where to get canadian money?
 

Hey,
I am leaving for Canada in a week. I was wondering where I could get canadian money? A friend told me that it was better to get it in the states for a good exchange rate but he wasn't sure where.

Thanks,
Robert

Exchange rates at the airport are usually pretty poor... though the cash machine at the airport will have the bank exchange rate.

It's been three years since I've been to Canada, but I had no problem using US money when i was there... and found an Cash machine as soon as I was able to... that way I was using the banks exchange rate.

You should talk to your bank. Most banks will require that you have an account with them in order to buy foriegn currency and they may also set a minimum limit such as my bank which requires a minimum of 100 USD worth. At today's rate, that would be approx. 126.43 CAD. Then the bank may also charge you a small shipping fee as they most likely will have to order it from their main offices.

Well, some american banks will have cdn money others don't. You can go to any cdn bank and exchange USD for CDN.

Right now with todays exchange 100USD = 131.31 if you went to a royal bank here.

Every bank will have a little different exchange rate tho.

And yes most places will take USD but will not give u a good exchange on it, you are better off getting it changed at a bank.

Where are you going in Canada?

thanks everyone, im heading to toronto and montreal

Exchange it in Canada.
We accept american money and you'll get awesome rates if you are purchasing stuff.
Retail outlets, hotels, restaurants... etc.
Stay away from banks, greedy bastards won't optimise the exchange rate.

Just side your visa through any one of the millions of interac/visa machines in Canada..

Visa gives the best exchange rates, otherwise head to one of the top 5 banks. Just about everyone will take USD in businesses but you'll get bad exchange rates.

Visit:
Bank of Montreal
Toronto Dominion
CIBC
Scotia Bank

Any of these will exhcange it for you.. Which is weird because there aren't any banks in the southern US that I could find yet that will change CAD -> USD

Withdrawl Canadian cash right out of your bank account when up in Canada.
Don't walk around with American cash, all you do is get ripped off at the till.

Many retailers here in Canada, give Americans a very poor exchange rate, so use the cash machines. Of course on the other side many American retailers, give Canadians a very poor exchange rate, so us the cash machines.