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Roaming in Canada can become quite expensive if you’re unaware of your international plan options, allowances, and roaming add-ons. The last thing you want on a trip is to end up with a lengthy bill of unexpected roaming charges. 

If you’re traveling from the USA or UK, this article covers everything you need to know about roaming in Canada. We’ll explore major mobile providers and roaming plans, roaming costs, how to avoid racking up roaming charges, and a digital alternative – a travel eSIM – to help you stay connected with peace of mind. 

data roaming canada

Roaming charges in Canada

Roaming charges in Canada vary depending on your mobile carrier. Roaming in Canada with your US mobile may be free and included with your pay monthly plan, or you’ll have to pay anywhere between $5 to $12 USD per day

Standard roaming charges in Canada also start at $2.05 per MB if you don’t have a roaming plan in place and you turn data roaming on. Here are some rates for popular US and UK carriers:

Roaming costs in Canada for US travelers

If you’re traveling from the US, your mobile operator is likely AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon. 

These providers all offer monthly plans for your US mobile with roaming in Canada included. While this may seem like “free” roaming in Canada, you end up paying more for your home plan per month. 

You can buy a travel pass if your plan doesn’t include roaming in Canada. Costs vary for each provider:

  • AT&T: $12 USD/day for unlimited data
  • T-Mobile: $5-$50 for 512 MB-15 GB with 1-30 day validity
  • Verizon: $6/day for unlimited data

Finally, pay-per-use costs range from $0.01/MB with T-Mobile to $2.05/MB with AT&T and Verizon. 

The table below summarizes all your roaming options for using your phone in Canada with a US-based provider.

ProviderPay-monthly plansRoaming passesPay as you go
AT&T roaming in Canada Eligible Unlimited plan (with Roam North America feature)AT&T International Day Pass ($12 USD daily)$1 per voice minute, $0.50 per text message, and $2.05 per MB
Verizon roaming in Canada International Monthly Plan ($100/month)TravelPass ($6 USD daily) $2.05 per MB, $0.99 per voice minute, and $0.50 per text
T-Mobile roaming in Canada Experience Beyond or Experience More plansInternational Travel Pass: 1-30 day passes for $5-50 USD$0.25 per voice minute and $0.01 per MB

Roaming costs in Canada for UK travelers 

Similar to US-based providers, roaming in Canada may be free, depending on your plan. 

You won’t have to pay additional charges if you have a roaming-inclusive monthly plan with Vodafone UK, Three, EE, or O2. 

If your plan does not include Canada as an eligible destination and you want to use mobile internet in Canada, you can buy an international roaming pass: 

  • Vodafone UK: £7.86 a day 
  • Three: £17.50-84 for 3-14 day passes or a £7 daily roaming charge
  • EE: £5 a day or £25 per week
  • O2: £7 a day

If you don’t have a roaming-inclusive monthly plan or roaming pass in place, you’ll be subject to standard roaming charges ranging from 12p per MB (Vodafone UK) to £6 per MB (Three).

The table below summarizes all your roaming options with a UK-based provider.

ProviderPay-monthly plansRoaming passesPay as you go
Vodafone UK roaming in Canada Unlimited Max Global Roam Roaming pass: £7.86 a day60p per minute, 8p per text, and 12p per MB
Three roaming in Canada Value or Complete plan (if joined before 22 June 2025)Go Roam Around the World Extra: 3 to 14-day passes for £17.50-84
Or, opt for a £7 daily roaming charge
£6 per MB, £1.40 per voice minute, and 35p per text
EE roaming in Canada Full Works and Max plans

£5/day or £25/week to use your UK allowances£1.20 per minute and 60p per text
O2 roaming in Canada Volt, Plus, and Ultimate plansTravel pass: £7 a day £3 per voice minute, £1 per text, and £6-13 for 1 GB to 5 GB data roaming bundles

Holafly’s eSIM for Canada: Unlimited data, peace of mind

If you’re planning an international trip to Canada, relying on roaming services can quickly add daily fees or surprise charges to your monthly bill.

Instead of paying extra for data, talk, and text, switch to Holafly’s eSIM for Canada and enjoy unlimited data, high-speed coverage, and peace of mind from the moment you land. All you need is an eSIM-compatible phone. Here are some key benefits of a travel eSIM: 

  • Unlimited data without limits or slowdowns
  • No daily fees or hidden costs – pay one fixed price for the entire trip 
  • Home number active stays active while using any of Holafly’s eSIMs
  • 24/7 multilingual customer support (in case you need any assistance with setup, account details, or device settings)

With Holafly, you can stay connected and explore Canada without worrying about additional costs or surprise fees. Starting at $7.90 USD (£6) per day for unlimited data, you can choose your eSIM plan duration and never pay for more than you need. The more days you add, the lower the daily price gets! 

How to avoid roaming charges in Canada

You don’t always have to end up with a long roaming bill when you’re back from vacation. There are a couple of ways to avoid high roaming charges in Canada, and even some alternatives to roaming worth considering. 

  • Monitor data usage and check your account regularly to avoid exceeding data, talk, and text limits or incurring surprise charges. 
  • Buy a local Canada SIM card to enjoy using your phone at local rates and for longer trips. However, an eSIM is still a better option since it offers the advantage of no SIM swapping and instant connection once you arrive. 
  • Switch to airplane mode when you’re not using mobile data to save your allowance. 
  • Use public WiFi in hotels, cafes, or airports whenever you can to avoid running out of data. 
  • Grab a pocket WiFi device if you’re traveling in a group or have multiple devices. A pocket WiFi for Canada will act as a portable hotspot, but it is an extra device to carry and charge. Opt for Holafly Plans, a digital and more affordable hotspot, instead.

Canada roaming vs. eSIM for Canada

Here’s a brief comparison of roaming options for Canada vs using Holafly’s eSIM for US and UK travelers: 

Roaming in CanadaHolafly eSIM for Canada
DataDepends on the planUnlimited
ValidityPay-per-use, daily or fixed pass, or monthlyCustom days (1-90) or monthly
CostsMonthly roaming plans: Included
Roaming passes: $5-50 / £5-84 per pass
Pay-per-use: $0.01-2.05 / 12p-£6 per MB
Holafly eSIM: $3.21-$7.90 (£2.50-6) per day
Holafly Plans: $64.90 (~£47) per month
Pros✔️ Works on locked phones
✔️ Simple activation processes
✔️ Chances of free roaming for India included in your plan
✔️ Unlimited data plans 
✔️ One-time payment, no hidden costs 
✔️ Flexible eSIM plans 
✔️ Separate hotspot allowance 
Cons❌ High daily charges
❌ Data limits and fair usage policy
❌ Unexpected charges
❌ Data-only plans
❌ Only works on eSIM-compatible phones

For the best balance of convenience, coverage, and cost, Holafly’s eSIM for Canada stands out as the smartest choice. 

If you’re traveling to another destination, check out our guides on: 

Mahnoor Bangush

Mahnoor Bangush

SEO Content Writer

Born and raised in Queens, New York, I'm a Psychology graduate with a passion for writing that I've been nurturing since 2019. Over the years, I've enjoyed creating meaningful content across various niches, including sports, hospitality, and career development. At Holafly, I focus on crafting useful and inspiring pieces to make your adventures more effortless. One of the best perks of this role? Creating travel content always seems to inspire my next vacation destination!

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