Best SIM Card Providers for Tourists in Canada

You might need a travel SIM card for Canada to avoid high roaming charges and ensure reliable, affordable mobile data and calls during your trip. It also allows you to stay connected easily for navigation, communication, and accessing travel information without relying on Wi-Fi.

• Avoid Expensive Roaming Charges: Using a travel SIM card in Canada helps you avoid expensive international roaming during your trip.
• Network Coverage: A local Canadian SIM card connects you to regional networks, giving you faster speeds and reliable coverage.
• Secure Connectivity: Using a trusted local SIM ensures safe and reliable access compared to uncertain public free networks.
• Clear Communication: You can make local and international calls with clear quality, helping you stay connected with friends, family, or colleagues during your trip.
• Access to Local Services: The local phone number allows you to use local apps like maps, translation tools, and others at a low rate.

Tourists can buy SIM cards for Canada at major Canadian airports, mobile carrier stores, and convenience stores. You can also buy them online from websites or retailers like Amazon.

• Airports: Most major airports in Canada, like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International, have shops or kiosks selling prepaid SIM cards. It’s also ideal to purchase the SIM at the airport as you can start the local network right after landing.
• Mobile Carrier Stores: You can visit official Canadian carrier stores such as Rogers, Bell, or Telus. These stores offer many prepaid SIM card options. The staff can help you pick a plan and activate the SIM card immediately.
• Online: Many providers let you order SIM cards or eSIMs online before your trip. You can receive the SIM card at home or have the eSIM ready to activate once you land. It’s convenient and saves time. With some virtual phone number providers, you can even get phone numbers without SIM Card online. This makes getting a Canadian number even more convenient and hassle-free.

Telus is one of the best Canadian SIM card providers for tourists. It is known for its extensive nationwide coverage and fast 4G LTE speeds. It provides both physical and eSIM cards with flexible prepaid data plans suitable for visitors and international students.
Beyond its mobile plans, Telus improves your travel experience by offering access to over 20K free WiFi hotspots across Canada. You can connect to these hotspots using the TELUS Wi-Fi Finder app, which provides a map of available locations and directions to the nearest one.

Pricing:

Virgin Plus offers affordable prepaid plans for visitors seeking a travel SIM card in Canada. It operates on Bell Canada's extensive network and offers reliable 4G LTE coverage nationwide. Its prepaid plans let you choose a package that fits your needs without committing to long-term contracts.
Virgin Plus’s prepaid options include the 25 GB data plan, which comes with unlimited nationwide calling and texting. Valid for 30 days, these plans offer flexibility for short-term travelers.

Plus, Virgin Plus also supports eSIM technology.

Pricing:

CanadianSIM specializes in prepaid Canada SIM cards and eSIMs designed for international visitors, students, and newcomers. You can order your SIM online and activate it before arrival, ensuring immediate connectivity once you land. Their service uses major Canadian networks, providing reliable coverage in both cities and rural areas.
For added convenience, they offer flexible delivery options, including home delivery or airport pickup. Once you receive the card, activation is simple via QR code for eSIMs or by inserting the physical SIM. With talk, text, and data included plans, CanadianSIM provides a hassle-free way to stay connected, supported by a responsive customer service team.

Pricing:

Airalo offers flexible Canada SIM cards for tourists with data travel options through digital eSIMs designed specifically for visitors. It's Canada-specific eSIM plans eliminate the need for physical SIM cards, allowing easy activation through the Airalo app and instant access to data services upon arrival.
Since these are data-only plans, they work perfectly with apps like WhatsApp, Google Maps, and other internet-based services. However, remember that your device must support eSIM technology to use their services. Additionally, it offers multi-country regional plans, which are great for travelers visiting multiple destinations.

Pricing:

SimOptions offers a variety of Canada SIM cards for tourists, including prepaid eSIM and physical SIM cards. Its plans offer reliable coverage on major Canadian networks, providing dependable data and calling services. You can order your SIM online and have it shipped to your home or pick it up at the airport.
SimOptions supports fast 4G/LTE and 5G internet speeds. Plus, its mobile app helps you manage your plan, check data usage, and add credit anytime.

Pricing:

• eSIM:

  Data Package	Validity	Price
  1GB	7 days	$4.50
  3 GB	30 days	$10.90
  5 GB	30 days	$16.90
  10 GB	30 days	$31.90
  20 GB	30 days	$57.90
  30 GB	30 days	$81.90

• Physical SIM:
  10GB (14 days): $49.90

Chatr Mobile offers a budget-friendly prepaid SIM card for Canada visitors. SIM cards are compatible with any unlocked GSM or HSPA+ device, such as those designed to be used with Rogers Wireless. Their prepaid plans are designed with simplicity, offering unlimited Canada-wide talk and text and various data packages without any contracts.
Furthermore, its physical SIM cards come in a convenient 3-in-1 format (standard, micro, and nano SIM sizes) that fits any phone.

