Are you planning your trip to Canada and looking for an eSIM to stay connected? Don't waste money on high roaming charges when traveling to Canada. This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for traveling to Canada in 2025.
In this guide you can find a comparison of the best eSIMs for Canada with up to date prices as per April 2025, all the eSIM specifications, my recommendation, where and when to order an eSIM, FAQ about eSIMs and more.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Comparison of the best eSIMs for Canada
- What is the cheapest eSIM for Canada?
- Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Canada
- Where to buy an eSIM for Canada?
- How to activate an eSIM
- When to order an eSIM for Canada?
- Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Canada
- Make sure your phone is unlocked
- Which smartphones support eSIMs?
- Can I trust these eSIM providers?
- Can I keep my phone number from home with a Canada eSIM?
- Can I make phone calls with a Canada eSIM?
- Does a Canada eSIM come with a phone number?
- Can I use 5G on a Canada eSIM?
- Are there eSIMs for Canada with unlimited data?
- Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Canada?
- eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Since 2012 Traveltomtom is traveling around the world as a full time nomadic travel blogger and visiting a new country pretty much every other week. Therefore I am constantly figuring out how to stay connected. Looking for the best prepaid or eSIM became part of life.
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs for staying connected when traveling abroad.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Canada in 2025.
Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for Canada are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Before giving you my Canada eSIM recommendation read the following carefully:
Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible. If not, an eSIM won't work on your phone!
Traveltomtom rates the following two eSIMs as the best eSIMs for traveling to Canada in 2025.
1. Airhub Canada eSIM - $28 USD
- 17 GB data
- Unlimited calling
- Valid for 30 days
- Valid in Canada
- 5G ready
- Operates on the Telus network
- 1,000 minutes international calls
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Canada via Airhub.
Truly the best eSIMs for Canada can be found via Airhub and they have much more eSIM deals.
2. Three HK eSIM for Canada - $34.90 USD
Via SimOptions you can order an international eSIM from Three Hong Kong with 20 GB data for 30 days for $34.90 USD valid in Canada, USA, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
- 20 GB data
- Valid for 30 days
- 4G/LTE
- $1.75 USD per Gigabyte
Click here to order this Three HK eSIM via SimOptions.
This eSIM comes with a phone number from Hong Kong (+852). Outgoing calls/sms are not supported, but incoming sms are supported.
Comparison of the best eSIMs for Canada
On arrival in Canada tourists can only get physical prepaid sim cards. None of the mobile internet providers in Canada (Rogers, Bell, Virgin Mobile and Telus) provide eSIMs for tourists.
Luckily there are multiple website on the internet that sell eSIMs for Canada. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in Canada from one of the well-known eSIM providers like Holafly, Nomad, Jetpac, Airalo, SimOptions, etc. that have proven to be reliable operators.
The competition is fierce.... so before you buy an eSIM first read all my tips below.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a new eSIM provider and they are trying to gain ground by not only offering eSIM solutions at competitive prices, but also add a couple benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac. Traveltomtom has tried it out and some benefits can come in pretty handy. More info about it later.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested Jetpac, read more in our guide with all pros and cons about Jetpac eSIMs.
One of the main reasons why Jetpac is listed as one of the best eSIMs for Canada is their competitive prices.
Let's check out the eSIM plans Jetpac has for Canada in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $25 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $55 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $63 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Canada.
Traveltomtom readers now get an extra 10% off on all Jetpac eSIMs when using the discount code: TOMTOM10 at check out!
First thing we notice is that the Jetpac eSIMs are not only valid in Canada but also in the USA. This makes Jetpac one of the best eSIMs for traveling to North America.
Most of the Jetpac eSIM plans for Canada are valued at around $2 USD per Gigabyte. The 40 GB pack has the best value with only $1.58 USD per Gigabyte.
The Jetpac eSIMs are 5G ready and operate on the Telus and Bell mobile data network. The Jetpac Canada eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to Canada, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in Canada. That moment your 30 days validity also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
An extra advantage of Jetpac Canada eSIMs is that they provide a free VPN subscription as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.
Airhub
Ordering an eSIM for Canada via Airhub is my first recommendation as they have the best eSIM deals. They also have by far the most offers and you can find via Airhub more than 30 different eSIMs for Canada.
Traveltomtom recently started using Airhub eSIMs and also let the Traveltomtom Team test them out extensively. Read all about it in our Honest Airhub Review. We called it a market place for eSIMs.
There are too many available eSIMs to list them all, so here are the most popular Canada eSIMs for 2025 from Airhub:
- 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 7 days = $15.5 USD
- 16 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 14 days = $24 USD
- 17 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $28 USD
- 45 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $37 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Canada via Airhub.
