Table of Contents
Can you buy prepaid SIM cards in Canada?
Yes, you can. But, if you are planning a trip to Canada and need to stay connected on your phone, there is something you should know. Canada has some of the highest rates for cellular rates in the world!
But don’t worry, we Canadians make up for that in many other ways. Yes, I live in Canada and pay those large cell phone bills every month. I don’t like it, but I have learned to live with it like millions of others.
If you are traveling here for the first time and need to buy a prepaid SIM card, there are still some decent options available to you.
And double check with your cell phone provider, you might be able to pay a little extra and use your current provider while you are here. If you don’t want to do that, let me show you how to buy a SIM card in Canada. Including who to buy from, where to buy, and how much you should expect to pay.
SIM Card Providers In Canada
There are basically 3 main providers in Canada. They are Bell, Telus, and Rogers. There are some smaller companies as well, but options there will be limited. I suggest sticking with one of those 3 to get the best rates and service throughout the Country. I personally use Bell and recommend them.
I have price comparisons for Bell, Telus, and Rogers and coverage maps below to help you decide what is best for you.
One thing you may notice with Canada and cell coverage is due to the geography and population, there will be many areas that don’t have coverage. Most of the normal populated areas will be fine, but if you are traveling to a remote area of the country, don’t be surprised if the cell coverage is weak or non-existent.
Where To Buy A Sim Card In Canada
There are many places to buy a variety of SIM cards in Canada. The 3 big providers are readily available at all shopping centers and stores such as Walmart, Staples, and Superstore which is a large grocery chain.
Convenience stores also carry many SIM cards to choose from. If you are flying into the country, the airport where you arrive will have the cell phone providers, normally at a booth or shopping area of the airport.
Once you choose a SIM card, you will most likely have to activate it yourself. It’s pretty straightforward and doesn’t take much time. Normally done over the phone, unless you buy an unlocked phone from them where you can do it online.
Some quick tips when buying your SIM
- Make sure your phone is unlocked. If not, you will need to buy one.
- Bring your ID and/or passport. You may or may not need to provide that, depending on where you go.
- If you are looking for a SIM for your tablet, you will need to contact Bell as they are the only provider in the country that currently provides it.
Prepaid SIM Card Canada Comparison
Let’s compare prepaid SIM cards in Canada, their rates and their coverage areas. Using a local prepaid SIM card will save you money on roaming charges in Canada. Expect to pay around $30 CDN for 1 GB of data. At the time of writing the current exchange rate is $1 CDN = 0.77c USD. Let’s compare the big three providers. Coverage maps source comparecellular.ca.
Bell Mobile Network in Canada
Bell Mobility Inc. is a Canadian wireless network that offers wireless services across Canada. It operates networks using LTE and HSPA+. Bell Mobility is the third-largest wireless carrier in Canada, with 10.1 million subscribers as of 2020.
Bell owns Virgin Mobile Canada and a number of other subsidiaries. Bell charges a $9.95 fee upfront but then will credit your account the same amount. Store locator here. Here is their site as well. You have the ability to buy prepaid services directly from them here as well.
Prepaid voice and data charges
- $30 – 250MB data, 150 anytime local minutes, $0.50/minute for Canada & U.S. long distance within Canada
- $45 – 500MB data, 500 anytime local minutes, $0.50/minute for Canada & U.S. long distance within Canada
- $60 – 1GB data, Unlimited anytime local minutes, $0.50/minute for Canada & U.S. long distance within Canada
The additional local rate is $0.20 per minute.
Addon’s for Bell
- Daily pass (20MB) – $2, to be used within 24 hours
- 100MB – $10
- 500MB – $25
- 1GB – $30
- 2GB – $50
Bell Canada network coverage – Virgin Mobile
Telus
TELUS Mobility Inc. is a Canadian wireless network that operates networks using LTE and HSPA+. Telus Mobility is the second largest wireless carrier in Canada, with 10.6 million subscribers as of 2020. The plans from Telus are similar to Bell.
