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Best travel cards to use abroad: debit & credit cards in the UK 2023

Using your debit card abroad can be safer than taking cash but often comes with extra charges.

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By

Matthew Boyle

Updated

Fact checked

Plan on taking a debit card abroad? Expect less consumer protection than paying with a credit card but also fewer fees.

Compare debit cards from banks to use abroad

1 - 10 of 10
Updated regularly
Name Product Account fee Overseas cash withdrawals Overseas card transactions Switching deals benefits Incentive Link
Chase Current Account - Current Account
OFFER
Chase Current Account - Current Account
Free
0%
0%
Receive 1% cashback on everyday purchases on the first £1,500 per month, capped at £15.
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Revolut Standard Account
OFFER
Revolut Standard
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month) conversion fee plus Free up to £200 per month cash fee
0% Mon-Fri (max. £1,000 per month)
Get a £20 welcome bonus when you spend your first £20 (T&Cs apply).
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Current Account - Age 18 and over
Finder Award
Current Account - Age 18 and over
Free
£0
£0
No fees overseas plus refer a friend and earn a free National Trust day pass – redeemable at hundreds of the places it looks after.
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Current Account
OFFER
Current Account
Free
£0.01
0%
Earn 3.33% AER / 3.28% Gross (variable) on your balance.
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Select Account
OFFER
Select Account
Free
2.75%
2.75%
Switch your current account to NatWest and you could earn £200 within 7 days of meeting eligibility criteria. T&Cs Apply.
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Everyday Current Account
Finder Award
OFFER
Everyday Current Account
Free
2.95%
2.95%
Sign up for Santander Boosts to receive cashback, vouchers, offers and prize draws from selected retailers.
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Barclays Bank Account
Barclays Bank Account
Free
2.99%
2.99%
Join Barclays Blue Rewards to unlock member deals and gain access to exclusive savings products with competitive interest rate (Eligibility, conditions and a £5 monthly fee apply).
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Bank Account
Bank Account
Free
2.75% conversion fee plus 2% cash fee (Min £1.75, Max £5)
2.75%
Discounts and exclusive offers for dining experiences, leisure activities and shopping available through HSBC home&Away.
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Classic Account
Classic
Free
Europe: 2.99% conversion fee plus £1.50. cash fee
Elsewhere: 2.99% conversion fee plus £1.50 cash fee
Europe: 2.99% plus flat fee of £0.50.
Elsewhere: 2.99% plus flat fee of £0.50
Everyday Offers - Earn up to 15% cashback from selected retailers when shopping with a Lloyds Bank credit or debit card.
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FlexAccount - Funded Account
FlexAccount - Funded
Free
2.99%
2.99%
Eligible for Member Credit Card.
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Charges for using your debit card abroad

In most cases, if you use your debit card in a country outside of the UK, you can expect your home bank to charge you a fee.

Typically, you’ll be charged a fee when you pay with your debit card in a currency that is not pounds sterling or if you withdraw cash in another currency. This is around 3% of the transaction value.

In some special cases, you’ll find a bank or banking app that doesn’t charge you to use your debit card outside the UK. Examples of these include Chase, Starling, Revolut and Monzo.

ATM

Most UK banks will charge you extra to make cash withdrawals in a foreign currency when you’re abroad. Keep in mind that the ATM you’re withdrawing from may also charge you a fee on top.

Card reader

When you’re paying for goods or services using a card reader abroad – for example, in a restaurant – it is usually more cost-effective to pay in the local currency, not in pounds sterling.

If you are asked if you’d like to pay in pounds, it’s best to say no. “Dynamic currency conversation” (DCC) means the transaction amount is converted at the point of sale – at a rate set by the shop. This rate tends to be much higher than the exchange rate set by Visa or Mastercard.

So it’s almost always cheaper to pay in the local currency than pounds.

Over the counter

You can use your debit card to withdraw money over the counter when you’re abroad at any bank where you see the Visa or Mastercard sign (depending on which card payment service your bank uses).

You’ll need to know your PIN and have a form of ID, like a valid passport.

