Competitive rates: We considered money changers that offer better rates than those found in hotel lobbies, banks, and airports.
No additional fees: We included money changers that don’t have hidden fees. We also checked if the normal exchange rates still apply for loose bills.
Location: We checked if the money changer spot can be easily accessed. We also assessed the security of the area, especially when bringing a large amount of cash.
Range of currencies: We considered money changers that offer a wide range of currencies, ideal for travellers. Plus points if they have them on hand.
Hands up if you normally exchange money at the airport on every trip. Well, we’re guilty here too. We usually do that even though we always get stuck with low rates and longer lines.
But after discovering that money changers around the city normally give better rates, we made sure to get our cash ready before going on a trip. Good thing, Vancouver has the best ones, perfect for both residents and tourists.
If you need to exchange currencies, continue reading this article as we provide you with the best money changer spots offering the best rates, which can help you save a few bucks for souvenirs.
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.9/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Competitive rates
4.5/5
No additional fees
4.5/5
Location
4.9/5
Easily accessible
4.9/5
Safe location
4.9/5
Range of currencies
5/5
Has access to rare currencies
5/5
Availability of major currencies
5/5
Tourists are expected to drop by Gastown, so if you ever run out of cash and need to exchange more, then you can rely on Gastown Currency Exchange. What’s great about them is that they offer better rates than what you can see in the downtown area.
And since they’re located in a touristy spot, you can trust this money-changing spot to carry even the least popular currencies, which makes them a good final stop if you’re going back to your home country.
You can also trust them to handle large bills, so if you need them before travelling, this is a good spot to go to. It’s worth noting, though, that this shop is pretty busy, so expect to queue a little longer before getting your money exchanged.
Nonetheless, the process is pretty straightforward, so don’t expect to fill out forms. Tourists just need to present their passports, while Vancouver residents can just be ready with their identification cards.
Aside from currency exchange, you can also visit Gastown Currency Exchange for the best selection of silver, gold, and collectable coins. They even have rare coins here, which makes a great souvenir if you’re just visiting Vancouver.
Pros
Offers collectable and rare coins
Has the least popular currency
Straightforward process
Cons
Expect to queue a little longer
Not open on weekends
Efficient and very friendly owner
“Been coming here for years. Switched from a certain well known Bullion place and never looked back. The owner works so hard and he’s so friendly, always a pleasure going in. He’s very quick and efficient too, I’m in and out of the door, not stuck in a long line. Best rates in the city. He’s a hidden gem!”
“I’ve been coming to Gastown currency exchange for a while now, and I always leave impressed. The rates are consistently the best around Vancouver especially for exchanging Canadian dollars to Mexican pesos. We called and asked if he had a certain amount of pesos for our wedding. We needed large bills and alot of cash. He would always have it ready for pick up for us and at a great rate. On top of that, the customer service is fantastic—friendly, helpful, and efficient every time. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for great rates and even better service. Thank you so much for helping us. We will be back!”
Once you see a small counter that offers money exchange services around Granville, then you’ve just reached Charlie’s Currency Exchange. So don’t expect to see flashy signage or a big shop if you’re planning to exchange currencies here.
What we love about them is that they’re open seven days a week, even extending their business hours until evening. This is actually perfect for tourists who need extra cash before having dinner.
If you wish to buy or sell your currencies, you can take advantage of their online calculator. The rates are up-to-date, so you can see the real-time currency exchange rate wherever you are.
We appreciate that they accept debit cards and e-transfer as payment methods, so even if you don’t have cash on hand, you can still complete your transaction.
While they can source out exotic currencies for you, we suggest calling them in advance so they can tell you if they have enough inventory.
And since they’re located in a small spot, they don’t normally have all their stock on hand, so it would really be best to give them a heads up.
Another thing that we appreciate about them is that their bills are in great condition. They even look like we sourced them straight from the bank.
Pros
Has an online calculator
Bills are in great condition
Extensive business hours
Cons
No huge stash of cash ready
Service fees apply
Hassle-free money exchange process
“They should really be called in-and-out currency exchange. Easy, painless and hassle free exchange!”
“The rate is pretty good and the owner is nice. Because I was travelling to a country which only take US dollar bills in good condition, the owner has no problem to help me out with that. Highly recommended.”
Address: 800 W Pender St #120, Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6
Contact Details: +1 604-685-1008
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Consumer Rating: B+
Google review
4.4/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Competitive rates
4.6/5
No additional fees
4.5/5
Location
4.6/5
Easily accessible
4.6/5
Safe location
4.6/5
Range of currencies
4.5/5
Has access to rare currencies
4.5/5
Availability of major currencies
4.5/5
If you’re looking for a money changer spot that’s also big on gold and silver, then Vancouver Bullion & Currency Exchange, or just VBCE as the locals call it, is the one for you.
This place is more than just a casual money changer spot among others. Upon walking in, you’ll immediately appreciate the store’s clean and well-lit atmosphere.
They’re also known for giving the best rates in the city, so you can expect not to lose much in the conversion.
We love that we can also rely on their website whenever we want to check their exchange rates. They update that in real-time too, so you can always go back to it and check if the rates are better.
While they serve several customers in a day, their staff is very efficient, so you can expect the lines to move quickly. And even if you’re seated far from the counter, you can just check their counter displays, which reveal which counter is available.
If you ever need a larger sum before leaving the country, we suggest calling them or sending them an email. Just let them know how much money you need in exchange for the cash you have.
The only downside is that walk-ins needing large amounts may face longer queues, and new clients can’t use e-transfer payments.
