Best Tourist Sim Cards in Canada in 2024
Choosing a sim card is hard. We've analysed the best tourist sim cards in Canada across pricing, coverage and data. Find out the best pick!
If you’re planning a trip to Canada, having a sim card with internet access is essential for seamless navigation in new cities. With internet connectivity, you can effortlessly find the finest restaurants, locate your accommodation, hail a taxi, and even share memorable photos with your loved ones while on the move.
While roaming is a viable option, the costs can quickly escalate when traveling internationally, so we highly recommend acquiring either an eSIM or a local sim card to take advantage of the local phone rates.
The good news is that obtaining an eSIM or local sim card in Canada is incredibly straightforward. To assist you in making the best choice, this comprehensive guide offers insights into purchasing sim cards in Canada, encompassing up-to-date pricing information and identifying the optimum sim card option for your needs.
Canada is one of the unique countries where purchasing a physical prepaid sim card in Canada is a lot more expensive then purchasing an eSim. For this reason, I strongly recommend purchasing an Airalo eSim here before you arrive in Canada.
The Airalo eSim in Canada offers various price and data points to enable you to purchase just the amount of data you require, however, for most travellers we recommend the 5GB plan for $24 CAD.
If your mobile phone is not eSim compatible (most phones can use eSims by the way, including all iPhones since 2018) then you will have no choice but to purchase a sim card in person. In this case, Telus, Rogers and Bell are all suitable options with identical plans. Unfortunately, 4.5GB data will cost you $45 CAD which is significantly more than the Airalo eSim, plus you will lose precious travel time visiting a store.
A Tourist Sim Card in Canada costs around $45 CAD in November 2024, however, the exact price will often depend on the store you visit and the plan you choose.
Alternatively, an eSim in Canada will cost between $6 USD and $35 USD. This, again, depends on how much data you require and which eSim provider you choose.
I generally recommend this Airalo plan for most tourists visiting Canada which includes 5GB of data which is valid for 30 days and costs $18 USD.
The main three sim card providers in Canada are Telus, Rogers and Bell Canada. All three have comparable networks, plans and pricing, however, are not particularly suitable options for tourists.
Canadian sim cards amongst the most expensive in the world which makes looking for alternatives a good option. Consider an Airalo or Holafly eSim instead, or even consider roaming with your provider back home.
Telus is one of the largest telecommunications companies in Canada and offers a reliable mobile network across the country.
Prices are essentially fixed meaning that Telus have similar pricing and tourist packages to Bell and Rogers. As they are all basically the same, finding a Telus store to purchase a physical sim card is suitable, albeit pricey, alternative to purchasing an eSim.
The price of a Telus tourist sim card in Canada is $45 CAD.
The plan offered by Telus stores includes 4.5GB 4G data + unlimited calls & texts valid for 30 days.
As with Telus and Rogers, Bell Canada is one of the largest mobile network operators in Canada and offers large data plans for exorbitant prices. Expect to pay close to $50 CAD for a sim card when you walk in off the street.
I have read some sources online who have suggested that Bell Canada has slightly worse network coverage in rural areas than the other two, but I suspect in real-world usage you’ll struggle to experience the difference.
Again, going with Bell Canada or it’s subsidiaries Virgin and Lucky, will absolutely work for any tourists visiting Canada – you’ll just likely be paying more than you would with either roaming or an eSim.
The price of a Bell Canada tourist sim card in Canada is $45 CAD.
The plan offered by Bell Canada stores offers 4.5GB 4G data + unlimited calls & texts valid for 30 days.
Rogers is the largest telecommunications company in Canada. Their sim cards are available to tourists from countless stores all around the country.
Coverage and data speeds are fantastic and data limits are generous across all plans, however, pricing is way too high.
The price of a Rogers Canada tourist sim card in Canada is $45 CAD.
The plan offered by Rogers Canada stores includes 4.5GB 4G data + unlimited calls & texts valid for 30 days.
Identify the mobile providers in Canada: Telus, Bell Canada and Rogers Canada are your best options in Canada.
Find your nearest store: Locate a store or retailer by searching on Google Maps for your nearest store or asking at your hotel reception. I’ve never had issues finding a store as they can be found all over any major cities, shopping centers, or tourist areas. You can’t buy sim cards in airports in Canada. If you’re on a budget it is usually cheaper to use the airport wifi instead and purchase your sim card in a store near your hotel.
Bring the necessary documents: It is mandatory in Canada to bring your passport into the store so that the staff can register it with your sim card. Without this, Telus, Bell Canada or Rogers Canada staff will be unable to sell you a sim card.
Choose your plan: Either request the plan you are after or consult with the staff in the store to select the right plan for you. My recommendations at the beginning of this guide are likely to be your best option, for example the prepaid plan by Telus that includes 4.5GB 4G data + unlimited calls & texts for $45 CAD.
Pay and activate your card: You can expect to pay around $45 CAD to purchase your sim card. The staff in-store will help you install the sim card and activate it for you.
Test: It’s always a good idea to check that you can access the internet before you leave the store. I always try searching for something on Google then refresh my Instagram feed to check it’s working fine before leaving. If it’s not, the staff will be able to help you adjust your settings.
Buying a prepaid sim card for Canada at the airport is usually considered the most convenient option for travellers arriving by plane.
However, airport stores selling sim cards are almost guaranteed to charge inflated prices, so if you are a cost-conscious traveller then you should definitely buy your sim card from a store in the city center.
In addition to this, we would argue that buying physical sim cards at all aren’t particularly convenient now that most people use esim compatible phones. If you are looking for the most convenient option, then buying an esim before you arrive or with the airport wifi is much easier and will save you having to queue up or communicate with staff.
