Money & Currency in Canada

Cards vs cash

Tap-to-pay is universal — even at parking meters and food trucks. Visa, Mastercard, and Interac debit are accepted everywhere; AmEx is widely accepted in cities, patchy in rural areas. Carry $50 – $100 cash for tips, small markets, and remote communities.

Exchanging money

Skip the airport kiosks — rates are 4 – 8% worse than downtown bureaus. Use an ATM at any of the Big Five banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, CIBC) for the day's interbank rate plus your home bank's fee. A travel card like Wise gets close to mid-market rates.

Sales tax

Prices on shelves do not include tax. Federal GST is 5%. Provinces add their own PST, or combine into a Harmonized Sales Tax (HST).

• Alberta, NWT, Yukon, Nunavut: 5% (GST only).
• BC, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec: 12% – 15% (GST + provincial).
• Ontario, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, PEI, NL: 13% – 15% (HST).

Tipping

Tipping is expected in restaurants, bars, taxis, and for personal services. Standard ranges:

• Restaurants and bars: 15 – 20% before tax.
• Taxi and rideshare: 10 – 15%.
• Housekeeping: $3 – $5 per night.
• Tour guides: $5 – $10 per person, per half-day.

Budget snapshot

Backpacker: $90 – $130 / day. Mid-range: $180 – $300 / day. Luxury: $450+ / day. Major cities, the Rockies, and the Yukon trend toward the high end of each range.