Prepaid Data, voice and text rates
- $30 – 250MB data, 150 anytime local minutes, $0.50/minute for Canada & U.S. long distance within Canada
- $45 – 500MB data, 500 anytime local minutes, $0.50/minute for Canada & U.S. long distance within Canada
- $60 – 1GB data, Unlimited anytime local minutes, $0.50/minute for Canada & U.S. long distance within Canada
video #1 Travelonthefly.com
The additional local rate is $0.15 per minute.
Addon’s for Telus
- 100MB – $10
- 500MB – $25
- 1GB – $30
Telus Mobility Canada network coverage
Rogers
Rogers Wireless Inc. is a Canadian wireless network with headquarters in Toronto, that offers wireless services across Canada. It is the largest wireless carrier in Canada, with 10.8 million subscribers as of Q3 2020. Rogers is now offering new plans with more data and unlimited minutes included. It also will cost more than the other providers.
Prepaid Data, voice and text rates
- $80 – 3GB data, Unlimited nationwide calling
- $85 – 4GB data, Unlimited nationwide calling
- $90 – 6GB data, Unlimited nationwide calling
Addon’s for Rogers
You can get additional plans that have more data if needed. Starting around $100 per month and going up to $410 per month for 82GB of data.
Rogers Wireless Canada Network Coverage
Can you buy prepaid SIM cards in Canada?
You can buy them either online or at any number of phone stores or malls like Walmart, Staples, or one of our large grocery stores. You can also buy them at the airport when you land in Canada, which is more convenient, but they are usually more expensive.
How much is a prepaid SIM card in Canada?
Rates vary some but plan on paying around $30 CDN for 1 GB of data. For an exact breakdown of rates for each of the three big providers see our Prepaid SIM Card Canada Comparison above.
What is the best prepaid plan in Canada?
I personally use Bell. They have great coverage, at least as good as coverage gets here in Canada. And their prices (as outlined above) are reasonable too.
In Summary
Unfortunately in Canada, the prepaid or pay as you go cellular plans are not very affordable. Compared to other countries, Canada has some of the highest priced plans.
I recommend going with the plan that suits your needs for data coverage as in general the more data you take, you get more value for the cost. For example, Rogers offers 3GB of data for $80, but for an extra $10 you can double the data to 6GB.
Keep in mind that these rates are subject to change at any time. At the time of writing, these are the current rates. There are a few other providers available other than the 3 main ones I recommend, but chances are the service and coverage areas are not as good. I would stick to the main providers.
Also, in Canada, there is sales tax up to 15% depending on where you are.
If traveling to the USA, check out our buying a SIM card in the USA post here.
If you enjoyed our buying a sim card in Canada guide, have a look at all our travel gear guides here:
- Sound
- Laptops/Tablets
- Gadgets And Tech
- Photography
- Phones/Sim Cards
Hopefully, you found these guides helpful. Thanks for reading!
Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if purchases are made through those links at zero cost to you. I will only sell and recommend products that I have either used personally or believe will be helpful for you. You will only see proven and trusted gear, and I will help guide you away from the products that simply don’t work!
You may also like
What is PPR? Your Questions About Express Entry Canada
Flight preparation checklist – what you need to know first class air travel
Best tips and benefits of flying first class
What to pack in a carry on bag
FAQs
Buying A SIM Card In Canada (A Helpful Illustrated Guide)? ›
If you want to buy the best SIM card in Canada, I recommend going with Telus or Koodo. Telus has the best coverage and the fastest speeds in Canada. Koodo has full access to the Telus network (except for 5G NR) and is cheaper.
Which Canadian SIM card is best? ›If you want to buy the best SIM card in Canada, I recommend going with Telus or Koodo. Telus has the best coverage and the fastest speeds in Canada. Koodo has full access to the Telus network (except for 5G NR) and is cheaper.
Can I buy just a SIM card in Canada? ›You can either buy a Canada prepaid SIM card in person in some international airports, in mobile provider stores, in a convenience store, or on Amazon. Usually, you can expect higher costs and low data offers at the airport, so we don't recommend buying a Canadian SIM card at the airport. What is this?
Can you buy a SIM card without a plan in Canada? ›However, buying a prepaid SIM card could be the easiest and cheapest option. You can do this by visiting one of Canada's many network providers, like Telus or Koodo, upon entry into the country or buying a prepaid eSIM online to connect with the network as soon as you land.
