Ok I think I'm an idiot... How do you get foreign currency?!

[cornflake]

Well after I posted I got wondering if what I said is true everywhere here or not. I grew up in Niagara Falls and worked in many tourist attractions/hotels/restaurants. Some were better than others but you were always better off going to a bank or currency exchange. Banff should be pretty bad too being a tourist town. I just remember Americans always being outraged when I told them the exchange rate. I can't blame them.

Oh, in Niagra Falls I'd think it'd be awful. I was thinking mostly of like coffee shops and stuff in TO are where I've done it and it was only like .10 off exchange, which, to me on a $5 or $10 or some smaller amt. charge at a place like that was cheaper and easier than going and getting cash and paying the ATM fee or using the cc and paying their exchange.

 

[Fire14]

I actually found I did better exchange at nonbank places in Canada. Granted I got smart used Casino no fees

 

[honeydiane1953]

I have no clue. IF we have never had to change money how would we know? You are NOT an idiot!!! Be nice to yourself and have a great time.

 

[SandrA9810]

When I went there, I just exchanged it at a bank there, but I don't remember any fees that went with it.

Canadian money is cool, it's colorful, and they have loonies and toonies. I'd get some of those for stocking stuffers. It makes a good little jingle. I probably still have some stuck away some where in a box.

 

[BLAZEY]

If you bank with a Major bank in the USA, chances are the have a partner bank in Canada. TDBank inthe USA is owned by TD Canada Trust (TD stands for Toronto Dominion) RBC Centura is the Royal Bank of Canada, Harris Bank is partnered with Bank of Montreal in Canada, and Bank of America is partnered with Scotia Bank. I use Bank of America ATM's with my Scotia bankcard and pay no exchage fees and get a descent rate. Welcome to the Great White North, hope you have a wonderful visit. Most taxis will take credit cards

 

[lizabu]

You probably won't need much cash. I live in Canada and use debit for everything. Even taxi drivers and pizza delivery takes debit. If you want a little cash for the novelty a currency exchange or bank will give you the accurate exchage amount. Trying to spend US money in Canada is not usually a good idea. Most places will take it but you will get a lousy exchange rate.

 

[monkey30]

That's good to know. We're flying to Calgary, doing a few days there, driving up to Banff, doing a few days there, and then flying back out of Calgary.

Enjoy your trip! I was born and raised in Calgary and miss looking at the mountains everyday! We are to far northeast to see them!

You probably won't need much cash. I live in Canada and use debit for everything. Even taxi drivers and pizza delivery takes debit. If you want a little cash for the novelty a currency exchange or bank will give you the accurate exchage amount. Trying to spend US money in Canada is not usually a good idea. Most places will take it but you will get a lousy exchange rate.

It all depends on the area and store, I have worked at a few major retailers in Calgary and we always had a good exchange rate, its usually listed at the register. We just hit a button on the machine and it converted for us!

Being that Calgary and Banff are high for tourism a lot of places take US, and there are lots of places to exchange if you feel you need to. But if you run out of our pretty coloured money don't worry you can use CC and such but not sure bank fees, check before you leave!

Oh and so far we have had a mild winter with a few dips into the freezing cold! But the wind has been bad, so be prepared for that!!

 

[Gigi22]

Oh, and, don't worry if you see some peculiar-looking $100 bills when you visit Canada. We are starting to convert to plastic-based "paper" bills (like the Euro), and we are starting with the $100 bill. I've only see a couple of the newer bills--they feel funny to the touch and there are a couple of see-through windows in the bills!