Canada travel money tips
Heading to Canada? Here's a quick rundown of how to handle money on the ground — tipping etiquette, when to use cards versus cash, the best ATMs to use, and the most common pitfalls travelers run into. The local currency is the Canadian Dollar (CAD, C$).
Tipping
15–20% in restaurants, 15% for taxis and rideshares, C$2–5 per bag for porters, C$2–5 per night for housekeeping.
Cards vs cash
Cards everywhere — Interac debit, Visa, Mastercard, and tap-to-pay. Cash rarely needed.
Payment methods accepted
ATMs & cash tip
Big-five bank ATMs (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) are reliable; standalone 'white-label' ATMs charge C$3–5.
Heads-up
- GST/HST (5–15% depending on province) is added at the till, not on the menu price.
- Tipping prompts on payment terminals now often start at 18–25% — check before tapping.
About the Canadian Dollar (CAD)
The Canadian Dollar (CAD, symbol C$) is the official currency of Canada. Knowing the live CAD rate against your home currency helps you sanity-check menu prices, taxi fares, and souvenir markups while traveling.
More travel tips
See all country tips →Tips are general guidance for travelers, not legal or financial advice. Customs vary — confirm with local sources for important plans.