Planning a trip to Canada and wondering what is the best way to get connected? Don’t get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans. This is a specific guide for buying a sim card at Toronto Airport with where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per May 2023, my recommendation and info about international and e-sim cards for Canada.
Being a full time world traveler and nomad since 2012 I constantly get to new countries and buying a prepaid sim card is the first thing I do on arrival. Therefore on Traveltomtom you can find already more than 150 prepaid sim card guides from all over the world: Europe, UK, London, New York, Newark, USA, Ireland, Portugal, Italy, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, France, South Africa and many more.
Of course I also wrote an extensive guide for buying a sim card for Canada in 2023.
Be prepared for the fact that prepaid sim cards with data in Canada feels like stepping back in time. I am honestly when saying that many 3th world countries have better options, facilities and service when it comes to getting connected abroad. Buying a prepaid sim card in Canada for tourists is awful!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a sim card at Toronto Airport because the available sim card deals are very bad value for money!
Buying an international sim card for Canada or an e-sim card for Canada online is a much better idea than getting a sim card at Toronto Airport. When you start reading this article you will understand. Sim cards with 3G only? You are kidding me Canada? South Korea is implementing 6G at in 2023 and Canada is still selling sim cards with 3G only?
Have a look at my round up of the best global sim cards for travel in 2023 for better Canada sim card deals or choose the easiest way to get connected when traveling to Canada: an e-sim card.
E-sim card for Canada
The easiest way to get data on your phone in 2023 is an e-sim card. You arrange everything directly online within just a couple minutes. You order online, receive an email with a code and instructions, apply the settings and you are all set for your trip to Canada. Check out the following Canada e-sim card deals:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $11 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $15 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $35 USD
Click here to order one of the above e-sim cards for Canada directly online or find more info.
May be even better e-sim card deals for Canada I found on a website that offers international e-sim cards valid in more than 70 countries, including Canada:
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for Canada.
With an e-sim card you keep your own phone number from home.
Arriving at Toronto Airport
Before my trip to Alberta and first landed at Toronto Airport. I had to collect my luggage before continuing my journey to Edmonton. First thing I did on arrival was checking out all the available Canada sim cards for tourists and unfortunately I came to the conclusion that there wasn’t that much on offer.
Toronto Airport is very easy to navigate though. There is only one exit into the arrival hall. The airport is pretty small.
Where to buy a sim card at Toronto Airport
Toronto Airport is not a very modern airport and pretty chaotic. There are 2 places that sell Canada sim cards for tourists.
1. As soon as you walk out of Arrivals you will see a purple booth in front of you: Chatr. They have big signs saying: free sim card.
2. On your left hand side you can find the Currency Exchange which also sells sim cards for Canada.
I also inquired at other electronic shops and bookstores, but none of them were selling sim cards for Canada.
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Prices Canada sim card at Toronto Airport in 2023
$1 CAD = $0.73 USD and $1 USD = $1.36 CAD.
Chatr Toronto Airport
At Chatr they sell a couple different Canada sim card deals:
- $25 CAD: not worth mentioning!
- $35 CAD: 1 GB data + unlimited calling & texting in Canada.
- $40 CAD: 4 GB data + unlimited calling & texting in Canada.
- $50 CAD: 8 GB data + unlimited calling & texting in Canada and US.
BE AWARE: a Chatr sim card only gives you 3G SPEED! Chatr operates on the Roger Canada network.
I was like WHAT? Have you tried to use Instagram at 3G speed? This is 2023 Canada wake up! I have traveled to countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Gambia, etc. and everywhere they have 4G prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Sorry but Chatr is a TOTAL NO-GO for me! I ain’t dealing with 3G anymore and I would not recommend anyone either.
Currency Exchange Toronto Airport
Here they sell 4 different prepaid sim cards for Canada. All 4 of them are displayed behind the glass and every package has a different color. All the prepaid sim cards are from Telus Canada.
- $45 CAD = 1 GB data - valid for 3 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms.
- $67 CAD = 3 GB data - valid for 5 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms.
- $84 CAD = 4 GB data - valid for 7 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms.
- $96 CAD = 5 GB data - valid for 14 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms.
Who buys a $45 sim card just for 3 day2? Please people… I am writing this article for buying a sim card in Toronto Airport to help you NOT waste your money on your trip to Canada!
Best sim card at Toronto Airport in 2023
A Chatr sim card gives you only 3G internet speed so I can never name that the best buy. Therefore I have to choose one of the Telus Canada sim cards they sell at the Currency Exchange. All these sim cards are extremely expensive and value for money is ridiculous.
Therefore I do NOT RECOMMEND you to buy a prepaid sim card for Canada at Toronto Airport.
You can best order a sim card for Canada online. I would suggest to buy a Canada sim card online or have a look at my article about with the best prepaid sim card deals for Canada in 2023.
Buy a Canada sim card online
Another way to save money on roaming charges is to get your Canada sim card before your trip. The following Canada sim cards can be ordered online and will be shipped to your home address:
1. True Move Smart Traveler = $39.90
- 6 GB data all over Canada
- Valid for 15 days
2. Orange Holiday World = $49.90
- 10 GB data all over Canada, USA + Mexico
- Valid for 14 days
Click here to order an international sim card for Canada directly online.
All the above sim cards are already activated so you will be online as soon as the plane touches the ground. 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.
Also another last reminder that you can arrange everything online by ordering an e-sim card for Canada through Airalo or through SimOptions.
Heading towards to Niagara Falls then check out my complete guide in the link, also an Ottawa travel guide and things to see in Halifax and much more can be found on my Canada page.
Still having questions then please leave me a message below or check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom with as per May 2023 adventures from more than 155 countries around the world. Check out my journey to visit every country in the world.
Enjoy your trip to Toronto, Canada.
