Best eSIM for Canada: Top plans compared for UK travellers

Planning a trip to Canada? Whether you are exploring Vancouver, road-tripping through the Rockies, visiting Niagara Falls, or discovering Montreal, staying connected makes every part of the journey smoother.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital SIM card built into your phone. Rather than swapping out your UK SIM at the airport, you download a local data plan directly to your device before you travel. Your UK number stays active in the background for calls and texts, while the eSIM handles your data in Canada.

This guide compares the best eSIM options for Canada so you can sort your connectivity before you leave home.

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Best eSIM providers for Canada: Quick look

Here is a quick overview of the top eSIM providers for Canada:

Prices and plan details may vary depending on your location, currency and promotions. Prices may also be shown in different currencies depending on the provider. Always check the provider's website for the latest information before buying.

Airalo

Airalo's Canada eSIM operates on the Bell network, one of the country's two leading mobile networks, with strong 4G and 5G coverage across major cities and popular travel routes.¹ Plans start from $7.00, with a range of fixed data packages and unlimited options to suit different trip lengths.¹

One thing that sets Airalo apart for Canada is that they also offer plans that include calls and texts, not just data — a genuinely rare option for a travel eSIM in Canada.¹ If you want to make traditional phone calls while in Canada rather than relying on internet-based apps, this is worth considering. Top-ups are available in the Airalo app if you run low on data, and customer support is accessible 24/7 via WhatsApp.¹

Good for: Travellers who want reliable Bell coverage with the option to include calls and texts, plus easy in-app top-ups.

Read more in our full Airalo eSIM review.

Nomad

Nomad's Canada eSIM connects to both Telus Mobility and Bell, two of the strongest networks in Canada, providing 4G and 5G coverage across Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, and beyond.² Plans start from $5.00, with a broad choice of fixed data packages and unlimited plans for different trip lengths and usage levels.²

Hotspot and tethering are fully supported.² If your plan runs out before your trip ends, add-on plans are available and activate automatically, keeping you connected without any gap in service.² The Nomad app, available on iOS and Android, lets you track your data usage and manage your plan while you are away.

Nomad's Canada plans are data-only. Calls and texts are not included, so you will use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime for voice calls.

Good for: Travellers who want multi-network coverage across both Telus and Bell, with flexible add-on options.

Read more in our full Nomad eSIM review.

Saily

Saily is built by the team behind NordVPN, so online privacy is central to its design. Plans for Canada start from $9.99 and include a range of fixed data options, as well as unlimited plans for longer or heavier-use trips.³

A practical advantage is that Saily uses a single eSIM for all supported destinations. Once installed, you simply add new destinations to the same eSIM rather than starting from scratch each time you travel.³ Hotspot sharing is unlimited, and three built-in security tools are included: a virtual location feature, an ad blocker (which Saily states can reduce data usage by up to 28.6%), and web protection against malicious sites and trackers.³ You receive a notification when you reach 80% of your data, and top-ups can be added in the app.³

Saily plans are data-only and do not include calls or texts.

Good for: Security-conscious travellers who want one eSIM for multiple trips and built-in privacy tools.

Read more in our full Saily eSIM review.

Holafly

Holafly sells only unlimited data plans for Canada, which suits travellers who prefer not to monitor a data cap. Plans start from $7.90 for a one-day plan, with longer durations available at progressively lower daily rates.⁴ Holafly's Canada eSIM connects to both Bell and Telus, providing strong urban 4G and 5G coverage across Canada's main cities and popular destinations.⁴

Hotspot sharing is available, capped at 1 GB per day.⁴ A fair use policy applies: Holafly states that speeds may be reduced if usage exceeds 90 GB in a month, a threshold that most holiday visitors would not approach. Customer support is available 24/7 via live chat, and every Holafly plan includes an "Always On" feature that gives you 1 GB of free backup data per month.

Holafly plans are data-only and do not include traditional calls or texts.

Good for: Travellers on longer stays who want unlimited data across Bell and Telus without worrying about a usage cap.

Read more in our full Holafly eSIM review.

How to choose the best eSIM for your Canada trip

Canada is a vast country with varied terrain, so there are a few things worth considering:

• Network coverage: Bell and Telus have the widest 4G and 5G coverage across Canada. If you are visiting remote areas, national parks, or driving between cities, choosing a plan on one or both of these networks is important. Coverage in rural and wilderness areas can be limited on any network.
• Calls and texts: Most travel eSIMs for Canada are data-only. If you need to make traditional phone calls, Airalo is one of the few providers that offers a Data/Calls/Texts option for Canada. For most travellers, WhatsApp and FaceTime over data is a practical alternative.
• Fixed vs unlimited data: A fixed data plan works well for a short city trip or lighter usage. An unlimited plan suits longer stays or travellers who will use maps, streaming, or hotspot frequently. Check whether a fair use policy applies before buying.
• Hotspot use: If you plan to tether a laptop or tablet, confirm that hotspot is supported and check whether there is a daily cap.
• Plan duration: Match the plan length to your itinerary. Plans typically range from a few days to 30 days.
• Phone compatibility: Your phone must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Most iPhones from the XR onwards and many recent Android flagships support eSIM.

