SoFi®, Capital One and Wise: Some of the Best Debit Cards for Traveling Abroad

Traveling outside the US? Want to avoid pesky foreign transaction fees while paying with a card? We got you! After comparing dozens of checking accounts, here are the best international debit cards with great perks, no foreign transaction fees and no monthly maintenance fees.

8 best debit cards for international travel

1. Capital One 360 Checking
2. SoFi Checking and Savings
3. Chime® Checking Account
4. Revolut debit card
5. Wise debit card
6. Varo Bank
7. Charles Schwab Investor Checking
8. Betterment Checking

9.2 Excellent Capital One 360 Checking

9.2 Excellent

$0 per month

$0

0.10% on balances of $0.01+

Earn a $250 bonus with a 360 Checking Account. Terms apply.

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Why we like it The Capital One 360 Checking account is no-frills and comes with a Discover debit card. There are no foreign transaction fees, and you'll get fee-free access to more than 70,000 ATMs. You also get four overdraft options and early direct deposit. But if you use an out-of-network ATM, the ATM owner may charge you a fee. And watch out for miscellaneous fees, like the $20 online cashier's check fee. Pros & cons Pros No foreign transaction fees $0 monthly fee Earn 0.10% APY on balance Large ATM network Cons Pricey outgoing wires $20 for online cashier checks

9 Excellent SoFi Checking and Savings

9 Excellent

$0 per month

$0

Up to 3.30%

Earn up to 4.40% APY on savings and $50 or $400 with direct deposit. Open a new SoFi Checking and Savings account by 31 December 2026, set up eligible direct deposit within 60 days, and maintain direct deposit for six months. 1.10% Boost on Savings APY to up to 4.40% for up to 6 months on new accounts. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it SoFi® is an online bank, and its hybrid SoFi Checking and Savings is a great all-in-one account for everyday banking and traveling. There are no monthly maintenance or foreign transaction fees. There is a small 0.2% Mastercard currency conversion fee for foreign transactions, though. Earn up to 3.30% APY on your savings balance as a Plus customer or by meeting deposit requirements, and all account holders earn 0.50% APY on their checking balance. SoFi also offers additional FDIC insurance coverage up to $250,000. But cash deposits come at a $4.95 fee with Green Dot locations, and SoFi doesn't have physical branches. Pros & cons Pros $0 monthly fees $0 foreign transaction or ATM fees High APYs High FDIC insurance Cons Fee for cash deposits Online only Deposit or Plus for best savings APY

9.6 Excellent Chime® Checking Account

9.6 Excellent

$0 per month

$0

N/A

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Why we like it Chime is a fintech with banking services provided by its bank partners. The Chime Checking Account has no monthly fee and no foreign transaction fees. It doesn't review your ChexSystems report when you apply, making it a great second-chance account option. Chime also offers early direct deposit, the overdraft service SpotMe®, cash advances and a secured credit-building card. But to qualify for for some perks, you must meet direct deposit requirements. Pros & cons Pros $0 monthly No foreign transaction fees Overdraft services and cash advances for qualified users Chime Card Cons Online only Best perks contingent on direct deposit requirements

9.6 Excellent Revolut

9.6 Excellent

From $0 per month

$0

4.00% on balances of $0+ 3.75% on balances of $0+ 4.00% on balances of $0+

Join Revolut and get $20. Make your first virtual or physical Revolut card payment to receive $20 credited to your Revolut account. T&Cs apply.

