Planning a trip to Canada and flying to Toronto and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card for tourists on arrival at Toronto International Airport? 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 August 2024, my recommendation, info about eSIMs for Canada and more about international sim cards for Canada.
Being a full time world traveler and nomad since 2012 I constantly get to new countries and staying connected is one of the first things I look for when planning my trip. In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival, but nowadays I mostly use eSIMs when traveling abroad.
Because I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world on Traveltomtom: Europe, UK, London, New York, Newark, USA, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Spain, Italy, Colombia, Panama, Dominican Republic, France, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, Dubai and many more.
Of course Traveltomtom also wrote an extensive guide for buying a tourist sim card for Canada in 2024 and I also listed the best eSIMs for Canada in 2024.
Be prepared: buying a prepaid sim card in Canada feels like stepping back in time. Honestly, most 3rd world countries have better sim card options, facilities and service when it comes to buying sim cards for tourists. Buying a tourist sim card in Canada is awful.
Some links in this article about buying a sim card at Toronto Airport are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Traveltomtom does NOT recommend buying a sim card at Toronto Airport because the available tourist sim cards are a nightmare.
Buying an international sim card for Canada or an eSIM for Canada on the internet is a much better idea than getting a sim card at Toronto Airport. When you start reading this article you will understand.
At Toronto Airport they still sell tourist sim cards with 3G network only! Are you kidding me Canada? South Korea is trying implement 6G and Canada is still selling sim cards with 3G only in 2024?
Well, the good news is that there are incredible Canada eSIMs for sale on the internet. Check out my guide with everything you need to know before ordering a Canada eSIM in 2024.
Have a look at my round up of the best global sim cards for travel in 2024 for better Canada sim card deals or choose the easiest way to get connected when traveling to Canada: an eSIM.
Best eSIMs for Canada
The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Canada in 2024 are eSIMs. No more swapping physical sim cards or visiting a phone store.
You order an eSIM for Canada on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Canada eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Canada it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an eSIM for Canada.
Traveltomtom wrote also an extensive guide with everything you need to know before buying an eSIM for Canada in 2024.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider which Traveltomtom has used in more than 50 countries around the world. Check out the following Airalo eSIM plans for Canada for 2024:
- 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 an eSIMs for Canada directly via Airalo.
Airalo always has ongoing promotions and lately they had their Canada eSIM plans on sale and offered a 50% discount.
The above data-only eSIMs for Canada are from Tuque Mobile and data is only valid in Canada. Tuque Mobile operates on the Rogers 4G/LTE, Bell 5G and Telus 5G network. So yes, these eSIMs for Canada are 5G ready.
SimOptions
SimOptions has several different kind of eSIMs for Canada, so called international eSIMs. In fact, these are the best eSIM deals for Canada in 2024.
The international eSIMs are valid in up to 141 countries, including Canada:
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $34.90 USD
- 6 GB data for 15 days = $39.90 USD
Click here to order an international eSIM for Canada via SimOptions.
In my opinion the Three HK eSIMs from SimOptions are the best buy eSIM for traveling to Canada. The best thing is that you can order it directly online through the link above and arrive prepared.
Traveltomtom readers have reported that TikTok is not working without a VPN on these Three HK eSIMs due to regulations in Hong Kong.
Nomad
Nomad is another trusted e-sim provider. Traveltomtom reviewed Nomad eSIMs in more than 10 countries and they worked like a breeze. Nomad has often very competitive eSIM prices compared to Airalo and SimOptions.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $30 USD
Before ordering an eSIM for Canada make sure your your mobile phone is eSIM compatible otherwise an eSIM is not going to work. How to find out? Simply type it in on Google and find your answer instantly... 'is my X phone sim card compatible?'.
With an eSIM you keep your own phone number from home. For more detailed info check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with an answer to all FAQ about using eSIMs and a comparison of the best eSIMs for Canada in 2024.
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.
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. But remember, nothing is free, even the shitty tourist sim card deals they offer.
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.
Prices Canada sim card at Toronto Airport in 2024
All the prices and info below are updated in August 2024. Prices are in Canadian Dollar: $1 CAD = $0.73 USD and $1 USD = $1.38 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 2024 Canada wake up! I have traveled to countries like Bangladesh, Pakistan, Liberia, Congo, etc. and everywhere they have 4G/LTE prepaid sim cards for tourists.
Sorry but Chatr is a TOTAL NO-GO when looking for a tourist sim card in Canada! I ain’t dealing with 3G anymore and I would not recommend anyone to do so either.
Currency Exchange Toronto Airport
At the currency exchange 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.
- 1 GB data - valid for 3 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $45 CAD - $33 USD
- 3 GB data - valid for 5 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $67 CAD - $50 USD
- 4 GB data - valid for 7 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $84 CAD - $62 USD
- 5 GB data - valid for 14 days - unlimited calling + sms in Canada + international sms = $96 CAD - $71 USD
Who buys a $45 CAD sim card just for 3 days? Please people… I am writing this article for buying a sim card in Toronto Airport to help you NOT waste your money on tourist sim cards when traveling to Canada.
Best sim card at Toronto Airport in 2024
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 to buy a prepaid sim card for Canada at Toronto Airport.
The best and cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Canada is an eSIM for Canada with 20 GB data for 30 days for $34.90 USD, also available as prepaid sim card.
Click on the link to directly order one or check out my guide with everything you need to know about Canada eSIMs including a comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Canada in 2024.
Ordering a sim card for Canada online is the best way to stay connected when traveling to Canada in 2024. Check out my article with the best Canada prepaid sim cards for tourist in 2024.
Buy a prepaid sim card for Canada online
If your phone is not e-sim compatible but you would like to order a sim card for traveling to Canada online before your trip then check out the following.
Arrive prepared in Canada with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Canada, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Canada:
Orange Holiday World = $49.90
- 10 GB data
- Valid in Canada, USA + Mexico + 121 other countries
- Valid for 14 days
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for traveling in Canada via SimOptions.
Also a last reminder that if your phone is e-sim compatible the easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Canada is an eSIM.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for Canada via SimOptions or Airalo.
For more detailed info including FAQ about using eSIMs check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for traveling to Canada in 2024.
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 August 2024 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!