Phone in Florida: roaming, Canada–US plan, US SIM or eSIM?
The 4 options compared
| Option | Approximate cost | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily roaming (Rogers, Bell, Telus, Fido, Koodo, Virgin) | $12 to $16 a day, often capped around 20 days a month | Nothing to set up, keep your number | Very expensive past 2 weeks | Short trips |
| Canada–US plan (Bell, Telus, Vidéotron, Fizz) | About $60 to $115 a month | Your number, works on both sides | Permanent-roaming rules, sometimes can't be re-added for 12 months | Frequent back-and-forth |
| Prepaid US SIM or eSIM (T-Mobile, Mint and others) | About US$15 to $40 a month | Cheapest for 1 to 6 months, easy local calls | US number, unlocked phone required | 1 to 6-month stays |
| Data-only eSIM (Airalo and others) | About US$24 for 5 GB | Set up in 5 minutes before you leave | No phone number, limited data | One to two weeks |
How much does roaming cost for a winter?
At $12 to $16 a day, a full month costs about $240 to $320, depending on your carrier's cap. For three months, the bill easily tops $700. Telus raised its US daily rate in October 2025. Check your plan's exact rate before you go.
The Canada–US plan trap
These plans are designed for Canadians who live in Canada. The CRTC has confirmed carriers can ban permanent roaming. If you spend most of your time in the US, your carrier can remove the plan. Some customers also report that a removed Canada–US plan can't be re-added for 12 months, which hurts seasonal travellers. Read the terms before you sign up.
A prepaid US line: the cheapest option
- Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM-compatible (most recent phones are).
- Pick a prepaid plan on a national network (T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon, or a reseller). 3-month deals are often the best value.
- Keep your Canadian number: put it on hold with your carrier, or port it to an internet phone service to keep receiving calls and texts.
A data eSIM for short trips
A data eSIM is bought online and installed before you leave. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, FaceTime and other apps, with no roaming fees. For several months, a prepaid line is cheaper.
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What about internet for remote work?
Ask about the rental's internet speed before you book. Without a contract, you can also get prepaid home internet (about US$45 to $50 a month) or a 5G home option. Keep a plan B: hotspot, café, library or coworking space.
Key takeaways
- Under 2 weeks: roaming or a data eSIM.
- 1 to 6 months: a prepaid US line, by far the cheapest.
- Canada–US plan: read the permanent-roaming rules.
- An unlocked phone keeps every option open.
Leave without forgetting anything
The complete checklist: more than 65 items to tick off, from 2 months before you leave until you're back. 6-page PDF, 2026 rules.
See the checklist ($9)Sources
- WhistleOut — Canadian US roaming guide
- MobileSyrup — Telus roaming rate increase
- Airalo — US eSIMs for Canadians
Prices change often and vary with promotions: check with providers before you sign up.