Prepaid SIM card for Canada: Where to Buy in 2024?

So, you want to visit Canada? Well, you can look forward to visiting Niagara Falls or Banff National Park. But can you look forward to a cheap internet connection? You don’t want to be left isolated in a foreign country, so in this article, we’ll explain how a prepaid SIM card for Canada is the best and cheapest way of connecting to the internet on your trip.

We’ll explain how much a SIM card costs, where to buy data plans, and how to save on expensive roaming charges. We’ll also tell you how you can upgrade to new virtual SIM cards, which in addition to being more efficient, you can get your reach faster.

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Where can I buy a SIM card for Canada?

We have many things in mind when preparing for a trip; fortunately, buying a SIM card for Canada does not have to be a difficult task. There is a range of possibilities for tourists in the country, so you will find it ideal to have mobile internet on your visit. As a traveler, you can buy your prepaid SIM card in both online and offline stores. Each option will allow you to purchase it at a certain time, and of course, they bring some advantages. 

In this sense, we can say that tourists have three ways they can take to buy an international SIM card for Canada:

• Buy them before arriving in Canada through online stores. In the last few years, these stores have grown, offering services all over the world.
• Buy it in a physical store of a local operator once you arrive in Canada. 
• Take a step towards the new technology and buy a virtual SIM card for Canada in virtual stores like Holafly.

Buy before you travel.

Buying before your trip is the easiest and most convenient option. There are a variety of online stores that you can find on the web that optimize their pages to be easily used by all types of customers. In addition, they usually have multiple language options, so making the purchase will not be a problem. One of the most important things to check is if the store you choose delivers to your country and how long it will take for your SIM card for Canada to reach you. 

In addition to checking the shipping, you should also check what local network you will be connected to once you arrive in Canada. International SIM cards work thanks to agreements with local operators, so you should choose one that guarantees coverage and good speed on your trip and in the cities you visit. If you are interested in an excellent option, we recommend you to see the embedded SIM card of Holalfy, with which you will have delivery in minutes and with excellent service in 190 destinations.

Pros of buying a data plan for abroad before traveling

Buying a SIM card or embedded SIM card before your trip to Canada will give you benefits such as:

• Mobile internet round trip

By purchasing your prepaid SIM card before your trip, you will be able to access the internet at all times, from home, and during your trip. We know how important this is for many people both for their work and to stay close to friends and family.

• Service for tourists

The online stores orient their SIM card services to tourists so that the plans will be more for short stays. Also, in case of language is a barrier, there is customer service and multilingual pages for all travelers interested.

• Options for all of North America

If your travel plans take you beyond Canada to explore the and you need a USA or Mexico eSIM, there are online options with coverage throughout North America. An example of this is Holafly North America travel eSIM.

• More efficient solution

With a prepaid SIM card, you will be saving money by not paying for expensive international roaming services. Also, you don’t need extra devices like pocket wifi; Just with your phone and SIM card, you will have mobile internet in Canada.

Buy your tourist SIM card in Canada

When you don’t have the time to buy a SIM card for Canada before your trip, you can still buy it once you are there through a physical store. This is because the local operators offer some plans for tourists so you don’t have to sign a contract. However, these plans are reduced because the market is oriented to locals, but it is still an option if you have no other alternative. You must remember that your phone must have access to the frequency networks used in Canada to choose this option. We will tell you about some operators and the local SIM card for tourists that they offer, along with the plans that you can sign up for.

Rogers

This is one of the main phone companies in Canada, which has some options for tourists. Among their prepaid plans, we can find options with monthly renewals and a group of packages called “Semi-annual.” We will focus on the monthly packages, which you can find from 500 MB to 8 GB of browsing. These packages also offer unlimited calls to Canadian numbers and unlimited texts internationally. It is important to note that if you do not have sufficient funds when you renew your service, an additional fee will apply. You can use the find store option on the Rogers website to locate your nearest Rogers branch. 

Telus

Another phone company with options for visitors is Telus, which also has an established network in Canada. With Telus, you can buy and activate your local SIM card online, but you will always have to pick it up in a physical store. There are options from 500 MB up to 8 GB among the prepaid plans available. The packages are for use within 30 days, and you can enjoy unlimited calls and messages in any option you choose. At the time of purchasing your local SIM card, you will be asked for a payment method for renewals in which you can use credit and debit Visa Cards.

