Canada in cash.
Cards rule from ocean to ocean — a reserve for tips (15–18%), markets and remote regions is all you need. The banknotes are polymer, built for the winters.
Helvetica Exchange prepares your CAD travel envelope at Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, 1204 Geneva (Rive district) — the posted rate, no separate commission, Monday–Friday 08:30–18:30 and Saturday 09:00–17:00. Reserve and your rate is held for 3 hours during opening hours; ID from the LBA thresholds.
The cities, chosen.
Montréal
America in French — warm bagels, spiral staircases and festivals without end.
Old Montréal & Notre-Dame Basilica — The midnight-blue nave starred with gold.
St-Viateur bagels — Sesame, straight from the wood oven, at any hour.
Québec City
North America's only walled city — ramparts, copper roofs and squeaky-cheese poutine.
Château Frontenac & Dufferin Terrace — The boardwalk above the St. Lawrence.
A sugar shack (in season) — Maple taffy on snow and a country feast.
Vancouver & the Rockies
Sea, forest, then the turquoise lakes of Banff — nature in majesty.
Lake Louise & Moraine — The continent's most photographed glacial waters — summer shuttle required.
Whale watching (Victoria) — Orcas and humpbacks by zodiac.
Getting around.
East OR West, not both: Toronto–Montréal–Québec by VIA rail, or Vancouver and the Rockies by car. The Rocky Mountaineer remains one of the world's great panoramic trains.
Cash & banknotes.
Tipping is the norm: 15–18% at restaurants. Keep a polymer reserve for markets, sugar shacks and the far-out places; the rest lives happily on card. Budget about C$110 a day travelling simply, C$200 in comfort.
| Rate reservation | held 3 hours, during opening hours |
| Counter hours | Mon–Fri 08:30–18:30 · Sat 09:00–17:00 |
| Commission | none — the margin lives in the posted rate |
Before you go.
How many Canadian dollars per day?
About C$110 a day on a simple budget, C$200 in comfort — plus tips: 15–18% at restaurants is the norm.
East and West in one trip?
Five flight-hours separate them — choose one ocean per journey; your transport budget will thank you.
Indicative amounts — rate reservable for 3 hours · Rue Pierre-Fatio 19, Geneva · Guide complet en français