# 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.

Source: https://roamfact.com/en/analysis/canada-trip-cost-and-money/

Published: 2026-10-12

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.