Updated on January 11th, 2026
Staying Connected as a Snowbird
For Canadian snowbirds spending months in the United States, choosing the right cell phone plan can make a big difference in staying connected without paying excessive roaming fees. Whether you spend the winters in Florida, Arizona, Texas, or someplace else, you’ll need to have a plan that allows you to stay in contact with loved ones without breaking the bank. The good news is that the Canadian wireless market has evolved quickly and many carriers now offer plans with built-in Canada–U.S. coverage, meaning your talk, text, and data work seamlessly across the border without surprise charges.
Below is an overview of current options for 2026, from both major national carriers and budget brands, so you can find a plan that fits your travel habits and budget. We also recommend reaching out to your provider directly to ask about deals, since you may be able to unlock even better savings that way.
Rogers Canada–U.S.–Mexico Plans
Rogers now offers Canada–U.S.–Mexico plans that include unlimited talk, text, and a large data bucket usable in both Canada and the United States without daily roaming fees. These plans generally start around the mid-$80s per month before discounts (often lower with promotions or bundling). Many plans include 5G data at high speeds with unlimited data after a set threshold, making them a solid option for snowbirds who stream, browse, and stay connected throughout their winter stay.
Key features:
- Canada, U.S., and Mexico coverage built in
- Unlimited calling and texting in all three countries
- Large data allotments with 5G access
- No daily roaming fees
Rogers also still offers its Roam Like Home® daily roaming pass, but for snowbirds spending multiple weeks or months in the U.S., the Canada–U.S.–Mexico bundled plans are generally more cost-effective.
Bell Unlimited Canada/U.S./Mexico Plan
Bell’s Canada–U.S.–Mexico plans similarly include unlimited talk and text along with generous data allowances usable in both Canada and the United States. Monthly pricing for these plans typically starts in the mid-to-high $80s range before discounts, and often comes with perks like free streaming service access (e.g., Crave) with select plans.
Highlights:
- Seamless Canada–U.S.–Mexico calling, texting, and data
- 5G data speeds included at higher tiers
- Free streaming perks on select plans
- A clear alternative to daily roaming charges
Bell’s Roam Better daily roaming add-on is another option, but as with Rogers, it tends to be more expensive for long snowbird stays, which makes the bundled plans a better fit for extended trip
Telus Unlimited Canada-US-Mexico Plan
Telus’ cross-border plans include Canada–U.S.–Mexico coverage as well, offering high data allowances and 5G speeds across North America. Telus positions its plans as strong value for heavy data users and customers who want broad coverage and customer support. Monthly prices for these plans generally start in the same range as Rogers and Bell (mid $80s), with variations depending on data amounts and any promotions in effect.
Key features:
- Canada, U.S., and Mexico included — no daily fees
- Unlimited talk and text in all three countries
- Large 5G data buckets with unlimited later stages
- Strong overall network coverage
Like the other carriers, Telus has an Easy Roam® add-on option, but the inclusive Canada–U.S.–Mexico plans are usually cheaper for snowbirds who stay south for several months.
Beyond the “Big Three”
Beyond the “big three” names in Canadian telecom (Rogers, Bell, and Telus), there are a number of newer players in the market that offer cross-border plans at prices that are often half the price or less of the major players.
Fizz
Fizz has emerged as one of the best budget-friendly options for snowbirds who spend their winters in the USA:
- Canada–U.S. 35 GB plan: At $39/month with 5G access, unlimited talk and text, this plan includes coverage for the U.S., but not Mexico.
- Budget 15 GB option: For light data users, Fizz also offers a 4G-only plan with 15 GB of data at $34/month, including coverage in the U.S.
Fizz allows you to turn U.S. coverage on or off in the app, which is perfect for snowbirds who only travel south for part of the year and want to avoid unused fees.
Freedom Mobile
Freedom Mobile (now integrated with Videotron) offers several Canada–U.S.–Mexico 5G plans that include roaming without daily charges:
- Options around $39–$49/month include generous data allowances of 60–80 GB or more, with unlimited talk/text included.
