Planning a trip to Canada, flying to Toronto and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card for tourists at Toronto International Airport? Don't get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans this is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card Toronto Airport.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per November 2024, my recommendation, info about eSIMs for Canada and more.
Be prepared: buying a prepaid sim card in Canada feels like stepping back in time. Most 3rd world countries have better prepaid sim cards. Buying a tourist sim card in Canada is awful!
Table of Contents
Traveltomtom also wrote an extensive guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Canada in 2024 and I also listed the best eSIMs for Canada in 2024.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Toronto Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a sim card at Toronto Airport at all. Stupid prices and the worst tourist sim cards ever: 5 GB data for $71 USD!
At Toronto Airport they still sell tourist sim cards with 3G network only! Are you kidding me Canada? South Korea is testing 6G and Canada is still selling sim cards with 3G only in 2024?
eSIMs for Canada are much cheaper and you are online as soon as the plane lands at Toronto Airport. For example a a Jetpac eSIM for Canada with 5 GB data is only $13 USD.
Check out my guide with everything you need to know before ordering a Canada eSIM including eSIMs from SimOptions, GigSky, etc.
If your phone is not eSIM compatible then look at my round up of the best global sim cards for travel in 2024.
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 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.
Being a full time world traveler and nomad since 2012 I constantly get to new countries and staying connected is one of the first things I look for when planning my trip. In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs when traveling abroad.
Because I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world on Traveltomtom: Europe, UK, London, New York, Newark, USA, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, France, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Dubai and many more.
Arriving at Toronto Pearson Airport
Toronto Pearson Airport is very easy to navigate, but a fairly old airport like many airports in Canada. For arriving passengers it is easy to follow the signs to the immigration, then pick up your luggage in the baggage claim hall and then there is only one exit into the arrival hall.
Toronto Pearson Airport is pretty small and pretty chaotic. Low ceilings, noisy. Not a nice airport!
Before my trip to Alberta and first landed at Toronto Airport. I had to collect my luggage before continuing my journey to Edmonton. First thing I did on arrival was checking out the available Canada sim cards for tourists and unfortunately I came to the conclusion that there wasn't that much on offer that would make me happy.
Where to buy a sim card at Toronto Airport
There are 2 places that sell Canada sim cards for tourists: Chatr and the Currency Exchange.
As soon as you walk out of Arrivals you will see a purple booth in front of you: Chatr. They have big signs saying: free sim card. But remember, nothing is free, even the shitty tourist sim card deals at Toronto Pearson Airport not.
On your left hand side you can find the Currency Exchange which also sells sim cards for Canada.
I also inquired at some electronic shops and bookstores, but none of them were selling sim cards for Canada. The helpdesk at Toronto Airport pointed in the direction of Chatr.
Prices Canada sim card at Toronto Airport in 2024
All info and prices are updated as per November 2024. Prices are in Canadian Dollar: $1 CAD = $0.71 USD and $1 USD = $1.4 CAD.
Chatr Toronto Airport
At Chatr they sell a couple different Canada sim card deals:
- $25 CAD: not worth mentioning!
- $35 CAD: 1 GB data + unlimited calling & texting in Canada.
- $40 CAD: 4 GB data + unlimited calling & texting in Canada.
- $50 CAD: 8 GB data + unlimited calling & texting in Canada and US.
BE AWARE: a Chatr sim card only gives you 3G SPEED! Chatr operates on the Roger Canada network.
I was like WHAT? Have you tried to use Instagram at 3G speed? This is 2024 Canada wake up! I have traveled to countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Liberia, Congo, etc. and everywhere they have 4G/LTE prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Sorry but Chatr is a TOTAL NO-GO when looking for a tourist sim card at Toronto Airport! I ain't dealing with 3G anymore and I would not recommend anyone to do so either.
Currency Exchange Toronto Airport
At the currency exchange they sell 4 different prepaid sim cards for Canada. All 4 of them are displayed behind the glass and every package has a different color. All the prepaid sim cards are from Telus Canada.
- 1 GB data - valid for 3 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $45 CAD - $33 USD
- 3 GB data - valid for 5 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $67 CAD - $50 USD
- 4 GB data - valid for 7 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $84 CAD - $62 USD
- 5 GB data - valid for 14 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $96 CAD - $71 USD
Best sim card at Toronto Pearson Airport in 2024
Simply get an eSIM when visiting Canada in 2024, the tourist sim cards at Toronto Pearson Airport are awful! SimOptions has an eSIM for Canada with 20 GB data for 30 days for $34.90 USD, also available as prepaid sim card in case your phone is not eSIM compatible.
For more info check my guide with a comparison of the best Canada eSIMs in 2024.
A Chatr sim card gives you only 3G internet speed so that one is out immediately. Total waste of money!
The only other prepaid sim cards available are the Telus Canada sim cards they sell at the Currency Exchange. All these packages are extremely expensive and value for money is ridiculous.
Who buys a $45 CAD prepaid sim card just for 3 days? Please people… I am writing these sim card guides to help you NOT waste your money on tourist sim cards like these.
Therefore I do NOT RECOMMEND to buy a prepaid sim card for Canada at Toronto Airport.
If you can wait till you reach the city center or a nearby mall in Toronto then you find much better prepaid sim cards for tourists. Check out my article with the best Canada prepaid sim cards for tourist in 2024.
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 it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Traveltomtom wrote also an extensive guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for Canada in 2024.
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 several different kind of eSIMs for Canada, so called international eSIMs. In fact, these are the best eSIM deals for Canada in 2024.
- 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 eSIMs for traveling to Canada.
Though Traveltomtom readers have reported that TikTok is blocked these Three HK eSIMs due to regulations in Hong Kong. You can use a VPN to access TikTok.
Before ordering an eSIM for Canada make sure your your mobile phone is eSIM compatible.
For more detailed info check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with an answer to all FAQ about using eSIMs and a comparison of the best eSIMs for Canada in 2024 of other eSIM brands like Sim Local, GigSky, Jetpac, etc.
Buy 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.
Heading towards to Niagara Falls then check out my complete guide in the link, also an Ottawa travel guide and things to see in Halifax and much more can be found on my Canada page.
Still having questions then please leave me a message below or check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom with as per November 2024 adventures from more than 155 countries around the world. Check out my journey to visit every country in the world.
Enjoy your trip to Toronto!