Canada is a country with stunning natural beauty and lively cities. Its majestic mountains, clear lakes, and cosmopolitan cities all draw tourists in. Canada has a lot to offer, from the breathtaking Rockies and the peaceful beauty of Banff to the busy streets of Toronto and the cultural diversity of Montreal. To easily get around this very different country, you need to learn how to use the local cash, cash and ATMs in Canada, and other ways to pay. This guide will give you all the financial information you need to be excited and confident about your trip to Canada.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to save money for travelling in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Canada?
In Canada, there are more than 70,000 ATMs. Banks own about 18,000 of them and private ATM companies own the rest. There are a lot of them in cities, and there are at least a few (at least 1-2 ATMs) in smaller towns in Canada. But don’t expect to find them if you’re going to faraway places like farms, cruises, etc.
You can find ATMs at:
- A lot of airports,
- Town squares and the market,
- Every big city has main tourist streets.,
- Malls for shopping,
- Lanes for food,
- ATMs and banks,
- Some business buildings,
- Places to get petrol.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Little airports,
- Bus stops in the area,
- A few villages and towns,
- Out-of-the-way resorts and retreats.
Best ATMs to use in Canada for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Canada are those owned by popular banks such as:
Scotiabank,
Desjardins,
TD Bank, and
Royal Bank of Canada (RBC).
A group of banks around the world work together to make the Global ATM Alliance possible. Customers of this alliance can get cash from any partner bank in the world without having to pay an ATM fee. The Global ATM Alliance is made up of many banks from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Latin America. Bank of America, Barclays, Deutsche Bank, and others are among them. Canada’s Scotiabank was a part of this network at the time this article was written.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Canada, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in CAD).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Canada, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in CAD’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Canada?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Canada. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Canada.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Canada?
In Canada, ATM usually have the word ‘ATM’ as a signage or you will find an ATM looking like machine just with the bank name, so familiarise yourself with the common bank names.
PIN type
ATM PIN Length: Usually 4-digit PINs, but some ATMs may accept 6-digit PINs.
With respect to merchants, they accept chip-and-PIN cards mainly and then magnetic stripe cards.
Languages at ATMs in Canada
Costa Rican ATMs come with Spanish and English as standard options. If you need assistance with the language, translating in real-time with Google Translate on your phone is a useful strategy, but verify the translations carefully.
You can use Google Translate’s camera feature to get real-time translations of your phone’s menu options to translate the ATM screen. Feel free to take your time and not rush through the transaction. Just keep in mind that these translations may not always be 100% accurate.
Do ATMs in Canada work similarly as other countries?
Yes, they are. There are new ATMs that look and work like ones in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Some of them take your card inside while you use it, so don’t forget to take it out again when you’re done.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in North & Central America.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Canada?
ATMs in Canada dispense only the official currency Canadian Dollar (CAD).
ATM withdrawal limits in Canada?
Majority of the ATMs in Canada has a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction as much as the limit of the card. Some ATMs have a withdrawal limit of CAD 500 to CAD 1,000 per transaction (Canadian Dollars).
ATM Fees in Canada?
There is only one fee-free ATM in Canada, that too for some specific cards only. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Canada charge between CAD 3 to CAD 5 per transaction (Canadian Dollars) as ATM Access Fees to foreign cardholders. Only one bank ATM has zero ATM Fees for Global ATM Alliance member bank cards.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Canada – something every traveller handling cash in Canada should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Canada?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Canada?
Use ATM Fee Saver to find free ATMs, currency exchanges, and banks in Canada. The web and mobile app ATM Fee Saver helps you find Canadian ATMs with lower fees. It also helps you find places to exchange money and send money to other people. It tells foreign cardholders how much they can withdraw and how much they will be charged. Use the app’s calculator to find out how much fees you’ll be charged. Once you choose an ATM, the app’s navigation feature will help you get there. It has information on 100 countries, and Canada is one of them.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Canada ATMs?
Most of the time, yes. There are instances where secret cameras are put near the keypads of some Canadian ATMs to get your PIN. So make sure to cover the keypad when you enter your PIN.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
FAQs
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Canada takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
Yes, it can be possible. There is only one fee-free ATM in Canada, that too for some specific cards only. Majority of the Bank ATMs in Canada charge between CAD 3 to CAD 5 per transaction (Canadian Dollars) as ATM Access Fees to foreign cardholders. Only one bank ATM has zero ATM Fees for Global ATM Alliance member bank cards.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Canada?
Yes. At most ATMs in Canada, you can use cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other places.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Yes, there are more than 2,500 Bitcoin ATMs in Canada.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Canada
Bank of America: There aren’t any Bank of America ATMs in Canada.
Citibank: None.
Barclays: Canada does not have any Barclays ATMs.
HSBC: There are many HSBC ATMs in Canada.
Standard Chartered: In Canada, there are no Standard Chartered ATMs.
