I am going to toronto n a few months and is it better to use debit card or take out money ATM which is better

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Capri

Use ur Debit or credit card these are widely accepted here.
however if u need cash take out only u need as lot of ATMs

David H

With some of the Canadian banks owning or having US affiliates you may find a few machines with the capablities of using your card, most retailers take debit cards here for all most everything from meals to clothes even the taxis. I had a freind here from Florida in 2005, he could not get his card to work on the current ATM network, but they have upgraded, check with you bank to see if it is on a secure network and it is available to you in Canada, the lttle symbols on the back of card are on all Canadian bank machimes for reference.

Just do not get involved with the Money Exchanges you see on some streets, they take 25%, find out if your home bank has a Canadian partner, like Bank North is part of the TD family, sometimes they are able to help you. Most hotels are able to exchange money for you so a lttle US currency is fine, everyone here gives a good exchange rate even the retailing public.

And as said previously after your trip it is fully exchangable at border points, airports, bus terminals and your own home bank, it is rising so the Can$ is worth more now, get it while it is still cheap??

I worked in the hospitality industry here for 20 yrs and know it is not hard to get help and a fair rate for your money.

TurtleBoy

I would recommend using your debit card. I wouldn't worry about bringing the Canadian money back to the US (you can exchange for US currency at the airport or border). However it can be difficult sometimes to find an ATM that will work with your card. Toronto seems to be "split" in having two separate banking networks for ATM cards, and you have to find a machine that is on "your network".

Hope this helps!

If you bring US dollars you can change them as you see fit. The banks give an excellent rate. Right now the Canadian dollar is quite high so don't expect to get a lot on your US dollar. This morning the Cdn Dollar was almots 91c to the US.

http://www.bankofcanada.ca/en/rates/converter.html

If you take your credit card and use this as well you will have enough money to have a great time in Toronto

REMEMBER TO KEEP YOUR RECIEPTS AS YOU CAN GET THE GST REBATE AT THE BORDER WHEN YOU ARE RETURNING HOME

Precious Gem

I would suggest that you use traveler's checks. Keep
your debit card handy only in case of emergency.
As for too much Canadian money, you can always turn
it back into American money before leaving the
country. Perhaps some of the store accept American
money. Seems we accept their money down here.

gpatrick900

If your debit card has a MasterCard and/or Visa symbol it will work at merchants that takes Visa or Mastercard.

Toronto maybe a test area for chip & pin. Just tell the merchant the U.S. has not upgraded to chip & pin and you will need to sign for your purchase.

Make sure you notify your bank that you will be using your card in Canada. This way it will have a less chance of being blocked.

Make sure merchants do not do dynamic currency conversion. This will cost you more.

If the Merchant ask why it has a debit card symbol. Just tell them to run it like a credit card transaction.

Debit cards with a MasterCard or Visa symbol have the best exchange rate even with exchange fee in Canada.

Anoch Anseller B

I dunno if using your debit card will work here therefore, I suggest use your credit card. What's wrong with having lots of Canadian dollars when you get back home? Afterall, you can go to the bank and have them exchanged to US dollars. See you soon here in Toronto.

Beverly B

Most places in Toronto do take debit, but always remember to ask first. I have had the embarrasment of assuming a restaurant took debit and found out after they did not...

grapeshenry

Use your debit card at ATM's or for purchases here in Toronto as needed. Only rely on it if you use a major institution. (i.e if you lost your card and belonged to some obscure credit union, you would be in trouble).

bernel1403

You can convert your money at the border. They do not have the same banks as us so I don't know how that works. I took the money I needed and converted it all at the border to Canadian then when I returned I converted it all back.

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