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Why we like it Revolut is a multi-currency account that's designed for international spending. It offers no foreign transaction fees and the ability to spend in over 150 currencies, and there is a $1,000 allowance for free currency exchange allowances with the $0 Standard plan. You can also use single-use virtual cards for online purchases and gain access to its kids’ account. If you want more currency exchange allowances and more travel perks, you can consider the paid plans: Premium for $9.99 or Metal for $16.99 per month. However, the debit card fees get complicated with withdrawals, some currency exchanges outside your free allowances will cost extra and the customer phone support is automated. Pros & cons Pros $0 monthly Standard plan No foreign transaction fees Multi-currency account Free exchange allowances Virtual debit cards Cons Online only Best travel perks require a paid plan Fees get complicated for ATM withdrawals

7.4 Great Wise Multi-currency

7.4 Great

$0 per month

$0

3.14%

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Why we like it A trusted currency conversion service, Wise offers a multi-currency debit card to spend like a local in over 100 countries. It does require linking an external bank account, but that might be the way to go if you’re traveling and just need a card for spending overseas. The Wise debit card supports over 40 currencies; you can convert over 140 currencies, and use the card in over 150 countries. For conversions, Wise also uses the real, mid-market exchange rate and you pay a small flat fee that starts at 0.43% (varies by currency). However, just watch out for its weird ATM fees: you get a $250/month ATM allowance, then $1.95 + 1.95% per withdrawal after that. And while there are no monthly fees, there’s a $9 one-time purchase fee to get the card. Pros & cons Pros Money conversion services at live rate Supports 40+ currencies No foreign transaction fees No monthly fees Cons Requires an external account One-time $9 card purchase fee Watch out for ATM withdrawal fees

9.6 Excellent Varo Bank Account

9.6 Excellent

$0 per month

$0

N/A

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Why we like it Varo is an online bank, and the Varo Bank account has no monthly or foreign transaction fees. A currency conversion fee may apply, but Varo also states there are no exchange rate markups. Other perks include earning up to 6% cash back on debit card purchases with select brands, cash advances for qualified users and up to 3.75% APY on the Varo savings account for balances up to $5,000 if you meet some requirements. On the downside, Varo doesn't support wire transfers, offer joint accounts or have any physical branches. And you'll have a $3.50 withdrawal fee at non-Allpoint ATMs. Pros & cons Pros $0 monthly fee accounts 0% foreign transactions Up to 6% cash back with select brands Up to 3.75% APY on savings if you meet some requirements Cons No joint accounts $3.50 out-of-network ATM fee Doesn't support wires Online only

9.6 Excellent Charles Schwab Investor Checking

9.6 Excellent

$0 per month

$0

0.05%

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Why we like it Use your Schwab Bank Contactless Visa Platinum Debit Card to make purchases abroad and use foreign ATMs without worrying about foreign transaction fees. When you use your debit card overseas, your account is charged the US dollar equivalent. As a bonus, it automatically reimburses any ATM fees you incur within the US and internationally. While Charles Schwab doesn't charge a currency conversion fee, the network or bank might. Pros & cons Pros $0 foreign transaction and ATM fees $0 monthly fees Out-of-network ATM reimbursements Cons No international wires

7.6 Great Betterment Checking

7.6 Great

$0 per month

$0

N/A

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Why we like it Betterment Checking is a mobile, digital checking account with no ATM or foreign transaction fees, so you can spend overseas without worries. And if you incur a foreign or ATM fee from another institution, Betterment reimburses it. There are no monthly maintenance or overdraft fees, either. As a bonus, you can also earn cashback rewards with thousands of brands like Costco, Sam's Club and Adidas through its rewards partner Dosh. But like many digital accounts, Betterment doesn't accept cash deposits or have physical branches. Additionally, it doesn't accept credit or debit cards as account funding sources. Pros & cons Pros $0 monthly fees $0 ATM, foreign and overdraft fees Cashback rewards Cons No physical branches No cash deposits Doesn't accept credit or debit cards as funding sources

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Methodology: How we choose the best international debit cards

Finder’s experts researched and analyzed over 150 debit cards to find ones with minimal or no charges on the following: international ATMs, foreign transactions and currency conversion fees.

We also consider factors like monthly fees, minimum balance requirements and interest rates when picking the best cards, particularly when choosing among those that fulfill our major requirement of limited international fees.

What about the international Wise debit card?