You’ll be able to withdraw cash up to your limit in sterling if that amount is available in your account.

Expert analysis: Should I pay in GBP or the local currency when asked?

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Kate Anderson

Money expert

If you’re on your hols and your friendly waiter or waitress asks if you want to pay in the local currency or in pounds sterling, always opt for the local currency.

You may think it’s easier to pay in pounds as you’ll then know what you’ve spent - but in fact, it’ll cost you more money.

If you pay in local currency, your bank or credit card company will work out the currency conversion for you, with fees of around 1%. However, if you pay in pounds, the transaction amount is set at the point of sale - at a rate set by the restaurant or shop. This is a way for shops or restaurants to make some extra money, and rates typically start at an eyewatering 7% on each transaction and could also include extra fees.

Beyond always opting for the local currency, another way to keep your card costs down while abroad is to sign up for a debit/credit card or prepaid card with zero or low overseas fees. Fees are typically around 3% and can eat into your holiday money when you would much rather be eating a croissant.

Using a debit card abroad

Outside of the UK, you’ll be able to use your debit card in many shops and restaurants, just like when you’re at home. Expect to have to use your PIN in places that don’t yet have tap and pay. Taking your debit card can save you from carrying a large wad of cash while you’re travelling, while also giving you the flexibility to take cash out if you need to while you’re away.

Pros

  • Safety. Paying by debit card means you’re protected against fraud for any unauthorised spending, even when abroad. Also, if you lose your debit card, you can call your bank and quickly block it, unlike losing cash.
  • Convenience. You can use your debit card to pay for things just like at home – anywhere you see the Visa or Mastercard symbol.
  • Flexibility. Taking your debit card away with you gives you the option of taking out more cash if you need it.

Cons

  • Fees. Unless you have a fee-free debit card, transaction fees can eat into your holiday spending money.
  • Coverage. More remote locations, less touristy spots or smaller shops and restaurants may not accept debit cards for payment. It’s always a good idea to take some local currency.
  • Blocking. Sometimes your home bank will block your card when you use it abroad because it thinks these are suspicious transactions. This is usually fixed by replying to the bank’s text asking for confirmation all is OK.
  • Protection for costly goods. If you buy an item over £100, you get extra protection if you pay with a credit card, but you don’t get that with a debit card.

Using a credit card abroad

Credit cards are accepted globally, especially in large tourist areas, so they can be a good method to pay your way while you’re travelling around. You won’t want to rack up a large credit card bill, but it can be a good idea to take one with you as an emergency backup to your debit card and hard currency.

Finder’s pick

Santander World Elite Mastercard

Santander World Elite Mastercard logo
Finder Rating: 4/5

★★★★★

Read review
18 months

0% interest on balance transfers

0%

Balance transfer fee

18 months

0% interest on purchases

49.8%

Representative APR

Only available to existing Santander Select or Private Banking customers, and going head-to-head with the slightly-more-expensive HSBC World Elite, this card offers interest-free periods on both balance transfers and purchases, as well as significant rewards and travel perks. Cardholders can travel in style with free LoungeKey membership – one of the most popular programmes going – allowing unlimited access to airport lounges in over 120 countries. Plus when you use your card overseas, you won’t have to worry about pesky non-sterling transaction fees.
  • Earn cashback on purchases.
  • No foreign transaction fees on purchases.
  • 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for an introductory period.
  • No balance transfer fee within introductory period.
  • Mastercard Concierge.
  • Free LoungeKey airport lounge membership, with complimentary access for additional cardholders.
  • No extra fees for up to three additional cardholders.
  • Did we mention the monthly account fee?
  • Must be a Santander Select or Private banking customer.
  • High annual income requirement to open Select or Private bank accounts.
Minimum income 7500
Residency UK Resident
Availability Available to existing customers
Foreign usage charge (EU) 0%
Cash advance fee 29.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 18.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £15 per month, your representative rate is 49.8% APR (variable).

