Planning a trip to Canada and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Don't waste money on high roaming charges or get frustrated by slow overseas data roaming plans. This is a complete guide for finding the best sim card for your trip to Canada.
Find out where to buy a prepaid sim card for Canada, the best eSIMs for Canada, up to date prices as per November 2024, the best 4G/5G network in Canada, my recommendation, information about international sim cards and more.
Heads up! Buying a prepaid sim card in Canada is expensive and the cheapest plan you can find is a $30 CAD ($22 USD) sim card that gives you 5 GB data.
It is much cheaper to order a travel sim card or an eSIM for Canada on the internet before your trip. Have a look at my guide with the best eSIMs for traveling to Canada in 2024 including everything you need to know about eSIMs.
When arriving in Toronto I also looked for buying a sim card at Toronto Airport, but damn those prices were insane and value for money was terrible! What's up with your prepaid sim cards for tourists Canada!?
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Why buying a sim card for Canada
- Where to buy a sim card for Canada
- Mobile internet operators in Canada
- Prices prepaid sim cards in Canada
- Best 4G/5G network in Canada in 2024
- Best prepaid sim card for Canada in 2024
- Best eSIMs for Canada
- Order a prepaid sim card for Canada online
- North America sim cards
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for traveling to Canada are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends a Bell prepaid sim card for Canada. Bell gives tourists the best value for money and they have an ok 4G/LTE mobile data network for staying connected while traveling around Canada. For $50 CAD ($36 USD) you get 50 GB data, that is $1 CAD per Gigabyte.
Buying a prepaid sim card in Canada is pretty expensive and therefore it is wise to look at other ways to stay connected. So what about an eSIM?
There is already an eSIM for just $6 USD or get an eSIM for Canada with 20 GB data for 30 days for $34.90 USD, also available as physical prepaid sim card.
Click on the link to directly order an eSIM or check out my guide with everything you need to know about Canada eSIMs including a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Canada in 2024.
There are also international physical prepaid sim cards and these are also cheaper than buying a sim card for tourists on arrival in Canada.
Traveltomtom also recommends global sim cards if you are visiting multiple countries. Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best world travel sim cards in 2024. There are some pretty good deals for world travel sim cards with coverage in Canada.
Also, most of the Mexico and USA prepaid sim cards are valid in Canada. Check my article about the Best Prepaid USA Sim Cards in 2024 or the best Mexico sim cards in 2024 for those with free roaming in Canada.
Make sure your phone is unlocked otherwise a sim card for Canada won't work in your phone. This also counts for international prepaid sim cards and eSIMs.
Why buying a sim card for Canada
First and foremost we want to avoid high roaming charges. Don't use data roaming or get charged crazy amounts on your phone bill. Also don't fall for the trap of overseas data roaming plans. They reduce the data speed on these plans.
Most hotels, bars, malls and restaurants offer free pubic WiFi in Canada, yet I still recommend you to buy a sim card for Canada.
Having a working data connection can save you a lot of hassle and traveling gets simply more convenient. Canada is a HUGE country and staying connected while on long boring road trips can keeps you entertained, but what about getting directions from Google Maps, finding a nearby restaurant or ordering an Uber to get back to your hotel.
There are many reasons I can come up with to buy a sim card for your trip to Canada.
What about your safety? What you gonna do in emergency situations when you need internet on your phone or think about checking your banking apps.
Keep in mind that surfing the web on free public WiFi is through an unsecured network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
The first thing I do in a new country is either buying a local prepaid sim card or getting an eSIM to stay connected. In total I wrote more than 200 local prepaid sim card guides from all over the world: Asia, Europe, Guatemala, Brazil, Istanbul, Nairobi, Cairo, Cape Town, Lisbon, Oslo, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Vietnam, New York, Bogota, Dominican Republic and many more!
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your next destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money.
Where to buy a sim card for Canada
International Airport on arrival
Buying a prepaid sim card for Canada on arrival at the airport sounds like a great idea. In fact it would be one of the most convenient places to buy a sim card for Canada of course. Unfortunately the reality is that it is almost impossible to find a good prepaid sim card for tourists on an international airport in Canada.
For more info check out my guide for buying a sim card at Toronto Airport, but I can already tell you that it is not going to make you smile. The conclusion is the same as in this article: buy your sim card for traveling in Canada online! At the airports of Quebec, Vancouver, Edmonton, Ottawa it is all the same story.
Phone stores in city center
If you want the best prepaid sim card deals in Canada you will have to drive to a mall and walk into one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators. On top of that you can also get prepaid sim cards for Canada in bigger gas stations and convenience stores like 7Eleven, Dollarama and even in some grocery stores.
However, Traveltomtom does not recommend buying a sim card in these places as there is pretty much no service. Meaning, the staff has zero knowledge of the prepaid sim cards they are selling and you will have to do the activation yourself through the internet. All too complicated and not even cheaper than buying a sim card for Canada online.
TIP: When buying a Canada prepaid sim card bring your passport! You need it to register you prepaid sim card.
