SIM card for Canada: Where to buy one and alternative mobile data options

Why get a tourist SIM card for Canada? (Or rather, why you shouldn’t)

If you’re wondering how you’re going to stay online when you visit Canada, a prepaid SIM card will give you internet access pretty much anywhere (maybe not at the very top of the Rockies, but close enough). But the truth is, while a prepaid Canada SIM card might be a great mobile data solution if your carrier charges high roaming rates, tourists coming from the US might not be subjected to these detrimental rates — especially US visitors with a mobile plan that includes data coverage in Canada and Mexico. 

In that case, who would actually benefit from a local prepaid or pay-as-you-go Canada SIM card? Here are a couple of reasons to opt for a SIM over switching on your roaming or relying on public Wi-Fi:  

• Roaming charges from US carriers can be more expensive than a prepaid plan, but not always. Let’s start off by saying that most major US carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon) offer data packages that include coverage in Canada and Mexico. If you have one of these plans, you won’t incur any roaming charges while traveling in Canada. That said, we’d suggest confirming what’s included in your mobile plan before assuming you’re scot-free. If Canadian coverage isn’t included in your plan, however, the pay-per-use roaming rates can cost more than a prepaid SIM plan (especially if you’re traveling for a longer period of time). 

• If you don’t purchase a data pass beforehand, UK carriers charge high roaming rates in Canada. Network carriers like Three, EE, and O2 all offer data passes that you can purchase before heading across the pond that allow you to use your UK SIM with relatively low roaming fees. For example, Three offers the “Go Roam Around the World” pass, which charges customers £5 per day over 3, 7, or 14 days of roaming in Canada. Without this pass, however, customers would be charged £100 per GB of data. In the latter case, you’d be better off getting a local Canadian SIM.

• Having internet access on the go is more convenient than relying on free Wi-Fi. Searching for free Wi-Fi in Canada is like braving a traffic jam in Toronto — frustrating and time-consuming. With a mobile data plan, you won’t be stuck waiting around coffee shops or lobbying hotel staff for the Wi-Fi password. You can check maps while hiking in Banff, share photos from the CN Tower instantly, or order an Uber on the fly.

• Relying on public Wi-Fi networks makes you more susceptible to cyberattacks. Yes, people really do sit in cafes and create hotspots with names like “Free_TimHortons_WiFi” to trick you into connecting so they can spy on sensitive data. 

• Some prepaid plans include calls and SMS at lower rates than your home carrier. Depending on the plan and provider, you might get local calls and SMS texts bundled into your prepaid Canada SIM card, with international calls often available at additional rates. If calling and texting with a local phone number is important to you, then getting a local SIM card is worth it. Just remember that even if you opt for a data-only plan, you can use apps like WhatsApp, Signal, or Viber to stay in touch with folks back home. 

But here’s the thing — Canada has some of the highest phone bills in the world, and local prepaid SIM plans aren’t exactly a bargain. Most major carriers charge you for both the physical SIM and the data plan. For example, Telus tacks on CA$15 (US$10.79) just for the SIM card itself. Ten dollars for a piece of plastic!

Because of these abnormally high prices, we don’t recommend going the tourist SIM route. You’ll save yourself money (and some hassle) by choosing an eSIM plan for Canada instead.

However, we’ll still lay out your Canada SIM card options so you can decide on the best way to stay connected. 

Best SIM card providers in Canada

Canada's telecom landscape is dominated by the “Big Three” — Rogers, Bell Canada, and Telus. Even the more wallet-friendly options like Chatr, Virgin Mobile, and Lucky Mobile are owned and operated by one of the Big Three. The upside of this triopoly is that no matter which provider you choose, you can expect fast internet speeds, including up to 5G, and extensive coverage across the country. Bell doesn’t focus on prepaid tourist plans as of December 31, 2024, and instead refers users to Lucky Mobile, so its Canada SIM card offering won’t be included in the table below. Without further ado, here’s a breakdown of the tourist SIM card options from major Canadian providers. 

Kindly note that prices, plan offerings, and currency exchange rates are subject to change over time. 

For reference, Saily eSIM plans for Canada valid over the same 30-day period start from US$12.99 for 3 GB of data. 

Now that you’ve seen the price breakdown, let’s take a closer look at what each provider does best — from the cheapest options to the ones that give you the best value.

Lucky Mobile: Best for budget and light data users

If you’re hoping to get lucky (hah!) with a cost-effective SIM card for Canada, look no further than Lucky Mobile. Prepaid plans start at just CA$15 (about US$10.77) for 500 MB of data with no calls included — perfect if you only need the occasional map check or to send a quick WhatsApp message. Even its higher data tiers, like 4.5 GB for CA$40 (US$28.73), stay on the budget-friendly side compared to other mobile operators. The trade-off is that the cheapest plan doesn’t include unlimited calls, but once you move up, unlimited Canada-wide calls are included. Plus, you won’t get charged extra for the actual SIM card. All that said, Lucky Mobile doesn’t offer the fastest possible 5G network speeds — only up to 4G/LTE. 

