How Much Mobile Data Do You Need for a UK Trip?

Most of what you do on your phone in the UK — checking trains, finding the right Tube line, booking tickets — uses very little data. Video is what eats through a plan.

Typical data use

• Citymapper, TfL Go and train apps: light — live departures use little data.
• Maps and navigation: light, a few megabytes per hour.
• Messaging: light; photos and videos add up over a trip.
• Social media video: heavy — several hundred megabytes or more per hour.
• Video calls: 0.5–1.5 GB per hour.
• Streaming: 1–3 GB per hour in HD.

Daily budgets

• Light (300–500 MB per day): transport apps, maps and messaging.
• Typical (about 1 GB per day): plus social media and photo sharing.
• Heavy (2 GB or more): daily video calls or lots of video.

Plan sizes

• Weekend in London: 2–5 GB.
• One week: 5–10 GB.
• Two weeks around Britain: 10–20 GB, or a refillable plan.

Saving data

• Download offline maps for areas with patchy signal, such as the Highlands.
• Use hotel and café Wi-Fi for big downloads; many trains also offer Wi-Fi.
• Check your remaining data on the My eSIM page and top up if your plan allows it.

Compare current plans on our UK eSIM plans list.

Frequently asked questions

How much data do I need for a week in London?

For transport apps, maps, messaging and social media, 5–10 GB is comfortable for most people.

Can I top up my UK eSIM?

Yes, on plans marked Top-up: open My eSIM, log in with your order email and add data to the same eSIM.

When does the plan start?

When the eSIM first connects to a network in the UK, not when you buy or install it.