Can I get a Canadian SIM card in the US? ›There are many agents who provide a Canadian SIM Card while you were outside of Canada. Canadiansim offers a Canadian SIM for students that is reliable, easily attainable, packed with value, affordable, and most importantly ready to use the moment they land.
Why are SIM cards so expensive in Canada? ›The Big 3 Canadian telecom companies (Bell, Rogers and Telus) own 90% of the market and charge higher prices due to a lack of competition. The CRTC's review of wireless services found the prices charged by Bell, Rogers, Telus and SaskTel and their profits are higher than in other countries.
Can you buy a SIM card without a plan? ›It is true that to buy a prepaid SIM card, you do not need to sign a contract, but it is necessary that you register the SIM card, have an unlocked phone, and have availability of local frequencies.
What documents do I need to get a SIM card in Canada? ›The required documents are: 1) Your Passport, 2) Your Visa, and 3) Your Study/Offer letter or work permit. After the entire process, you book your SIM card with us. We ensure the SIM delivery in three to five working days.
How much is a new SIM in Canada? ›If you also want to make phone calls it is better to order a physical sim card for Canada. For $49.90 USD you get 10 GB data and for $79.90 USD you get 30 GB data both sim cards with unlimited calling and texting in Canada, USA and Mexico. Click here to see all the international prepaid sim card deals for Canada.
Can I buy a SIM at the airport Canada? ›In case you don't want to order your Canada sim card online, you can also buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival but expect to pay a lot for little data.
Does a SIM card come with a phone number? ›
Data that SIM cards contain include user identity, location and phone number, network authorization data, personal security keys, contact lists and stored text messages. SIM cards allow a mobile user to use this data and the features that come with them.
Do you have to pay a monthly fee for a SIM card? ›With a SIM-only plan, you pay a certain monthly amount for data, calls, and texts. A SIM-only plan is more flexible than pay-monthly contracts. Such a plan can last for as short as 30 days and you can decide if you want to stick with it for longer or move on and look for other alternatives.
What happens when you buy a SIM card? ›It stores contacts and other data, and your phone won't work without it. A SIM card works by connecting with your mobile phone and your carrier's cell towers, so the two can communicate.
Can I put a Canadian SIM card in a US phone? ›If your phone or tablet doesn't support eSIM and you don't want to mess around with physical SIM cards, you can always roam in the United States using your Canadian SIM card. This means your mobile provider here in Canada will continue to provide a data connection for a higher cost, since you'll be in another country.
Can I use an American SIM card on a Canadian phone? ›If the phone is unlocked, then yes, a US AT&T or T-Mobile SIM will work. Actually any GSM SIM worldwide will work. Sprint or Verizon probably won't, however, as they are CDMA carriers. The way to check: Go to Settings/General/About.
Can I use my US Iphone in Canada? ›Most smartphones, including those from Samsung, Apple, Motorola, Google, and other manufacturers, will work in Canada. Just ensure you either have a temporary SIM card, a prepaid plan, or an international plan put in place by your service provider.
Which network is better in Canada? ›Telus provides the best nationwide cell phone service in Canada. If you're looking for cheaper prices on cell phone plans, we recommend Koodo Mobile (which operates on the Telus network) and Fido (which operates on the slightly smaller Rogers network). Is 5G available in Canada? Yes, 5G is available in Canada.
What is the fastest SIM card in Canada? ›Telus Mobile
Telus sim cards are generally valid for 30 days and you can use them all throughout Canada. Telus prides itself on having one of the fastest connections on the planet. You can easily buy and activate your sim card right on the Telus website.
- Best Network SIM Card Provider in India 2023.
- Airtel SIM: #1 Mobile Network Provider in India.
- Reliance Jio SIM: Pay As You Go.
- Vodafone SIM: Emerging Brand in India.
- BSNL SIM: A Pan India Mobile Network Coverage.
- Best Travel SIM Card for Foreigners in India, 2023.
An eSIM, or embedded SIM card, differs from a physical SIM card in that it is permanently fixed onto the device's motherboard, rather than being inserted and removed. Although the eSIM cannot be physically removed, it can still be rewritten, allowing you to switch phone numbers or change carriers as needed.