Pricing:

• eSIM:

  4G Nation-Wide Talk, Text & Data	4G Nation-Wide Talk & Text
  3 GB: $25 per month 60 GB: $34 per month 80 GB: $45 per month 30 GB: $149 per year	Unlimited Canada-Wide Talk: $19 per month 400 Canada-wide Talk & 400 Canada-wide Text: $100 per year

• Chatr Multi-SIM Card: $10

Nomad operates solely through eSIM technology, providing a digital SIM card solution for travelers in Canada who want a hassle-free setup. To use Nomad’s eSIMs, you don’t need to visit a store - everything, from buying to activating, is done right on your phone.
Moreover, Nomad provides flexible data plans for different trip lengths, including regional ones covering Canada and other nearby countries. Plus, its eSIMs also support hotspot functionality, allowing you to share your data connection with other devices.

Pricing:

GigSky is a trusted provider offering eSIM plans tailored for travelers visiting Canada. Its service covers more than 200 countries worldwide, ensuring consistent and reliable connectivity. GigSky provides access to high-speed 4G and 5G networks, and its plans do not include roaming fees, making them a cost-effective choice for international visitors.
GigSky offers various data plans for short trips and extended stays. After purchasing a plan, you can receive a QR code via email to install the eSIM on compatible devices.

Pricing:

Holafly offers a Canada prepaid SIM card for tourists through eSIM plans explicitly designed for travelers visiting Canada. It supports high-speed 4G and 5G coverage on major Canadian networks, giving you reliable connectivity wherever you are. Easy activation, unlimited data, and 24/7 customer support make Holafly a convenient option for tourists needing a Canada prepaid SIM card.
Their data plans range from 1 to 90 days, making it easy to pick one that fits your trip length. While their plans focus only on data and don’t include traditional calls and SMS, you can use them for internet-based apps like WhatsApp to stay in touch.

Pricing:

Ubigi is a global eSIM provider for travelers in Canada, offering data-only plans. It operates exclusively on Rogers Communications' 4G/LTE and 5G network, ensuring reliable high-speed coverage in major cities, highways, and populated regions.
Ubigi also lets you pause and resume any unused data for up to a year, which is great if you are a frequent traveler. It also supports multiple devices, so you can share your data across smartphones, tablets, and hotspots easily.

Pricing:

Before buying a Canada travel SIM card, make sure your phone is unlocked and compatible with Canadian networks, and choose a plan with good coverage and data that fits your needs. Also, consider carrier fees, calling costs, and legal requirements to use the SIM cards in Canada.

• Device Compatibility: Check that your phone supports the SIM type you plan to use—either a physical SIM or an eSIM. Also, ensure your phone is unlocked so it can work with Canadian networks.
• Network Coverage: Look for providers that offer strong coverage on major Canadian networks like Rogers, Bell, or Telus. If you plan to travel outside cities, make sure the provider covers rural or remote areas too.
• Plan Details: Estimate how much data you’ll need daily. Most travelers use 1 to 3 GB for navigation, social media, and streaming. Also, check if the plan includes local calls, text messaging, or the option to make international calls.
• Total Cost: Look beyond the advertised price and check for extra fees like SIM card costs, activation charges, minimum top-up, and taxes.
• Setup and Legal Requirements: Canadian law requires you to show your passport when registering a SIM card. Make sure you only provide valid information during registration to avoid legal consequences.

Choosing the right SIM card provider for your trip to Canada is essential for staying connected while enjoying affordable data, calls, and coverage. Whether you choose major carriers like Rogers, Bell, or Telus, or go with a more flexible prepaid option, it's important to compare plans that best suit your travel needs.

For an even more seamless and cost-effective communication experience, you can consider using Canadian virtual phone numbers. Virtual numbers allow you to stay connected without the hassle of physical SIM cards and offer enhanced flexibility. Platforms like Calilio provide the perfect solution. It offers easy access to Canadian virtual phone numbers with no need to swap out SIM cards, ensuring you stay in touch with ease while you explore Canada. Get a virtual Canadian phone number from Calilio today and stay connected wherever you go.

Yes. Some providers offer a tailored plan in the Canada SIM card for international students. These plans often include flexible data packages and affordable rates. Providers like Telus and CanadianSIM offer options with both data and calling features.

Yes. Many travel SIM cards provide both data and voice call services. You can buy these SIM cards from local retailers as well as online stores.

Prepaid SIM cards in Canada for tourists typically range from $10 to $50 CAD. However, the exact cost depends on the carriers and chosen plan.

Yes. Many Canadian SIM cards support international calling. This may be included in the plan or available as an add-on.