Top Tips for Using the Internet While Travelling in Canada

Posted on February 29, 2020  •  3 minutes  • 597 words

Image: Pixabay Canada is a large country with a relatively small population. As a result, there are many areas where you may find yourself out of range of the country’s internet network. Providing you understand this and plan accordingly, you should not have too much trouble keeping in touch with the world on your travels.

Buy a Canadian SIM card

If you live in the EU, you may be used to travelling free of roaming charges , but your mobile package probably won’t include roaming in Canada. Therefore, you will need to buy a SIM card when you are there. Most SIM cards you can buy are linked to Canada’s three main mobile providers, Bell, Telus and Rogers. Even if you buy from a different brand, they will probably be owned by one of these companies and use their network. With so little competition, prepaid SIM card tariffs may not be as cheap as you might find elsewhere. But most major supermarkets have outlets where you can pick up a card that will slot straight into your unlocked phone. You can get a decent package of calls, text and data for between $30 and $50 dollars per month. Many people have ditched texts and calls in favour of apps such as Whatsapp, so if you plan to use an app for messaging and calls, choose a plan that is focused on data.

Save your data where possible

For the majority of your online activities, make sure you are hooked on to WiFi, either in your accommodation or on one of the many WiFi hotspots you can find in bars, cafes and shops in the major towns and cities. Using WiFi will save your mobile data for when you really need it. If you are a mobile gamer, try to plan your gaming sessions for when you have a good WiFi connection, or you could end up frustrated when out and about. Likewise, if you enjoy playing casino games, make sure you have a strong WiFi signal before your visit one of the many Canadian-friendly casino sites - you can head over here to see more information about local casinos and their bonus offers, many of which include free spins.

Keep charged

When you do head out, make sure you are fully charged and have a means of charging your phone when your battery dies. A standard charger and a solar charger is recommended to cover all scenarios, if not a powerbank, too.

Use tracking apps

If you are heading somewhere remote where you may be out of range, make sure you inform somebody of where you are headed and try to stick to your planned route. If you want, you can use an app such as Wikiloc, which allows live tracking via GPS. You can send a link to a friend via Whatsapp and they can check on your live location at any time. If you are hiking or mountain biking and get lost or get in trouble, they will know where exactly where you are. Image: Pixabay

Take the correct handset

You should also consider buying a handset just for travel and outdoor activities. You can buy phones that are designed for tough environments and can handle extreme temperatures. They are usually shockproof and waterproof and can handle being dropped or bashed around. Always take equipment which is tailored to your environment. You wouldn’t take a city bike up a mountain, so apply the same rules to your phone! Follow these tips and you should have no problems staying connected on your next trip to Canada.