When you click on the eSIM you get much more detailed info. The Airhub eSIMs for Canada are 5G ready and they operate on the Telus network.
Another great thing about several of the Airhub eSIMs for Canada is that they come with 1,000 minutes free international calls.
A disadvantage of Airhub eSIMs is that they are instantly activated from the day of purchase. You can put in a travel date in the future, but you can't activate it whenever you want, you have to decide on the activation date at the time of purchase.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using SimOptions for ordering your Canada eSIM.
Interested to read more than check out our extensive SimOptions review with all pros and cons.
SimOptions has several eSIM plans are only valid in Canada:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.50 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $7.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $11.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $22.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $59.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an eSIM for Canada via SimOptions.
SimOptions does not specify which mobile network operator in Canada they use, but at least they are 5G ready!
These eSIMs for Canada do NOT come with a phone number and do not support incoming/outgoing calls or sms. The validity of these eSIMs are 1 year and the credit validity starts on arrival in Canada when it connects to a supported network.
SimOptions also has international eSIMs for Canada that are valid in: USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international eSIM for Canada via SimOptions.
These are international eSIMs from Three Hong Kong and in Canada they operate on the Rogers 4G/LTE network. The Three HK eSIMs come with a phone number from Hong Kong starting with +852.
They do not support outgoing calls/sms but they can receive free sms on the Hong Kong number.
Traveltomtom readers have recently reported that on these Three HK eSIMs they had problems to login on TikTok. This is a Hong Kong based eSIM and TikTok is blocked in Hong Kong. You need a VPN to access TikTok.
These international eSIMs for Canada are valid for 1 year, but the credit validity starts directly after installation even when you are not in Canada yet. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Airalo
Airalo is another very reliable eSIM provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your eSIM for Canada through Airalo is done fast and easy. Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM deals.
Why using Airalo eSIMs for traveling to Canada? Airalo is the oldest eSIM provider on the internet with excellent service. Plus the Airalo eSIMs for Canada are 5G ready.
Here are Canada eSIM plans for 2025 from Airalo:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $11 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $49 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Canada from Airalo.
Traveltomtom readers now get $3 USD off their first Airalo eSIM when using the coupon code: TOMTOM3 at check out.
Definitely check out the Airalo Canada eSIMs as they often have ongoing promotions and lately they offered 50% off their Canada eSIM plans.
The Airalo eSIMs for Canada operate on the 4G/LTE network of Rogers and the 5G networks of Bell and Telus in Canada. Which means that the Airalo eSIMs for Canada are 5G ready.
The Tuque Mobile are data-only eSIM without a phone number, so any call/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Nomad
Traveltomtom has used Nomad eSIMs in more than 10 countries. Nomad has often amazing eSIM plans with very competitive prices when comparing them with Airalo and SimOptions.
Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for Canada in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Canada from Nomad.
Traveltomtom has had some mixed experiences with using Nomad eSIMs. Traveltomtom's feedback would be that Nomad has to work on their reliability before it can be named as one of the best eSIMs for traveling to Canada.
The Nomad eSIMs for Canada operate the Rogers networks and are 5G ready. None of the Nomad eSIMs come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported.
Nomad also has daily plans for Canada but they are not worth it. For example a daily plans with 1 GB per day for 10 days is $35 USD, while 10 GB data for 30 days is just $19 USD. Therefore these Nomad daily plans are completely useless!
The Nomad Canada eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 30 and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Canada. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Holafly
Holafly offers eSIMs for Canada with unlimited data. Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data, but more about that later. Here are the Holafly eSIM plans for traveling to the Canada:
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $8 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $15 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $26 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $33 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $38 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $39 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $42 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $49 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $62 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $94 USD
Looking at the prices it is an easy conclusion that Holafly eSIMs for traveling in Canada are more expensive than Jetpac, Nomad, Airalo or SimOptions eSIMs.
The Holafly eSIMs for Canada are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Rogers in Canada. The Holafly eSIMs for Canada are 5G ready.
However, Traveltomtom was not 100% happy with the performance of a Holafly eSIM in Canada. The weak phone signal and disappointing data speed put me off. Especially inside buildings, Instagram and Tiktok was not working smooth and often buffering, especially Instagram reels.
You can use a hotspot on the Holafly USA eSIMs, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data and therefore Holafly is not my first recommendation when looking for an eSIM for Canada.
Why did Traveltomtom already used more than 100s of eSIMs? I told you before that I travel full time and I am on the road constantly which means I use about 40 to 50 different sim cards per year. No better sim card specialist than Traveltomtom.
