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Best places to exchange currency in Vancouver

Don't overpay for Canadian dollars on your next trip.

Claire Horwood

Updated Jul 26, 2019

Whether you’re exploring Stanley Park, braving the Capilano Suspension Bridge or sampling the local delicacies at Granville Island Public Market, chances are you’re going to need some cash for your stay in Vancouver.

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Exchange my cash Send money overseas

Who can exchange my money in Vancouver?

1. Charlie’s Currency Exchange

This local favorite is located on Granville St. in the heart of downtown and only accepts cash payments. The upside is that it’s open seven days a week and you won’t end up paying out the nose on any hidden charges from your bank.

2. Vancouver Bullion and Currency Exchange

This company has a few branches in Vancouver, including on Pender and Granville, as well as out in Richmond. Most locations are open for business on weekdays and Saturdays, and you can pay with cash or debit card on site.

3. Happy Currency Exchange

Happy Currency Exchange has three locations in Burnaby, Richmond and Vancouver. Their downtown kiosk is conveniently located on West Broadway, between Cambie & Yukon, and it’s open Monday to Saturday.

Tips for getting the best deal when exchanging money

Compare your options. Shop online for the best deal before you head to your nearest exchange agent. Don’t be afraid to ask for a price match if you’ve settled on a company but their rates aren’t up to snuff.
Know the mid-market rate. Use Google or Reuters to see the rate that the banks trade at so you can be sure to find a company offering a decent margin.
Avoid paying with your debit or credit. The world might run on plastic but with foreign currency exchange, you should stick to cash or pay with a bank transfer. Otherwise, you could be dinged for a cash advance, which comes with a hefty 2 – 5% charge on your next bank statement.
Choose foreign exchange over an ATM. ATMs can end up costing you a bundle in hidden fees and dismal exchange rates. It pays to do your homework and find a decent kiosk to change your money.
Steer clear of airport vendors. Airport vendors are notorious for ripping off unsuspecting customers. If you know you need cash before you hit the airport, plan ahead by buying currency at home to avoid high prices.

Compare money transfer services

If you’re sending money to a loved one, you can do it from home with an international money transfer company.

I want to send

Min. Transfer Amount	Transfer Speed	Online Transfer Fee	Rate	Amount Received	Description	CTA	Details
$2,000	Same day	-	-		XE offers fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 2,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AMD, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BND, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KRW, KWD, KZT, LKR, LSL, MAD, MKD, MUR, MWK, MXN, MYR, NAD, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SZL, THB, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UGX, USD, VUV, WST, XCD, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
GBP 1,000	1 - 2 days	USD 0.00	1.317	CAD 6,586	Exclusive: Minimum transfer of $1,000 for Finder readers (normally $5,000). For larger transfers, get no transaction fees and no maximum send limits.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount GBP 1,000.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Chat Available currencies AED, AUD, CAD, CHF, CZK, DKK, EUR, GBP, HKD, HUF, ILS, JPY, MXN, NOK, NZD, PLN, RON, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, USD, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
$1	Same day	USD 0.00	1.325	CAD 6,623	XE offers fast transfers with no fees and a range of foreign currency tools.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Phone, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments, Market orders, Forward contracts Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, AMD, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BND, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, JMD, JOD, JPY, KES, KRW, KWD, KZT, LKR, LSL, MAD, MKD, MUR, MWK, MXN, MYR, NAD, NOK, NZD, OMR, PEN, PGK, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, QAR, RON, RSD, RUB, RWF, SAR, SBD, SCR, SEK, SGD, SZL, THB, TND, TOP, TRY, TTD, TWD, TZS, UGX, USD, VUV, WST, XCD, XPF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
$0	1 - 2 days	N/A	N/A	N/A	Special offers like free transfers and better exchange rates available for new customers. Quick, affordable transfers around the world with both express and economy options.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 0.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options N/A Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies ARS, BDT, BGN, BOB, BRL, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, GHS, GTQ, GYD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, INR, JMD, KES, KMF, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NIO, NPR, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RWF, THB, TND, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XAF, XOF, ZAR Go to site Read the full review
$1	1 - 2 days	USD 40.00	1.331	CAD 6,600	Enjoy high maximum transfers into more than 20 currencies while saving up to 90% over local banks.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online Transfer options Regular payments, One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AED, ARS, AUD, BDT, BGN, BRL, BWP, CAD, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CZK, DKK, EGP, EUR, GBP, GEL, GHS, HKD, HRK, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, JPY, KES, KRW, LKR, MAD, MXN, MYR, NGN, NOK, NPR, NZD, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, RON, RUB, SEK, SGD, THB, TRY, TZS, UAH, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, XOF, ZAR, ZMW Go to site Read the full review
$1	Within an hour	USD 3.99	1.325	CAD 6,620	Use promo code 3FREE to send your first 3 transfers with no fee. Send to 110+ countries for bank-to-bank deposit, cash pickup or mobile top-up.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 1.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account, Cash Transfer Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Email Available currencies AED, ALL, AMD, AOA, ARS, AUD, BAM, BBD, BDT, BGN, BHD, BIF, BOB, BRL, BWP, CAD, CDF, CHF, CLP, CNY, COP, CRC, CVE, CZK, DKK, DOP, EGP, ETB, EUR, FJD, GBP, GEL, GHS, GMD, GNF, GTQ, HKD, HNL, HRK, HTG, HUF, IDR, ILS, INR, ISK, JMD, JOD, KES, KGS, KHR, KMF, KRW, KWD, KYD, KZT, LAK, LBP, LKR, LRD, LSL, MAD, MDL, MGA, MRO, MUR, MVR, MWK, MXN, MYR, MZN, NAD, NGN, NIO, NOK, NPR, NZD, OMR, PAB, PEN, PHP, PKR, PLN, PYG, RON, RUB, RWF, SCR, SEK, SGD, SLL, SOS, SRD, THB, TJS, TND, TOP, TRY, TZS, UGX, USD, UYU, VND, WST, XAF, XCD, XOF, ZAR, ZMW, BYN Go to site Read the full review
$50	1 - 2 days	USD 0.00	1.323	CAD 6,613	InstaReM offers quick and simple international money transfers with the ability to earn loyalty points.	Go to site	Compare	Show details	Details Minimum transfer amount 50.00 Transfer methods Online, Bank Account to Bank Account Transfer options One off payments Customer service Phone, Chat, Email Available currencies AUD, BDT, CAD, CNY, EUR, GBP, HKD, IDR, INR, KRW, LKR, MXN, MYR, NPR, PHP, PKR, SGD, THB, USD, VND Go to site Read the full review

Compare up to 4 providers

Disclaimer: Exchange rates change often. Confirm the total cost with the provider before transferring money.

Bottom line

If you’re headed to Vancouver, skip the high fees you’d see at an ATM or airport and plan ahead to get the best rate on foreign currency. And if you just need to send money to Vancouver, consider using an international money transfer company.

Picture: Shutterstock

Thank you for your feedback!

Claire Horwood

Claire Horwood is a writer at Finder, specializing in credit cards, loans and other financial products. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Gender Studies from the University of Victoria, along with an Associate's Degree in Science from Camosun College. Much of Claire's coursework has focused on writing and statistics, with a healthy dose of social and cultural analysis mixed in for good measure. She has also worked extensively in the field of "Blended Finance" with the Canadian government. In her spare time, Claire loves rock climbing, travelling and drinking inordinate amounts of coffee.

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Best places to exchange currency in Vancouver