- Plans in the $59-$79/month range include even higher data allowances for heavy users, going as high as 250 GB per month with reduced speeds thereafter.
These plans are competitive with Fizz and often undercut major carriers on price. You can get even further savings if you take advantage of their Digital Discount.
Public Mobile
Public Mobile has become a compelling choice for snowbirds who want Canada–U.S. roaming without high monthly costs. Since Public Mobile operates on the Telus network, its coverage and reliability are strong. The plans include unlimited talk and text plus a data bucket you can use both in Canada and the U.S. without additional roaming charges.
- Canada–U.S.–Mexico 10 GB plan: At $35 per month, this plan includes with unlimited talk, text, and 10 GB of 5G data for use in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, making it a solid mid-range option.
- Canada–U.S.–Mexico 100 GB plan: At $40 per month, this plan comes with 100 GB of 5G data, giving more room for browsing or light streaming while you’re south of the border.
- Canada–U.S.–Mexico 150 GB plan: The highest-data plan currently on offer comes with 150 GB of 5G data at a price of $50 per month.
Public Mobile also uses a “Public Points” rewards system, which can help reduce your cost over time if you take advantage of promotions and credits.
Which Cell Phone Plan Do We Recommend for Snowbirds?
At Cross Country Valet, our cross-border cell phone plan of choice is Public Mobile’s Canada–U.S.–Mexico plan. Using a promotion, we were able to get 60 GB of data included with this plan at the $35/month price, instead of the standard 10 GB of data, so we highly recommend calling them up and asking if they can offer any deals better than what is advertised.
Why did we choose Public Mobile? Given the amount of time we spend south of the border delivering cars for our clients, it was a no-brainer to choose a cell phone provider that offered generous data limits for both countries at a sub-$40 per month price point. The addition of Mexico to the list of roaming-free countries included in the plan was another perk, since our travels sometimes take us there too. We have been pleased with the level of coverage we are able to get with Public, which leverages the Telus network within Canada.
Freedom Mobile was another consideration, but ultimately we found that Public offered the best value and coverage for our needs. We have no affiliation with Public Mobile, nor do we receive any affiliate money for promoting them—we’re just big fans!
Other Options to Stay Connected
If you aren’t keen on the idea of changing to a cross-border cell phone plan, there are additional options you can explore to stay in touch with friends and family back home without spending a fortune.
Travel SIM Cards
As an alternative to Canadian cell phone plans with roaming features, Travel SIM Cards present a convenient solution for snowbirds. Swapping your regular Canadian SIM for a Travel SIM at the border can offer significant savings compared to Canadian carriers’ roaming rates. U.S. SIM Cards also allow Canadians to make and receive calls in the U.S., with data plans available for a low daily or monthly fee. Popular U.S. telecom companies that cell SIM Cards include Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.
Keep in mind, though, these options require the Canadian carrier to unlock your phone; it can also be inconvenient to have to forward calls from your Canadian number to the U.S. SIM card while you’re away. As well, unless you are downgrading your Canadian plan for the winter, the extra cost of adding on a U.S. cell phone plan probably doesn’t make sense. For snowbirds spending winters in countries other than the U.S., however, a SIM card could be an ideal solution.
Internet Applications
Internet-based communication applications like Facetime, WhatsApp, Skype are ideal options for communicating with loved ones back home without the need for a cellular network. If you don’t want to spend more money on a cross-border cell phone plan, you could make do with a WiFi connection and one of these apps. However, many snowbirds prefer to be able to communicate on the go, and WiFi networks can be few and far between when you are not at home.
Multiple Ways to Connect
As telecommunications technology evolves, staying connected has become more accessible and affordable than ever. Snowbirds now have multiple options available to talk, text, and video call with loved ones back in Canada at a reasonable price. Keep an eye out for new plans and offers, and don’t be afraid to negotiate since you can often score better deals than the ones mentioned in this article. Especially when the Canadian dollar is bad, every penny saved counts for a lot!
Heading down to the U.S. this winter? Learn more about our car transport service for snowbirds.