Where can I exchange Canadian for US currency?

I have a mixture of Canadian notes and coins I'd like to exchange for US currency. Nothing of numismatic importance here, just everyday money. Where can I exchange it if my bank won't?

 

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I guess I should also say I'm not interested in driving to Canada.

 

It's possible that there is a Thomas Cook or some other foreign currency exchange at your local airport.
Also, there may be an American Express Exchange in your city.

 

Unfortunately, I don't think most money changers will exchange coins. Most money changers will only accept banknotes or travel cheques etc, but not foreign coins. Unless you have a stockpile of them, like 100USD worth of Canadian dollars, you might as well keep them. Posting them to Canada and to ask someone to change it will only waste postage dollars.

 

use them for tips.

 

Laundrymats are good for Canadian Quarters as well as some older parking meters.

If you feel a lot more moral...or guilty about the Laudry Machines or parking meters..... You could also donate them to a charity. I am sure that they will have a way to dispose of them.

One Charity is UNICEF
Give Away Foreign Coins -- Get Rid of Change and Do Your Heart Good Leftover travel money isn't much of a problem What to do with those leftover foreign coins? Change for Good - Give Foreign Coins to Unicef on the Plane You can save leftover foreign coins for your next trip -- I recently tried to spend some pesos in Mexico left over from another trip, though, that had been taken out of circulation. The same may be true of currency from countries that have gone Euro. A traveler I know tosses foreign coins into his yard after a trip; kiddie visitors have fun hunting for the treasure. Those are two ideas -- you can also donate foreign coins to Unicef's Change for Good® program. Unicef partners with several airlines in the Change for Good® program -- if you've foreign coins in your pocket after travel, simply donate them to Unicef on the plane with these carriers:  Aer Lingus  Alitalia  All Nippon Airways (ANA)  American Airlines  Asiana Airlines  British Airways  Cathay Pacific  Finnair  JAL  Qantas Drop your foreign coins into Unicef envelopes available on board; flight attendants will collect them and Unicef will use the change to benefit children globally. A few euros add up fast: Unicef has raised more than $53 million through the Change for Good program since 1991. Give away those foreign coins -- get rid of leftover change and do your heart good. "You can't appreciate home till you've left it, money till it's spent...nor Old Glory till you see it hanging on a broomstick on the shanty of a consul in a foreign town." --O. Henry

 

I need to know the opposite. I'm going to Niagara Falls this weekend and need to know where I can exchange U.S. money for Canadian. Thanks.

 

I think you should be able to find somebody that would even trade you Canadian for US in the border area. Last time I was there both currencies are accepted close to the border.

 

Isn't there 2 places that share the same name that straddle the U.S. - Canadian border? Is it Niagara Falls? I have seen postcards of Niagara Falls,Canada.

Aidan.

 

Last time I was at Niagara Falls I seem to remember that some places priced stuff in both USD and CD. And through other trips, I've found there's no place in Canada where they won't take US (at a bad exchange rate, to be sure).

 

Your gonna be 15 mins. away from me.

Niagara Falls is 2 cities. One in Canada and one in the US. Bring 2 photo ID's. Both US and Canadian money are accepted on both sides, just depends on the exchange rate at each place. I find you get the best rate using a credit card. Most people spend thier time on the Canadian side, its MUCH more comercialized and has the better view of the American falls. The Ameriacn side is more parklike. Both sides have a Casino, the Maid of the Mist boat ride(a must do) and a Hardrock cafe.

 

Generally, when I visit foreign countries, I just hit an ATM when I get there to get native cash.

 

Thanks for the info. We will be staying at the Marriott on the Canadian side, good view of the Falls from our window. We definitely plan on the Maid of the Mist ride. Are there any reseanobly priced restaraunts up there? All of the ones I've seen online are VERY expensive. Any help or ideas would be cool. Thanks again.

(P.S.) I didn't mean to hijack this thread.

 

Niagara Falls Canada and U.S. There is also Sault Ste. Marie, Canada and Sault Ste Marie, U.S.(also known as "The Soo" for the Locks that connect Great Lakes Superior and Huron).

 

I have a mixture of Canadian notes and coins I'd like to exchange for US currency. Nothing of numismatic importance here, just everyday money. Where can I exchange it if my bank won't?

Now way, way back to your question. As noted many machines will take the coins. Toll gates, gum ball machines, coke machines and even some coin exchange machines. If you live near or in a large city most have a large bank that will take the currency. Check if there are any coin & currency shows in your area. Many dealers will exchange such common stuff like Canadian money. I've found if you mix Canadian coins with US coins and take a large amount to a bank with a coin counter it will take them and you will get them as if they were US money. Then there is always that every time someone comes to your door trying to sell you something just pull out that Canadian money and tell them that is all you have and would you take this for whatever your selling. You may wind up with something else you don't want and can't use instead of the Canadian stuff.
My question is why do you have that stuff anyway? If you were in Canada you should have left it there.

 

PM sent:eating:

 

Where's that bar that has the Canadian-U.S. border passing through it? I have seen a photo of this place which has a white line marking the border on the floor.I suppose the bar had 2 cash registers & 2 entrances.

Aidan.

 

I personally would stay away from currency exchange places, and hit a bank. I have never been to a Canadian bank that would not exchange US cash, and they offer a better exchange rate.

 

I'll respond to both pieces of the thread:

With respect to Canadian to US, my experience has been that coin counters in banks spit out the Canadian coins which are then returned to me unaccepted. Same with vending machines.

Agree on the foreign exchange kiosks and offices; currency only please. That wasn't restricted to Canadian money.

On getting Canadian money:

We travel to Canada frequently, and we will until the new Passport requirements take effect in 2007 (don't get me started).

ATMs are the most cost effective way to get Canadian cash. Visa, Mastercard and most credit card issuers are now tacking on "currency conversion fees" that can add up to 5% to your purchase.

Visa gets 1% even on ATM cards that carry their logo (that's right: pull $200 US from a Canadian ATM and pay Visa $2), but it's better than paying them 1% and the credit card issuer another 3 to 5%.

As Dire Straits once sang, "Money for nothing..."

Also note that the exchange rate is now about a 90 cents US to the Canadian dollar. When you tack on the PST and GST (which you can get back in some cases but it's not as easy as some make it sound) and the extra "money for nothing" fees, you are at par or over it. It hasn't stopped us from going (the passport requirements will!) but just a word to the wise.

Oh, and get gas before you go over the border... it's about $4 a gallon in US terms there.