If you’re planning a holiday trip outside of Canada and want to stay connected with talk, text, and data access, an eSIM is the way to go. Setting up an eSIM plan in Canada can grant mobile data access if you're travelling to the US, South America, or other international destinations. While away from Canada, friends, family, and more can get in touch with you and vice versa. We've found some fantastic options for Canadians in need of a reliable and cost-effective eSIM plan to consider.
If you haven't already made the jump to using an eSIM, it's incredibly easy. eSIMs are designed to be an electronic version of your existing SIM card in your smartphone. By digitizing your SIM card, your device downloads your carrier information and phone number to your device. eSIM technology also allows you to use multiple plans on one device and swap between numbers easily.
In this guide, we’ll cover the best eSIM mobile plans for holiday travel, highlight some of the best eSIM-compatible devices, and offer some tips to save money while roaming this holiday season.
Best eSIM plans for holiday travel
| Carrier | Plan | Best for | Shop this plan |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Canada-US Talk + Text + 40GB | North American travellers | $40/month |
|
5G Unlimited 50GB CA-US | Cheap unlimited data | $45/month |
|
40GB, Talk & Text - BYOP | International travellers | $50/month + Roam Travel Pass |
How we picked the best eSIM travel plans
- Price & value We ensured you’re getting the most bang for your buck without sacrificing on the essentials to keep you connected.
- High-speed data We looked at whether the amount of guaranteed “premium” data was reasonable for the plan price, and flagged if you’re being overcharged for data you likely don’t need.
- Coverage & network reliability We evaluated each carrier’s nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage to predict your service quality (no dropped calls allowed!).
- Plan extras and perks If you get free Netflix or a hefty hotspot, we factored those in relative to the cost of the plan.
You can read more about our detailed methodology below.
Best eSIM plans
for traveLling
Public Mobile | Canada-US-Mexico—$40/month
- 40GB of data at 5G speeds
- Affordable
- Only works in the US and Mexico
It's hard to contend with Public Mobile's Canada-US-Mexico plan if you're travelling to either location this holiday season. With 40GB of data on a 5G network, you'll be able to stay on top of social media, answer emails, and stream content during your travels. With unlimited talk and text within all three countries, you'll be able to call loved ones or share a photo in the group chat during your travels.
The only major downside to this plan is that you won't be able to receive calls or texts if you travel out of these countries. So, if you're planning a trip to Europe, you may want to opt for a local eSIM with long-distance support.
View plan
Freedom Mobile | 5G Unlimited 50GB CA-US—$45/month
- Cheap 5G data in Canada, the US, and Mexico
- Global text and video messaging
- Minimum three-month term
- Roam Beyond access costs $30
Freedom Mobile is another excellent choice for those doing some holiday travels in the US and Mexico. Freedom Mobile's affordable plan supports 100GB of data on 5G speeds, keeping you connected. You'll also gain global text and video messaging services, so if you're travelling to the US, you can video message a family member in Europe with no added fees.
Roam Beyond, which unlocks roaming to over 120 destinations, is also available but costs an additional $10/month for 10GB of roaming data. Customers are locked into using the plan for a minimum of three months or risk being hit with a $30 fee. View planWhat is an eSIM?
An eSIM is a digital version of a SIM card that connects your carrier information to your smartphone. Instead of a traditional SIM card, there’s no physical card you’re able to remove from your phone, so you never risk losing or damaging it.
For more information on eSIMs, check out the video below.
Best eSIM plan for international travellers
Fido | 40GB, Talk & Text—BYOP—$50/month plus Roam Travel Pass
- No contract
- Free eSIM
- Only 40GB of data
- International Roam Travel Pass required
Outside the US and Canada, international travellers need options too. The best option we suggest is Fido's 40GB talk and text plan. It gives an affordable base for the plan with enough data prior to adding the carrier's Roam Travel Pass during your holiday trip.
Fido's Roam Travel Pass is available in three options. Canadians can choose from the following:
- Daily: $18/day
- Two Weeks: $100 ($8/day)
- 30 Days: $110 ($4/day)
How to use an eSIM for travel
If you need to activate a new eSIM ahead of travelling this holiday, it's quite easy. Once you purchase an eSIM plan, you can activate it with just a few quick steps. Once the plan is activated, your carrier will provide a QR code or an activation number. You can then input that number into your phone’s eSIM settings to use your new plan.
Find your phone below and follow the directions to activate your new eSIM in a few short steps.
Activating an eSIM on an iPhone
- Go to Settings.
- Select Cellular or Mobile Data.
- Select Add Cellular Plan.
- Scan the QR code.
- Enter confirmation code provided by the carrier (if applicable).
On a Pixel
- Go to Settings.
- Select Network & Internet.
- Select Mobile network.
- Select Carrier.
- Tap Add carrier.
- Scan QR code.
- Tap Start.
On a Samsung
- Go to Settings.
- Select Connections.
- Select SIM Card Manager.
- Select Add mobile plan.
- Select Other ways to add plans.
- Select Add using QR code and scan QR code.
- Follow additional on-screen prompts.
Best eSIM phones
With a bigger shift over to supporting eSIMs, most smartphones on the market allow you to use a traditional SIM card or eSIM, depending on your preference. The only major outlier is Apple's new iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. In Canada, both devices are eSIM exclusive. So, if you're picking up either device, be prepared to migrate over to an eSIM. There is a tradeoff, though; the eSIM-only versions of these devices offer the larger 4,252mAh and 5,088mAh batteries, respectively.
Other great eSIM-supporting devices available include the Google Pixel 10 as well as the Galaxy S25 series. Both devices support a long-lasting battery for when you're travelling. The Galaxy S25 series supports a powerful camera array so you can capture every moment (and every meal). Unlike the iPhone 17 Pro models, Google and Samsung still support traditional SIMs as well as eSIMs, so no matter your preference, you'll be covered this holiday season. Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Methodology: How WhistleOut rates cell phone plans
WhistleOut evaluates phone plans based on the following criteria:
- Price & value: Not all cheap plans are “bad,” and not all expensive plans are worth it. We look at everything a plan includes and compare it both to other plans from the same carrier, as well as similar plans from competitors in the market, to determine whether the value is consistent with the price.
- High-speed data: Also called “premium” data, this is how much data you get at full 4G/5G speeds before they can or will slow down. The more guaranteed high-speed data the plan includes, the better experience you’ll generally have—but there’s also usually a limit to how much you actually need, and we ensure that you’re not overpaying for data that will go unused.
- Coverage & network reliability: The breadth of each carrier’s 4G LTE and 5G networks determines your reception and service. Particularly in the case of 5G, some carriers offer far more robust coverage than others, which affects how their phone plans perform in different parts of the country.
- Plan extras and perks: In addition to the basics—talk, text, and data—some plans throw in freebies like hotspot allowances, cloud storage, entertainment subscriptions, or service discounts.
Our mobile experts leveraged proprietary data and real-world customer feedback to evaluate the best eSIM plans for travel. We compared the 19 of the most popular Canadian providers by analyzing their coverage, cost, and plan options. We considered plan-specific elements, including perks, premium data allowances, and mobile hotspot allocations. After performing hands-on testing and extensive research, including customer feedback, we picked the carriers and plans we felt met the needs of most people.
Visit our guide to choosing a phone plan to evaluate a cell phone carrier or plan and find the one that best meets your specific needs.
Best eSIM plans for travel: FAQs
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