Online
As I have mentioned several times above, Traveltomtom actually recommends you to buy a sim card for traveling to Canada on the internet. Whether you want a physical prepaid sim card or an eSIM. Both options are cheaper than buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Canada.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Canada via SimOptions or Airalo, but there is also Nomad, Jetpac,Holafly and other eSIM providers. Physical prepaid sim cards for Canada are only offered by SimOptions. For more info check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Canada in 2024.
Mobile internet operators in Canada
Canada is a damn huge country, but it is not much populated. Surprisingly there are a lot of mobile internet providers in Canada. But are they offering prepaid sim cards for tourists?
These are the 4 main mobile internet providers and they all offer Canada pay as you go sim cards:
- Telus Mobility
- Virgin Mobile
- Rogers
- Bell Canada
On top of that there are a handful local mobile internet providers like Freedom Mobile, Chatr, Videotron Mobile, WIND Mobile, etc. These providers do NOT operate Canada wide, but they have regional sim cards. They could be a good fit if you do a city trip to Canada. But to find the best prepaid sim card for tourists they are left out of this comparison.
Prices prepaid sim cards in Canada
There are still no eSIMs for tourists available in stores in Canada, just physical prepaid sim cards. All prices and info are updated as per November 2024 and at the moment: $1 CAD = $0.72 USD and $1 USD = $1.39 CAD.
Telus Mobility
They offer 3 different Canada prepaid sim card plans for tourists valid for 30 days:
- 1 GB data + unlimited sms + calling = $35 CAD - $26 USD
- 5 GB data + unlimited sms + calling = $45 CAD - $33 USD
- 10 GB data + unlimited sms + calling = $55 CAD - $40 USD
All Telus prepaid sim card packages are valid for 30 days in all of Canada and only on the 4G/LTE network, no 5G access on Telus prepaid sim cards. For more info head over to the Telus Canada website.
Bell Canada
Bell Canada prepaid sim cards are rather expensive:
- 5 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $30 CAD - $22 USD
- 25 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $40 CAD - $29 USD
- 50 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $50 CAD - $36 USD
- 75 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $60 CAD - $44 USD
Bell Canada also updated their prices for prepaid sim cards and plans are much better than before. For $29 USD you get 25 GB data, which is a pretty good sim card for tourists.
Also Bell does NOT allow prepaid sim cards to use the 5G network, max data speed is 4G/LTE. For more info check the Bell Canada website.
Although Bell is considered the best prepaid sim card for Canada in 2024. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Canada via SimOptions or Airalo as it is much cheaper.
For more info about Canada eSIMs check out my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Canada in 2024.
Virgin Mobile Canada
Virgin Mobile operates on the Bell Canada network and they offer pretty much the same prepaid sim card deals. They charge $10 CAD ($7 USD) for activating their prepaid sim card. On top of that they offer the following prepaid sim card deals:
- 1 GB data + unlimited minutes in Canada = $35 CAD - $26 USD
- 25 GB data + unlimited minutes in Canada = $40 CAD - $29 USD
- 40 GB data + unlimited minutes in Canada & USA = $85 CAD - $62 USD
All Virgin Mobile Canada prepaid sim card packages are valid for 30 days, max data speed is 4G/LTE, there is no 5G network access on Virgin Mobile prepaid sim cards. For more info have a look at the prepaid plans on the Virgin Mobile Canada website.
Rogers Canada
Rogers Canada has the following prepaid sim card plans for existing costumers. That means you first have to buy a $15 CAD ($11 USD) prepaid sim card and then you can activate one of the below prepaid sim card plans.
- 2.5 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $40 CAD - $29 USD
- 4.5 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $45 CAD - $33 USD
- 8 GB data + unlimited calling in Canada = $55 CAD - $40 USD
For more info check the Rogers Canada website.
As you can see the Rogers Canada prepaid sim cards are the least interesting for tourists, much more expensive than the update prepaid sim card plans of Telus, Virgin Mobile and Bell.
Best 4G/5G network in Canada in 2024
Now that we have seen the prices for prepaid sim cards and data plans in Canada, let’s have a look at the best mobile network coverage in Canada so that we can determine what is the best sim card for traveling in Canada. Virgin Mobile operates on the Bell Canada network.
Is there 5G in Canada?
Yes, there is 5G in Canada. Bell, Telus and Rogers all have a decent 5G network these days. However, for prepaid sim card users it is still not available in 2024, only for postpaid users.
When buying a prepaid sim card in Canada the max data speed is 4G/LTE. However, a Tuque Mobile eSIM for Canada does support 5G, see more info in the section about the best eSIMs for Canada.
Telus Mobility Canada 4G/5G network coverage
Bell Canada network coverage (also Virgin Mobile network)
Rogers Mobility Canada network coverage
Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2024 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Canada in 2024.
From the above Canada coverage maps updated for 2024 Traveltomtom concludes that there is not so much difference when it comes to the mobile data network coverage between the mobile internet operators in Canada.
Some operators have better network coverage than others in certain areas and then for other regions in Canada it is the other way around.
