![Canadian Canada Nature Forest](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/b77ddb93-f6ae-498e-9a55-6b5a672ee556_guillaume-jaillet-EIWCd0414xQ-unsplash.jpg?auto=format,compress&rect=0,0,6000,4000&w=2400&h=1600)
The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Canada in 2024
![](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/f51ffa0b-ca46-437c-8fd0-c73afe6a85fc_ProfileCropped.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,14,1639,1639&w=120&h=120)
Jarrod Suda
Guide
![](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/f51ffa0b-ca46-437c-8fd0-c73afe6a85fc_ProfileCropped.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,14,1639,1639&w=120&h=120)
A writer and editor at Monito, Jarrod is passionate about helping people apply today’s powerful finance technologies to their lives. He brings his background in international affairs and his experiences living in Japan to provide readers with comprehensive information that also acknowledges the local context.
Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.
Read moreThese days, it’s almost impossible to imagine visiting a foreign country without mobile connection. You may need to call a rideshare, find your hotel on maps, connect to the internet when away from Wi-Fi, or translate signs in a foreign language.
However, using international roaming with your home carrier to get data could cost hundreds of dollars. This is why prepaid eSIM cards are the fastest growing option for international tourists who own an eSIM-compatible device.
In this guide, you’ll find the 8 best prepaid SIM and eSIM options available for tourists in Canada in 2024, including their pricing and data plans. Let’s get going!
Airalo is our top choice to avoid expensive international roaming fees. Airalo offers eSIMs tailored to you, from 5 days up to months at a time, covering hundreds of countries, with both multi-country and various GB plans available.
The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Canada For Travel in 2024
Facts About Prepaid SIMs in Canada
📞 Need a local phone number? | Consider a physical SIM card |
---|---|
🌐 Only need access to data? | Get an eSIM instead |
📱 Does your phone accept eSIMs? | |
📊 Unlimited data for 5 days | $27 with Holafly |
💸 1GB for 7 days | $6 with Airalo |
🌟 20GB for 30 | $35 with Airalo |
Where to Buy Physical Prepaid SIM Cards For Canada
Finding a prepaid SIM card in Canada might require a visit to a mobile carrier store or electronics retailer, as airport availability is limited. The market is not tourist-centric, with a focus on longer-term plans.
Anete Lūsiņa
1. Canadian Airports
At major Canadian airports, including Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International, you'll find very expensive options for prepaid SIM cards. 5 GB of data valid for 14 days, with unlimited calling and SMS within Canada and international SMS, may cost $96 CAD, which is almost unheard of in other countries.
2. Network Provider Retail Stores in Canada
You can visit a Bell, Telus, or Rogers store to find prepaid SIM card options as a tourist in Canada, although we strongly recommend eSIMs in the case of Canada.
3. Online
You could also consider having a physical prepaid SIM card shipped to your house before you travel by shopping on online sites (like Amazon). You’ll often find destination-specific travel SIM cards that partner with the large Canadian networks (like Rogers Wireless or Bell) to connect your phone to mobile data.
Alternatively, you could consider buying a portable Wi-Fi hotspot device.
Shopping online requires a little travel pre-planning but allows you to search around for better prices and data plans that meet your needs.
The easiest online option, and the one that we highly recommend, is to purchase an eSIM. These digital SIMs can be instantly activated straight from your smartphone from apps like Airalo and Holafly, which then give you seamless access to data in your travel destination.
Buy the Best Prepaid SIM Cards Before Your Trip
It's best to get your prepaid SIM card delivered to your home before your trip, ensuring you can start using data as soon as you land at your destination. If you're short on time, you can always ship it to your hotel address with proper timing.
Here, we list your three best options. While we earn from qualifying purchases as an Amazon affiliate, this does not affect our recommendations:
1. T-Mobile Canada, Mexico, and USA Prepaid SIM Card
This T-Mobile prepaid SIM card offers 5 GB of high-speed 4G LTE data in Canada and 10 GB of data in the USA, with unlimited calls and texts within and among the USA, Canada, and Mexico. The SIM supports hotspot/tethering at 3G speeds using your mobile phone.
