Traveling into Canada from U.S.

[mrudman]

Posting it here, since my question is budget related, lol!

We're going on a week-long trip into Canada in a couple weeks, and trying to figure out the best way to pay for stuff as we're up there.

We're going to be in the Niagara Falls area (Canada-side) for 4 of the days, and figure most of the places in that area will take U.S. money.. and figured it might be cheaper to use our money up there, since I see where there's 2 prices for most attractions, with the U.S. price being cheaper.

But we're also going to be up in the Grand Bend/Sarnia area for 3 days, and not sure what to do about money there.

Imagining they might not be so eager to take our money, but not wanting to get slammed with a lot of exchange fees if I use our credit card.

Any ideas on what I could do for this area?

Should I go ahead and exchange some money at our bank to have for up there? Or would it be better to just go ahead and use a card?

Thanks for any thoughts!

 

[Gigi22]

Perhaps you could also post your question on the Canadian Trip Planning Board in the Global Neighbours area of the boards? You might get some more replies there.

 

[DawnM]

Niagara shouldn't be a problem, we used US money. We also could use US currency in Montreal, but not as readily. We spent a week in Montreal. We did change our money and use CC without added fees each time.

Dawn

 

[Kat&Dom]

As a Canadian, I can tell you that your US dollar will be accepted pretty much everywhere. Depending on the restaurant/hotel/store, you may not get a very good exchange rate though - signs will be posted in most places telling you what the exchange rate is being used by them. Some might take your US dollar at par and some might give you a poor exchange rate so just ask before you buy!

In Canada, we have always accepted the US dollar - no matter what the exchange rate is - I know that even though our CAD dollar is currently stronger, lots of places in the States will not accept it but the US dollar is universally accepted here and always has been. I hope that helps!

Enjoy your trip. You may find that food is a lot more expensive up here so be prepared and fuel is definitely higher. We are running at around the $5 per gallon mark here.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Imagining they might not be so eager to take our money, but not wanting to get slammed with a lot of exchange fees if I use our credit card.

Some credit cards don't charge these fees, including those from Capitol One.

Should I go ahead and exchange some money at our bank to have for up there?

No. Just get cash from an ATM when you're in Canada.

Don't forget your passports!

 

[lizabu]

In Niagara Falls they are used to Americans so when they have a price posted in US dollars you may end up ahead if you pay in US. For restaurants and souvineers you would be better off to pay in Canadian because each individual place will have their own policy on how much to give you on exchange. It's better to change your money at currency exchange or the bank because they will give you the official daily exchange rate.

 

[Celidh]

As a Canadian, I can tell you that your US dollar will be accepted pretty much everywhere. Depending on the restaurant/hotel/store, you may not get a very good exchange rate though - signs will be posted in most places telling you what the exchange rate is being used by them. Some might take your US dollar at par and some might give you a poor exchange rate so just ask before you buy!

In Canada, we have always accepted the US dollar - no matter what the exchange rate is - I know that even though our CAD dollar is currently stronger, lots of places in the States will not accept it but the US dollar is universally accepted here and always has been. I hope that helps!

Enjoy your trip. You may find that food is a lot more expensive up here so be prepared and fuel is definitely higher. We are running at around the $5 per gallon mark here.

As a Canadian who has spent a good portion of the last 25 years working in some sort of customer service establishment (mostly restaurants), I can say that every place I have worked at took US cash. I have never heard of a place who wouldn't take US cash. These establishments are in towns that are many hours from the nearest border, so cross border travellers aren't the reason.

I agree with the pp, I don't think you will have any problem using US cash.

Good luck and have a great trip.