Especially if you are traveling to West Canada it is recommended to buy a Telus or Rogers prepaid sim card for Canada. Rogers has a great network In East Canada: Toronto, Ottawa, Quebec. But all the way in East Canada in places like Halifax you definitely want a Telus sim card.
Best prepaid sim card for Canada in 2024
Traveltomtom comes to the very simple conclusion that buying a prepaid sim card in Canada is in general more expensive than ordering an international sim card or an eSIM for Canada online.
As of 2024 Bell and Virgin Mobile have updated their prepaid sim card plans incredibly and now offer decent value for money for tourists. The Telus and Rogers prepaid sim cards for tourists are still a joke and Traveltomtom recommends to avoid these prepaid sim cards.
What is very remarkable is that none of the mobile internet operators allow prepaid users to use the 5G network in Canada, max speed on a Canada prepaid sim card is 4G/LTE.
Ok, Telus and Rogers have slightly better 4G/5G mobile data network coverage than Bell, but Bell and Virgin Mobile have the best prepaid sim card deals. For $40 CAD ($29 USD) you get 25 GB data. Bell has another great offer that gives you 50 GB data for $50 CAD for $36 USD.
Virgin Mobile actually operates on the Bell 4G/LTE mobile data network.
All in all it is a simple conclusion that Bell is the best prepaid sim card for Canada in 2024.
But when traveling to Canada Traveltomtom simply recommends eSIMs.
Why? Because eSIMs are cheaper! An eSIM for Canada with 5 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD or what about 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD.
Also Airalo offers eSIMs for Canada that are 5G ready. Another reason to order your sim card for Canada on the internet.
Best eSIMs for Canada
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Canada in 2024 are eSIMs. No more swapping physical sim cards or visiting a phone store.
You order an eSIM for Canada on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Canada eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Canada your eSIM automatically connects to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much whenever the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Canada.
Below you can find my favorite eSIM providers Airalo and SimOptions, but Traveltomtom also wrote an extensive guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for Canada in 2024 including a comparison of other eSIMs like Holafly, Jetpac, Nomad and others.
Here are some recommendations.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider which Traveltomtom has used in more than 50 countries around the world. Check out the following Airalo eSIM plans for Canada for 2024:
- 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 eSIMs for Canada directly via Airalo.
Airalo always has ongoing promotions and lately they had their Canada eSIM plans on sale and offered a 50% discount.
The above data-only eSIMs for Canada are from Tuque Mobile and data is only valid in Canada. Tuque Mobile operates on the Rogers 4G/LTE, Bell 5G and Telus 5G network. So yes, these eSIMs for Canada are 5G ready.
SimOptions
SimOptions has eSIMs for Canada as well as so-called international eSIMs.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $5.40 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $14.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $17.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $26.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $51.90 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Canada via SimOptions.
In my opinion the Three HK eSIMs from SimOptions are the best buy eSIM for traveling to Canada. However, if you want a 5G ready eSIM for Canada then go for an Airalo Canada eSIM plan.
Traveltomtom readers have reported that TikTok is not working in Canada without a VPN. this is due to the fact that these eSIMs from Three are based in Hong Kong and because of regulations in Hong Kong TikTok is blocked.
Find more info check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Canada in 2024 and a comparison of other eSIM brands like GigSky, Jetpac, Sim Local, Holafly, Nomad, etc.
Order a prepaid sim card for Canada online
If your phone is not eSIM compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Canada online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Canada with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Canada, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Canada:
Orange Holiday World = $49.90
- 10 GB data
- Valid in Canada, USA + Mexico + 121 other countries
- Valid for 14 days
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in Canada via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that if your phone is eSIM compatible the easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Canada is an eSIM.
For more detailed info including FAQ about using eSIMs check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for traveling to Canada in 2024.
North America sim cards
As you have read in this article there is FREE ROAMING in all of Mexico, Canada and the USA. Regardless where you buy your sim card. When buying a sim card in the USA you get free roaming in Canada and Mexico. Buying a sim card in Mexico you get free roaming in Canada and the USA. There are basically no borders for these 3 countries when it comes data roaming.
Therefore you might want to buy a USA sim card for your trip to Canada, or even a Mexican sim card. But, there are a lot of limitations when it comes to the data speed. Always read the Fair Use Policy very carefully. Because on Mexico prepaid sim cards there is often a FUP of 10 GB data in USA and Canada. Which means after you used 10 GB data the data speed is reduced to 256 Kbps, which is data speed like an E signal, barely enough for sending an email.
I hope all the above information for buying a Canada sim card was helpful for your upcoming trip. In case you are heading to Halifax, Montreal, Jasper, Edmonton, Niagara Falls click on the link for my travel guides. Or see all my Canada travel blogs in this link.
In case you still have questions please send me a message on my Instagram account: @traveltomtom or leave me a comment below. Visiting my Instagram account might fuel you with wanderlust though as I am trying to visit every country in the world and have visited more than 155 countries as of November 2024.
Enjoy your trip to Canada!