Internet, Phone & Mail
Mobile phone service in Canada is relatively expensive — the three major providers (Rogers, Bell, Telus) are oligopolistic, and the rates are significantly higher than in Europe.
Options for Travelers
- Prepaid SIM: Lucky Mobile, Public Mobile, or Chatr (all from 25 CAD/month with 1–4 GB of data). Available in any mobile store and many supermarkets.
- eSIM: Airalo, Holafly, or Nomad offer Canada eSIMs from 10–15 € for 1–5 GB. Convenient to install before departure.
- Roaming: EU roaming does NOT apply in Canada! With a German contract, you pay high roaming fees. Clarify with the provider beforehand or book an additional package.
- Wi-Fi: Almost everywhere free in hotels, cafes, and restaurants. Tim Hortons, Starbucks, and McDonald's have reliable Wi-Fi.
Network Coverage
Coverage is good in cities and along highways. But: On the Icefields Parkway, in the Rockies backcountry, in Algonquin Park, and in Atlantic Canada, there are large areas without mobile reception. Download offline maps! GPS in the car works even without a network.
💡 Tipp
Download offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me) for the regions you visit before your trip. There is no mobile network on the Icefields Parkway, in Algonquin Park, and in large parts of Newfoundland. Weather apps also do not work there — check in the morning at the hotel.