Overall, it is a very well-priced product, with excellent coverage throughout all of North America for multi-country travels.
- $31.92
- 5 GB in Canada & Mexico, plus 10 GB for 30 days in the US
- 4G LTE speeds
- Unlimited calls and texts within and among the USA, Canada, and Mexico
- Hotspot/tethering at 3G speeds
2. Koodo Mobile Prepaid
The Koodo Mobile Prepaid SIM Card Starter Kit provides unlimited Canada-wide talk and 10 GB of data on the 3G network for $25. This 1-month prepaid service includes pay-as-you-go options and is refillable as well.
- $25
- 10 GB for 1 month
- 3G speeds
- Unlimited Canada-wide talk
- Pay-as-you-go and refillable
3. Lucky Mobile 4G LTE Prepaid
The Lucky Mobile 4G LTE Prepaid SIM Card Starter Kit offers excellent value with unlimited Canada-wide talk and 20GB of data on the 4G network for just $30. This 1-month prepaid service is ideal for those seeking a flexible and affordable plan. It is refillable and designed for use in Canada.
- $30
- 20 GB for 1 month
- 4G speeds
- Unlimited Canada-wide talk
- Pay-as-you-go and refillable
Best Digital Prepaid e-SIMs For Tourists in Canada
Want to ditch physical plastic SIM cards? You can conveniently download and active the following international eSIMs from your smartphone instead.
1. Airalo
Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for international travel. For Canada, they offer eSIMs from 1GB for 7 days at $6 up to 20GB for 30 days at $35, and other plans in between. It was super easy for us to set up in the app and purchase instantly.
More info: Read our Airalo review or visit their website.
2. Holafly
Holafly offers unlimited data volume packages for international travel. Holafly's data packages for Canada cost between $27 and $54 once off and are valid from 5 to 20 days, offering peace of mind that you'll never run out of data.
Although Holafly offers unlimited data in most countries, including Canada, if you're a globetrotter, it's worth keeping in mind that Holafly offers limited data plans to some other destinations. Be sure to check their website or app before traveling to a new country to confirm whether Holafly's unlimited packages apply.
More info: Read our Holafly review or visit their website.
3. Yesim
Yesim, a Swiss-based eSIM service, offers flexible plans for 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. The pricing of these eSIMs for Canada range from $15.40 to $49.50.
The 3GB plan is good for 7 days while the 5GB one is good for 15 days. The 15GB and 30GB plans both last for 30 days.
More info: Read our Yesim review or visit their website.
To make sure your phone can support eSIM cards, read our list of eSIM-compatible phones.
Cheap Physical Prepaid SIM Card Options For Canada Travel
Here are some of the most popular options for plastic SIM cards for tourists in Canada:
1. Rogers Wireless
Rogers prepaid SIMs, which are not 5G compatible, offer various data plans with unlimited calling within Canada.
Options include 2.5 GB of data for $40 CAD, 4.5 GB for $45 CAD, and 8 GB for $55 CAD.
2. Bell
Bell Canada's prepaid SIM cards also lack 5G connectivity.
Their pricing mirrors Rogers with 2.5 GB of data at $40 CAD, 4.5 GB for $45 CAD, and 8 GB for $55 CAD.
Largest Mobile Network Operators in Canada
eSIMs are great because they connect to the best network available wherever you are. Your phone might connect to Rogers Wireless or Bell, depending on your location, at no extra cost. In contrast, if you buy a SIM card directly from one Canadian telecom provider, then your phone will only access that provider's network.
In Canada, expect to see these names as you connect to data on your travels:
- Telus: Good customer service and environmental sustainability efforts.
- Bell: Known for its fast internet services and extensive rural coverage.
- Rogers Wireless: Wide coverage and pioneering 5G network.
Registration Process For Prepaid SIM Cards in Canada
In Canada, no registration is necessary, and you don't need to show your passport to the issuer.
