Before leaving for Canada, it's worth understanding how the Canadian dollar works: cards are king there, but a little cash remains useful. Here is a practical guide to plan your budget properly.
The Canadian dollar (CAD) in practice
The official currency is the Canadian dollar, abbreviated CAD and often written $ or C$ locally. One dollar is divided into 100 cents. A useful quirk to know: Canadian banknotes are made of polymer (a thin, sturdy plastic), which makes them waterproof and hard to tear. Common denominations range from 5 to 100 dollars.
As for coins, you'll quickly come across two typically Canadian nicknames: the loonie (the 1-dollar coin, which features a loon) and the toonie (the 2-dollar coin). Good to know: the 1-cent coin is no longer in circulation, and cash payments are rounded to the nearest 5 cents. Finally, be careful not to confuse the Canadian dollar with the US dollar: these are two distinct currencies, with different rates.
Card payment: king in Canada
Canada is one of the most "cashless" countries in the world. Bank cards are accepted almost everywhere, including for very small amounts: a coffee, a transit ride, a bottle of water. Contactless payment (tap) is widespread, and Visa and Mastercard cards work without difficulty. Apple Pay and Google Pay also work in the vast majority of shops. You'll also hear about Interac, Canadians' debit-card payment network: as a visitor, you'll more likely use your international Visa or Mastercard card.
A few good habits before you leave: notify your bank of your trip to avoid a security block, check the exchange and foreign-transaction fees applied by your card, and favour paying in Canadian dollars rather than in euros when a terminal gives you the choice (the "dynamic currency conversion" is almost always unfavourable). In Canada as elsewhere, paying in the local currency remains the golden rule.
Tipping: a deeply rooted habit
Tipping (the tip or gratuity) is an integral part of Canadian culture, far more so than in France. At a restaurant, in a bar or for a taxi, it is customary to leave around 15 to 20% of the amount. Payment terminals often display these percentages directly on screen: you choose with a single tap, which makes tipping very easy even without cash.
One thing that often surprises travellers: taxes are not included in the displayed prices. Depending on the province, a federal tax (GST) is added, sometimes combined with a provincial tax (PST or HST). The total to pay at the till is therefore higher than the price on the tag. Keep this in mind so you're not caught off guard, and calculate your tip on the pre-tax amount.
How much cash should you plan for?
Even though a card is enough in most situations, a little cash remains handy: small shops, markets, tips handed over in person, parking, or unexpected situations in more remote areas. For a typical city stay (Montreal, Quebec City, Toronto, Vancouver), planning for the equivalent of 150 to 300 Canadian dollars in cash when you set off is a reasonable range. If you're planning wilderness excursions or long journeys away from the major centres, increase this reserve a little.
ATMs (ABM, for Automated Bank Machine) are very common in Canadian cities, but withdrawals abroad often incur a fixed fee per transaction, both from the local bank and from the French bank. Exchanging part of your budget before you leave lets you set off with peace of mind, without depending on an ATM on arrival. At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France) and located at 4 boulevard Saint-Michel, in Paris, you can obtain your Canadian dollars commission-free, among more than 53 available currencies. To prepare your purchase with peace of mind, see our currencies and book online before coming to collect in store.
One last regulatory point to keep in mind: when entering or leaving the European Union, any movement of cash of an amount equal to or greater than €10,000 (or its equivalent in foreign currency) must be the subject of a customs declaration. For a tourist stay, you will in practice remain well below this threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to pay by card or in cash in Canada?
Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including for small amounts, and contactless is the norm. Still, keep a little cash for tips handed over in person and the rare shops that don't take cards. Always choose payment in Canadian dollars.
What cash budget should I bring for two weeks in Canada?
For a two-week city stay, the equivalent of 200 to 300 Canadian dollars in cash amply covers the unexpected, with the rest going through the card. Adjust upwards if you're exploring rural or remote areas.
Where can you exchange euros for Canadian dollars in Paris?
You can exchange your euros at Paris Change, at 4 boulevard Saint-Michel (metro Saint-Michel line 4, RER B and C Saint-Michel–Notre-Dame), an ACPR-approved bureau, commission-free and open 7 days a week. Booking online lets you lock in your amount and save time in store.
Prepare your trip right now: book your Canadian dollars online and come collect them at 4 boulevard Saint-Michel, Monday to Saturday from 9am to 8pm and Sunday from 10am to 7:30pm.