Wise, formerly Transferwise, is a well-known international account and money transfer service. Wise temporarily paused issuing new debit cards to US customers, but is now able to issue debit cards again for US customers (Wise Business cards still paused). The pause was due to data leaks and issues with its partner bank.

Wise is still a great option for money transfer services, offering some of the lowest currency conversion rates in the market.

How to compare international debit cards

These factors should be top of mind when comparing the best debit card for international travel:

• Foreign transaction fees. Most traditional debit cards charge foreign transaction fees, often at least 3% of the transaction amount. But if you go with SoFi, Chime or Revolut, you’ll avoid those pesky fees.
• International ATM fees. If you need to withdraw money, watch out for international ATM fees. Some banks charge a set dollar amount plus a percentage of the amount you withdraw overseas, and some foreign ATM fees aren’t even charged by the bank itself.
• Currency conversion fees. A hard-to-avoid fee, you’re likely to run into currency conversion fees when switching currencies. However, some accounts, like Revolut, offer free currency conversions.
• Monthly fees.If you don’t use an account that often, you’ll likely want a free checking account with no balance requirements so you can keep it open without worry.

7 Great

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HSBC Premier Checking

A premium account with HSBC exclusive pricing and discounts, and great for traveling.

• Exclusive access to HSBC relationship rates and discounts.
• Share Premier status with family.
• 0% foreign transaction fee.
• Waivable monthly fee

International debit cards for travel

Learn how to make the most of your debit card with these travel money guides to:

• Canada
• Italy
• Scotland
• Greece

Alternatives to international debit cards

Don’t want to open a new checking account just for traveling? There are alternatives.

• Travel credit cards. Great for booking flights and hotels, travel credit cards can offer tasty cashback rewards and perks like travel insurance, baggage insurance and even trip cancellation insurance.
• Virtual debit cards. Want some extra security and make contactless payments? Virtual debit cards are a great option for traveling. Revolut is a strong choice, as it offers unlimited virtual debit cards and the account is designed for international spending and money transfer services.
• Cash. Cash is king, and you may be able to convert currencies at your local bank. Most currencies exchange for a rate of around 1% to 3%, but it can be risky to carry only cash while traveling. It may be wise to have other payment methods available.
• Traveler’s checks. A somewhat outdated method, traveler’s checks are personal checks in the local currency of the country you’re traveling to. In most cases, you just head to your bank and ask for a traveler’s check in the currency of your choice for a currency exchange fee. But unlike plastic and cash, checks are seldom accepted.
• Prepaid cards. Don’t want to open a whole checking account for one trip? There are prepaid travel cards, such as the PayPal Prepaid Mastercard® with $0 foreign ATM withdrawal fees. However, most prepaid cards come with foreign transaction fees, often around 3% to 4%, and most charge for loading cash.

Compare prepaid cards

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Finder Score	Fee	ATM withdrawal	Features
Promoted 9.6 Excellent Revolut	9.6 Excellent	$0 per month	$0	Starts at $0/month Upgrade to paid Premium or Metal plans for more perks International and travel perks 140+ currencies	Join Revolut and get $20. Make your first virtual or physical Revolut card payment to receive $20 credited to your Revolut account. T&Cs apply.	Revolut is not a bank. Banking services are provided by Lead Bank, Member FDIC. Fees may apply. See revolut.com/en-US/ for details.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
8.6 Great PayPal Debit Mastercard®	8.6 Great	$0 per month	$0	No monthly fees Compatible with mobile wallets Linked to PayPal balance No fees at US MoneyPass® ATMs 5% back on a category you choose each month on up to $1,000, terms apply	Get direct deposit up to 2 days before payday. $0 monthly fees. Earn cashback on eligible purchases, plus save even more at select stores. Backed by Mastercard Zero Liability security. FDIC insured.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Walmart MoneyCard		$5.94 per month	$2.50	Earn up to $75 cash back on Walmart purchases each year Earn 2% APY up to $1,000 on your savings Up to 4 family accounts FDIC insured by Green Dot Bank	The Walmart MoneyCard prepaid debit card offers cashback rewards on Walmart purchases, but charges high ATM fees on every transaction.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading
Netspend® Visa® Prepaid Card		$9.95 per month (or $5 with a $500+ direct deposit, or $0 with pay-as-you-go)	$2	Get paid faster Easy loading Control your finances Card customizations Mobile app Savings account	With Netspend, you get a convenient way to manage your money on a prepaid card that is packed with features.	Go to siteView details Compare product selection Compare	loading

