Which eSIM plan for your trip? 5 GB, 10 GB, or 20 GB?

When planning a trip abroad, we increasingly think not only about accommodation and attractions, but also about what kind of internet while traveling will be optimal for us. Choosing the right data package – 5 GB, 10 GB or 20 GB – can significantly affect the comfort of using your phone, remote work or navigation. In practice, it is access to stable internet that today determines how smoothly we move around a new place and how easily we organize each day of the trip.

Additionally, there is the matter of technology – traditional roaming, a local SIM card or a modern eSIM card. Each of these options has its pros and cons. In this article, you will find specific answers on how to choose the right internet abroad so as not to overpay and at the same time not be left offline at a crucial moment. Thanks to this, you will make an informed decision and match the solution to your own needs and travel style.

How much internet do you really use while traveling?

Before choosing a data package, it is worth understanding how much internet you actually use during a trip. Even basic activities generate real data usage.

Example data usage:

• Google Maps (navigation): 5–10 MB per hour
• Social media (Instagram, Facebook): 100–300 MB per hour
• YouTube in SD quality: about 1 GB per hour, HD: 4 GB per hour
• Netflix: in SD quality: about 1 GB per hour, in HD quality: about 4 GB per hour
• Video calls (Zoom, Teams): 0.5–1.5 GB per hour
• Browsing websites: 50–100 MB per hour

In practice, this means that even moderate use of mobile internet can quickly exhaust a small data package.

5 GB package – minimal internet while traveling

A 5 GB package is the absolute minimum when it comes to mobile internet abroad. It can work, but only in very specific situations.

It will work if:

• you mainly use Wi-Fi in a hotel or apartment,
• you use the internet for maps and messengers,
• you do not watch videos or scroll social media intensively,
• the trip lasts a maximum of a few days.

Advantages:

• low price,
• sufficient as backup internet,
• a good choice for a short city break.

Disadvantages:

• very easy to exceed the limit,
• limited comfort of use,
• lack of freedom (constant monitoring of usage).

Conclusion: 5 GB is an option only for very economical users. In most cases, it will be insufficient. After using 80% of the data package in XOXO eSIM, you will receive an automatic SMS and email notification. Thanks to this, you have full control over your internet usage and can top up the package with additional gigabytes at the right moment, without the risk of suddenly losing access to the network.

10 GB package – the most universal choice

A 10 GB package is the most frequently chosen option by people traveling abroad. It offers a good balance between price and comfort.

It will work if:

• you use maps, messengers and social media,
• you occasionally watch video,
• the trip lasts from a few to several days,
• you do not work intensively online.

Advantages:

• comfortable internet use,
• reasonable price,
• lower risk of suddenly running out of data.

Disadvantages:

• may be insufficient for remote work,
• limitations with streaming and hotspots.

Conclusion: 10 GB is the “golden mean” – the best choice for most tourists.

20 GB package – full freedom of mobile internet

If you care about maximum comfort, a 20 GB package will be the best solution. This is an option for more demanding users.

It will work if:

• you work remotely,
• you often use video calls,
• you watch YouTube or Netflix,
• you travel for longer than a week,
• you share internet (hotspot) with other devices.

Advantages:

• no stress about data usage,
• free use of the internet,
• ideal for work and entertainment.

Disadvantages:

• higher cost,
• possible unused package during short trips.

Conclusion: 20 GB is the best option for people who actively use the internet.

eSIM or roaming – which internet abroad should you choose?

Choosing a package is one thing, but equally important is how you will use it abroad. It is technology – whether you choose classic roaming or a modern eSIM card – that will largely determine costs, convenience and connection quality.

eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card that you install directly on your phone – without the need to insert a physical card. It is increasingly replacing traditional roaming and local SIM cards, especially in the context of internet while traveling.

How does eSIM work and how to activate it?

Activating eSIM is very simple and usually takes a few minutes:

• you buy a data package online (e.g. for a specific country or region),
• you receive a QR code from the operator,
• you scan it in your phone settings (remember to use stable WiFi during the installation process),
• the eSIM profile installs automatically,
• you activate data transmission and can use the internet.

