The best bank accounts in Canada for international travel 2020

• The best major Canadian banks for international travel 2020
  • Scotiabank
  • CIBC
  • Bank of Montreal (BMO)
  • Royal Bank of Canada (RBC)
  • TD Canada Trust
• The best free debit accounts for international travel
  • Alterna Bank
  • Tangerine

Since the foreign exchange rate impacts the final amount of funds you receive, Scotiabank’s competitive rates make Scotiabank chequing accounts among the best bank accounts for international travel and a leading option for people looking to withdraw money abroad.

Scotiabank’s chequing accounts cost the least amount of money when withdrawing cash in Europe or the United States of America, assuming you withdraw funds from an ATM belonging to the Global ATM Alliance network.

Scotiabank’s association with the Global ATM Alliance network allows its customers to withdraw money without the additional surcharges that come from making a transaction with an institution that is not in the alliance.

For example, in the United States of America, Scotiabank customers can use over 15,000 Bank of America ATMs with no additional cost from Scotiabank. In Europe, Scotiabank customers can use BNP Paribas or Deutsche Bank, depending on which country they visit. In the United Kingdom, travellers can access Barclays’ ATMs.

Scotiabank also has a massive presence in South America and the Caribbean, with branches in Mexico, Chile, Peru, and Jamaica. There are around 44,000 ATMs across the globe.

If you’re wondering how to find a partnered banking institution across the globe, Scotiabank’s Mobile Banking App features an ATM locator that can quickly guide you to the closest partnered ATM, whether you’re in North America, Europe, or anywhere else in the world. All things considered, Scotiabank truly is one of the best bank accounts for international travel available on the Canadian market.

Scotiabank chequing account fees

• EUROPE: Using a Scotiabank debit card to withdraw 100€ in Europe will cost you $164.23 CAD ($160.23 CAD converted at 1.6023% plus $4 CAD admin fee). Using an ATM affiliated with the Global ATM Alliance will not charge you a fee for using an ATM. However, using an ATM outside of the Global ATM Alliance will cost you $167.23.
• USA: Withdrawing $100 USD using Scotiabank while travelling in the US would cost you $143.66 CAD ($100 CAD converted at 1.4067% plus $3.44 CAD admin fee plus $0.00 CAD ATM access fee assuming you are withdrawing with Global ATM Alliance network.

CIBC’s chequing accounts offer similar perks to Canada’s major banks. In partnership with Visa’s Plus or Visa Network, CIBC bank accounts allow their customers with a CIBC Visa Debit card to access funds using an ATM in the Plus Network around the world. Most of the best bank accounts for international travel are a part of this ATM network. 

Though it may seem like you’re using a credit card, the CIBC Visa Debit uses the Plus network to access the funds from your chequing account.

CIBC is a good option for Canadian travellers who feel more comfortable using their debit card in the same fashion as their credit card, without having to pay interest or bills once they return. However, additional fees may come with each transaction.

CIBC chequing account fees

• EUROPE: As a CIBC customer, withdrawing 100€ in Europe will cost you $164.35 CAD ($155.46 CAD converted at 1.5546% plus $3.89 CAD admin fee plus $5.00 CAD ATM fee).
• USA: In the United States, $100 USD, travelling as a CIBC customer, will cost you $145.48 Canadian ($139.00 CAD converted at 1.39% plus $3.48 CAD admin fee plus $3.00 CAD ATM access fee).

Bank of Montreal works with Cirrus Network, which offers millions of ATMs across the world that are compatible with Mastercard. BMO customers can access over 2 million ATMs using their BMO Debit Mastercard, however, use may lead to additional fees and surcharges.

BMO chequing account fees

• EUROPE: BMO customers can withdraw 100€ in Europe for $172 CAD ($100 CAD CAD converted at 1.6342% plus $4.08 CAD admin fee plus $5.00 CAD ATM fee).
• USA: As for the United States, $100 USD would cost $143 Canadian ($100 CAD converted at 1.4081% plus $3.52 CAD admin fee plus $3.00 CAD ATM access fee).

Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) also offers its customers compatibility while travelling abroad through the Visa Plus Network, meaning customers can use their RBC debit card at the point of purchase, with a fee per transaction. Money can also be withdrawn at any ATM with a Visa Plus Network symbol.

RBC chequing account fees

• EUROPE: Withdrawing 100€ in Europe would cost RBC customers $169.95 CAD ($100 CAD converted at 1.6093% plus $4.02 CAD admin fee plus $5 CAD ATM fee).
• USA: If an RBC customer withdrew $100 USD while travelling in the USA, it would cost $146.91 CAD ($100 CAD converted at 1.4040% plus $3.10 CAD admin fee plus $3.00 CAD ATM access fee).

Like the majority of Canadian banks, TD Canada Trust offers its customers access to most automated tellers across the world that are a part of the Plus or Visa Network.

TD Canada Trust chequing account fees

• Withdrawing 100€ while visiting Europe will cost TD Canada Trust customers $169.63 CAD ($100 CAD converted at 1.6062% plus $4 CAD admin fee plus $5.00 CAD ATM fee.)
• In the United States, withdrawing $100 USD with TD Canada Trust would cost you $148.59 CAD ($100.00 CAD converted at 1.4067% plus $5.10 CAD admin fee plus $3.00 CAD ATM access fee).

• Withdrawing 100€ while visiting Europe will cost TD Canada Trust customers $164 CAD ($155.46 CAD converted at 1.5546% plus $3.89 CAD admin fee plus $5.00 CAD ATM fee.)
• In the United States, withdrawing $100 USD with TD Canada Trust would cost you $146 CAD ($146.00 CAD converted at 1.39% plus $3.48 CAD admin fee plus $3.00 CAD ATM access fee).

• Alterna Bank is a digital bank and subsidiary of Alterna Savings, the second oldest credit union in Canada. Though Alterna Bank is owned by a credit union, it is a CDIC-insured, Schedule 1 bank.
• The ACCEL Network offers over 400,000 ATMs between American coasts, making it an ideal banking option while visiting the United States.
  Other Alterna Bank networks include Interac, Visa, Mastercard for point-of-sale purchase, as well as American Express and AccuLink.
• In Canada, Alterna Bank is a member of the EXCHANGE Network.
• Alterna Bank is also an excellent day-to-day banking product, making it a suitable option for the times you’re not travelling as well.

• Tangerine is the free digital banking product of Scotiabank.
• Tangerine members can access Scotiabank ATMs, as well as ATMs in the Global ATM Alliance, making it another excellent option for persons who find themselves travelling abroad.
• Tangerine customers can enjoy some of the lowest rates available in Canada for travel debit withdrawals and purchases.