Driving thru Canada

[PIGGI]

to Alaska, did you get Canadian money at the border or stick with US cash? :xzqxz:

 

[Calgary]

Either will work - US$$$ are accepted most everywhere, but merchants may not recognize the true value of the US$ vs the C$. If you prefer using Canadian $$$'s you can get it at ATM machines, but the downside could be that any surplus C$ won't be easy to use in Alaska.

Personally, I would use a credit card and carry US$ to cover off where your card may not be usable. I use AMEX throughout Canada and the US, but because their fees are higher than other cards, some businesses, service stations etc., do not accept AMEX.

Alaska travellers always appreciate using the travel book 'The Milepost'! http://www.themilepost.com

PIGGI, I was through Sahuarita on Friday - took a ride to Nogales and back - if I remember correctly temperatures were pretty close to 100F in the area! A great ride but certainly needed to stay hydrated!

 

[bongobobny]

Discover Card does not charge a foreign transaction fee, however in Canada not as many merchants accept Discover...

 

[Bikerbozo]

Usually I convert a little at the border. Just for anything credit cards don't cover. Note that the banks in Canada don't seem to have the same problem US banks have converting dollars.

 

[TouringOn2]

I rode to Alaska in 2012 and I'm going back in June this summer. The first trip I used my Visa care for everything I could, I used US money for anything I couldn't charge. I'll do the same thing this summer. When you pay with US funds you will get Canadian money for change. You can spend that as you choose. Be safe and enjoy the ride. Larry

 

[RcSuD]

Visa and Mastercard are probably the two most widely accepted cards here.

 

[PIGGI]

Either will work - US$$$ are accepted most everywhere, but merchants may not recognize the true value of the US$ vs the C$. If you prefer using Canadian $$$'s you can get it at ATM machines, but the downside could be that any surplus C$ won't be easy to use in Alaska.

Personally, I would use a credit card and carry US$ to cover off where your card may not be usable. I use AMEX throughout Canada and the US, but because their fees are higher than other cards, some businesses, service stations etc., do not accept AMEX.

Alaska travellers always appreciate using the travel book 'The Milepost'! http://www.themilepost.com

PIGGI, I was through Sahuarita on Friday - took a ride to Nogales and back - if I remember correctly temperatures were pretty close to 100F in the area! A great ride but certainly needed to stay hydrated!

Thanks for the info, don't have AMEX but will carry MC and Visa. And yup it does get hot here.

 

[GARYD]

I go to HOG rallys in Canada every year. I always come home with about $50 Canadian to use the next year for gas or food when I cross over untill a bank opens the next morning. You get better rates then ATM's or border exchangers. It's almost the same rate now so it's no big deal - unless a place won't except US.