SIM card at YVR

[freely]

My friend is arriving at YVR and she would like to buy a SIM card there. Is there a store that sells Public Mobile SIM at the YVR?

[LovesToPM]

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@freely wrote:

My friend is arriving at YVR and she would like to buy a SIM card there. Is there a store that sells Public Mobile SIM at the YVR?

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Before buying any SIM, check that your friend has a compatiable phone.
https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-started

Btw how long will your friend be staying in Canada/USA and needing a plan here?

Then you and your friend can weigh the possible options:
- Can SIM be delivered to China on time?
- Buy SIM beforehand or after arrival?
- Also if your friend's phone has eSIM feature, that might be an option too. Unfortunately eSIM is not available with Public Mobile.

[liuxinbing]

If simply for map and navi, you even don't need wifi.

In the home location or whereever wifi is strong, download Here We Go software in his phone, then also download the map of BC. Set the Here We Go navi to offline mode.

Now he can navi to anyewhere in BC, don't need SIM, don't need wifi. Start driving immediately.

[stonechucker]

Use WiFi in the airport to download offline maps is the easiest idea until they can get a SIM.  Google certainly has it, and Apple should too.

I would imagine any phone coming from China would have access to similar options if they don't have one of the North American big brands.

[freely]

YVR has decent WiFi coverage. If a SIM card is available there for sale, people can do online activation and then get off the airport with Google Maps and Navigation. 

[worldlins]

 This is the nearest shop to YVR.

[freely]

I would say, if there is an automatic vending machine in the terminal that can accept credit cards, that would be great!

[freely]

Next month, from China.

[bridonca]

YVR has decent free wifi.  That, or plenty of apps do offline maps and gets it sorted out before you reach YVR.  Who is picking you up?  You can get them to get a public Mobile SIM card.

If you are saying Canada is backward in their inability to have a SIM card stocked at an airport, you are certainly right!

[ShawnC13]

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@freely wrote:

This won't work. As soon as getting off the airport, she needs Maps and Navigation, i.e. needs data, which requires a SIM. 

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When are they arriving and where are they coming from?

[Triguy]

They could order one online either through PM or Amazon.ca  but it could take time for delivery depending on their location.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/get-started

[freely]

This won't work. As soon as getting off the airport, she needs Maps and Navigation, i.e. needs data, which requires a SIM. 

[Triguy]

Here is a link for retail store locator.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/bc/store-locator

[will13am]

@freely , here's a store locator you can use to find a convenient location.

https://www.publicmobile.ca/en/on/store-locator

[ShawnC13 · Accepted solution]

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@freely wrote:

My friend is arriving at YVR and she would like to buy a SIM card there. Is there a store that sells Public Mobile SIM at the YVR?

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Not right in the Airport no.  She would need to find the closest Walmart, London Drugs or even the kiosks are at a couple of mall now.