Planning a trip to Canada? Check out these roaming tips!

Canada has always been a hugely popular tourist destination. The Great White North offers something that you will probably not get anywhere else in the world. Cities with bustling culture, nightlife and architecture, the chance to see the Aurora Borealis if you travel further up the north, and so much more.

But before you get all excited about this great country, it is important to remember the basics. And being able to use your phone without any hassles is one of them. So, how do you manage to keep your phone working in Canada? In this blog, we have some of the best roaming tips for you so that your trip to Canada can be enjoyable, amazing and a great memory.

How Can I Avoid Roaming Charges in Canada?

You cannot specifically avoid roaming charges when you are in Canada because you are not in your home country. One option is to use the Wi-Fi at hotels or restaurants as much as possible, but this is not very safe.

However, if you just do a little research, then you will know getting international roaming plans in Canada will help you quite a lot. If your service provider lets you purchase an international roaming pack for your trip to Canada, then get it. Another option is local SIM cards, but they are quite difficult to manage, have unclear benefits, give you an entirely new phone number and other challenges.

Choosing an international roaming plan is by far the best bet to have a comfortable trip in Canada.

Read more: Can I use my Airtel SIM card internationally?

Do I Need to Turn on Roaming in Canada?

The decision to enable or disable roaming on your phone in Canada depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you anticipate needing cellular service while out and about, enabling roaming may be necessary. However, if you plan to rely primarily on Wi-Fi for connectivity, you can disable roaming to avoid accidental data usage.  

Be mindful of your data usage settings during your trip to Canada. Consider turning off automatic app updates, background data usage, and push notifications to minimise data consumption and avoid unexpected charges. 

How Can I Use My Phone in Canada: Tips for Staying Connected

Staying connected with friends and family back home is essential while traveling. Keep in touch through messaging apps, social media, or international calling options offered by your carrier.  

Make use of essential travel apps for navigation, transportation, and local recommendations. Download maps and guidebooks offline to access them without an internet connection, ensuring you can explore Canada with ease.  

While it’s tempting to document every moment of your Canadian adventure on social media, remember to strike a balance between capturing memories and immersing yourself in the experience. Don’t let your phone detract from the enjoyment of your trip.

Read more: Buying local SIMs vs International SIMs – which is better?

How Do I Activate International Roaming: Options for Travellers

If you decide to use your home carrier’s roaming services in Canada, contact them before your trip to enable international roaming on your account. This ensures that your phone will connect to Canadian networks upon arrival.  

Explore the international roaming plans and add-ons offered by your carrier. These packages often provide discounted rates for calls, texts, and data while traveling abroad, making them a cost-effective option for some travellers.  

Take the time to weigh the pros and cons of various roaming options based on your anticipated usage and budget. Consider factors such as daily usage limits, coverage areas, and associated fees before making a decision.

Staying Connected Without Breaking the Bank

Make the most of free Wi-Fi hotspots available throughout Canada. Many cafes, restaurants, libraries, and public spaces offer complimentary Wi-Fi access for patrons.  However, be careful of using Wi-Fi.

To avoid exceeding your data limit, consider setting up a daily data usage limit on your phone. This feature notifies you when you’re approaching your data cap, allowing you to adjust your usage accordingly.  

If you want a lot of mobile data while you are in Canada, and do not want to jeopardise your personal information, then consider choosing Airtel international roaming plans. You can choose from your preferred prepaid or postpaid IR plan, multiple added benefits, and you also get to keep the original phone number that you used back in India.

Read more: How to keep my Airtel SIM active while travelling abroad?

Conclusion

Planning a trip to Canada can be effortless, as it is a country that is known for its warm hospitality (despite the freezing temperatures). Follow these roaming tips above, get yourself an international roaming pack from Airtel, go through all the plans and their respective benefits and get the ones that best meet your needs.

Time to pack your bags!