What a trip to Canada really costs, and why your US card may not be as fee-free as you think

Canada prices close to the US overall, but tipping norms, taxes shown separately at checkout and foreign transaction fees on cards can all surprise a first-time visitor. Here is a realistic budget.

Canada's overall cost level tracks closely with the US, with some cities (Vancouver, Toronto) running comparable to expensive US metro areas and others noticeably cheaper.

A realistic daily budget

A comfortable mid-range day in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal — a good hotel, three meals including one real restaurant meal, local transit and one paid attraction — typically runs $150–$230 per person (in US dollars); smaller cities and towns run noticeably less.

Taxes shown separately and card fees

Canadian prices are typically shown before tax, with sales tax (a combination of federal GST and provincial tax, varying by province, often totaling 5–15%) added at checkout — a habit familiar to US travelers but worth budgeting for since posted menu and shelf prices are not the final price. More importantly, check whether your specific US credit card charges a foreign transaction fee (commonly 1–3%) on Canadian purchases; many travelers assume Canada is "domestic enough" not to trigger this, but it is a genuine foreign currency transaction and fees apply exactly as they would anywhere else abroad.

Currency and tipping

The Canadian dollar (CAD) is usually close to but weaker than the US dollar, so use a currency converter rather than treating prices as roughly equal to US dollars, since the gap adds up over a trip. Tipping culture closely mirrors the US — 15–20% at sit-down restaurants, with similar norms for bars, taxis and rideshare — unlike many other international destinations where US tipping habits do not translate.