Royal Canadian Mint (solo trip)
How Solo-Friendly is Royal Canadian Mint?
What makes it 86% Solo-Friendly: A 45-minute guided tour lets solo travelers focus on coin production, hold a gold bar, ask questions, and leave after 1–2 hours; downtown location is easy to reach alone.
Positives:
- Small tour groups: Enjoy personal interaction and ask questions freely.
- Indoor attraction: Ideal for rainy or cold days in Ottawa.
- Meet fellow travelers: Group tours let you chat with people from around the world.
Challenges:
- Limited capacity: Walk-in spots are rare; booking ahead is essential.
- Fixed tour times: You must match your schedule to one of the set tour slots.
- No photography during production: Photos are only allowed at designated spots, not on the floor.
What is Royal Canadian Mint?
- A national mint established in 1908 that designs, manufactures and distributes Canada’s circulating and commemorative coinage
- An integrated headquarters for precious metal refining, die-making and advanced minting technologies serving clients worldwide
- A heritage neoclassical complex in downtown Ottawa housing manufacturing facilities and administrative offices essential to Canada’s currency system
What is so special about Royal Canadian Mint for solo trip?
- Join the small-group tour to see coin production up close
- Hold a 12.5 kg gold bar for a unique photo moment
- Shop exclusive collector coins and souvenirs in the boutique
- Explore a historic 1908 building in downtown Ottawa
- Perfect indoor activity that connects you with other travelers
Recommended visit duration: 1-2 hours
Why 1-2 hours visit duration is ideal for solo trip: The 45-minute guided tour plus time to browse and shop fits neatly into this timeframe.
Solo-Friendly Activities in Royal Canadian Mint
Join a guided mint tour:
Walk over the production floor and learn each step of coin-making.
Tip: Book online 48–72 hours in advance to secure your spot.
Hold a gold bar:
Feel and photograph a 12.5 kg solid gold bar under staff supervision.
Tip: Ask your guide at tour start to reserve this photo moment.
Browse the Mint Boutique:
Explore exclusive collector coins, medals, and souvenirs.
Tip: Visit before closing to avoid rush and see the full selection.
Photograph the historic façade:
Capture the 1908 neoclassical building on Sussex Drive.
Tip: Combine with a ByWard Market stroll just steps away.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Royal Canadian Mint
- Book early: Reserve your tour slot online at least 2 days before arrival.
- Arrive on time: Show up 15 minutes early to the lobby to check in smoothly.
- Combine with nearby sites: Pair your visit with ByWard Market for a full downtown experience.
Reviews of Royal Canadian Mint
Joe Desourdie
The tour of the mint was okay. You are inside a gallery for the 45 minute tour and are not allowed to take any pictures and it is difficult to see what is going on at times. The only other thing is the gift shop so there is not much to do outside of the tour, which I felt left something to be desired. It did book up fast so I would recommend booking a tour in advance.
Marley Baichulall
What a cool experience! Book in advance and arrive early! This tour was so informative and interesting. I would recommend visiting during the week as there is no coin production on the weekend. Though we didn’t see any actual work being done, the views from above were so fascinating. Seeing rolls of gold and silver in rolls to blanks and the purest coins were amazing. The TV videos were great as i...
Nolan Chamczuk
Oh my gosh... Such a cool place.. it is unique in the whole world with the standards and talents of all the workers and machines. The information presented by the guides is both informative and interesting on all of the processes that the mint does and the history of the mint as well. The tour is an absolute must if you are interested in Canadian coins and collectables and happen to be in Ottawa.
Jim H
What an amazing tour! Quite glad we did it a well worth the admission. The fellow we had doing the tour was personable and knowledgeable. Gave great overviews and shows the process. If we had questions and wanted to get deeper on things (like how it is refined to 5 9s) he gave detailed explanations. Bought the kids a couple 1oz silver investment coins for their souvenir. All in all a great time. N...
MJG
As an avid coin lover, this place has been on my bucket list for years. My late-father and I collected coins for years, from the Royal Canadian Mint. He was never able to make it here but I was so glad I did. I almost wasn't able to get a tour due to some major miscommunication between myself and a lady on the phone about when I should book. An amazing woman by the name of Amber was able to swoop...
When is the best time to visit Royal Canadian Mint (Ottawa, Canada)?
Tours book up quickly in summer; reserve early. Boutique hours may be shorter in winter—check online before visiting.
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Typical Budget for Solo Traveler (1 Adult)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Guided tour ticket | CAD 12 |
| Souvenir coin | CAD 15 |
| Coffee nearby | CAD 3 |
| Total Estimated | CAD 30 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of Royal Canadian Mint
Address: 320 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON K1A 0G8, Canada
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About Royal Canadian Mint
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+1 800-267-187110 BEST nearby Activities
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