Rogers: Best for 5G availability

Rogers stands out for its wide 5G coverage, making it a strong choice if you want fast and consistent internet while traveling in Canada. Its prepaid Canada SIM card plans range from 2.5 GB to 8 GB, with unlimited Canada-wide talk and text, starting at CA$40-55 (US$28.73-39.50) plus a CA$15 (US$10.77) SIM card fee for 30 days.

Chatr: Best value 

Chatr, Rogers’ budget brand, runs on the same network. That means you’ll get Rogers’ broad coverage footprint, but speeds are capped at LTE instead of going up to 5G. If saving money is a priority over maximum browsing speed, Chatr is a solid option that still leverages Rogers’ infrastructure, with plans from 1 GB to 8 GB for CA$35-50 (US$25.14-35.91), all including unlimited Canada-wide talk and text for 30 days.

How much do travel SIM cards cost in Canada?

Prices for prepaid tourist SIM cards in Canada range from CA$15 (US$10.77) to CA$95 (US$68.26), but the exact cost depends on the provider, whether you want a data-only plan or one that includes calls and SMS texts, how much data you need, and whether the provider charges extra for a physical SIM card.

For a more detailed breakdown, see our table comparing prices from the best SIM providers in Canada.

Where to buy a prepaid SIM card in Canada

Tourists can buy a prepaid Canada SIM card in plenty of places, including airports, mobile carrier stores or kiosks, and gas stations. Of course, snagging a SIM at a Telus store in downtown Toronto will be easier than tracking one down in a rural Saskatchewan town, so it all depends on where you’ll be staying in the country. Take a look at the most common places to find Canada SIM cards with prepaid plans for tourists. 

At the airport or major train stations

You can find prepaid SIM cards at both Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) and Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) from a Chatr or Fido kiosk. At Vancouver International Airport (YVR), you can head to The SIM Shop and browse prepaid travel SIM cards from Bell or Virgin Mobile.

In Toronto, you can also grab a prepaid SIM card right inside Union Station from a small Chatr dispensary (not that kind of dispensary — this is Canada we’re talking about). Think of it as a self-checkout kiosk, the kind you’d spot at a fast food joint — only this one sells plans from Chatr.

Mobile carrier stores or kiosks 

You can find mobile carrier stores like Rogers, Bell, and Telus in almost every major city and some smaller towns offering tourist SIMs. You’re more likely to spot carriers like Chatr, Virgin Mobile, and Fido at kiosks in shopping malls. Staff can help you choose the right plan and activate your SIM immediately.

Electronic retailers

Best Buy, The Source, and Walmart all carry SIM cards from multiple providers, making it easy to compare options in one spot. They’re more common in the suburbs but can also be found in downtown Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal.

Convenience stores, gas stations, or grocery stores

If you’re driving across the border into Canada, convenience stores and gas stations like 7-Eleven, Circle K, and Petro-Canada are your best bet for grabbing a prepaid SIM card. You can also find SIM cards at Shoppers Drug Mart (one of Canada’s biggest retail pharmacy chains).

Online

You can pre-order a SIM card for Canada online through one of the country’s carrier websites or a third-party retailer and have it delivered to your hotel before you arrive. Chatr, for example, promises delivery within five days. But if it’s late, you’ll be stuck without data the moment you land. Not the greatest start to a vacation or business trip. 

If you’re the type of traveler who packs the night before you fly, this probably won’t work for you. For us last-minute planners, it’s easier to download an eSIM app and purchase a prepaid plan from there. 

An eSIM for Canada: The best alternative

Rather than wasting time searching for a physical SIM card in Canada, you can instantly get a prepaid mobile data plan on an eSIM (embedded SIM) — i.e., a digital version of a physical SIM card. Instead of popping a chip into your phone, you just purchase a data plan through an eSIM service’s app or website, install the eSIM on your device, and start browsing. 

The Saily eSIM app is a fantastic option if you’re looking for an eSIM for Canada. Plans start at just US$3.99 for 1 GB of data (perfect for light data users), and the Saily app includes three built-in security features (an ad blocker, web protection against malicious sites, and a virtual location feature) at no extra cost. Saily’s ad blocker feature even helps you use up to 28.6% less of your data when enabled. Stronger online privacy and data that’ll last longer on your vacation? We’d say that’s a steal. 

Getting prepaid mobile data for a trip to Canada: The bottom line

Whether you’re venturing to the Great White North for mind-boggling mountain views, dreamy autumnal foliage, or one of Toronto’s lively summer festivals, you’ll want a cost-effective way to stay online while you travel. Here’s what to know about getting a prepaid tourist SIM card for a trip to Canada:

• Prepaid Canadian SIM cards aren’t always cheaper than enabling your international roaming if you’re coming from the US or UK. Major mobile operators in the US offer packages to roam in Canada and Mexico at no extra cost, and the UK’s main carriers offer relatively affordable data passes.  

• SIM card plans in Canada cost between CA$15 (US$10.77) to CA$85 (US$61.05), which is higher than in many countries around the world. Many Canadian SIM carriers also tack on a price for the actual SIM card itself. 

• If you’re relying on pay-as-you-go roaming rates from your carrier, you’re better off buying a prepaid Canada data plan on an eSIM through an eSIM service for international travel. 

• The Saily eSIM app offers affordable starting rates for Canadian eSIM plans at CA$5.50 (US$3.99), instant plan activation, and three built-in security features at no extra cost to the customer.