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What is the Finder Score?

The Finder Score applies to 45+ kids' debit card options. It takes into account the card's fees, features, age requirements, ATM access and more — this gives you a simple score out of 10.

To provide a Score, we compare like-for-like debit cards. So if you're comparing the best kids' cards with no monthly fees, you can see how card stacks up against each other by features, opening deposits and other benefits.

Read the full breakdown

Bottom line

You’ll want to be able to spend your money while traveling, whether it’s for getting around, buying souvenirs, booking accommodations or going to restaurants. The best debit cards for traveling have no monthly maintenance fees and don’t charge foreign transaction fees. If none of our best options are for you, compare more of the best checking accounts here.

Frequently asked questions

• What is a foreign transaction fee?

  Most banks charge a foreign transaction fee when a currency conversion is required. For example, if you make a payment online using your US debit card on an Australian site, your bank needs to exchange USD for AUD to process the payment and will charge you a fee. This fee is usually around 3% of the transaction value, but it varies among banks.

  Your bank can charge even more fees when you use a foreign ATM or send an overseas transfer. Plus, it can mark up the cost of a foreign currency and pocket the difference. Because these fees are often charged on top of one another, they can quickly add up if you make regular foreign transactions.

• Which bank accounts let me hold multiple currencies?

  Some international bank accounts, like Wise and Revolut, allow you to hold multiple currencies.

• Can I use my debit card in another country?

  Yes, you can probably use your existing debit card while traveling to another country, but unless your bank has $0 foreign transaction fees, it might cost you a hefty fee per transaction. You may also want to notify your bank if you travel abroad, as it may flag a foreign transaction as fraudulent and freeze your account.

• Should you use a debit card when traveling internationally?

  One of the main reasons to avoid using a debit card while traveling internationally is for potential foreign transaction fees, which are common with most checking accounts. But plenty of banks and fintechs with debit cards waive foreign transaction fees, including SoFi, Revolut and Capital One.

• What are some popular debit card issuers overseas?

  Visa and Mastercard are two popular debit card issuers overseas.

To make sure you get accurate and helpful information, this guide has been edited by Holly Jennings as part of our fact-checking process.

Written by

Cassidy Horton

Writer

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Cassidy Horton is a freelance personal finance copywriter and past contributing writer for Finder. Her writing and banking expertise have been featured in Forbes Advisor, Money, The Balance, Money Under 30, Insure.com, and other top digital publishers. She holds a BS in public relations and an MBA from Georgia Southern University. See full bio

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Bethany Hickey is the banking editor and personal finance expert at Finder, specializing in banking, lending, insurance, and crypto. Bethany’s expertise in personal finance has garnered recognition from esteemed media outlets, such as Nasdaq, MSN, Yahoo Finance, GOBankingRates, SuperMoney, AOL and Newsweek. Her articles offer practical financial strategies to Americans, empowering them to make decisions that meet their financial goals. Her past work includes articles on generational spending and saving habits, lending, budgeting and managing debt. Before joining Finder, she was a content manager where she wrote hundreds of articles and news pieces on auto financing and credit repair for CarsDirect, Auto Credit Express and The Car Connection, among others. Bethany holds a BA in English from the University of Michigan-Flint, and was poetry editor for the university’s Qua Literary and Fine Arts Magazine. See full bio

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