What's better - take US dollars or exchange Canadian dollar to Vancouver?

Question

I'm traveling to Vancouver and want to know what's best - since the Canadian $ value is almost the same as the US $, should I take Us $ or should I exhange the currency?

Answer 1

When you shop in Vancouver, you might find some shops that will take American dollars, but they will still give you an exchange rate. Chances are that, in a shop, you will get a worse exchange rate than you would get otherwise. If you have a credit card/debit card, use that because the exchange rates the credit cards give you are usually pretty good. Otherwise, it won't matter whether you exchange money in a bank on this side of the border or that side; you'll get the same rate at a bank either way.

If you are worried about not being able to shop there because you have only US dollars, don't worry; I'm sure that it will be very easy to exchange money in Vancouver.

Answer 2

You don't need to do any exchange at all. Just go to any ATM that you can see and withdraw money with your trusty old bank card. It's better to take out more, than less, since you pay a fixed fee for the bank machine access of $ 1 - $ 2.50 each time you make a withdrawal. The exchange is the interbank rate and will be better, by far than anything you can get by carrying bills across the border. Should you find that you have too much left over when you leave again, just step in to any bank in Canada and turn in your CAD for USD. AS already mentioned, you can also use American money in most stores but be prepared for a VERY BAD exchange rate. You do know, I presume that your credit card works just fine in Canada. Your home bank will do the currency conversion at a quite favourable rate, far better than exchanging dollar bills anywhere.

Answer 3

Best Exchange Rate Vancouver

Answer 4

The best plan is to get just a little Canadian money as soon as you can just to tide you over until you can go to a bank in Canada. Then use your ATM card at a Canadian Bank when you get here. The only fees you pay that way are your bank fee and the Canadian ATM bank fee, and no exchange fees. (If you take US cash and exchange it at the bank you get extra charges.) This is best value, convenient and safest for carrying excess cash, as you can only take out what you need when you need it.

The one unknown is the fluctuating exchange rate. The Canadian dollar is continuing to rise as a trend. But the day to day fluctuations has been pretty wild. If you are looking at the value you have to watch that too.

I have traveled a bit in Europe and all lot in North America and ATM haven't done me wrong. I do tend to do a mix of exchange methods especially on long trips, and especially when the currencies are expected to change. The ATM is usually my main source. But yes, in your case I would take some US cash too as back up emergency funds, but not exchange it unless you ended up needing it.

Answer 5

Hi,
If you have a credit card, use that. I find the best rates in exchange always seem to be on the credit card.

Otherwise, you'll have to exchange to Canadian dollars. there will be few stores that actually offer an exchange.

have fun!

Answer 6

In Canada we like Canadian Dollars.

Answer 7

Take US Dollars and change them for Canadian Dollars at one of the Major Banks -
Bank of Nova Scotia
Bank of Montreal
Royal Bank of Canada

Answer 8

Bring US cash and exchange at the Vancouver Buillion and Currency exchange at 120 - 800 West Pender St. They will give you the best exchange rate in the city. Enjoy.

Answer 9

Change to canadian dollars , exchange varys from store to store