What is Canada's Currency?
| Currency: | Canadian Dollar |
| Currency code: | CAD |
| Central Bank: | Bank of Canada |
| Currency symbol: | $, Can$, C$ (dollar) |
| Currency sub unit: | ¢ (cent) |
| Nicknames: | buck, loonie (English), huard, piastre (French) |
| Bank notes: | $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 |
| Coins: | 1¢, 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, 50¢, $1, $2 |
The Montreal Bank issued the first notes in 1821 and 20 years later the first Canadian Pounds were issues. However, by 1858, the Canadian Dollar was issued to more closely align with the US Dollar.
The first banknotes issued by the Bank of Canada came along in 1934. In 2011 Canada began to produce a more durable polymer note similar to those used in Australia.
The most commonly used denominations are: 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1, $2, $5, $10, $20, $50, $100.
Easy Currency Bundle Options for your Trip
Canada | USA |
|---|---|
| Canadian dollar | US dollar |
Canada | USA |
|---|---|
| Canadian dollar | US dollar |
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CAD Goes Further with the Travelex Money Card
- Our Travelex Money Card gives you better rates than Cash
- Receive even better rates when exchanging $2,000 and over
What to spend your Canadian dollars on:
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Entry to Toronto Skypod
29 CAD

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3-mile taxi ride
8.75 CAD

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Tourist t-shirt
10 CAD

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Postcard and a stamp
3 CAD

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Bottle of water
1.50 CAD

Total spending money needed:
A budget
for people for
nights
Recalculate
Buying Canadian Dollars Online is Easy
Simply order your Canadian dollars online to lock in the rate, then choose to collect at your local store or at the airport before you fly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Money in Canada
Back to top-
What money does Canada use?
Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD).
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Can you use American dollars in Canada?
Some tourist areas may accept USD, but it’s not guaranteed, and exchange rates can be poor so it’s best to use Canadian dollars. Alternatively, you can load both USD and CAD onto a Travelex Travel Money Card to switch seamlessly between the two.
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How much spending money do I need for Canada for 2 weeks?
A rough guide is CAD $100–$200 per day per person for food, transport, and activities, excluding accommodation. If you end up with leftover CAD, you can exchange it back to AUD at your nearest Travelex store.
For more help planning your trip, check out our Canada Travel Guide.
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What does Canadian money look like?
Canadian banknotes are polymer and colour-coded, while coins include the “loonie” ($1) and “toonie” ($2).

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