In most modern smartphones (iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel), this process is intuitive and does not require any technical knowledge. Importantly, you can activate eSIM before departure and only turn it on after arrival.

Advantages of eSIM:

• quick activation (QR code, no visit to a store),
• no need to buy a physical SIM card,
• access to internet without roaming in many countries,
• ability to use several numbers at the same time (e.g. Polish + foreign internet),
• flexible data packages matched to the length of the trip,
• no need to remove your main SIM card.

Additionally, eSIM often automatically connects to the best available network in a given country, which improves connection quality and stability.

Roaming:

• convenient, because it works automatically after crossing the border,
• in the European Union it is often available without additional charges,
• outside the EU it can generate very high costs,
• data packages are limited and more expensive than local alternatives,
• risk of uncontrolled charges after exceeding the limit.

Conclusion

If you care about convenience, predictable costs and flexibility, an eSIM card is currently the best choice for mobile internet abroad. It allows you to avoid high roaming charges, gives quick access to the network and full control over data usage – without stress and unnecessary formalities.

Hotspot and WiFi Calling in XOXO eSIM

When using XOXO eSIM, you have full freedom to share internet with other devices through the hotspot function. You can therefore choose a larger data package – e.g. 30 GB or 50 GB – and easily use it not only on your phone, but also on a laptop, tablet or share it with other people.

This is a very practical solution while traveling, especially when one eSIM card is supposed to provide network access for several users at the same time.

What is more, having internet access via WiFi (e.g. from your own hotspot), you can use WiFi Calling. Thanks to this, you can make and receive calls over the internet even where traditional mobile network coverage is weak or unavailable.

Phones with eSIM access – is your smartphone compatible?

Before you decide on an eSIM card and mobile internet abroad, it is worth making sure whether your phone supports this technology. Although eSIM is becoming a standard, not every model is compatible yet.

Most popular phones with eSIM support

Apple (iPhone):

• iPhone XR, XS and XS Max
• iPhone 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 (all models)
• newer iPhone models support even several eSIM profiles at the same time

Samsung:

• Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, S24
• Galaxy Z Flip and Z Fold
• selected models from the Galaxy Note and A series

Google Pixel:

• Pixel 3 and newer
• Pixel 6, 7, 8 (full eSIM and dual SIM support)

Other brands:

• Huawei (selected models, e.g. P40)
• Oppo (e.g. Find X3 Pro)
• Xiaomi (selected flagships)

What to watch out for?

• not all versions of the same model support eSIM (regional differences),
• phones bought from an operator may have restrictions,
• older models (before 2019) most often do not support eSIM,
• in some countries the eSIM function may be disabled by default.

How to check whether your phone supports eSIM?

You can do this in several ways:

• check your phone settings (e.g. “Add eSIM” or “Add cellular plan”),
• enter the code *#06# and check whether an EID number appears,
• check the model specification on the manufacturer’s website.

Mobile internet or mobile router?

While traveling, you can use the internet not only through a smartphone, but also with a dedicated device, which is a mobile router (MiFi). The choice between these solutions depends mainly on how intensively you use the network and how many devices you need to connect.

A mobile router will work especially well when:

• you travel in a group and several people want to use one internet source,
• you have more devices (e.g. laptop, tablet, smartphone),
• you care about a more stable connection than with a phone hotspot,
• you plan remote work and need reliable access to the network.

An additional advantage of a router is that it does not drain your phone battery and often offers better coverage and performance, especially in places with weaker signal.

Disadvantages of a mobile router:

• additional equipment to carry while traveling,
• need for regular charging,
• higher costs (purchase or rental of the device + data package),
• less convenient configuration than in the case of a phone.

An alternative is a phone hotspot and mobile internet via eSIM, which in many cases is completely sufficient. This solution is more compact and convenient – it does not require additional equipment, and with a properly selected data package (e.g. 10 GB or 20 GB) it allows comfortable use of internet while traveling even on several devices.

What to pay attention to when choosing a data package?

Choosing the right data package is not only a matter of price, but above all of matching the offer to real needs while traveling. A poorly chosen package may mean either overpaying or no internet at the least appropriate moment.

