Travel Tips Holiday money

How to get Canadian dollars in the US

Alexis Konovodoff

17.12.24

Read time 3 minutes

If you’re traveling to Canada, you can exchange your US dollars for Canadian cash to spend abroad.

Let’s take a look at how to get Canadian money in the US, including exchange rates, fees, and the best places to buy foreign currency.

Heading abroad? Use Wise to send money to over 160 countries – all at the fair mid-market exchange rate. Let’s dive in!

Table of contents
Where to get Canadian dollars in the US Exchange money in just a few clicks with Wise What to avoid when exchanging currency Getting Canadian Dollars FAQs

Where to get Canadian dollars in the US

So, where can you get Canadian money in the US? Let’s take a closer look at your currency exchange options.

Banks

Some US banks offer currency exchange services. You may be able to order your Canadian dollars online or in person before your big trip.

Let’s take a look at some popular banks in the US, including how much it costs to exchange your US dollars for Canadian money.

Bank	Key features	Delivery time	Fees	Exchange rate
Wells Fargo	Order foreign currency online or in person¹	Delivery or in-branch pickup within 2 to 7 business days¹	You’ll pay shipping and handling fees¹	Wells Fargo’s exchange rate includes a markup on the standard rate¹
US Bank	Order Canadian dollars for branch pickup via online banking or the US Bank mobile app²	Place your order by 2:00 pm to pick up your cash on the next business day²	You’ll pay a 10 USD exchange fee for transactions less than 300 USD³	US Bank exchange rates are updated daily – they may fluctuate²
Bank of America	Order Canadian dollars for home or in-branch delivery⁴	If you place your order by 2:00 pm, your currency will ship on the same business day⁴	You’ll pay 7.50 USD for standard delivery – free for orders of 1000 USD and over⁴	Bank of America’s exchange rate can fluctuate and it may include a markup on the standard rate⁴
PNC Bank	Visit or call your local PNC branch to order Canadian dollars in cash⁵	Delivery to your local branch within 24 to 48 hours⁵	PNC Bank doesn’t charge a flat fee for currency exchange – exchange rate charges apply⁵	PNC’s exchange rates are updated daily – the bank makes money from exchanges⁵
TD Bank	Order over 55 foreign currencies online or in person⁶	Pick up your Canadian dollars from your local TD Bank branch within 2 to 3 business days⁶	You’ll pay 7.50 USD per online transaction⁶	TD Bank’s exchange rate can fluctuate – the bank sets its own rates for currency conversion⁶

Currency Exchange Services

You can also buy Canadian dollars at a foreign currency exchange service. Many places offer in-person currency exchange, including:

airports

train stations

hotels

convenience stores

tourist hubs

Currency exchange specialists like Currency Exchange International (CXI) also provide cash conversion for in-branch pickup or home delivery.

You can place your CXI Canadian dollar order online or over the phone.⁷

Exchange money in just a few clicks with Wise

Wise can help you get a better deal on currency conversion in over 40 currencies, with the mid-market exchange rate and low fees from 0.41%.

Open a free personal Wise account online or in the Wise app, and order a linked debit card for spending and withdrawals in 150+ countries.

There’s no fee to spend any currency you hold, and no foreign transaction fee to worry about.

Use your account when you travel or shop online in foreign currencies, send payments to 50+ currencies, and get your own local account details to get paid from 160+ countries.

Say goodbye to overcomplicated currency exchange.

Say hello to Wise

Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise Fees & Pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information

What to avoid when exchanging currency

If you want to exchange your US dollars for Canadian money, there are a few things to look out for.

You’ll need to confirm how much your bank charges for currency conversion. All banks and exchange providers use an exchange rate to work out how much Canadian money you can get for your US dollars.

However, many providers will add a markup to the fair mid-market exchange rate. This is how they make money – but it can add a significant charge to your exchange.

Avoid last-minute currency exchange at airports or hotels, as these providers may add additional transaction charges for convenient conversions.

Getting Canadian Dollars FAQs

Does Canada take US dollars?

You can pay with US dollars in Canada, but some vendors or providers may not accept dollars as currency.

Individual vendors may also set their own exchange rates for foreign currency transactions, so you risk paying a hefty markup for purchases.⁸

For more information, read our full guide to taking cash in or out of Canada.

What is the cheapest way to get Canadian dollars?

Using a digital money transfer provider like Wise may be the best way to get Canadian currency for your vacation.

You can switch between multiple currencies or send money to over 160 countries – all at the standard mid-market exchange rate.

Look into all your options to work out the cheapest currency conversion service for you.

Should I get Canadian currency before I travel?

It’s a good idea to exchange your US dollars for Canadian cash before you travel abroad.

You can use US dollars in Canada, but you may pay an exchange rate markup for vendors to convert your purchases into Canadian dollars.

Choose a digital money transfer platform to pay in Canadian currency without carrying cash overseas.

There are lots of ways to get Canadian cash in the US. However, many providers may add a transaction fee or exchange rate markup to foreign currency orders.

Make sure to look into your currency exchange options before converting your US dollars – and don’t rely on convenient exchange services at the airport.

To explore your international, low-cost exchange options, check out Wise.

Sources

Wells Fargo - Foreign currency cash questions
US Bank - Foreign currency exchange
US Bank - Is there a fee to order foreign currency?
Bank of America - Foreign currency ordering
PNC Bank - Foreign currency exchange services
TD Bank - TD foreign exchange
CXI - Foreign currency exchange for international travelers
Trip Savvy - Is US currency accepted in Canada?

Sources checked 12.11.2024

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

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