Data per hour
| Activity | About per hour | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Google Maps navigation | 36 MB | One NZ |
| Social media, browsing | 20 MB | One NZ |
| Music streaming | 60 MB | One NZ |
| Voice call over the internet | 27 to 36 MB (60 to 80 kbps) | Zoom |
| Video call, good quality | about 270 MB (600 kbps) | Zoom |
| Video streaming, standard | 120 to 350 MB | One NZ, Verizon |
| Netflix, High quality | up to 1 GB SD, up to 3 GB HD | Netflix |
Video is the wide range because apps change quality with the connection and your settings. Netflix's own Save Data setting gives about six hours per GB on mobile; HD can use 3 GB in one hour. Call figures are worked out from the bitrates Zoom publishes.
What a trip adds up to
| Trip | Typical use | Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend city break | Maps, messages, photos | 1 to 3 GB |
| One week | Maps every day, social media, a few calls | 5 GB |
| Two weeks | The same plus daily video calls | 10 GB |
| Remote work or streaming | Hours of video or a laptop hotspot | 20 GB, or a Day Pass |
| Place | 1 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | Day Pass, 7 days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $2.90 | $5.90 | $9.90 | $19.90 |
| United States | $2.90 | $6.90 | $9.90 | $21.90 |
| Thailand | $2.90 | $4.90 | $8.90 | $17.90 |
| Europe (regional) | $2.90 | $7.90 | $13.90 | – |
Ways to use less
- Download offline maps and playlists on hotel Wi-Fi.
- Turn on low data mode (iPhone) or data saver (Android) for the travel line.
- Set streaming apps to a lower quality on mobile data.
- Stop photo backups over mobile data until you are on Wi-Fi.
Ran out early? If the country page says Top-up, add GB to the same eSIM from your ticket, no new QR.
Packs in this guide
- Japan eSIM, from $2.90
- United States eSIM, from $2.90
- Thailand eSIM, from $2.90
- Europe (regional) eSIM, from $2.90
Sources
- One NZ: how much data will I use while roaming (read 6 October 2026)
- Netflix Help: how to control how much data Netflix uses (read 6 October 2026)
- Verizon: understanding data usage for video (read 6 October 2026)
- Zoom: bandwidth requirements (read 6 October 2026)
Prices on Inbox eSIM are live. Other figures are as published by the sources on the dates shown.