Is there any benefits to changing U.S. dollars to Canadian before visiting Canada?

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US Dollars have always been accepted in Canada.
Usually you did not get the proper (fair) exchange rate.
But right now they are almost at par, anyway.
Just use your ATM card once you get here.
That way you'll get Canadian money at a fair rate.
Unless your own bank adds on horrendous fees.
Anyway our money is so much more colourful.
The biggest adjustment is that our smallest bills are $5.
You'll get Loonie & Toonie coins for $1 & $2 instead....Show more

I'm Canadian and travel to the US a lot. I usually have a small amount of the foreign currency on me when I leave. Usually for me it is what is left over coming home from my last trip, but if none I would go to the bank. Then arriving I usually make it a point of going to a bank and use the ATM to take out local currencies. This is safer, not carrying so much cash around of either currency.

The benefits when coming to Canada? While most things take US money, not everything does. You may have trouble with things like if you take public transit, vending machines, or small independent stores. When using US dollars in Canadian stores you normally don't get a good exchange. That is because the rate changes day to day, and they have no control over what the bank will give them at the end of the day. And the bank doesn't give them a good rate either. If you use big US bills, the whole amount is changed at the poor exchange rate as they don't keep US dollars on-hand to give you change back - they convert the whole thing to Canadian and give you Canadian change back.

The final advantage may have already passed you by. The Canadian dollar is steadily increasing in relation to the US dollar. That trend is expected to continue. The rate has also been fluctuating wildly on a day to day basis. If you are planning a trip far enough ahead, it is advisable to buy Canadian cash soon, and to watch it day to day to get a handle for the right day to react. If you timed this perfectly, the difference on the attached graph is almost 15 percent between the best and worst exchanges....Show more

Depending on how long I am going to stay in Canada, I usually exchange half to two-thirds of my cash. It's true that most Canadian businesses will accept U.S. money, but if you get outside the major cities, some won't.

The thing is, when you are in Canada, you are not in the U.S. anymore, I feel that when you pay with Canadian currency, you show that you respect that fact....Show more

You will get a better exchange rate if you wait and do it in Canada. Do NOT do this in the airport...the exchange rate is awful! If you use U.S dollars in Canada you will pay MORE for everything. Best thing to so is just use the ATM machines to take out Canadian dollars from your US. account. It is quick, easy, and you get the very best exchange rate. Other option is to stop at any bank....Show more

If you already have Canadian money , your doing just fine .
Canada has a money exchange for most Countries anyway , it all depends on what Country your from .

You should be able to get your money exchange at your Local Bank or at the Canadian Border . The Canadian Border will tell you how to exchange your money ....Show more