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Well, Its 5 days and counting til the big trip. I know that this is a little off topic but, there are so many seasoned travelers here I thought I might get the best advice here. As part of our trip we will be going to Vancouver, BC for 3 days, what is the currency exchange situation? Does one need to exchange money or do most businesses accept U.S. dollars?
Posts: 7 | Registered: Mar 2004
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Most businesses will accept US Currency but you won't be taking maximum advantage of the favorable exchange rate........the businesses you deal with will likely take a little cut of the exchange rate action.
The rate fluctuates but was in the neighborhood of $1.30 Canadian for $1.00 US when my wife and I were in Vancouver and Victoria about five weeks ago.
If you are arriving in Vancouver by train (the Talgo from Seattle perhaps) you will find a currency exchange office eager to help you out inside the Vancouver station. Clear customs, turn right, and it will be on your left right before the McDonald's and VIA Rail ticketing area.
Have a great trip.
------------------ David Pressley
Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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Don't forget that ATM's are everywhere and are a good way to get local cash. Usually banks charge a fixed fee for transactions and the exchange is done at the most favorable rate. Ask your bank.
Posts: 71 | Registered: Apr 2003
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In my experience, the credit card company (I use Guest Rewards Mastercard, of course!) gets far and away the best rate, and others I know who go to Montreal or Toronto frequently say the same about credit cards. So while you will need to change some cash, use your credit card whenever possible. We even used it for small souvenir purchases, post cards and postage stamps (in the same shop), boat rides, museum entrance fees, etc. etc. In fact, about the only thing we needed some Canadian cash for was taxis, really small purchases (like a bottle of water or a newspaper) and hotel staff tips.
Also, if you don't have cash when you get in to Montreal, I know the taxis there will take American cash as if it were Canadian. They make money on that, of course, because of the exchange ($1 American is worth a lot more than $1 Canadian), but if you're not going far, it doesn't really matter too much. And, in Montreal, the Amtrak gets in too late to cash in money at the bank at the train station. We could have gotten some Canadian cash in advance through my American bank, but they charge a fee for that too and wanted to do too big a chunk, so we didn't bother. We also could have had the taxi wait and cashed in some money at the hotel desk and gone out and paid the cab, but again, it was too much trouble. And in my experience, hotels do not give a very good exchange rate either--certainly, nothing as good as using the credit card!
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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