Before choosing a specific offer, pay attention to:

• trip length – the longer the trip, the larger the package will be needed; a weekend city break and a two-week vacation are completely different mobile internet needs,
• how you use the internet – if you only use maps and messengers, a smaller package is enough, but streaming, social media or remote work significantly increase usage,
• access to Wi-Fi – if you have constant access to Wi-Fi in the hotel, you can choose a smaller package; no Wi-Fi means the need to rely entirely on mobile internet abroad,
• country (EU or outside the EU) – in the European Union roaming often works on the “Roam Like At Home” basis, but outside the EU costs can be very high, so it is worth considering internet without roaming through eSIM,
• price per GB – do not look only at the total price, but at the real cost of one gigabyte, which is often lower with larger packages,
• possibility to buy more data – an important safeguard if you exceed the limit; some offers allow you to quickly top up data without changing the plan,
• internet speed – check whether the operator limits speed after exceeding a certain threshold or under the so-called fair usage policy,
• phone compatibility with eSIM – make sure your smartphone supports an eSIM card so that you can use modern and convenient solutions.

Additionally, it is worth checking:

• coverage and network quality in the destination country,
• whether the package covers one country or an entire region (e.g. Europe, Asia),
• whether internet sharing (hotspot) is possible.

These are key factors that will allow you to choose the optimal data package and ensure comfortable internet while traveling, without unpleasant surprises.

Fair Usage Policy (FUP) – what does it mean?

When using eSIM and mobile internet abroad, you may come across the term FUP (Fair Usage Policy), meaning a fair usage policy. These are rules introduced by operators to prevent excessive network load by individual users.

In practice, this means that:

• the operator may limit internet speed after exceeding a certain amount of data usage
• this especially applies to “unlimited internet” offers
• FUP limits may differ depending on the country and partner network

In the context of internet while traveling, it is worth remembering that:

• even if a data package seems unlimited, a hidden threshold may apply (e.g. 20–50 GB)
• after exceeding it, speed may drop to a level that makes comfortable internet use difficult
• FUP occurs more often in roaming than in local offers

👉 Therefore, before choosing an eSIM card, it is worth carefully checking the offer conditions to avoid surprises while using mobile internet abroad.

Is it worth it?

Let’s compare the most important options:

Roaming:

• convenient, because it works automatically after crossing the border,
• in the EU often included in the subscription price,
• very expensive outside the EU (high cost per 1 GB),
• limited data packages or very low fair usage limits,
• risk of uncontrolled costs after exceeding the limit,
• often lower internet speed,
• lack of flexibility (packages imposed by the operator),

Local SIM card:

• cheaper than roaming in many countries,
• access to local, often faster networks,
• need to buy it on-site and register it
• language barrier during purchase and configuration,
• need to remove your main SIM card,
• no access to your own number (e.g. SMS messages, banking),

eSIM:

• quick installation (QR code, even before departure),
• no formalities and visits to sales points,
• no need to remove a physical SIM card,
• access to internet without roaming in many countries,
• possibility to choose packages matched to the length of the trip,
• favorable price-to-quality ratio (often cheaper than roaming),
• possibility to easily switch between offers,
• keeping your main number (e.g. for SMS and calls),

👉 Conclusion: in terms of cost-effectiveness and convenience, an eSIM card most often wins over roaming and local SIM cards, especially for shorter and medium-length trips.

How to choose an internet package for the type of trip?

Different trips = different needs.

• Short trip (2–4 days): 5 GB (minimum), 10 GB (comfort)
• Vacation (7–10 days): 10 GB (standard), 20 GB (comfort)
• Remote work: minimum 20 GB
• Group trip: 20 GB + hotspot

Troubleshooting eSIM – what to do when the internet does not work?

Although eSIM usually works right after activation, in practice problems with access to mobile internet may occur – especially when using internet abroad or roaming. Below you will find a checklist that will help you quickly diagnose and solve the problem.

