Best places for currency exchange in Edmonton: A complete travel guide

Alberta's capital mixes river valley trails, a thriving arts scene, and winter festivals worth braving the cold for. Getting your money sorted before you explore makes the trip smoother. Edmonton is a very card-friendly city, but the fees can add up. Airport kiosks, mall counters, and even your own card can quietly add markups that chip away at your travel budget.

This guide covers everything you need to know about currency exchange in Edmonton — from Canadian dollar basics to the best physical exchange locations, the card-versus-cash question, and our app-based alternative that lets you hold and spend Canadian dollars without the usual hassle.

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18+, Terms and Conditions apply. Exchange fees, fair-usage limits, and weekend fees may apply.

Quick answer: Where can I exchange money in Edmonton?

It's a good idea to withdraw Canadian dollars from a local bank ATM and pay by card wherever possible, rather than using airport exchange bureaus.

For a smooth experience, open a multicurrency account like ours before you travel, exchange USD to CAD in-app at the Revolut rate, and use a virtual or physical card to tap and pay across the city. This lets you skip the airport counters and get competitive rates on your currency exchange.¹

Understanding currency in Canada: Canadian dollar (CAD) basics

The details matter — Canada's currency looks similar to US currency but is entirely separate.

What currency does Canada use?

Canada's official currency is the Canadian dollar. The Bank of Canada issues the banknotes, while the Royal Canadian Mint strikes the coins. Canada is a separate monetary jurisdiction from the US, so the US dollar isn't official currency here.

Some quick facts about CAD:

• Currency name: Canadian dollar
• Currency code: CAD (ISO 4217)
• Symbol: $ (often written C$)
• Subunit: 1 dollar = 100 cents (¢)
• Banknotes in circulation: $5, $10, $20, $50, $100 (polymer series)
• Coins in circulation: 5¢, 10¢, 25¢, $1 ("loonie"), $2 ("toonie")
• Issued by: Bank of Canada (notes) and Royal Canadian Mint (coins)

What is CAD currency?

CAD is the ISO 4217 currency code for the Canadian dollar, the standard used by banks and financial systems worldwide. So when you see "CAD" on a price tag or a currency converter, it simply refers to Canadian dollars. The money used in Canada is issued and regulated entirely by Canadian authorities, and not shared with any other country.

Where to exchange currency in Edmonton

The 2 most common options for money exchange in Edmonton are airport bureaus and dedicated counters in major malls. Below is a quick comparison to help you choose where to exchange currency in Edmonton.

Edmonton International Airport (YEG) exchange offices

ICE Canada operates 4 currency exchange locations around YEG, with hours ranging from 4.30am–10pm, depending on the counter . The Arrivals location between Doors 9 and 10 is open 11am–10pm daily, so it's a solid option if you land without any Canadian dollars. Airport counters tend to offer less favorable rates than city center ones, so if you only need a small amount to get into town, a bank ATM withdrawal is often cheaper.

City center and mall exchange offices for Alberta currency exchange in Edmonton

For more competitive rates, Calforex runs 2 dedicated offices inside Edmonton's major malls — Southgate Centre and West Edmonton Mall — both open 7 days a week with free parking and transit access.

These counters handle foreign bank notes and wire transfers and offer a no-fee return service. If you're exchanging a large sum, it's worth calling ahead to confirm the currency is in stock.

Cash vs card in Edmonton: What should you use?

Edmonton leans heavily toward card payments, and contactless is accepted almost everywhere. Carrying a small amount of cash is still smart for tips, taxis, and local spots that don't take cards. The real question isn't cash vs card, it's how to use each while keeping fees to a minimum.

