Kelly RainierWe’ve been frequent travelers over the years so we’ve experienced relying on physical maps and travel brochures, before we eventually got to maximize the beauty of data roaming.
But of course, this convenience also comes with a hefty price! To avoid pricey roaming charges and the hassle of interchanging physical SIMs during travel, we chose the best e-SIM providers that we consider our reliable travel partners.
So if you want a hassle-free way of staying connected—one with a flexible SIM solution, check out the best options we’ve tried in Vancouver, and in other parts of the world!
How much does an e-SIM cost in Vancouver?
Generally, e-SIM in Vancouver would cost you around $4.90, giving you 1gb of data for 7 days, and can go as high as $59.90 for 50gb for 30 days. Meanwhile, more extensive plans may offer a better value.
How we chose:
1. Canadian Sim
Website: https://canadiansim.com/campaign/best-canada-sim/
Consumer Rating: B+
| User reviews score | 4.9/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Activation process | 4.5/5 |
| Easy set-up | 4.5/5 |
| Step-by-step instructions | 4.5/5 |
| Plan coverage | 4/5 |
| Post-purchase support | 4/5 |
| 24/7 customer service | 4/5 |
| Data plan management | 4/5 |
| Secure payment methods | 4.2/5 |
For those of you who want to avoid the hassle of opening your phones and switching your local sim cards, especially for the non-dual sim users out there, you’ll love the handy feature of an e-SIM.
One of the reliable ones you could find online is Canadian Sim. Here, new users are given discounts so if you really want to save a lot when it comes to your data or call usage, then you’ll definitely love this option.
For just $1 a day, you can stay connected in a new place without the need to activate that expensive data roaming ever again. All you need to do is go to their website and input your details such as your name, email address, and your Canadian visa type.
Just don’t forget to provide an active mobile number so they can send you the activation details there too in case you didn’t receive it through email. After a few minutes, you’ll get your e-SIM sorted—yes, even before heading to Vancouver.
And even if you encounter technical issues when it comes to activating, their customer service is pretty reliable. If you have questions about setup, you can get in touch through their hotline or email.
Very accommodating
“Very helpful staff!!! Namrata! No hassle for arranging eSIM and home 5G orders from overseas. Looking forward to the pickup upon arrivals to 🇨🇦 !!!”
Yim, User Review
High priority in troubleshooting issues
“Changing previous review as my issue was solved by Canadian Sim with priority. Overall good experience”
Abhirup Das, User Review
2. Nomad eSIM
Website: https://www.getnomad.app/canada-eSIM/
Consumer Rating: B+
| User reviews score | 4.4/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Activation process | 4.8/5 |
| Easy set-up | 4.8/5 |
| Step-by-step instructions | 4.8/5 |
| Plan coverage | 4.7/5 |
| Post-purchase support | 4.7/5 |
| 24/7 customer service | 4.7/5 |
| Data plan management | 4.7/5 |
| Secure payment methods | 4.9/5 |
Nomad eSIM is another online marketplace where you can purchase your eSIMs just before you head out to travel. We’ve tried using this in multiple countries such as in Singapore and Australia, so we knew we had to try it in Vancouver too.
Here, you have the flexibility to choose from different types of plans. It would be best to determine your type of usage, including possible hotspot connectivities you’re expecting during the trip so you can avail the best plan for you.
Nomad has regular plans for 7 days, and multiple regular plan options with different data capacity good for 30 days.
Meanwhile, if you want your data capacity to be refreshed on a daily basis, you may opt for their day plans and get 1gb of data each day.
When it comes to connection, this e-SIM provider has a decent speed and has enough coverage wherever you are. So you won’t have to worry about navigating your way in the country, especially if you’re a tourist here in Vancouver.
Our most favorite part is the easy e-SIM activation process. You just have to download their mobile application, and use it to activate and manage your e-SIM.
Don’t worry, it’s a user-friendly application too, so you won’t get lost in it!
Very easy to use
“So easy to use! Very affordable and great directions.”
Leslie OBrien, User Review
Straightforward directions over email
“Connection was instantaneous across Turkey and Greece. No issues, worked perfectly. Will only use Nomad in the future.”
Andre, User Review
3. Holafly eSIM
Website: https://www.googleadservices.com/
Consumer Rating: B+
| User reviews score | 4.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Activation process | 4.8/5 |
| Easy set-up | 4.8/5 |
| Step-by-step instructions | 4.8/5 |
| Plan coverage | 4.7/5 |
| Post-purchase support | 4.8/5 |
| 24/7 customer service | 4.8/5 |
| Data plan management | 4.8/5 |
| Secure payment methods | 4.9/5 |
If you’re looking for unlimited data connection in Vancouver, or wherever you are in the world, the best option out there would be Holafly eSIM.
Unlike its counterparts, you’re not limited to a few gigabytes a day, so you don’t have to miss out on your favorite shows, or upload endless photos and videos online. In fact, it has the go-to e-sim option for the digital nomads and working professionals too.
In Vancouver, or generally in Canada, you just need to select the number of days for your trip. Just don’t forget to check the compatibility with your phone too!
After you settle the payment, you’ll receive your QR code so you can install your e-SIM. Don’t worry about installing it a few days before your trip, as you can just keep it turned off until you’ve reached your destination.
