Getting Canadian Dollars for Your Trip
Canada offers incredible diversity - from the cosmopolitan cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal to the stunning wilderness of the Rockies, Niagara Falls, and countless national parks. The Canadian dollar is a stable, widely-traded currency.
The Canadian Dollar (CAD, symbol C$ or simply $) uses colourful polymer notes in $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100 denominations. Coins include 1¢ (penny, discontinued but still legal tender), 5¢ (nickel), 10¢ (dime), 25¢ (quarter), $1 (Loonie), and $2 (Toonie).
Key insight for 2026: Canada is extremely card-friendly - even small purchases can be made by card. However, you must budget for tips (15-20%) which significantly adds to costs. Tips are expected, not optional, in Canadian culture.
Best Ways to Get CAD Before You Travel
Here are your options ranked from best to worst:
- Fee-free travel card (Wise, Revolut) - Best option. Excellent exchange rates, works everywhere, and minimizes ATM fees.
- Order CAD online before you go - Services like TravelFX or Moneycorp offer good rates for cash.
- Specialist currency bureaux - Better rates than high street options.
- Withdraw from Canadian ATMs - Convenient but most charge CAD$2-5 per transaction.
- High street bureaux (Post Office, Travelex) - Convenient but higher margins.
- Airport exchange - Worst rates. Avoid at Toronto Pearson, Vancouver YVR, etc.
Using Cards in Canada
Canada is one of the most card-friendly countries in the world. Contactless "tap" payments are universal.
Where Cards Work Perfectly
Literally everywhere - restaurants, cafes, shops, transit systems, taxis, ski resorts, national parks, farmers' markets, food trucks, street vendors. Many Canadian businesses are moving to card-only.
Where You Might Want Cash
Tips (though most places let you add tips on card), some smaller rural businesses, garage sales, buskers, and some vending machines.
Payment Tips
Contactless/tap limits are typically CAD$250+ per transaction. Chip and PIN also works. Always decline Dynamic Currency Conversion - pay in CAD. Visa and Mastercard are universal; Amex is widely accepted in cities.
Withdrawing Cash from Canadian ATMs
While you won't need much cash, here's what to know:
ATM Fees
Most Canadian banks charge CAD$2-5 for non-customer withdrawals. Major banks include RBC, TD Canada Trust, BMO, Scotiabank, and CIBC. Your UK bank may add additional foreign transaction fees.
Minimising Fees
Use a fee-free travel card (Wise, Revolut) to eliminate your bank's foreign fees. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to reduce per-transaction fees. Some ATMs in convenience stores charge even higher fees - stick to bank machines.
DCC Warning
Always choose to be charged in CAD, not GBP. Dynamic Currency Conversion adds 3-5% to your costs.
Tipping in Canada - Essential Guide
Canada has a North American tipping culture. Tips are expected and form a significant part of service workers' income. Not tipping is considered rude.
- Restaurants - 15-20% before tax. 15% is acceptable, 18-20% for good service. Check if gratuity is already included for large groups.
- Bars - CAD$1-2 per drink, or 15-20% of the tab.
- Cafes/Coffee shops - Not mandatory; tipping jar contributions or CAD$1-2 appreciated.
- Taxis/Uber - 10-15% is standard.
- Hotel housekeeping - CAD$2-5 per night.
- Hotel porters - CAD$2-5 per bag.
- Hairdressers/spas - 15-20%.
- Tour guides - 10-20% depending on tour length and quality.
How to tip: At restaurants, you can add tip when paying by card - the machine will prompt you. Options usually include percentage buttons (15%, 18%, 20%) or a custom amount.
Can I Use US Dollars in Canada?
Technically some places near the US border accept USD, but it's not recommended:
- You'll get a poor exchange rate (often at par or worse, when CAD is typically 25-30% less)
- You'll receive change in Canadian dollars anyway
- Most businesses outside major tourist areas won't accept USD
Bottom line: Use Canadian dollars. The CAD and USD are different currencies with different values.
Best Exchange Options for CAD
Top providers by category:
Calforex
Best rates in major Canadian cities. No commission.
TD Bank
Large ATM network across Canada and USA border.
RBC Royal Bank
Extensive coverage, good foreign card acceptance.
ICE Currency
Order online, collect at airports or branches.
Airport Exchanges
ICE at airports charges premium. Use city locations.
Compare CAD Exchange Rates
See what you'd receive from providers local to you
Frequently Asked Questions
Sort it out before you go. The guide ranks a fee-free travel card (Wise or Revolut) first for its excellent rates, then notes ordered online from services such as TravelFX or Moneycorp, then specialist bureaux. Canadian cash machines are convenient but most charge CAD$2-5 a withdrawal, high street counters have higher margins, and the airport desks at Toronto Pearson and Vancouver YVR give the worst rates.
Hardly any. Canada is among the world's most card-friendly countries and contactless tap is accepted everywhere, from transit systems and taxis to farmers' markets, food trucks and street vendors, with many businesses moving to card-only. A little cash helps for the odd small rural business, garage sales, buskers and some vending machines; tips can usually go on the card.
Yes, most Canadian banks charge non-customers CAD$2-5 a withdrawal; the major names are TD Canada Trust, RBC, BMO, CIBC and Scotiabank. Some machines in convenience stores charge even more, so stick to bank ATMs and take out larger sums less often. A fee-free travel card removes your UK bank's foreign fees, and always choose to be billed in CAD rather than GBP, as Dynamic Currency Conversion adds 3-5%.
Yes, and budget for it: Canada has a North American tipping culture where tips make up a large share of service workers' pay, and leaving none is considered rude. Restaurants expect 15-20% before tax, bars CAD$1-2 a drink, taxis 10-15%, and hotel housekeeping and porters CAD$2-5. In restaurants the card machine prompts you with percentage buttons when you pay.
It is not recommended. A few businesses near the US border take US dollars, but they give a poor rate, often treating the two currencies as equal when the Canadian dollar is typically worth 25-30% less, and your change comes back in Canadian dollars anyway. Away from the main tourist areas most places will not accept them at all.
The Loonie is Canada's $1 coin and the Toonie the $2 coin. Alongside them you will find the 5¢ nickel, 10¢ dime and 25¢ quarter, while the 1¢ penny has been discontinued but remains legal tender. Notes are colourful polymer in denominations of $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100.
Nearby Destinations
Planning to visit multiple countries? Check out exchange guides for nearby destinations:
United States
Mexico