Currency & Payment

The currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD, shown as $ or C$), divided into 100 cents. Notes are polymer in 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollars; coins include the 1-dollar "loonie" and 2-dollar "toonie". Canada is largely cashless in cities, so cards work almost everywhere, but keep a little cash for tips and small vendors.

Because cards and contactless are so widely accepted, most visitors barely change cash. If you do want some, airport kiosks give poor rates, so a bank card withdrawal from an ATM or paying directly by card usually works out better. Compare rates and fees before exchanging large amounts.

ATMs (called "bank machines" or ABMs) are everywhere. Bank-branded machines from the big five banks are the most reliable, while private white-label ATMs in shops and bars charge higher fees. Your home bank may also add a foreign withdrawal fee, so take out a bit more per visit to save on charges.

Apple Pay and Google Pay work almost anywhere that takes contactless cards, which is nearly everywhere. Just add your card at home and tap your phone or watch to pay. Between friends, Canadians send money by Interac e-Transfer through their own banks, but that needs a Canadian account, so as a visitor stick with your card or wallet.

Tipping is expected in Canada much like the US. In restaurants and bars around 15 to 20 percent is customary, and card terminals suggest preset percentages — check whether they are calculated before or after tax. Also tip taxi and rideshare drivers, hairdressers, and hotel staff a few dollars; counter service and takeout are more optional.

Canada is a fairly expensive destination, with big cities like Toronto and Vancouver among the priciest. A coffee runs a few dollars, a casual meal around 20 to 30 dollars, and a mid-range hotel night often well over 200 in peak season. Remember that sales tax is added at the till and tips push restaurant bills higher, so the sticker price is not the final price.

Unlike many countries, Canada no longer runs a general sales-tax refund for tourists — the old visitor rebate on ordinary shopping was discontinued years ago. So do not count on reclaiming GST/HST at the airport on your purchases. Some narrow rebates exist for specific cases such as certain tour packages, so check the official CRA guidance if you think one might apply.