Get today's best Canadian dollar high street exchange rate
Use our unique search tool to click and collect the best Canadian dollar foreign exchange rates in the high street today. We compare the Canadian dollar rates from over 10,000 UK high street stores including the Post Office, all major supermarkets, travel agents and specialist currency dealers. Don't buy your Canadian dollars until you've compared them here first!
Many people don't realise that most high street currency suppliers offer a worse exchange rate if you walk in off the street without ordering online first. In fact, you could save up to 10% by reserving your Canadian dollars online in advance before collecting them from the high street. The reason is simple: once you walk through the door you are a captive audience, and if you need your currency in a hurry you have no choice but to pay the rates on offer even if you tell the cashier that a higher rate is available on their website.
Don't fall into this common tourist trap when buying your currency. Reserve your Canadian dollars online before you buy them from the high street. You can collect your order within hours of placing it online (individual suppliers vary so check first) and be smug all holiday knowing you got the best rate available on the day!
We are often asked where is the cheapest place to buy Canadian dollars? The answer is most definitely online, followed by the high street, then finally at the airport which offer the worst rates of all. Let's consider each in a bit more detail:
Buying Canadian dollars online
Buying your Canadian dollars online is always the cheapest option. Competition among online suppliers is very high which means they constantly battle to offer you the best rates possible. In addition, their overheads are much lower than traditional high street exchanges which means they can afford to pass these savings directly on to you in the form of better exchange rates. Even suppliers who offer online and in-store ordering such as the Post Office will usually give better rates for orders placed online.
Pros
Easy and convenient - just click and order.
Free home delivery on orders over £400.
Best currency deals on the market.
Cons
Delivery fees may apply to smaller orders under £400.
Orders can take up to three working days which isn't good if you're in a hurry.
Buying Canadian dollars in the high street
The high street is the next best place to order Canadian dollars. It is difficult to generalise all high street suppliers because they are so varied, but if you are set on buying your Canadian dollars in the high street some places are better than others, usually in this order (best to worst): Specialist bureau de change, pawnbrokers and money shops, supermarkets, the Post Office, travel agents, and banks.
Pros
Get your currency instantly over the counter.
Some suppliers will match online rates if you show them proof.
Cons
Exchange rates are typically lower than online rates.
Some suppliers may charge commission or other fees; check this first.
More exotic currencies may not be in stock and will have to be ordered in.
Buying Canadian dollars at the airport
Our general advice is to avoid buying currency at the airport at all costs because they are usually the worst places in the country for foreign exchange. If you have left it too late and need to buy at the airport, try and reserve your currency online first and collect it when you get there rather than placing a new order when you arrive. Most airport kiosks are run by three suppliers; Travelex, Moneycorp or ICE PLC and all three of these have websites that allow you to reserve your currency online for collection at the airport. The exchange rates are still pretty bad but they will be better than just turning up on the day and trying your luck. As an alternative it may be cheaper to actually buy your currency when you arrive at your destination rather than paying the airport rates.
Pros
Convenient - collect your currency just before you fly.
Cons
Airport kiosks offer the worst exchange rates of all.
Not all currencies may be in stock.
Opening hours vary between airports; check this first.
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