Prepaid 4G SIM/eSIM in Canada: How Much Does It Cost? Where to Buy One?
If you’re heading to Canada for a trip, make sure your mobile plan covers the country. If it doesn’t, it could end up costing you a fortune.
For example, with Orange, using your French SIM card in Canada will cost you:
- €1.18 per minute for a call to France
- €0.55 per minute for receiving a call
- €0.28 per SMS sent (incoming texts are always free)
- and worst of all… €13.31 per MB of data! At that rate, you could end up in debt for life just by watching a YouTube video.
So you’d be wise to find a more economical alternative.
Buy a SIM card before you leave
The simplest solution: order a prepaid SIM card before you go, and it’ll be delivered to your home. As soon as you land in Canada, just pop it into your phone and you’ll have instant internet access without worrying about the bill.
There are deals on Amazon (like this example) and they’re only slightly more expensive than buying one on the spot. For instance, you can get a physical SIM card for €29 and use it right after landing to book an Uber, for example. If you have Amazon Prime, the card will be shipped to you very quickly. The card is valid for 30 days.
Buy an eSIM that works in Canada
Our partner Holafly offers eSIMs valid in Canada for compatible phones.
Check out this service on our article dedicated to Holafly eSIMs (with a promo code inside).
See the different eSIM options for Canada. Feel free to use the promo code TOURDUMONDE5CONTINENTS
We haven’t had the chance to test Holafly in Canada, but we’ve used it in Montenegro and were very satisfied with their service (read our detailed review).
Buy a SIM card at Montréal-Trudeau Airport
You have two options for buying a SIM card at the airport.
ChatR
ChatR is a subsidiary of Rogers, the largest telecom operator in Canada.
ChatR has a kiosk at the airport, located near gate 26 in the arrivals area (note that the kiosk is closed if you arrive before 10 a.m. or after 10 p.m.).
The SIM card costs CAD 10, and you’ll need to purchase credit:
- CAD 25 for 500 MB of data
- CAD 35 for 2 GB of data
- CAD 50 for 10 GB of data
- …
Yes, there’s no unlimited data in Canada! However, SMS and calls are unlimited.
ICE Currency Exchange
In the arrivals area, you’ll also find the ICE currency exchange, which offers SIM cards from Telus.
The SIM card costs CAD 20 (which is credited back to you).
The plan rates are as follows:
- CAD 35 for 1 GB of data
- 45 CAD for 3 GB of data
- 55 CAD for 4 GB of data
- …
Calls and texts are also unlimited here.
Buying a SIM card in town
You can go to a store of one of the three main carriers (Rogers, Bell, Telus) to ask for a prepaid SIM card.
But the simplest and most economical option is probably to choose a SIM card PC Mobile.
You can buy one at a Maxi, Provigo, or Loblaws supermarket.
There too, you’ll have several offers available:
- 30 CAD for 1 GB of data
- 40 CAD for 3 GB of data
- 50 CAD for 6 GB of data
Again with unlimited calls and texts.
The Free Mobile option?
If you’re a Free Mobile subscriber in France, you’re in luck!
With the €20/month plan, you get 25 GB of data in Canada at no extra cost!
And on top of that, the connection is faster than what you’ll get with many local offers (where the speed is sometimes capped).
Buy an eSIM that works in Canada
If you have an eSIM-compatible phone and want to get one in Canada, you can go through Holafly (link).
The rates are more expensive than buying a local SIM card, but it’s a very practical and instant solution.
You can get a 5% discount by using this code at checkout: TOURDUMONDE5CONTINENTS
Don’t forget…
Canada is a vast country with many sparsely populated areas.
As soon as you leave the big cities, it’s not uncommon to lose mobile network coverage altogether.
Depending on where you go, you might have no internet access at all 🙂
Video
Planning a trip to Canada? Our partner Get Your Guide offers entry tickets and guided tours with French-speaking guides at very reasonable rates. Click here to see what they offer and book online.
