Meta Description: Learn how to plan your travel data consumption, by choosing the right plan, and avoiding unexpected charges on your international trip.

Did you know that by the end of 2023, there were more than 34 million international flights? Imagine how much data was consumed by the people who were traveling. International travel is becoming more common, and if you are one of those people traveling in the year 2024, then you need to plan your travel data usage meticulously. That is if you want to stay connected to your loved ones, navigate the new locations easily, and access travel information for your trip.

But, you can improve your traveling experience tenfold with the right travel data plan, and here’s how we help you do it.

Here are some of the things you should take into account when creating a plan for your data usage:

One of the most important things to consider is the roaming charges you incur on your trip. International roaming charges can come as an unpleasant surprise, and here’s why.

You must ensure that wherever you are traveling, has regular network coverage. You can also stay connected by taking a WiFI device and an eSIM card.

Often, international data plans and packages are offered by carriers to take into account the requirements of an international trip. Travel data plans are tailored to travelers and will help you stay connected.

Are you someone who streams video content or downloads large files? Your data plan will look very different from someone taking a trip to relax and using their phone for GPS and calling an Uber. Take these things into consideration when planning your international trip.

If you plan on taking an international trip, you will need to plan for how much data you will consume and how that fits into your budget. The first step to achieving this is assessing your data needs and consumption habits.

You can start by checking what your daily data usage looks like. Do you browse the internet, check your emails, and watch movies and TV shows? All of this adds up. By figuring out how much data each of these activities consume, you can get a baseline for how much data you will need on your trip.

Of course, this looks different for everyone. You may not spend much time on Netflix, but having a good data plan won't hurt if you expect a long commute.

You can tailor your data plan to the type of trip you are taking. If you are traveling to an unfamiliar city, you should have access to maps. And if you expect long bus rides and flights, Spotify can make those much more enjoyable for you. It is about enriching the quality of your trip.

Another huge consideration for your international trip should be the duration. How long do you plan on traveling, and what do you want to do about it? You can plan your data consumption accordingly and even account for the activities you want to do during those days and in case of unexpected delays and detours. You will have little to worry about during the trip if you have enough data to last the trip and get back home.

This whole conversation about data planning will make you wonder just how data consumption works, and we are here to break it all down for you. Once you know how your data is consumed on your device, you can better manage your data consumption during the trip and avoid any exorbitant charges that are charged unexpectedly.

If you are using your device for browsing the web or answering emails, your data usage is on the lowest end. If you're using the internet to stream music videos, TV shows, and movies, you will find that your data consumption is much higher. You will use maps frequently during a trip, and that is where the use of data is moderate. This will help you decide what kind of activities to limit to the hotel when you can access free WiFi.

Another factor to consider is the network coverage you are using because this will affect data usage significantly. If you are traveling in a remote area, you will use more data to access content online that is taking longer to load. This is why it is important to be mindful of how you use your data when traveling to a remote location.

Here are some data-saving techniques to help you manage your data more efficiently on your international trip.

Now that you know how to manage data when traveling, how about purchasing the right data plan for your trip? This is the most important part, and here’s what you need to do.

First, you want to take your pen and pad (we’re kidding) and make a detailed list of the data plans available for the country you will be visiting (or are we?). You might find that many data plans are available, especially keeping in mind travelers. You will also find what regional carriers provide competitive pricing and wider coverage.

It is always good to be informed.

Now that you know all the options available regarding carriers, coverage, and data plans. You can shortlist the one that is best for you. This plan offers ample data for the duration of your trip and the anticipated duration, and planned activities while still within your budget.

It is important to ensure that the eSIM card you purchase is compatible with your devices. While many of the recent devices offer this feature, you won't have the feature if you use an older phone or laptop. You must also install the eSIM card on your device by contacting your carrier regarding the service.

One thing you should keep in mind when traveling internationally is that you will have to purchase your data plan before the departure. That means your eSIM should be installed and functional on your devices before you arrive at your destination. This ensures you have data accessible when you arrive and try to call for a cab or check your maps. You will also save on international delivery services, which, although convenient, can rack up additional expenses on your trip.

You should know how the eSIM card works now that you have activated the eSIM and purchased a data plan. The better you understand the technicalities, the easier it will be for you to have a better trip free of data connectivity-related hassles.

Now that you have researched and made a game plan for your data usage on your international trip, the only thing left is going on that trip. We hope you have an amazing trip filled with crystal-clear calls and lightning-fast email delivery because stressing over data usage is unlike you!