How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Canada?

Planning a trip to Canada? As you get the last details ready and pack your bags, don’t forget to consider how you’ll stay connected and get around during your travels.

Switching your UK SIM for a Canada SIM card can only make your vacation better. Not only will it help you avoid extra charges, but it will also give you easy access to translation apps and maps without depending on Wi-Fi.

Also, if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise card. It can help you get ready for your stay in Canada and save money while travelling abroad. You can pay and withdraw cash like a local for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Why should you buy a prepaid SIM card when travelling to Canada from the UK?

While it may feel like an added travel expense, investing in a Canada SIM card can actually save you money. Since most UK monthly plans don’t include international calls or data, a local SIM while travelling is cheaper than paying the extra fees your provider charges for using your phone abroad.

A local SIM card makes it easy to stay in touch with loved ones back home and share your adventures, all without relying on Wi-Fi. You’ll also have access to some essential travel apps like maps and translation tools.

If you're still not convinced you should get a Canada SIM card, you can always rely on international roaming. Networks such as VOXI or Virgin Mobile offer global roaming packages that cover Canada. Some other providers, like Tesco Mobile, Sky or Three, charge roaming fees as you go.

How much does a SIM card cost in Canada?

Canada prepaid SIM plans start at 10 CAD, but the best deal is Lucky Mobile’s 15 GB plan for 29 CAD. For more coverage, their 80 GB plan is priced at 40 CAD.

If you're considering eSIMs, Nomad has a 3 GB monthly plan for £8.50 and a 10 GB package for £20.50. For unlimited internet, Holafly offers a 15-day plan for £29.

How to buy a prepaid SIM card for Canada?

Canada SIM cards are available at Canadian airports, official provider stores and convenience stores like 7-Eleven. You can also order a SIM to be delivered before departure or opt for an eSIM.¹

The SIM card must be registered under your name, so you'll need to provide your passport. This is why it's important to buy a SIM from reputable carriers. The registration process is quick, and you'll be able to use your phone soon after.

Most stores accept all payment methods, but it’s still a good idea to confirm with the staff whether you can pay by credit card or debit card.

Where can you buy a SIM card for Canada in the UK?

You can buy a Canada SIM card online before leaving the UK. However, your options may be more limited, so you might miss out on better offers available in Canada.

SimCorner offers two versions of their 5 GB Canada SIM: one with data only and another that includes both calling and texting. The data-only plan costs £33, while the plan with additional services costs an extra £8, bringing the total to £41. Both plans are valid for 30 days.²

Can you buy a Canada SIM card at the airport?

Yes, you can buy a Canada SIM card at various international airports, such as Toronto Pearson or Vancouver Airport. You’ll be able to find them in official operator stores or kiosks.¹

However, airport stores are typically more expensive than those in the city. They may also have limited plan options or shorter operating hours, so it’s generally better to buy a Canada SIM card at a store in the city center.¹

Best prepaid SIM cards for Canada

Here are some of the best SIM card options for your vacation in Canada.

Telus

Telus offers five monthly prepaid plans that could be ideal for tourists. Two of these plans include only minutes and texts, while the other three also include data, so we’ll focus on those.

The plans are called Nationwide Talk, Text & Data 35, 45 and 55, based on their price in Canadian dollars. They all include unlimited nationwide calls and texts with differences in the amount of data. The most affordable plan offers 1 GB of data, the next includes 5 GB and the largest plan provides 10 GB.³

Freedom Mobile

Freedom Mobile offers a variety of monthly prepaid plans. They start at 10 CAD for 100 MB of data and 2 hours of talk. The 25 CAD plan includes 3 GB of data, while the 34 CAD plan offers 10 GB.⁴

The three most expensive plans come with significantly more data. The 39 CAD plan includes 60 GB of internet, the 40 CAD plan has 80 GB and the 59 CAD plan offers 100 GB of data. All Freedom Mobile plans can also be used in the US and Mexico, with the larger plans featuring the Roam Beyond option, allowing use in over 100 destinations.⁴

Lucky Mobile

At Lucky Mobile, you can get a prepaid Canada SIM card with data and nationwide calls, with some plans also including calls to the US. Their 15 GB plan costs 29 CAD, while the 55 GB package is priced at 34 CAD and includes US minutes.⁵

If you need more data, you can opt for their 80 GB plan, which costs 40 CAD and also includes US calls.⁵

Best e-SIM cards for Canada

An eSIM is the simplest way to avoid high roaming charges. You can purchase it before leaving the UK and activate it as soon as you arrive in Canada.

Be sure to check if your phone supports eSIMs before you go. If it does, here are some of the top eSIM options for Canada.

Nomad

At Nomad, you can choose from seven plan options, starting with a weekly plan at £4.50 for 1 GB of data. Their 30-day plans range from £8.50 to £39.50.⁶

For example, the 3 GB monthly plan costs £8.50, while the 10 GB package is priced at £20.50. The two largest plans are the 20 GB package for £31.50 and the 50 GB plan for £39.50.⁶

Holafly

Holafly offers unlimited data eSIM plans, with prices decreasing the more days you choose.

That’s why their Canada eSIM costs £6 per day, but the price drops to £29 for a weekly plan. A 15-day eSIM plan costs £41, which works out to £2.73 per day, significantly lower than the £6 daily cost.⁷

Since these are data-only plans, you can keep your UK number. Additionally, you can share up to 500 MB of daily data via hotspot to keep everyone you’re travelling with online.⁷

Airalo

Airalo offers Canada eSIMs under the name Tuque Mobile, with six different plans to choose from. The weekly eSIM costs £5 and provides 1 GB of data, while the 15-day plan costs £9.50 and includes 2 GB of internet.⁸

The other plans are all monthly. They are priced at £13 for 3 GB, £15 for 5 GB, £29.50 for 10 GB and £41 for the 20 GB plan.⁸

Spend like a local in Canada with Wise

As you decide on a Canada SIM card for your upcoming trip, you may also want to explore options for managing your holiday spending.

The Wise international debit card can be a convenient choice. For a one-time cost of just £7, you can spend and withdraw like a local in Canada and 150+ more countries. You can also send money to pay for a rental car, accommodation or the like while still in the UK.

With the Wise card, your pounds are automatically converted at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend. You’ll just pay a small conversion fee, or no fee if you already have the currency in your Wise account.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 28-Jan-2025