📱 How to Choose the Right Travel Data eSIM Plan – A Simple Guide for Every Traveler

📱 How to Choose the Right Travel Data eSIM Plan – A Simple Guide for Every Traveler

Whether you're a seasoned globetrotter or planning your first international trip, one thing you’ll need for sure is mobile data. That’s where travel data eSIMs come in—no need to swap SIM cards, no waiting in lines, and no roaming surprises.

But with so many options like 1GB, 5GB, 20GB and different durations like 7 days, 30 days, or even 180 days, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

🧮 We have released an online calculator to assist with your estimations

Let’s break it down in simple terms to help you pick the best plan for your trip.


🧳 Step 1: Understand What eSIM Is

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you access mobile data without physically inserting a SIM. It’s super handy for international travel. Just scan a QR code, and you’re connected!

📊 Step 2: Estimate Your Data Usage

Here’s a general idea of how much data everyday tasks use:

Activity Approx. Data Use per Hour
Web browsing/email 50 MB
Google Maps navigation 5–50 MB
Social media (scrolling) 100–150 MB
Music streaming 50–100 MB
Video streaming (SD) 500–700 MB
Video call (Zoom, WhatsApp) 400–600 MB

📦 Step 3: Match the Plan to Your Usage & Trip Length

🗂️ 1GB Plan

Best for: Light users

Usage: Emails, maps, WhatsApp

Trip length: 1–7 days

🗂️ 3GB Plan

Best for: Occasional social media

Usage: Check-ins, photos, light video

Trip length: 7–15 days

🗂️ 5GB Plan

Best for: Moderate users

Usage: Social media, some video, frequent Google Maps

Trip length: 15–30 days

🗂️ 10GB Plan

Best for: Regular travelers

Usage: Video calls, YouTube, Insta Stories

Trip length: 30–45 days

🗂️ 20GB Plan

Best for: Digital nomads

Usage: Streaming, work calls, uploads

Trip length: 1–3 months

🗂️ 50GB Plan

Best for: Power users

Usage: Streaming daily, remote work

Trip length: 3–6 months / multiple devices

⏳ Step 4: Choose the Right Duration

eSIM plans are tied to a validity period. If you don’t finish your data within the days given, it will expire. Match your trip length with your data amount:

Trip Length Suggested Plan
7 days 1GB or 3GB
15 days 3GB or 5GB
30 days 5GB or 10GB
90 days 10GB, 20GB or 50GB
180 days 20GB or 50GB
💡 Pro Tip: It’s often cheaper to buy a larger plan for a longer duration than topping up multiple smaller plans.

🔍 Final Tips for Picking the Best Plan

  • City break (4–7 days): 1GB or 3GB
  • Two-week vacation: 3GB or 5GB
  • One-month stay: 10GB
  • Digital nomad (3+ months): 20GB or 50GB
  • Not sure? Get more data—you can restrict background data later.

🌍 What AirSims.com.au offers

  • ✅ Easy setup (QR code via email)
  • ✅ Good coverage in your destination
  • ✅ Reasonable pricing
  • ✅ English support if something goes wrong

✈️ Ready to Travel Smart?

With the right travel data eSIM, you’ll stay connected, avoid nasty roaming fees, and travel lighter—no fiddly SIM cards required.

Got a destination in mind? We can help you pick a plan for that country too—just ask in our live chat 💬 or via our contact page.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.