How to install and activate an eSIM for Canada travel

Setting up a Canada eSIM is straightforward. Here is what to do before you travel:

1. Check compatibility: Confirm your phone is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. On an iPhone, go to Settings and look for an option to add a mobile plan. On Android, check under SIM settings or network settings.
2. Buy your plan: Visit the provider's website or app and select a Canada data plan. Purchase before you leave the UK.
3. Receive your QR code: After purchase, you will receive a QR code by email or directly in the app.
4. Install the eSIM: Go to your phone settings, select "Add mobile plan" (or the equivalent on your device), and scan the QR code. You need a Wi-Fi connection during installation.
5. Enable data roaming: In your phone settings, turn on data roaming for the new eSIM profile.
6. Activate on arrival: Most plans activate automatically once your phone connects to a Canadian network. You can install the eSIM at home before you fly — it will stay inactive until you land.

A useful tip: install your eSIM a day or two before departure so you have time to troubleshoot at home if anything is unclear, rather than at the airport.

Why use an eSIM for travelling to Canada?

Here are the main reasons a Canada travel eSIM is worth considering:

• Avoid high roaming costs: UK carrier roaming charges to Canada can be significant, and Canada's own domestic mobile data prices are among the highest in the world — making a travel eSIM particularly good value.
• Keep your UK number active: Your physical SIM stays in your phone, so you can receive calls, bank verification texts, and two-factor authentication codes on your UK number throughout your trip.
• Buy before you fly: You can set everything up from home and be connected the moment you land, without visiting a local phone shop or queue at the airport.
• Flexible top-ups: Most providers let you add more data from an app without visiting a store.
• Strong urban coverage: Canada's major cities — Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary, Ottawa — have excellent 4G and growing 5G coverage on Bell and Telus.
• Security: Using your own mobile data is more secure than connecting to unknown public Wi-Fi networks in hotels, cafés, or airports.

Make your spending go further in Canada with the Wise card

Sorting your data before you fly is one part of trip preparation. Having the right card for spending in Canada is another.

The Wise card lets you spend in 40+ currencies across 150+ countries, converting your pounds to Canadian dollars at the mid-market exchange rate. There is only a small, transparent conversion fee* and no foreign transaction fees.

The card costs a one-time fee of £7 to order. Free ATM withdrawals are available up to £250 per month, with a 2.69% fee on any amount above that. Additional charges may apply from independent ATM networks.

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FAQs about using an eSIM in Canada

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?

Most iPhones from the XR onwards support eSIM, as do many recent Android devices including Samsung Galaxy S20 and later models, and Google Pixel 3 and later. Your phone also needs to be carrier-unlocked. The quickest way to check is to go into your phone's settings and look for an option to add a new mobile plan, or search your phone model followed by "eSIM compatible".

Can I keep my UK phone number while using a Canada eSIM?

Yes. The eSIM provides your data connection, while your physical UK SIM continues to handle calls and texts. Set your UK SIM as the default for calls and SMS, and set the eSIM as your data source. This means you can still receive bank verification codes and calls on your UK number while you are in Canada.

Can I make calls with a Canada eSIM?

Most Canada travel eSIMs are data-only, meaning you use apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime for voice and video calls rather than traditional phone calls. Airalo is one of the exceptions: they offer plans for Canada that include calls and texts alongside data, which is useful if you need to make conventional phone calls while there.

How much data do I need for a trip to Canada?

It depends on how you use your phone. If you mainly use maps, messaging, and occasional browsing, a smaller fixed data plan should be enough for a short trip. If you plan to stream content, use your phone as a hotspot for a laptop, or navigate extensively across long drives between cities, a larger or unlimited plan is worth considering. Several providers also offer a data calculator to help you estimate before you buy.

What if I run out of data?

Most providers let you add more data through their app without buying a completely new eSIM. Some, like Nomad and Airalo, offer top-ups that link directly to your existing eSIM and activate automatically. If you are unsure how much data you need, choosing a provider with easy in-app top-ups gives you the most flexibility during your trip.

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Sources used:

1. Canada eSIMs - Airalo — Starting price from $7.00 USD, Bell network, data-only and data/calls/texts plans, top-up availability, 24/7 WhatsApp support. Checked 02-06-2026.
2. Canada Travel eSIM - Nomad — Starting price from $5.00 USD, Telus Mobility / Bell networks, 4G/5G, hotspot/tethering support, add-on plans. Checked 02-06-2026.
3. eSIM Canada - Saily — Starting price from $9.99 USD, unlimited hotspot, security features (ad blocker, virtual location, web protection), one eSIM for all trips, 80% data alert. Checked 02-06-2026.
4. eSIM for Canada - Holafly — Starting price from $7.90 USD (1-day plan), Bell / Telus networks, unlimited data only, hotspot capped at 1GB/day, Always On (1GB backup monthly), FUP above 90GB/month. Checked 02-06-2026.

Sources last checked on date: 02-06-2026