Lesson Learned: Your ATM card will not always work in Canada so bring cash

I’ve been to Niagara Falls twice now, once to the American side, once to the Canadian side and let me tell you the U.S. got robbed. The view on the Canadian side is absolutely breathtaking, maybe because it’s more of a full frontal view but unfortunately the two don’t even compare. If you decide to make the trip it’s definitely worth crossing the border for. 

So, I’m at Niagara Falls, smitten by the view, high off the fresh air, and ready to continue my road trip…next stop Toronto.  

Problem 1: Our ATM cards wouldn't work when we try to pay for parking at the falls.

So, we scrounged up a couple of dollars we still had and barely made it out of the lot.

Problem 2: The highway to Toronto became a tollway and we needed Canadian money to pay but our ATM cards wouldn't work at two gas stations nor an ATM at Wal-Mart.

That’s when the cashier told me American ATM cards don’t usually work in Canadian ATMs. I’ve traveled all over the world and have never had this problem before. So, while my boyfriend tried to figure out a route to Toronto without going on the tollway I tried to think of a way to get us some cash (By the way it's 10pm).

Plan A: Go into a fast food restaurant and ask someone if I could pay for their meal with my credit card (not ATM card) in return for the cash.

Plan B: Do the exact same thing at a gas station.

Fortunately, we criss-crossed our way into Toronto without having to ask for handouts and made it to our hotel.  When we told the concierge about our dilemma he confirmed what the Wal-Mart employee had already explained to us. Just as I was about to ask him if he could charge our credit card extra for the room so we could get some cash back in return he told us the hotel had prepared for this very situation and installed a special ATM that accepted American cards. THANK GOD!

My dads always told me never to travel without $100 in cash, I guess I better start listening to his advice because my ATM card won’t always be my ticket home…lesson learned. 

However, some have experienced a whole lot worse in Canada, take a look at this video.