Bell

A final alternative is to connect to Bell’s 4G network as a tourist through its local SIM card. The prepaid plans offered by the phone company have four options 500MB, 2.5 GB, 4.5GB, and 8GB data for browsing. Any package you select will also include any time calls Canada-wide and Canada-wide text, U.S. and international text. The first purchase will be charged an additional SIM card fee of about $10. In case you use up your monthly data, you can continue to browse, but it will have a higher cost per use. All prepaid plans have 30-day periods with an auto-renewal option.

How much does a prepaid SIM card for internet in Canada cost?

In this article, we only mention the options of a few operators, but in Canada, there are about thirteen major telecommunication companies. In spite of this, all the alternatives are a bit expensive; you can pay from 30$ to 55$ for data plans that are not exactly generous. What is advantageous is that you don’t need to go through a SIM card registration.

Some local providers allow you to activate them online. Don’t forget that you will always have to pick them up in a physical store or wait for a local delivery which will leave you without internet for a couple of days. So if you are not planning a long stay, we invite you to see other options, such as the embedded SIM cards you will find below.

Holafly eSIM for Canada: a great alternative.

As you can see, you have options in online stores and physical stores as a tourist but always with some conditions. For this reason, one of the great solutions for travelers worldwide has been the embedded SIM card that stores as Holafly sells.

These virtual versions have improved delivery time and activation processes, so the purchase and configuration will take only a few minutes. You can buy your eSIM before or during your trip easily and without major inconveniences.

It should also be noted that eSIM for Canada from Holafly enjoys excellent connections in Canada thanks to the Rogers Communications network. There are also eSIM versions available for other destinations and even with coverage on entire continents.

You can always check the local network you will be connected to in their technical specs. Digital SIM cards are the best choice for many travelers. If you still want to know more about them, read some of their advantages and disadvantages below.

Advantages and disadvantages of Virtual SIM cards

Advantages:

• Purchase before or during your trip

You just need to have an internet connection and visit Holafly’s online store. Select your destination, choose the data package you are interested in, and after you make your purchase, you will receive a QR code to scan and activate your digital SIM card.

• Customer service for everyone

Activating a virtual SIM card is easy to do, but in case you need help, you can use Holafly’s 24/7 customer service. They will attend to any kind of request in multiple channels and with options in more than five languages.

• Virtual SIM card plan with multi-country coverage.

If your trip goes beyond Canada and you decide to travel through North America, an eSIM for the USA and Canada awaits you! This is convenient to avoid activating a different eSIM every time you change the country.

• Easy access to top-up

Whenever you need to extend your service, you can buy a top-up of your plan for the same destination. With this, you don’t need to set up a new eSIM on your phone; after purchasing, it will be available on the one you currently have.

• Unlimited data plans

For many users, it is essential not to lose connection and with Holafly’s eSIM for Canada, you enjoy unlimited data on any of the plans you choose.

• Data sharing

Travelers might want to share data on a device they took with them, like a laptop or something similar. That’s why Holafly eSIM plans for Canada include 500 MBs of data sharing per day!

Disadvantages 

• Confirm that you can use them.

This is due to the new technology; not all mobile phones are compatible with virtual SIM cards, so it is something you should confirm before you buy it. To help you, you can use Holafly’s updated list of compatible phones and search if yours is compatible.

How much does the eSIM for Canada cost?

eSIM Card Canada

Holafly’s Canada eSIM cards are priced as follows:

eSIM with coverage in North America

You can also buy an eSIM for all of North America with coverage in Canada, Mexico, and the USA. All plans also have customizable days from 1 to 90. You will be able to share 1 GB of your plan with other devices through hotspot.

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Leoneska Ruiz

SEO Specialist Jr.

Hi! Leoneska here, your guide to traveling connected. I'm a Venezuelan SEO content specialist with over four years of experience sharing tips and tricks for using mobile internet while traveling and making the most of your adventures. At Holafly, I take care of providing reliable and high-quality information to travelers like you. I hope you enjoy my content and find it useful!

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