Nowadays, you can buy an eSIM for pretty much every country in the world. Order directly from one of the above eSIM providers and instantly receive your eSIM in your email.
What is the cheapest eSIM for Canada?
In fact the cheapest way to get connected when traveling to Canada is a Jetpac eSIM as they have a plan for just $1 USD. It is only valid for 4 days though.
Another cheap eSIM for Canada is an Airalo eSIM plan with 1 GB data for 7 days for just $6 USD. It is only valid in Canada and it does not support calling and texting. Nomad and SimOptions now also have a $6 USD Canada eSIM plan.
Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Canada
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Canada in 2025 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Canada without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants, bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply stay in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Canada with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Canada, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Canada so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge up to $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 25 MB * $3 USD = $50 USD! Not kidding… this is still very common in 2025.
eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
International data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. There are already Canada eSIMs that operate on the 5G network of Canada.
Uncountable times travel friends asked me: "can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!" Trust me, get yourself an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Canada.
On Traveltomtom you can find eSIM guides for: USA, Turkey, Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Greece, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Thailand, Vietnam, Asia, Australia, Europe, international eSIMs and many more countries.
In 2022 I visited 62 countries and in 2023 I traveled to 34 countries so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIMs I used over the last 2 years.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination.
Where to buy an eSIM for Canada?
On arrival in Canada
When you arrive in Canada and you want to buy an eSIM for tourists then you are unlucky. Even in the official retail stores of Rogers, Bell, Virgin Mobile and Telus they still do not offer eSIMs for tourists. They only provide physical prepaid sim cards.
Use Google Maps to locate the nearest phone store near your hotel.
For the best prepaid sim cards for tourists in Canada in 2025 click on the link to read my complete guide and comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Canada, including a comparison of the 4G/5G mobile data network.
Online
You can only buy an eSIM for Canada on the internet through an eSIM provider. There are multiple eSIM providers for Canada. Traveltomtom compared many providers like Holafly, Jetpac, Nomad, SimOptions and Airalo and concluded that the above mentioned eSIM providers are the most reliable for traveling to Canada.
How to activate an eSIM
Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email.
When you order an eSIM plan for Canada you instantly receive a summery of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Canada eSIM.
But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR contains all the information about your Canada eSIM.
Once you scan the code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed. Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
When to order an eSIM for Canada?
You can order an eSIM for Canada pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to Canada. Or if you want to maximise your validity then activate your Canada eSIM on arrival after you connect to the free WiFi of the airport on arrival in Canada. All international airports in Canada have free public WiFi.
Looking to buy a sim card on arrival in Canada then check out my guide for buying a sim card at Toronto Airport.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Canada
Here are some general tips for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Canada eSIMs, but are important things to know before buying an eSIM in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Canada. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a pocket WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Canada or bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Canada and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIMs?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest mobile phones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones support eSIMs.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to Canada.
However, you can still order a sim card for Canada on the internet before your trip. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying a sim card in Canada in 2025 or find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2025.
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for Canada recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Canada.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards now for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
Check out the pros and cons of SimOptions in our article: Honest Review of SimOptions.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom only received positive feedback and excellent reviews about the eSIMs and services of Jetpac.
Sim Local has more than 100 sim card shops and kiosks in international airports around the world and has been selling sim cards for tourists for more than 5 years. Read Traveltomtom's honest review about Sim Local eSIM provider.
On top of that there is now also Roamless, an eSIM provider with no data expiration. Truly a game changer!
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
Traveltomtom does NOT sell Canada eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to Canada.
All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a Canada eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to Canada. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.
So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Canada eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings.
Can I make phone calls with a Canada eSIM?
Unfortunately none of the by Traveltomtom recommended Canada eSIMs support outgoing calls and sms.
If making phone calls is important for you then you will have to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in a phone store in Canada or at the airport on arrival.
These sim cards are much more expensive but these local prepaid sim cards for tourists often including unlimited calling and texting within Canada. More hassle and more expensive. Check out my guide for buying a prepaid tourist sim card for Canada in 2025.
Does a Canada eSIM come with a phone number?
This depends on the type of eSIM that you buy. There are eSIMs that come with a phone number and they support incoming calls and sms.
All the eSIMs from Jetpac, Holafly, Nomad and Airalo are data-only and do NOT come with a phone number.
However, some of the eSIMs for Canada from SimOptions come with a phone number from either Hong Kong (+852) or Thailand (+66) and therefore these eSIMs can receive incoming phone calls and sms.
In the above Canada eSIM comparison you can find all the specifications per eSIM.
Can I use 5G on a Canada eSIM?
Yes, you can use 5G on most Canada eSIMs. Pretty much all recommended eSIMs in this guide are now 5G ready.
