Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) SIM Cards: Where to Buy

Yes, you can buy a prepaid physical SIM or eSIM from chatr at Toronto Pearson’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 3 arrivals locations. Buying at the airport makes sense if you want a Canadian number or help with setup; arranging a travel eSIM beforehand is more convenient when you need data.

Where Can You Buy a SIM Card at Toronto Pearson?

Start with the sales point in your arrival terminal. The main distinction is between buying a local prepaid service with staff assistance and preparing your own data connection before the flight.

Locations and hours checked on 16 September 2026 against the chatr airport locations and Pearson’s Terminal 1 listing. Times are local.

chatr in Terminal 1

The Terminal 1 sales point is in the public International Arrivals area, before security. After completing your arrival formalities, use the CIBC kiosk as the nearby landmark.

The closing-time discrepancy matters for late flights: Pearson gives 23:00, while chatr gives midnight. If you expect to reach the public hall after 23:00, have another way to connect rather than relying on that final hour.

chatr in Terminal 3

Look for chatr beside Tim Hortons on the arrivals level. Both physical SIM cards and eSIMs are available through the airport service, so an eSIM-only phone does not necessarily require you to buy from a separate provider.

Allow for the time between landing and reaching the shop. A flight scheduled just before midnight can still leave you looking for connectivity after the counter has closed.

What Will You Pay at the Airport?

Current airport price not reliably published. There is no dependable published total covering the package, physical SIM where applicable, activation or dealer charges, and taxes at each Pearson counter.

Ask for the amount you will pay today, including every charge. Then establish:

• The usable data allowance and its expiry date.

• Whether calls and texts are included, and which destinations they cover.

• Whether any advertised data depends on automatic payments.

• Whether the service renews automatically or needs a manual top-up.

Keep Canadian-dollar airport quotes separate from US-dollar travel eSIM prices. Comparing the same number in different currencies will give you the wrong result.

As a reference outside the airport, chatr’s national offer checked on 16 September 2026 was CAD 35 per month for 30 GB with Auto-Pay, for new activations. That allowance included a 5 GB Auto-Pay bonus, alongside unlimited Canada-wide talk and international texting. Its separately advertised physical SIM cost CAD 10; an eSIM was free with a plan.

Those figures are a comparison point, not a confirmed Pearson checkout total. A monthly plan price also should not be treated as a-off travel bundle without understanding the payment and renewal settings.

Buying and Activating Your SIM

Bring an unlocked phone and a passport or government-issued ID. The airport seller may request identification during registration and can assist with activation.

Phone compatibility involves more than having a SIM slot. Your device must support the local service, and an eSIM requires a compatible model. Our guide to checking your phone’s compatibility in Canada covers the checks to make before buying.

Ask which payment methods the counter accepts before starting registration. top-up options are not proof that a particular airport cashier accepts your foreign bank card or cash.

Before leaving, switch off Wi-Fi and open a webpage using mobile data. If you purchased a Canadian number, test the calling or texting service you need as well. Keep the receipt and account details so you can manage the line later.

If you replace your home SIM, put it somewhere secure. With two active lines, select the intended SIM for mobile data and review your home line’s roaming settings.

Airport SIM or Toronto City Store?

Buy at Pearson when the help and immediate service are worth the quoted total. That can be useful if you need a Canadian number for regular calls, prefer someone to complete activation, or have a phone that takes physical SIM cards.

Waiting until Toronto gives you more opportunity to compare retailers and offers. It also means spending part of your trip arranging the connection, so it makes most sense when you already have a workable first-day option.

Do not assume every city deal is available to a short-stay visitor. Compare eligibility, automatic-payment conditions, the initial amount due and the service you will actually use.

Compare local prepaid choices and the wider buying process in our guide to buying a prepaid SIM in Canada. Keep the airport decision focused on convenience and the complete quote, rather than assuming location is always cheaper.

Using a Roafly eSIM When You Arrive

Roafly’s Canada eSIM uses Rogers Wireless and provides mobile data without a Canadian phone number, ordinary calls or SMS. It suits trips where maps, bookings, messaging apps and internet calls cover your communication needs.

Install it before departure using Wi-Fi. Plan validity starts when the eSIM first connects to a supported network in Canada, so installation and the start of your travel allowance are separate steps.

Hotspot sharing uses the purchased allowance without a separate hotspot quota, and top-ups are available. Your device must be unlocked and support eSIM.

The advantage at Pearson is avoiding dependence on counter hours and physical SIM stock. Local prepaid service can still be the better fit if a Canadian number, included calls or a larger allowance matters more.

If you are deciding among travel providers, compare Canada eSIM options by allowance, validity, network access and hotspot terms.

Free Wi-Fi and Other Connection Options

Pearson’s free network is “Toronto Pearson Public Wi-Fi.” Select it, accept the terms on the landing page and press “Connect.” If the page does not appear, open your browser and visit a website to trigger it. The airport’s Wi-Fi instructions explain the connection steps.

Use this connection to message your pickup contact, retrieve accommodation details or arrange mobile service. Save the information needed for your first journey before leaving the terminal.

Your home plan may already include Canada, which could remove the need to buy another service. Check its Canada allowance and charges before enabling roaming; access to airport Wi-Fi alone will not keep your phone throughout the trip.

Our guide to ways to get internet in Canada compares the wider choices, including roaming, local SIMs, eSIMs and pocket Wi-Fi. It is useful if you are still deciding which connection method suits the whole journey.

Late Arrivals, Connections and FAQs

What if I arrive after the SIM counter closes?

Use airport Wi-Fi for immediate arrangements. Preparing an eSIM before flying avoids having to buy and install while managing luggage and your journey. If your phone cannot use eSIM, consider a limited home-roaming option until you can reach a retailer.

Can I visit the SIM counter during an international connection?

Do not plan a purchase from an arrivals-hall shop if your connection keeps you inside the secure transit area. Access depends on your actual connection route and whether you enter Canada.

Can I get a Canadian number with an eSIM?

Yes, eSIM describes the SIM format, not whether a number is included. Local prepaid eSIM service can include a Canadian number; Roafly’s Canada plan is data-only.

Should I buy at Pearson or arrange connectivity beforehand?

Buy at Pearson if you need local calling or setup assistance and can reach the counter during its operating hours. Prepare an eSIM beforehand if your phone supports it and mobile data is enough. With either choice, make the allowance, validity and complete purchase cost fit your trip.