What is the best way to exchange Currency for Canada trip?

I am traveling to Vancouver Canada from California. Should I exchange currency in US or Canada, or should I just use US Currency, or should I use my credit card. My vacation is for 10 days.|||I found that the best way is to use an ATM machine when you get to canada. Your ATM card will work there and the banks usually give the best exchange rate. If you have an account with Bank of America then when you get to Canada use a Scotia bank ATM. They have agreement with Bank of America so there is no ATM fee at Scotia bank for Bank of America customers and the exchange rate is very good. Go to the Bank of America website and it will help you find the closest Scotia Bank to the airport or your hotel or whatever. Even if you don't have Bank of America you are still probably better off using your ATM card. Just like in the US you need to be aware of what the ATM fee is.





Also you need to know that while credit cards usually give you a good exchange rate most cards charge a fee of 2%-5% on top of all foreign transactions. This can add up. I use a Capital One credit card while traveling in Canada because they are one of the few that charges no fee at all.





Most places in Vancouver will not take US dollars. If they do they will give a bad exchange rate.|||You can't use US currency in most places in Canada so that's not really an option.





You could certainly use a credit card and the card company would convert the CDN$ to US$ for your billing. They're exchange rate used is at a premium so it would cost you more than exchanging a similar amount from a bank.





Using Canadian ATM's would work but since it wouldn't be your bank machigne you;d be charged a user fee.





The cheapest method would be to go to a branch of your bank and do the exchange before leaving. That would give you the best rate and eliminate any fees.





So for convenience the credit card is your best option since you don't have to carry around cash. The cheapest method would be exchanging at your bank prior to travelling. (Don't bother exchanging at a currency exchange place in Canada. Using your credit card would give you just as a good a rate).|||It is easiest and usually best to exchange most of your money when you get here if there are no fluctuations in exchange rates. Take your bank card and go to any Canadian ATM and take Cash out of your account. Preferably go to a Canadian bank and use the ATM there. Double check your bank for what sort of fees they will charge, but generally this is the best exchange rate, lowest fees, most convenient, and safest method. I say most of your money, it is best to go to your bank and exchange a bit before you come over, so you have some if you need it for your first day. However, most Canadian merchants will take US money. But they generally do so at your costs. As in, they give a bad exchange rate. And don't use the currency exchange booths either, usually you are paying a larger fee for the convenience.



Don't forget, the exchange rate is not constant. What you should do is partially dependant on if your US currency is expected to rise or fall. The US $ took a beating in the debt crisis debate in government. It was at a low a couple days ago. When government passed their bill it bounced back some. But is it going to continue to decline as the world realizes the US economy isn't improving? Or is it going to continue to bounce back? If you expect it will get stronger in the short term, you might want to pull out the credit card a bit more to delay the exchange of your money to right to the moment of purchase, or maybe even a day later. If you expect the dollar to nose dive, then don't use your credit card at all, and maybe take out a LOT MORE exchange at your bank asap.|||Credit cards are great, and you get some of the best rates, and the lowest fees. Another good option is to withdraw cash from a bank machine. You will pay for the withdrawal (usually $2.50 or so), but, again, good rates. The money changing places don't offer the best rates at all, and buying Canadian funds in the USA can be quite a challenge.|||Go to a bank in California or even a mall and get your money changed into Canadian. You will have a hard time trying to use American money in Canada, especially because its not worth as much as Canadian.|||Exchange when you get there. There are lots of exchange spots to switch out money there. Just look out for the fees to switch, and don't switch out all of it to Canadian.|||Use your credit card, they have fair rates and it only takes 5 minutes to call them.