Travel Phone Plans for Canadians: Compare Options | VoyageSIM

Practical guide for Canadian travellers

Searching for travel phone plans in Canada? Before choosing roaming from Bell, TELUS, Rogers, Vidéotron or another carrier, determine whether you need mobile internet only or standard calls and SMS as well.

Quick answer

Common travel options include using your Canadian carrier's roaming, adding a prepaid travel eSIM, or buying a local SIM. The best value depends on your destination, number of travel days, device and the services already included in your plan.

Travel phone plans: what are your choices?

Canadian carrier roaming

Convenient if you need traditional calls, texts and data on your normal number. Check included countries and the full trip cost.

Prepaid travel eSIM

Known-price mobile data for an unlocked, compatible phone. VoyageSIM provides data-only plans with digital setup.

Local physical SIM

May suit extended trips or travellers who need a local number. Finding and registering a local SIM can take time.

Wi-Fi only

No separate mobile plan needed, but coverage is limited to Wi-Fi access points and may be inconvenient while in transit.

How to compare your costs before leaving Canada

  1. Check whether your current mobile plan already includes the destination.
  2. Count the days on which you expect to use mobile service abroad.
  3. Calculate the complete cost of any daily roaming plan or travel pass.
  4. Compare the allowance, speeds, tethering rules and validity of a prepaid data eSIM.
  5. Confirm that your device is unlocked and eSIM-compatible.

For a 10-day trip, compare the full applicable roaming cost against a prepaid eSIM valid for the same duration. A travel eSIM is not always cheaper, especially where your carrier already includes roaming.

VoyageSIM data plans for popular trips

Can you keep your Canadian phone number?

Many dual-SIM phones allow your main Canadian line to remain installed while VoyageSIM provides mobile data. Your home carrier may still charge for activity on your home line. Review each line's roaming and data switching settings.

Read our travel eSIM comparison for Canadian travellers for more factors to consider.

Important: VoyageSIM plans are data-only. They do not include traditional phone calls or standard SMS. Your Canadian carrier may charge for activity on your primary line.

Frequently asked questions

Which travel phone plan is best for Canadians?

It depends on whether you need traditional calling and texting or only mobile data. Compare your existing carrier benefits with a prepaid eSIM's full-trip cost.

Can I keep my number with VoyageSIM?

Typically yes on a compatible dual-SIM phone, but Canadian carrier service and fees are separate from the travel data eSIM.

Can I buy an eSIM before leaving Québec?

Yes. VoyageSIM prepaid data plans are purchased online and installation instructions are sent for a compatible device.

Will it work on cruise ships?

Land-based data plans do not guarantee offshore maritime coverage. Check each port of call.

Find a travel data plan

Choose a destination and compare prepaid data options in Canadian dollars, with Québec-based customer support.

Browse VoyageSIM plans

Check your home carrier's current international roaming terms before departure.