Actionable ATM tips for Edmonton

• Use bank ATMs, not white-label ones: Stick to machines inside or attached to banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank, BMO, and CIBC). Avoid standalone ATMs in tourist areas, which often carry less competitive rates and a CAD2-5 fee.
• Always choose CAD, never USD: If an ATM or card terminal offers to charge you in US dollars, decline. That's dynamic currency conversion, and it uses a rate that's typically much less competitive than your card provider's.
• Use a debit card for withdrawals: Credit card cash withdrawals come with high fees from both your issuer and the ATM operator.
• Check your card's foreign transaction fee: Many US cards charge a 1–3% transaction fee on every purchase made abroad. Opting for a travel-friendly card can help you save.

Using US debit and credit cards in Canada

US-issued Visa and Mastercard cards are widely accepted across Edmonton. The main thing to watch is your card's foreign transaction fee — many US cards charge a 2–3% foreign transaction fee on every purchase made abroad, on top of an exchange rate that's rarely in your favor. A Revolut card handles Canadian dollar payments at competitive rates.

For ATM withdrawals, use a debit card rather than a credit card, since credit card cash advances come with high fees and often start accruing interest immediately.

ATM withdrawals and dynamic currency conversion (DCC)

When you insert a US card into a Canadian ATM or present it at a card terminal, the machine may ask whether you'd like to complete the transaction in CAD or USD. The USD option is framed as helpful — "know the exact dollar amount debited" — but it uses a rate that's typically much less competitive than your card provider's. Always opt to pay in the local currency to get your provider's rate.

Delivery fees may apply.

Pay and exchange money in Edmonton with Revolut

With a Revolut multicurrency account, you can hold and exchange US dollars to Canadian dollars in-app at the Revolut rate, then spend at the checkout with a virtual or physical card.¹

We exchange currency at the competitive Revolut exchange rate, and there are no additional currency exchange fees on weekdays during foreign exchange market hours, as long as you stay within your plan's fair usage limit. You can create a virtual card right away in-app for secure online spending, and your physical card works for payments across Canada.

You can also withdraw Canadian dollars from ATMs across Canada at competitive exchange rates with no fees from us during market hours and within your plan limits,² so you always have the right cash for tips and local spots that don't take cards.

How to open a Revolut account for foreign currency exchange in Edmonton

If you'd like to skip the exchange offices and manage your foreign currency from your phone, here's how to get set up with Revolut before your trip. The whole process takes a few minutes, and you can hold other currencies and order a card without leaving the house. For more on getting set up, see our guide to getting a Revolut card in the US.

1. Download the Revolut app and sign up for an account. You'll need to be 18 or older and verify your identity with a government-issued ID and your SSN or a supported visa.
2. Add money to your account in USD via bank transfer, debit card, or another supported method.
3. Open a CAD currency space in-app and exchange USD to CAD at the Revolut rate. You'll see the rate and any applicable fees before you confirm.
4. Order a physical card for in-store spending (delivery fees may apply), or get a virtual one to start spending right away.
5. Use your card anywhere Visa or Mastercard is accepted. When you tap to pay in Canadian dollars, we'll first use your CAD balance. If you don't have enough Canadian dollars to cover the payment, or you're paying in another currency you don't hold, we'll automatically convert the amount from your USD balance at the Revolut exchange rate, so your transaction goes through without you needing to do anything.
6. You'll see the rate and any applicable fees in-app before the payment settles, and you can track your spending in real-time.

¹Exchange and global transfer fees, fair usage limits, and Terms and Conditions apply.

²No ATM withdrawal fees within plan limits on a monthly basis. Out-of-network ATM withdrawals are subject to a 2% fee for Standard customers, and a 2% fee for Premium and Metal customers once their plan limits are exceeded. Third-party providers may charge a withdrawal fee. Currency and ATM fair-usage fees apply. Weekend markups on currency exchange will apply. Foreign exchange market hours begin at 6pm ET on Sunday and end at 5pm ET on Friday.

The information provided is accurate as of September 7, 2026. The content of this page is for general information purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. If you have any questions about your personal circumstances, please seek professional and independent advice. Revolut is not a financial advisor.