Are there eSIMs for Canada with unlimited data?
Yes, the Holafly eSIMs for Canada include unlimited data. However, Traveltomtom is not a big fan of unlimited data sim cards.
Always ask yourself is unlimited truly unlimited. Is there a catch? If the unlimited data is not on max data speed, then there is a so called FUP. Which means that your data speed will be capped after you used an X amount of Gigabytes.
Holafly is an eSIM provider that sells eSIMs with unlimited data for Canada and uses a so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP). Holafly does NOT specify what the FUP is. Which is very dissatisfying.
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend Canada eSIMs with unlimited data plans with an FUP. On Holafly sim cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. After I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media was not even loading!
Especially on days that you have a long bus or train ride and you need a lot of data, you definitely don't want any data speed restrictions that day.
Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIMs for Canada with unlimited data. But if you think you will never use more than 2 GB per day, then Holafly might be your favorite eSIM.
However, if you don't use so much data per day then what's the point of an eSIM with unlimited data... is what you have to ask yourself.
There are a lot of different specifications per eSIM. Another reason why I advice you to take a close at my comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Canada in 2025 before choosing your favorite.
Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Canada?
eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Canada, but are eSIMs also the best way to stay connected when traveling to Canada?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Canada:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIMs
Let's compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards for you to make understand what is your preferred way to stay connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
If you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are in general a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip. Local prepaid sim cards often offer bigger data plans than eSIMs.
However, this is not the case in Canada. Prepaid sim cards with data are very expensive. Honestly, not worth it, but if you really want then you can buy a local prepaid sim cards on arrival in a store in Canada.
More info about the best Canada sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a sim card for Canada in 2025. However, the simple conclusion of my research is that eSIMs for Canada are the best buy and they give you much more value for money than local prepaid sim cards.
On Traveltomtom you can also find a guide for buying a sim card at Toronto Airport. They only sell physical prepaid sim cards at Toronto Airport, no eSIMs for tourists.
The advantage of local prepaid sim cards is that you buy them directly from the mobile internet provider. You get unlimited local calls & sms included and the fastest data speed. However, local prepaid sim cards for tourists in Canada are still NOT 5G ready and are expensive if you use a lot of data. All the mobile operators only allow prepaid sim card users to use the 4G/LTE network.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling abroad. Some of these international prepaid travel sim cards are great for using in Canada and you can easily order them online.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your home address before your trip. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
SimOptions also offers international prepaid sim cards for Canada. Click here to order an international prepaid sim card for Canada directly online.
The advantage of an international prepaid sim card is that it often includes calling and texting. eSIMs are mostly data-only sim cards and do not support outgoing calls and sms.
eSIMs
There are two different eSIMs:
- eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party eSIM provider
- eSIMs that you buy in Canada in a mobile internet provider store
The big difference is that eSIMs provided by the local internet operators in Canada: Bell, Telus, Rogers and Virgin Mobile can only be purchased in one of their official phone stores on arrival in Canada.
However, as of April 2025 they are still NOT available for tourists. The mobile phone stores in Canada only offer physical prepaid sim cards for tourists, NO eSIMs!
Also, it is totally not recommended as prepaid sim cards in Canada are very disappointing. When reading through my article about buying a sim card for tourists in Canada in 2025 you will see that it looks like Canada is a 3rd world country when it comes to tourists sim cards.
Trust me, buy your eSIM for Canada on the internet and go with my recommendation of a SimOptions or an Airalo eSIM or may be try out Jetpac.
eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Ordering an eSIM online is the easiest and cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Canada, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple click. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Canada. You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival. As soon as the plane lands, you are online.
But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists? When we compare Canada eSIM prices with local prepaid sim cards for Canada Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that in fact eSIMs for Canada are much cheaper. They already start from just $1 USD for 1 GB data and 20 GB data costs just $34.90 USD.
The best local prepaid sim card you can buy in Canada is from Telus and 25 GB + unlimited calls/sms in Canada = $40 USD. That is $16 USD more expensive than an eSIM.
On top of that after a long flight you just want to go to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a sim card store and get connected.
Therefore a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM for Canada. Faster, easier, cheaper and less stress!
Data Speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are often through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO's operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs is less compared to a local prepaid sim card you buy directly from a mobile internet operator.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid sim card.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Canada were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison, tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your eSIM right away.
If you still have any questions about eSIMs for Canada then please leave me a comment below or reach out to me on social media and I am more than happy to help you out.
Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 680K Instagram account or 1.4 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world with the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.
Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of April 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush. Personally, traveling is not supposed to be a race or a competition for me. Enjoy life should be the spirit!
Enjoy your trip to Canada!