Canada Travel Guide

Canada is not one simple city break: Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver and Ottawa work without a car, while the Rockies, Atlantic coast and national parks need careful transport and seasonal planning. It is highly card-first, but two things push the final amount above the shelf price: sales tax, added at the register and varying by province (about 5% to 15%), and tipping, expected on top at restaurants and for many services. Entry depends on passport and travel mode, with an eTA (CAD 7) for visa-exempt air travellers and a visitor visa for others. Budget around CAD 220 to 400 per person per day. Carry most spending on a low-fee card with a backup, plus a small CAD cash float.

Understanding the Canadian Dollar exchange rate

CAD exchange rates float, so compare the final customer rate after card foreign-transaction fees, ATM charges and any conversion offer rather than a headline number. Make sure your card and any travel-money product handle CAD, and choose CAD at terminals.

How much CAD to carry

CAD 100 to 250 is a practical starting float for card-using visitors. Most spending can go on a low-fee card, with cash for tips, small vendors, some parking meters and remote or northern travel where terminals are scarce. Top up at bank ATMs rather than carrying large amounts.

Cards, cash and payment traps

Card acceptance is near-universal in cities and tourist areas, but keep a backup and a small cash float.

• Dynamic currency conversion: when a terminal or ATM offers CAD or your home currency, choose CAD. Home-currency billing lets the operator set a poorer rate.
• Tip prompts: card terminals often ask for a tip; check whether the suggested percentage is calculated before or after tax.
• Sales tax at the register: the shelf price usually excludes sales tax, so you pay more than the label.

The best ATM approach in Canada

Use ATMs operated by recognised banks rather than standalone machines in shops, which charge higher fees. Review the operator fee, withdraw a sensible amount rather than many small ones, and decline any offer to convert the withdrawal into your home currency. Your own issuer may also charge fees.

Sales tax and tipping in Canada

There is no single national sales tax shown on price tags. A 5% federal GST applies, and provinces add their own PST or QST or combine into HST, so the total at the register varies by province, commonly 5% to 15%. Unlike VAT-refund countries, Canada has no general sales-tax refund for visitors (the visitor rebate was withdrawn in 2007; only niche exceptions exist), so do not expect an airport refund.

Tipping is expected: around 15 to 20% before tax at sit-down restaurants, and customary for taxis, bars, hairdressers, hotel staff and tour guides. Card terminals usually prompt for a tip.

Canada visa and eTA by passport

Entry depends on the passport held and how you arrive. Visa-exempt travellers usually need an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), CAD 7, when flying to Canada; land and sea entries generally do not require an eTA. Many other travellers need a visitor visa, and some qualify for an eTA through a valid US visa or a recent Canadian visa. An approved eTA or visa does not guarantee entry. Check the official IRCC requirements for your passport before booking.

Official IRCC visit-Canada information →

Getting around Canada

Toronto, Montreal, Quebec City, Vancouver and Ottawa have transit good enough to skip a car. The Rockies, Atlantic coast, national parks and many regional trips are far easier with a rental car, and distances are large, so domestic flights matter. VIA Rail serves some corridors but is rarely the fastest option. Winter conditions affect driving and schedules, so plan seasonally.

Cash declaration entering Canada

There is no limit on how much money you may carry, but you must declare to the Canada Border Services Agency if you bring in or take out CAD 10,000 or more, or the foreign-currency equivalent, in cash or monetary instruments. Declaring is a reporting requirement, not a penalty; failing to declare can lead to seizure.

National parks and Parks Canada

Many national parks charge a daily entry fee, around CAD 11 per adult, and a Parks Canada Discovery Pass can be better value if you visit several parks or stay longer. Popular parks and mountain resorts get very busy in peak summer, and some services are seasonal, so check the specific park before you go and book accommodation early.