Pros
Website porovides real-time exchange rates
Great communication skills
Real-time update of exchange rates online
Cons
Expect to queue a little
Doesn’t allow the e-transfer payment option for new clients
Deals with gold and silver
“Best deals I’ve found on coins and bullion. Excellent customer service, as well.”
“I’ve been dealing with VBCE for a few years now and have had an overall exceptional experience with their online specialist team, specifically Lydia! The service was incredibly efficient, and the staff were both friendly and professional. Transactions were swift, making the whole process hassle-free. Highly recommended!”
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Competitive rates
4.9/5
No additional fees
4.5/5
Location
4.6/5
Easily accessible
4.6/5
Safe location
4.6/5
Range of currencies
4.5/5
Has access to rare currencies
4/5
Availability of major currencies
5/5
We’ve heard about Nia Exchange from one of our colleagues. She kept raving about this shop’s competitive rates, so we knew we just had to see it for ourselves too.
And true enough, they were able to give us fair rates, which are even better than what the bank was offering. You can also expect them to have the popular currencies, such as the US dollar and the Japanese yen, which are perfect for those who are traveling.
Aside from currency exchange, they can also assist you in paying for work or student visas by money order, settling hospital bills, or even paying dormitory and university tuition fees across the city.
For those who need assistance in doing wire transfers, this money-changing spot is also the right one for you. You can trust their quick and safe process when transferring funds from one country to another.
And because of their established relationship and impressive service quality, we weren’t surprised to learn that they still have a list of loyal clients from Toronto who continue to choose them for transactions, regardless of the distance.
However, remember to do your transactions early, as this money-changing spot closes early even on weekdays.
Pros
Have the popular currencies on hand
Competitive rates
Offers convenient wire transfers
Has other special money transfer services
Cons
Limited stock for rare currencies
Possible longer waiting time
Secure transaction
“I’ve been using Nia Exchange for a couple years now and they’ve been amazing. The service is quick, reliable, and secure—giving me real peace of mind every time. The team is always professional, kind, and incredibly responsive, often going out of their way to ensure everything runs smoothly. Their rates are consistently better than any other exchange I’ve used. I highly recommend Nia Exchange to anyone who needs a trustworthy and efficient money transfer service. They’ve absolutely earned five stars!”
“Excellent and Trustworthy Service! I recently used Nia Currency Exchange for a wire transfer and exchange, and I was thoroughly impressed. The entire process was handled with great care and efficiency. I found Mr. Sadeghi to be extremely responsive, promptly answering all of my questions and making the transaction feel seamless. It’s clear that this is an incredibly trustworthy and professional establishment.”
Address: 109 W 1st St, North Vancouver, BC V7M 1B1
Contact Details: +1 604-603-1015
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday: 10:30 AM – 2:30 PM
Consumer Rating: A
Google review
5/5
Total reviews score
5/5
Score consistency
5/5
Our Rating: B+
Competitive rates
4.9/5
No additional fees
4.9/5
Location
4.6/5
Easily accessible
4.6/5
Safe location
4.6/5
Range of currencies
4.3/5
Has access to rare currencies
4/5
Availability of major currencies
4.5/5
For those who need a quick currency exchange experience, whether you’re buying or selling, TelEx Currency Exchange is the one for you. We sold our Canadian dollars to get a large sum in US dollars, and they were able to process it in less than ten minutes.
While they have popular currencies on hand, such as dollars, euros, and yen, you may need to call ahead if you’re buying less common ones.
They can still source them out for you, but you may have to wait for at least three days before you can get them.
They can also assist you if you need help with wire transfers.
Just take note, though, that they don’t offer the best rates around the city, but if you’re in a hurry and need cash around North Vancouver, then they’re your best bet. Don’t worry, you’ll still get better rates here than at the airport or in most hotel lobbies.
What we appreciate most about them is that they don’t have hidden fees or random service charges, so you won’t be surprised by anything once you see the official receipt.
And here’s a bonus: their staff is accommodating enough to even help some tourists with directions.
Pros
Popular currencies on hand
No hidden fees
Accommodating staff
Cons
Closed on Sundays
Limited availability for less popular currencies
Secure shop
“I recently used Telex Exchange for a currency exchange, and I was extremely impressed with their service. The exchange rates were very competitive compared to banks and other providers, and there were no hidden fees. The transaction was quick and hassle-free, with friendly and knowledgeable staff who took the time to explain everything clearly. I also appreciated the secure and professional environment, which made me feel confident in my transaction. Whether you’re exchanging a small or large amount, this is definitely the place to go. Highly recommended!”
“I’ve had multiple experiences with Telex Exchange, and every time, their service has been fast, professional, and trustworthy. The staff are polite, knowledgeable, and always ready to answer questions with patience and clarity. Their exchange rates are competitive, and I’ve never encountered any hidden fees or delays. What I appreciate most is the smooth and transparent process—whether you’re exchanging cash or transferring funds, they make it easy and stress-free. It’s clear that customer satisfaction is their top priority. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a reliable and honest currency exchange service in the area. Thank you Telex Exchange”
Most of the time, the exchange rates offered by money changers are better than those of banks. Additionally, banks normally add service fees if you’re planning to exchange currencies there.
Which currencies are in demand at Vancouver money changing spots?
You can easily find or exchange US dollars almost anywhere. Aside from the US dollar, other commonly accepted currencies include the euro, Japanese yen, and British pound.
Do I need to bring an identification card to exchange money?
If you’re planning to exchange just a small amount, these money changer spots don’t normally require an identification card. However, if you plan to receive a large sum, specifically over $1,000, a government-issued ID may be required.
Do money changers charge service fees?
Most money changers charge service fees, while some simply incorporate them into the actual exchange rate itself. However, some money changers prefer to include it in a separate line item just to be transparent.
Kelly Rainier