What’s great about them is that you won’t have any problem if there are sudden changes on your trip. You have up to six months to request for a refund, so we suggest booking that e-SIM ahead for additional peace of mind.
So if you need to change your plan, you can just go to their mobile application so you can directly access their portal.
Great communication, especially for first time users
“Carlos was extremely helpful & patient with me as I am a first time user & not very savvy with technology. It was a stress free transaction & communication was not pushy but very quick & effective. I am very impressed so far.”
Gay, User Review
Good refund policy
“Had problems with my eSIM as I purchased the wrong one. Agent refunded and changed to proper eSIM and helped me to set up as I was having problems with “ real name recognition “ for the country I was in and did not know about. He was very helpful and walked me through all my problems! This was my first time using eSIM on vacation and will definitely use Holafly again and recommend to anyone I know. Thanks 😊”
Shawn McKenna, User Review
4. Airalo
Website: https://www.airalo.com/
Consumer Rating: C
| User reviews score | 2.6/5 |
| Total reviews | 4/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Activation process | 4.8/5 |
| Easy set-up | 4.8/5 |
| Step-by-step instructions | 4.8/5 |
| Plan coverage | 4.8/5 |
| Post-purchase support | 4/5 |
| 24/7 customer service | 4/5 |
| Data plan management | 4/5 |
| Secure payment methods | 4.3/5 |
If you’re visiting multiple countries in one go, the best option we have for you would be Airalo. As long as they’re in the same region, you can utilize this feature so you won’t have to go from one e-SIM to another.
Here, you just have to key in the countries you’ll be visiting, and you’ll get one e-SIM that you can use throughout your trip. However, if you really want to save up, country-specific e-SIMs are still cheaper.
They’re also known to partner up with the fastest network providers in each country, so you’ll have more peace of mind when navigating a foreign place, knowing that you won’t lose your connection wherever you may be.
So for the working professionals out there, we recommend the e-SIM plans at Airalo so you won’t need to worry about your next video conference.
If you want to monitor your data usage, you can just check it through the Airalo mobile application. While eSIM has an initial expiration date, you can set it to auto renew, perfect if you’re extending your trip.
Moreover, the Airalo mobile application also shows if you’re low on data so you can watch out for your daily data consumption.
Easy installation, even for the elderly
“So I read in the reviews, that the installation is difficult. Hmmm, i’m 68 years old and i got it. Just read and followed point to point and got it to work in a few minutes. So you should only stay cool and follow step to step in the tutorial – will work. Had the data-only eSim. I find it great, that it allows me to stay connected via signal or whatsapp also when i’m far away in non-eu-states. It saved me a lot of roaming fee for less than 5 euros. will use it again, when i go abroad.”
Johanna Bressler, User Review
Great discount offers
“I’ve bought a couple of eSIMs with Airalo and it’s always quick and easy to setup / use and track. Discounts on future sims make you keep coming back”
Jay S, User Review
5. Jetpac
Website: https://www.jetpacglobal.com/en/us/
Consumer Rating: B+
| User reviews score | 4.7/5 |
| Total reviews | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Activation process | 4.9/5 |
| Easy set-up | 4.9/5 |
| Step-by-step instructions | 4.9/5 |
| Plan coverage | 4/5 |
| Post-purchase support | 4.5/5 |
| 24/7 customer service | 4.5/5 |
| Data plan management | 4.5/5 |
| Secure payment methods | 4.5/5 |
For budget-conscious travelers out there, Jetpac is a reliable e-SIM provider that will let you stay connected in Vancouver, with options like 1gb for four days—at just $1!
We loved navigating through their mobile application, as it’s relatively easy, we didn’t even have to teach our senior parents how to install and activate theirs.
Additionally, you can also conveniently top-up your data if you ever run out of them. You can also buy additional e-SIMs straight from the mobile application.
Interestingly, they also have add-on deals such as lounge access. So if you currently don’t have lounge access from your active credit cards, you can get single to multiple passes, charged with your e-SIM purchase.
But, wait, maybe you don’t even have to purchase one just yet! Jetpac offers a Smart Delay feature where you can access the lounge for free if your flight gets delayed for more than an hour.
Just register your flight for free. Funny, but we ended up praying for our flight to get delayed just to take advantage of this freebie!
We’re just not too happy about the coverage in Vancouver. While the speed is decent, the coverage isn’t as extensive as the bigger eSIM providers in the city.
You should expect to have intermittent data connection, especially if you’re heading to more remote spots in British Columbia. If you were to ask us, you can opt for this e-SIM provider if you’re only staying in the city center.
Has a pre-activation option
“Recently signed up with Jetpac. Tried a 1Gb to see how it worked, which was good, so purchased a 10Gb for 30 days pack for Switzerland. Great thing is that i can test it in the UK ahead of time, giving peace of mind. I had an issue today when the app updated and i needed to log back in, however i signed in with my email and is logged me in, but had no sign of my pack. The eSIM still
Worked but nothing in the app. I conected the support by tbe chat and Jay was vey helpful and pointed out that i had originally signed up using Apple, so to try that. Onnce i logged out and back in using Apple, all was ok and my pack and history was there. I was impressed with he support on a Sunday in the UK.”
Tony Newland, User Review
Great chat support team
“Contacted the help via Whats App and had fantastic service from Nel. Fixed the problem really quickly! Thanks again Nel!”
Kathryn, User Review