Most common causes of no internet in eSIM

If mobile internet abroad does not work, check the following one by one:

• ❌ missing or incorrect APN
• ❌ data roaming turned off
• ❌ inactive eSIM card
• ❌ no local network coverage
• ❌ used-up data package
• ❌ operator lock (SIM-lock)
• ❌ conflict with VPN or network settings

Quick checklist – step by step

1. Check whether eSIM is active

• go to phone settings
• make sure the eSIM card is turned on
• set it as the main data source

2. Turn on data roaming

In the case of internet while traveling, this is crucial:

Settings → Cellular Network → Data Roaming → ON

Without this, mobile internet abroad will not work.

3. Verify APN settings

This is one of the most common problems:

• check whether APN is set automatically
• if not – enter the data manually according to the operator
• save the settings and restart the phone

4. Make sure the phone is unlocked

If the phone has a SIM-lock:

• eSIM from another operator may not work
• the problem often applies to devices bought from an operator

👉 Solution: use a phone without an operator lock.

5. Check the data package

Sometimes the problem is simple:

• the data package may have run out
• or it has not yet been activated

6. Select the operator network manually

In some countries:

• automatic network selection works poorly
• manual setting improves connection quality

7. Turn airplane mode off and on

This is a quick way to reset the connection:

• turn on airplane mode for 10–15 seconds
• turn it off and check the internet

8. Restart the device

Classic, but effective:

• helps refresh network settings
• often solves eSIM problems

FAQ – frequently asked questions

Is 5 GB of internet enough for a week?

Only with very economical use. For most people, 10 GB will be a better choice. If you plan to use maps, social media and occasionally watch video, 5 GB may run out after just a few days.

Does eSIM work in every phone?

No, but most new models (iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel) support eSIM. Before purchasing, it is worth checking device compatibility to avoid activation problems.

Is internet without roaming possible?

Yes, thanks to eSIM you can use local networks without classic roaming. This allows you to avoid high fees and often provides better connection quality.

What happens after using up the data package?

The internet may be blocked or slowed down – it is worth choosing an offer with the option to top up. Some operators also offer automatic additional packages, but they may be more expensive.

Can I share internet from eSIM?

Yes, most operators allow hotspot use. Thanks to this, you can connect a laptop or other devices and use one data package. However, it is worth remembering that some data packages may have restrictions on sharing internet, so before purchasing it is worth checking the offer details.

Can eSIM be activated before departure?

Yes, in most cases you can install eSIM earlier and activate it only after arriving in the given country. This is a convenient solution that allows you to have internet access immediately after landing.

Does eSIM work in every country?

Most providers offer packages covering many countries or entire regions, but availability depends on the operator. It is always worth checking the list of supported locations before purchasing.

Does the phone have to be unlocked for eSIM to work?

Yes. For an eSIM card to work properly, the phone must be unlocked (without a SIM-lock on a specific operator). If the device is assigned to one operator, it may not support eSIM from other providers – especially in the case of internet abroad. Before purchasing a data package, it is worth making sure that the smartphone is fully unlocked.

Summary

Choosing the right internet package depends primarily on your style of using the network. 5 GB is a minimal option, 10 GB will work for most travelers, and 20 GB gives full freedom and comfort. It is also worth taking into account the length of the trip and whether you plan to use the internet only occasionally or intensively – for example, for remote work or streaming. A well-chosen data package allows you to avoid the stress connected with quickly exhausting the limit and ensures continuous access to the network in every situation.

If you want to avoid high roaming costs and use the internet without restrictions, an eSIM card is currently one of the best solutions. It provides convenience, flexibility and access to mobile internet abroad without unnecessary formalities. Additionally, it allows you to quickly switch between operator offers in different countries, which is especially useful during longer trips or when visiting several destinations. Thanks to this, you have full control over costs and connection quality, without the need to buy physical SIM cards on-site.

👉 Check the available eSIM packages on XOXO WiFi and choose a solution tailored to your travel style – good internet while traveling is essential today.

Tags

Share

• 
• 

Copy

Previous post Next post

Also check

05.05.2026

Mobile Router When Traveling with Children – Internet Abroad

05.05.2026

How to secure a mobile router while traveling?

30.04.2026

Internet in 100 countries – eSIM and internet without roaming