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Travel Currency Converter (CAD)
Convert CAD to the currencies Canadians spend most often abroad, with a quick reference table for everyday prices.
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Spend smarter abroad
Exchange-rate fees are a hidden cost on almost every international trip. Most Canadian credit cards add a foreign-transaction fee of about 2.5% on purchases in other currencies, and airport exchange counters often charge far more through poor rates. On a two-week trip, those markups can cost as much as a night in a hotel.
- Always pay in local currency when a card machine asks — dynamic currency conversion usually costs more.
- Use a no-FX-fee card for purchases. Several Canadian cards waive the fee; see our travel credit cards guide.
- Withdraw larger amounts less often to limit per-withdrawal ATM fees.
- Carry two cards on different payment networks in case one is declined or blocked.
Planning the full trip? Total your costs in Canadian dollars with the trip budget planner.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the rate I will get from my bank?
No. These are mid-market reference rates. Banks, exchange kiosks and card issuers add a markup, so your actual rate will be a little worse.
Should I pay in Canadian dollars or local currency abroad?
Choose the local currency. When a card terminal offers to charge you in Canadian dollars, the conversion rate it uses is usually worse than your card's.
What is the cheapest way to get foreign currency?
Use a no-foreign-transaction-fee credit card for purchases, and withdraw cash from a bank-owned ATM abroad rather than exchanging cash at airports.