1 · The short answer

For a week in Europe with your phone and hotel Wi-Fi at night, 3 to 5 GB is enough. For two weeks, or a week with social video on data, buy 10 GB. If you will stream or work from a hotspot, buy 20 GB or an unlimited plan and read its daily allowance first. Most people buy twice what they use.

The regulator's number backs that up: EU roaming subscribers use about 2 GB a month while abroad, against about 16 GB a month at home. Wi-Fi does most of the work on a trip.

2 · What each thing uses

Ranges, because phones, apps and quality settings differ. They are enough to size a plan.

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ActivityRoughlyA day of it
Messaging and emailA few megabytes an hourUnder 50 MB
Maps and navigation5 to 10 MB an hour on foot, more on the motorway50 to 150 MB
Photos to the cloud3 to 5 MB per photo100 to 500 MB
Social feeds, short video100 to 300 MB an hour0.5 to 1.5 GB
Music streaming50 to 150 MB an hour200 to 500 MB
Video calls0.5 to 1 GB an hourDepends entirely on the calls
Streaming video in HD1 to 3 GB an hourBreaks every daily allowance
Laptop on the hotspot1 to 3 GB a working day1 to 3 GB

Two habits decide your number: video on data, and the hotspot. Everything else fits in a small bucket.

3 · Three travellers, three sizes

  • Light: maps, messages, photos, a look at social in the evening on Wi-Fi. 1 to 3 GB a week. A 3 or 5 GB bucket, or a 3-day unlimited plan for a city break.
  • Normal: the same plus social and music on the move, a video call home. 5 to 10 GB a week. A 10 GB bucket, or a 7-day unlimited plan.
  • Heavy: video on data, or a laptop on the hotspot. 15 GB or more a week. A 20 GB plan, or an unlimited plan with a 5 GB daily allowance or none.

For a month, multiply by three rather than four: the first days use the most, and you find the Wi-Fi.

4 · What that buys you

Priced on 11 September 2026, Ringo Light prices updated 26 September 2026. Holafly, Airalo, Saily, Nomad and Ringo Light all quote US dollars.

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You needCheapest bucketUnlimited for the daysRingo Light
3 GB for a weekAiralo 3 GB, 7 days, $11Airalo 3 days $11.50 or Holafly $11.90Unlimited, 2 weeks, $18.99, full speed
5 GB for a weekNomad 5 GB, 30 days, $17.50Airalo 7 days $27, Holafly $27.50Unlimited, 2 weeks, $18.99, full speed
10 GB for two weeksNomad 10 GB, 30 days, $23Saily 15 days $49.99, Holafly $50.50Unlimited, 2 weeks, $18.99, full speed
20 GB for a monthNomad 20 GB, 30 days, $27Airalo 30 days $71, Holafly $73.90Unlimited, 30 days, $28.99, full speed

Read the Ringo Light column this way. Both plans are unlimited data at full speed with no daily cap, one payment each with nothing that renews. For a light week, Airalo's 3 GB at $11 or Nomad's 5 GB at $17.50 is still the cheaper ticket, and we say so.

5 · Two weeks or a month: Ringo Light

Ringo Light is our own data eSIM, sold to fund the full Ringo, one plan that works everywhere with your own number ported onto it. Installed once, next to your own SIM: unlimited data at full speed for 2 weeks at $18.99 or 30 days at $28.99, one payment each with nothing that renews. 37 European countries at one price. The card to buy it is just below this article.

6 · Frequently asked questions

How much data do I need for a week in Europe?+
Phone only, with hotel Wi-Fi at night: 3 to 5 GB covers maps, messaging, photos and some social. Add streaming on data or a laptop on the hotspot and you want 10 GB or an unlimited plan. EU regulators measure roaming use at about 2 GB a month per traveller.
Is unlimited data worth it for a Europe trip?+
Only if you stream video on data or work from a hotspot. Rival unlimited plans have a limit somewhere: 5 GB a day at full speed on Airalo and Saily, 2 GB on Nomad, no stated cap on Holafly for your own phone. Ringo Light is unlimited data at full speed. For a phone-only week a 5 GB bucket, from $17.50 at Nomad, is cheaper and just as good.
What does Ringo Light cost for Europe?+
Unlimited data at full speed for 2 weeks $18.99 and 30 days $28.99, one payment each with nothing that renews.