Finder’s pick

Santander All in One Credit Card

Santander All in One Credit Card logo
Finder Rating: 4.5/5

★★★★★

Check eligibility
15 months

0% interest on balance transfers

0%

Balance transfer fee

15 months

0% interest on purchases

27.7%

Representative APR

With no foreign usage fees and generous 0% interest periods on purchases and balance transfers, the Santander All in One credit card can help you keep your holiday spending costs down, and give you more time to pay it off.
  • Over a year to spread the cost of purchases
  • No foreign transaction fees if you pay in the local currency
  • Earn 0.5% cashback on all your spending (no cap)
  • No balance transfer fee
  • 15 months of no interest on balance transfers
  • £3 monthly account fee
  • Minimum annual income requirement of least £7,500
  • Applicants with low credit scores are unlikely to be eligible
  • 3% cash transaction fee (£3 min)
Minimum income 7500
Residency UK Resident for more than 36 months
Availability Available to new customers
Foreign usage charge (EU) 0%
Cash advance fee 29.9%
Representative example: When you spend £1,200 at a purchase rate of 21.9% (variable) p.a. with a fee of £3 per month, your representative rate is 27.7% APR (variable).

Pros

  • Spread the cost. Unlike with a debit card, using a credit card to pay while abroad means you don’t have to have the cash in your account that day, giving you the chance to pay off any purchases over time. Just make sure to clear your balance when your monthly statement comes through to avoid paying interest.
  • Buyer protection. Most credit card purchases of over £100 and up to £30,000 are covered by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, including purchases made abroad. This means if something you’ve paid for abroad is faulty, or you’ve arranged for it to be delivered to your home address and it doesn’t arrive, your credit card company is legally obliged to investigate and potentially give you your money back.
  • Fee free cards. Some credit cards are specifically designed to be used when you’re abroad, so they don’t charge fees on purchases, though they still usually charge for cash withdrawals.

Cons

  • Cash fees. Just like withdrawing cash on your credit card in the UK attracts a fee, you can expect to pay extra for this abroad. This means paying a ‘cash advance fee’ as well as a non-sterling cash fee each time you make a withdrawal on your credit card.
  • Interest. Credit card purchases abroad attract interest just like ones at home, so if you delay paying off your balance, you could end up paying more for those holiday treats. Get an interest-free (on purchases) credit card to avoid this, or pay off the whole balance when you get home.

Using a prepaid travel card

Prepaid travel cards offer a sort of halfway house between a debit card and hard currency. You load them up with a certain amount of local currency before you go, and then you use it like a debit card to pay for goods and services while you’re away. When you run out, you can top it up again, often using an app on your phone.

Pros

  • No charges. This will vary depending on the card provider, but with the Post Office prepaid travel card, for example, you won’t pay any charges when you use it abroad.
  • Multiple currencies. Some cards will let you load on multiple currencies.
  • Safety. A prepaid travel card is completely separate from any of your bank accounts, so if you lose it, there is no danger of fraud.
  • Digital. You can add many prepaid travel cards to your Apple Pay and Google Pay digital wallets to pay using your phone, just like a credit or debit card.
  • Top up and cancel. Some prepaid travel cards come with an app you can use to top up or to freeze the card if you lose it.

Cons

  • Commission charges. Like buying foreign currency in cash, when you load up your prepaid travel card, you will have to pay a commission charge to whoever you buy the currency from.
  • Getting your money back. Often you will have to pay a fee to get back any money you have left on the card when you return from your holiday.

Bottom line

Almost any card you choose to take abroad – debit card, credit card or prepaid travel card – will likely charge you for withdrawing cash and paying for goods and services. But using a debit card abroad is typically much safer and more convenient than carrying loads of cash.

We show offers we can track - that's not every product on the market...yet. Unless we've said otherwise, products are in no particular order. The terms "best", "top", "cheap" (and variations of these) aren't ratings, though we always explain what's great about a product when we highlight it. This is subject to our terms of use. When you make major financial decisions, consider getting independent financial advice. Always consider your own circumstances when you compare products so you get what's right for you.

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