Canada Currency & Money Guide: Exchange, Cards, and Tips

Canada uses the Canadian dollar (CAD), and recent October 2026 market data puts the Canada exchange rate at roughly S$1 = C$1.10; check the live rate before departure because banks and card providers add their own margins. Cards and contactless payments work widely in cities, but keep a small amount of Canadian cash for markets, rural businesses, parking, and emergencies. For a comfortable trip, budget approximately C$150–250 per person per day, excluding international flights, while restaurant bills usually require adding sales tax and a 15–20% tip. Hello’s app can track Canadian spending alongside SGD, automatically convert exchange rates, scan receipts, and split expenses across multiple currencies with travel companions.

The Canadian dollar is Canada’s official currency, and the simplest way to estimate prices from Singapore is to remember that C$10 is approximately S$9.05, while S$100 is around C$110, using an October 2026 rate near S$1 = C$1.10. Exchange rates move daily, so treat these figures as planning estimates rather than guaranteed conversion values. Canada issues coins of 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, C$1 and C$2, plus banknotes of C$5, C$10, C$20, C$50 and C$100. The C$1 and C$2 coins are commonly called the loonie and toonie. Prices displayed in shops and restaurants generally exclude sales tax, which varies by province and territory. That means a C$20 menu item may cost more at checkout, especially after tax and an optional tip. Use a quick mental conversion, but confirm larger purchases in the Hello app, which supports multi-currency expense tracking and automatic exchange-rate conversion. Before exchanging Singapore dollars, compare the provider’s displayed rate with the mid-market rate and ask whether commission is already included.

The best Canada money strategy is to arrive with a small emergency reserve, withdraw Canadian dollars from a bank-operated ATM, and avoid exchanging large amounts at airports, hotels, or tourist kiosks. Airport exchange counters are convenient but commonly build their profit into a less competitive rate; use them only for a modest amount needed for transport or the first meal. In cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Montréal, compare reputable currency-exchange offices with your home bank and card provider rather than choosing the first storefront. Ask for the final amount in CAD after every fee, not just the advertised rate. When an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in SGD, decline the conversion and choose CAD; your card network may provide a better rate than dynamic currency conversion. Bank ATMs are generally safer than standalone machines in bars, convenience stores, or nightlife areas. Major Canadian banks often charge non-customer cards around C$2–3 per withdrawal, before any fee from your Singapore bank. Withdraw less frequently, but do not carry excessive cash.

Credit and debit cards are accepted across most of Canada, and contactless tap payments are normal at hotels, supermarkets, restaurants, transit systems, attractions, and cafés. Visa and Mastercard generally have the broadest acceptance; American Express may work at larger chains but is less universal. Add your card to Apple Pay or Google Pay before departure, while keeping a physical backup card and some cash. In Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal and other major cities, you can usually rely on card payments for day-to-day purchases, but rural shops, seasonal vendors, laundromats and small parking facilities may prefer cash or have minimum purchase amounts. ATM availability is strong in bank branches, shopping centres and supermarkets, although remote national-park areas may have limited machines and higher fees. WeChat Pay and PayPay are not standard everyday payment methods across Canada, so travellers should not depend on them; use an internationally enabled card or Canadian cash instead. Notify your bank of travel plans, check foreign-transaction fees, and protect your PIN. Hello’s expense tools can import bank statements in CSV or PDF format, scan receipts in different currencies, and categorise purchases automatically after the trip.

Canada tipping is customary for good service, especially in full-service restaurants, bars, taxis, salons, guided tours and hotel services; 15–20% before tax is a practical restaurant benchmark in 2026. Unlike some countries, Canadian menus usually show the pre-tax price, so the terminal’s suggested tip may be calculated on either the pre-tax or after-tax total—check the screen before approving. A C$50 meal in Ontario can become about C$56.50 after tax and roughly C$66.50 after a 20% tip. Counter-service cafés and fast-food restaurants do not always require a tip, although a small amount is welcome for exceptional service. For taxis and rideshares, 10–15% is common, while hotel porters might receive C$2–5 per bag and housekeepers around C$2–5 per night. Tour guides often receive C$5–10 per traveller for a good half-day experience, or more for private tours. You can usually select a custom amount or choose no tip where service is not traditionally tipped. Split the final bill—not only the menu subtotal—in Hello, with automatic currency conversion for groups paying in SGD, CAD, or another currency.

A realistic Canada travel budget is about C$90–130 per day for budget travellers, C$200–300 for mid-range travel, and more in peak-season resort destinations; the country’s long distances make transport and accommodation major expenses. Typical 2026 examples include C$10–15 for a fast-food or Tim Hortons meal, C$18–28 for a casual lunch, C$35–60 for a mid-range restaurant dinner, and C$5–7 for a latte. City transit can be good value: Toronto’s TTC, Vancouver’s TransLink and Montréal’s STM offer extensive networks, while a local transit day pass commonly falls around C$10–20 depending on the city and fare system. Save money by staying near transit instead of paying for central parking, shopping at supermarkets for breakfast and picnic lunches, travelling outside July and August, and booking intercity transport early. National parks can also involve admission, parking, and reservation costs, so check the official park website before driving. If a rental car is necessary, compare fuel, insurance, parking and one-way fees—not just the advertised daily rate. For reliable arrival connectivity, consider Hello’s eSIM for Canada, which can be activated before departure so maps, banking apps and transport information work immediately.

Travellers commonly ask whether Canada is cashless, how much cash to bring, and whether tipping is mandatory; the short answer is that cards dominate, a small CAD reserve is sensible, and tipping is expected for many service roles. Can I use Singapore dollars in Canada? Usually not. Exchange SGD before or after arrival and pay in Canadian dollars. How much cash should I carry? Around C$50–100 in mixed notes and coins is generally enough for small purchases, tips, markets, or an unexpected card issue. Should I pay in CAD or SGD? Choose CAD whenever a card terminal or ATM offers a choice, avoiding dynamic currency conversion. Is tipping mandatory in Canada? It is not legally compulsory, but 15–20% is customary for table service, with smaller or no tips appropriate for many counter-service situations. Is Canada expensive? It can be: a mid-range traveller may spend C$200–300 daily, while restaurant prices rise further after provincial sales tax and gratuity. How can I track spending with friends? Hello supports expense splitting in multiple currencies, AI receipt scanning, voice expense entry, bank-statement import and automatic exchange-rate conversion, making it easier to settle shared accommodation, meals and transport without manual calculations.