Money in Canada: Canadian Dollars, Sales Taxes, Tips and Transit

Cards and mobile payments are convenient in Canada, but shelf prices are usually not final totals. Sales tax often appears at checkout, table service brings tipping expectations and accommodation can have additional local taxes.

Toronto skyline, Canada · Dillan Payne · CC BY-SA 4.0

Canadian dollars

The currency is CAD or C$, divided into 100 cents. Regular notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100. Common coins are 5, 10 and 25 cents, the $1 loonie and $2 toonie.

A Canadian listing generally uses Canadian dollars, but confirm the currency on international booking platforms. Businesses are not obliged to accept US dollars, and an offered exchange rate may be poor.

Cards and a small cash reserve

Visa, Mastercard and mobile wallets work widely; American Express is less universal. Carry a physical card and backup, particularly for hotel and rental deposits.

C$100–200 is an illustrative starting reserve for a family city visit, not a universal budget. Adapt cash to the length of rural sections and actual payment facilities.

Interac is a local banking service

Interac Debit belongs to Canada’s banking network. Interac e-Transfer operates through participating Canadian financial institutions; a foreign card or phone number does not automatically provide access.

If a host requests e-Transfer, arrange an alternative before arrival. A Debit only sign does not establish that an overseas debit card will work.

Cash rounding and exchange

Canada no longer produces pennies. Cash totals after tax are commonly rounded to the nearest five cents; electronic payments can settle the exact amount. Individual item prices are not rounded separately.

Compare a terminal’s home-currency offer with paying in CAD. ATM fees and card conversion charges may be separate. This converter provides an estimate, not the guaranteed settlement rate.

Taxis and ride apps

In the Uber or Lyft app, where available, enter your destination and confirm the payment method and ride. Match the car and driver; use the designated airport pickup area.

Confirm card acceptance before a conventional taxi ride and request a receipt. A discretionary 10–15% taxi tip can suit good service and assistance; check that you have not tipped twice.

Toronto: TTC and PRESTO

TTC operates Toronto’s subway, buses and streetcars. PRESTO is a reloadable transit card accepted on those services, alongside supported bank cards and mobile wallets. Eligible payments include a two-hour transfer window. Use the same card or device consistently; its physical and mobile versions may be treated separately.

Monthly fare capping for eligible media began on 1 September 2026. Each passenger needs a suitable payment medium. GO Transit is a regional train and bus network with its own rules; neither it nor the airport train simply inherits every TTC fare arrangement.

Montréal: OPUS and the Chrono app

OPUS is a reloadable transport card, not a bank card. The Chrono app can read and reload a physical OPUS using a phone with NFC, the contactless reading technology. Hold the card to the phone, choose the correct zones and fare, pay and finish writing the fare before moving the card away.

Virtual fares are a separate feature, rolling out on Android from July 2026. Check device and fare compatibility. Buying a fare using a phone does not always mean the phone itself can be used to validate it.

Restaurant tipping

For table service, 15–20% of the pre-tax bill is customary, depending on service. Check for an included gratuity or service charge, especially for larger groups.

Terminal suggestions may use the after-tax total or propose higher percentages. A custom amount is possible. A tip screen at a self-service counter does not make tipping compulsory.

Sales tax varies by province

For normally taxable purchases, Ontario has 13% HST; Québec generally combines 5% GST and 9.975% QST, totalling 14.975%. Alberta generally has 5% GST, British Columbia often 5% plus 7%, and Nova Scotia’s HST has been 14% since April 2025.

Products such as basic groceries have different treatment. Most retail displays exclude sales tax: a $100 taxable Ontario purchase can become $113 at checkout before non-tax extras.

Accommodation taxes

Toronto’s municipal accommodation tax returned to 6% on 1 August 2026 after a temporary 8.5% rate. It does not replace HST. Québec’s standard lodging tax is 3.5% of the overnight price, alongside applicable sales taxes.

Compare the full-stay total including compulsory charges and parking. A search result’s nightly rate is not necessarily the final charge, and other cities have different levies.

No general tourist shopping refund

Canada has no general GST/HST refund for visitors taking personal purchases home in their luggage. The former visitor scheme was abolished; an old form found online does not establish eligibility.

Specialised rebates exist for certain transactions and events, but do not assume they cover personal shopping or independently booked accommodation. Border duty-free shopping is separate and still subject to your next country’s import allowances.

We stayed at The Novotel Toronto Centre and recommend it. Check rooms for your party and the total including accommodation taxes. Check the hotel on Trip.com