Ottawa Travelers Beware: Airport Exchange Bureaus Can Steal Your Money

Ottawa's unique blend of Parliament Hill, canal-side strolls, and world-class museums makes it an attractive destination for travelers. However, navigating currency exchange in the Canadian capital can be confusing, especially for those from the US. The good news is that Ottawa is one of the most card-friendly cities in North America, but the bad news is that airport kiosks, train station counters, and even own cards can quietly add markups to your travel budget.

Revolut recommends withdrawing Canadian dollars from a local bank ATM and paying by card wherever possible. This approach helps avoid the less competitive rates found at airport exchange bureaus. To make currency exchange smoother, consider opening a multicurrency account in the US before traveling, exchanging USD to CAD in-app at the Revolut rate, and using a virtual or physical card for tap-and-pay transactions across the city.

Canada's official currency is the Canadian dollar (CAD), which looks similar to the US dollar but is entirely separate. Understanding the basics of CAD is essential for travelers: The symbol is often written as C$, the subunit is 1 dollar = 100 cents, and banknotes in circulation include $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100.