Cheapest place to buy cash in Canada?

[GordonThree]

Crossing the border in a few weeks... where is the most economical place to buy some Canadian currency?

Last time I was there, I just stopped at a random bank that was easy to get into with my rig. I think it cost me $25 to buy $500 in cash. That's less expensive than buying Euros, but still seemed kind of high.

Are there credit unions or different brands of banks that charge lower fees? I found an ATM in Banff of all places that charged a flat $2 fee, and no fee from my bank... but I didn't want a billfold full of twenties, so I only withdrew a few hundred.

Is it cheaper to buy some distance from the border, rather than the first bank you see right at the crossing?

I asked about buying currency at my local bank, and they acted like I wanted a ticket to the moon or something.

[danager]

Ha! I am visiting Michigan in late May, I will trade you Canadian currency for whatever the posted exchange rate is.

I always have problems in MI, strikes me as odd due to the proximity to Canada. I visit family every year or two and now I get my currency exchanged, both ways, at TD.

[Tom_N]

No joke.

The best place I have found is a Canadian CASINO.

-Tom

[Orion]

I just did a buy & sell enquiry on the Royal Bank site.
If you walked in with a $100 US bill they will give you $105.93 Can.
On the other hand, if you were returning to the US today and had $100 Can. cash, they would give you $88.75 US for it.
Remember, there is really no such thing as an 'official' exchange rate, and there is always a buying rate & a selling rate. If you just see a single rate, it is only an approximate rate, selling and buying rates will be a few points either side of this single rate.

[Little_Kopit]

Canadian banks are national, US banks are often local. Never use US bank when you're going to Canada.

Use Canadian Bank

No NOs- any store. they have to make their $$$$$$$
- ATM machine. they charge a fee.

Thus, again use a Canadian bank.

Exchange rate is the baby that puts the biggest charge on: Bank of Canada rates for banks shows noon and closing rates weekdays: http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/

:C
& why oh why would anyone pay attention to rates given a year ago????

[sch911]

Use your debit card at Walmart and get cash back. Or just use debit or credit cards everywhere. You will get a pretty decent rate that way.

[donn0128]

Check with your local bank. It may take a few days to get the cash, but their rates may be better

[mayo30]

sorry double post-old fingers and feeble mind.

[mayo30]

Walmart

[GordonThree]

Not exchange rate... fees and other charges, do they vary by bank like the US and Europe?

[qhor]

Check to see if the Bank you deal with in the U.S. has a reciprocal agreement with any Canadian Banks. We bank with Scotia Bank in Canada and they have an agreement with Bank of America that there are no ATM fees charged for withdrawals.
Your Bank may have such with a Canadian Bank.

[vic46]

Just checked the "current" exchange rate.

1 USD costs 1.10 CDN

[2oldman]

Canada cash 2013