We are travelling to Canada this summer and are struggling as what to do regarding money. When going to Europe, it was easy, we just took all Euros and nothing else, as the accommodation was all paid for before travel - simple, but don't want to be carrying large amounts of Canadian Dollars around to pay bills as we go from place to place.

We will be staying in lots of different accommodation throughout our trip and have been advised to purchase only Canadian Dollars Travellers cheques. These seem to be quite difficult to get a hold of. The Post Office don't appear to have them on their website - only Amercian Express Travellers Cheques and we have been advised not to take them to Canada as we will loose out big time. We have been advised against purchasing Sterling Travellers Cheques as a commisson will be charged on cashing them in Canada.

Therefore, we thought that we would just put most of my purchases on our Tesco Credit Card, as this would be simple, but phoned them first to find out that they charge - 2.7% for every transaction spend while abroad. Won't be taking this up.

I have hit a blank with Tesco Travel Money as they offer free purchase (no commission), can offer me Canadian Dollars Traveller's Cheque, but won't buy back Traveller's Cheque or currency. They advised me to go to a local bank - who will charge me a commission on cashing them in. Only plus point here is that I could order them with my Tesco Credit Card and get the airmiles - but I might be wrong here.

Can anyone advise on what they have experienced in Canada, as I will be spending quite a bit of money and don't want to be stung twice or even three times. Thanks in advance.

Greetings, We travel to Canada bi-annually, always take C$ in cash, use the Credit card for bigger purchases and the debit card for cash if required (as long as your account has money in it) . Get a card with no % on Cash or Foreign transactions there are plenty about. Travellers cheques are pretty useless, if you are going into the wild unorganised territory or small communities, no one will cash them. US$ are not favourable at present as the C$ is strong but you can use them all over Canada. hope thios helps . Happy travelling.

Thank you for your swift response.

We are staying in lots of B&Bs, and thought of only passing over Candian Dollars Travellers Cheques to these people, as we don't want to take Candian dollars notes (we are staying over for 3 weeks). Interesting about a card with 0% on foreign transactions - must look into this. Must ask our bank if we can use our debit card abroad without being charged - but as you say, as long as you have money in it.

Your tips have certainly given us food for thought.

B&Bs are the only way to see Canada, but I doubt in most cases that they will take travellers cheques, I'm afraid cash is the answer, the Canadians on the whole are a friendly law biding lot, most of the areas in the towns are safe you just have to be aware, Cities are some what different as there are bad areas to keep away from at night certainly, but most of the guides tell you about these or the locals will. I have a Thomas Cook card, it gives you points well.

If there is anything else please let me know

carry wads of currency around ? you cannot be serious

talk to HSBC , they have branches in every major canadian city ; maybe arrange an account there in loonies with a debit card ? you don't say how much money you will need , 5K ? 10 K? , but if it is a serious amount of money charge the account using one of the specialist exchange companies , as the banks rip you off on exchange rates/charges ; their costs to issue foreign currency abroad if you use your uk card are also ridiculous

I went to N. america and toured for a year ; took 25K which I exchanged at 0.5% from mid money market rate [have a look on the BBC text, they have mid market rates as well as tourist..note the enormous difference ], got a US card ; when in canada I exchanged US dollars for canadian in supermarkets near the border , who give virtually no exchange cost rates ; why ? they want to get rid of dollar bills that visiting americans spend , and canadians going to the states want dollars , so it all keeps the tills ringing

btw , when my euro denominated card expired during a 6 month trip I used a no transaction charge card from uk ....they gave me 4% less than the real exchange rate !! no charge indeed !!! as you will gather I like to travel , but for 3 weeks ? what's getting ripped of by the banks going to cost , a couple of hundred maybe ; neither here nor there in the scheme of things

sorry , I didn't notice at first that you were only going for a quick visit , so the no transaction debit card idea given is probably the way for you , just suffer the exchange rate; take no money at all , get off the flight , cash machine in the airport , then keep getting a couple of hundred $ at a time ...it's enough for safety if you get mugged , you won't get kicked to death because you had nothing; make sure you get 2 separate ones in case one gets stolen and you have to cancel it ; lots of hastle otherwise

bon voyage