It's worth noting that an increasing number of countries are requiring registration from mobile phone users for security reasons, where purchasing a prepaid SIM card requires consumers to provide proof of identity.
For the countries that have these Know-Your-Customer (KYC) laws, registration will also apply to eSIMs. However, eSIMs do have the benefit of digital registration as opposed to the hassle of an in-person process. If your eSIM is data only (no local phone number), then you may be able to get connected without registering your info.
Frequently Asked Questions About Prepaid SIM Cards For Travel in Canada
Should I buy a SIM card before traveling to Canada?
Yes, it is wise to plan ahead, but you can also opt for an eSIM even 24 hours before your trip if you have an eSIM-compatible phone. The best part about eSIMs like Airalo and Holafly is that the plans won’t activate until you connect within the plan’s designated country. This means you won’t be on the clock until your trip finally starts.
What is the best prepaid SIM card for Canada in 2024?
We believe Airalo offers the best prepaid eSIMs in Canada and around the world in 2024, with options that are 5G compatible, starting from 1GB for 7 days at $6 up to 20GB for 30 days at $35.
Is my phone compatible with eSIM?
Check our list to make sure your device is compatible with eSIM technology.
Learn More About eSIMs For Travel
![](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/78c7a2ac-1fe7-439a-89cb-bd595502f0e0_dmitrii-vaccinium-pyM7TYWutJM-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,6000,4000&w=1800&h=1200)
![airalo esim international cheap data](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/5109c828-92c7-4086-8ef3-59c53c123b99_airalo+thumbnail.jpeg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1279,720&w=1800&h=1013)
![](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/17942e51-2a0c-44da-884a-a8ca5d97900b_karta_esim.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1000,667&w=1800&h=1201)
![A man in a white crew neck t-shirt holding a black smartphone while on vacation.](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/fcabf5ca-96d4-479e-bc16-efae01b45caa_using-phone-on-holiday-vacation-esim.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,2400,1600&w=1800&h=1200)
![Google Fi SIM card in the mail](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/d467c5bf-3b17-4f77-8734-3f1df3f59174_IMG_6424.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,471,3940,1718&w=1800&h=785)
![](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/1456db40-fd4c-4971-ad0f-c3913daf2685_holafly-video-screenshot-2.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,3840,1536&w=1800&h=720)
![smartphone](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/193f115f-4342-4d87-bdfb-629646f055bd_rodion-kutsaiev-0VGG7cqTwCo-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,6000,4000&w=1800&h=1200)
![Young man holding the new smartphone](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/1e80f343-a89d-440f-b11d-75032f2efee2_jonas-leupe-wK-elt11pF0-unsplash.jpg?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,5926,3951&w=1800&h=1200)
![The Best Prepaid VISA Cards For International Use](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/25fcff08-d67d-431e-85f2-5949d0dd6850_The+Best+Prepaid+VISA+Cards+For+International+Use.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,2998,1286&w=1800&h=772)
![Best travel debit card for international travel with no foreign transaction fees on monito ranked](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/a23b201a-89fa-465e-8108-96887b0b13cf_The+Best+Debit+Cards+for+International+Travel.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,2998,1286&w=1800&h=772)
![](https://monito-cms.imgix.net/a69269ff-16e6-4814-95dc-e7e8903ed06d_4-best-travel-cards-comparison-wise-monzo-n26-revolut.png?auto=compress,format&rect=0,0,1196,523&w=1800&h=787)
Why Trust Monito?
You’re probably all too familiar with the often outrageous cost of sending money abroad. After facing this frustration themselves back in 2013, co-founders François, Laurent, and Pascal launched a real-time comparison engine to compare the best money transfer services across the globe. Today, Monito’s award-winning comparisons, reviews, and guides are trusted by around 8 million people each year and our recommendations are backed by millions of pricing data points and dozens of expert tests — all allowing you to make the savviest decisions with confidence.
Monito is trusted by 15+ million users across the globe.
Monito's experts spend hours researching and testing services so that you don't have to.
Our recommendations are always unbiased and independent.