If you must purchase a sim card at the airport in Canada then you will be in luck. All major international airports in Canada have stores selling sim cards. Despite the prices being higher than normal, the staff are knowledgable and will be able to get you set up with the correct sim card relatively quickly.
If you want to avoid the inflated sim card prices you’ll find at the airport and your phone isn’t esim compatible, then you’re going to need to head in to a store to buy your sim card.
I recommend visiting one of the official retail stores of the mobile internet operators such as Telus, Bell Canada and Rogers Canada. Your best option is to enter their names into Google Maps and find the branch closest to your hotel or accommodation. Typically the staff in the official stores in Canada are knowledgable and helpful which means you can ensure you’ll walk away with a functioning sim card.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to check your internet is working before you leave the store by loading a Google search results page and your preferred social media app. You should also ensure you always bring your passport with you when purchasing a sim card in case they need to register it.
If you like to be prepared and would prefer to arrive in Canada with your sim card all sorted and your phone ready to connect to the internet immediately then you should look into purchasing a sim card online.
The first option is to buy your sim card in advance via SimOptions, which is a company that will prepare and ship a sim card directly to your door. It’s a reliable and effective service, but with the invention of eSims it’s becoming obsolete.
The better option is to purchase an eSim online. We’ve written more on that below!
An eSim is a digital version of a traditional sim card and is most likely the future of connectivity for mobile devices. The convenience of no longer visiting a store, handing over your passport and purchasing a physical sim card is quickly making physical sim cards obsolete in favour of eSims.
We recommend Airalo’s eSim when travelling to Canada. The Airalo Canada eSim offers fast internet speeds, wide coverage and extremely competitive prices making it a far more compelling option than purchasing a physical sim card from any of the local sim card providers.
In order to get set up with an Airalo eSim, all you need to do is visit Airalo here and purchase the eSim online (the $18 USD plan is suitable for most travellers). Once you’ve purchased the sim card Airalo will email you instructions and a QR code. Following these instructions should take just a couple of minutes, then you’ll have a sim card in Canada without having to venture outside.
Our preferred eSim provider in Canada is Airalo. We used them, alongside a local sim card on another device, for our most recent trip to Canada and found the service to be equal to the local sim card but without the hassle of acquiring a sim card in a store.
Airalo’s Canada eSim uses the Rogers, Bell & Telus network to provide data and connect users to the internet. You can expect very good coverage and reliability with the Rogers, Bell & Telus networknetwork as they are amongst the best mobile internet operators in Canada.
Here are the plans and prices for Airalo’s Canada eSim:
1GB data valid for 7 days – Price: $6 USD
2GB data valid for 15 days – Price: $11 USD
3GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $15 USD
5GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $18 USD
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $35 USD
For most travellers we recommend the 5GB data plan for $18 USD which is valid for 30 days. Some travellers may prefer a larger plan, whilst travellers visiting for just a couple of days may be fine with a smaller plan.
An alternative eSim provider we can recommend is Holafly.
Holafly’s eSim is a suitable option for travellers who require large amounts of data, such as digital nomads and people who work online while they travel. All of Holafly’s Canada eSims offer unlimited data.
Holafly’s Canada eSim uses the Rogersnetwork to provide data and connect users to the internet. This network will provide reliable speeds and coverage while in Canada
Here are the plans and prices for Holafly’s Canada eSim:
10GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $34 USD
20GB data valid for 30 days – Price: $44 USD
An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card integrated into a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike physical SIM cards, eSIMs do not need to be physically inserted or removed from the device.
Instead, eSIMs are integrated directly into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated and programmed by a mobile network operator. This allows users to easily switch between different mobile networks or plans without the hassle of physically swapping SIM cards.
eSIM technology offers convenience, flexibility, and ease of use, particularly for frequent travelers or individuals who often switch between mobile networks or travel internationally. It eliminates the need to purchase and insert physical SIM cards, making it more convenient to manage multiple mobile connections on one device.
To activate an eSIM, users can either scan a QR code provided by their mobile network operator or manually enter the activation details. Once activated, the device can connect to the chosen mobile network and access voice, data, and messaging services, just like with a traditional SIM card.
eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular and is supported by a growing number of smartphones and other devices. Here are some examples of eSIM-compatible phones:
Apple iPhone series (iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, etc.): Apple was one of the early adopters of eSIM technology and offers support for eSIM on various iPhone models.
Google Pixel series (Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 5, etc.): Google’s Pixel smartphones also support eSIM functionality, allowing users to activate and use eSIMs.
Samsung Galaxy series (Galaxy S22, Galaxy Note 20, etc.): Many of Samsung’s flagship devices now come with eSIM support, enabling users to utilize eSIM technology.
OnePlus devices (OnePlus 7, OnePlus 8, etc.): OnePlus has included eSIM support in some of its smartphone models, offering users the flexibility of using eSIMs.
Motorola Razr (2020): The latest iteration of the iconic Motorola Razr features eSIM compatibility, enabling users to use eSIMs for cellular connectivity.
These are just a few examples, and the list of eSIM-compatible phones continues to expand as more manufacturers embrace this technology. There’s a very strong chance your phone supports eSims so if you’re unsure we recommend looking it up on our list of eSim supported phones.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. I've travelled all around the world, using and testing countless travel sim cards along the way. I'm the founder of and writer for Travel Sim Expert where I write guides to help travellers stay connected all around the world.
Hi, I’m Mitchell. I’m a full-time traveller, explorer and travel blogger. Travel Sim Expert is a blog dedicated to helping you find the best sim card for you, no matter where you are or what your budget is.
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