setup

Cons:

• Often extremely expensive
• Potential for unexpected charges
• Unreliable service in certain areas
• Customer service can be hit-and-miss

eSIM Data Plans:

Pros:

• Affordable and comes in a variety of plan sizes
• Easy to download and install from anywhere in the world
• Accessible customer service
• No need to remove home carrier’s SIM card
• Able to easily “top-up” if you run out of data
• Uses a variety of local networks to provide the best coverage

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Cons: 

• Not compatible with all devices (Check out our compatibility guide for more info)

Conclusion

Choosing the right data plan is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable trip. By considering your data usage needs, network coverage, trip duration, Wi-Fi availability, cost comparisons, and any special activities, you can make an informed decision when buying an eSIM online.

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Ready to make your next trip hassle-free? Apply these insights to select the perfect data plan for your needs and stay connected wherever you go!

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Don’t miss out on your free 100MB of data! Download the GigSky app today and sign up to get your free plan!