Hotel, check. Flights, check. Suitcase, check. Travel money? Compare your options with our table below, or scroll further down to find out more. Don’t get ripped off at the airport, sort your travel money today before you jet off!
It’s worth bearing in mind that while the traditional way of getting travel money is all well and good, there’s a range of digital apps that can make the process even simpler. These include Starling, Revolut and N26. If these new age solutions float your boat, you can read our guide to learn more about them.
Travellers cheques were once a widely used form of travel money, but they’re going the way of the dinosaur. You can weigh up whether they’re worth your time below:
How a travellers cheque could still work for you
Safe and secure. Travellers cheques are an extremely secure method to spend money overseas. They can be easily replaced if lost or stolen.
Things to keep in mind
Cost. You might be charged a purchase fee when you first pick up your travellers cheque.
Acceptance. Travellers cheques are generally accepted less often than Visa or Mastercards.
Ease of use. Travellers cheques can be bulky and awkward to carry. Plus, you’ll have to go to the effort of getting them cashed rather than having immediate access to your cash like you would with a card.
Frequently asked questions
The exchange rates between different currencies fluctuate constantly, and vary between providers. Generally, prepaid cards will have cheaper exchange rates than those offered by banks.
Banks who have international ATM alliances will allow you to withdraw cash for free. Global lenders like Citi and HSBC have a number of ATMs worldwide, and Citi do not charge for international ATM withdrawals. So if you’re a Citi customer looking to use your card overseas, head to a Citi ATM and all you’ll pay for the withdrawal is the currency conversion fee.
If you have a travel card that has an inactivity fee (a fee that’s charged every month when your account is inactive for a period of time), you will lose any remaining funds on the card, but your account won’t go into a negative balance. Once the card has no funds left on it, this fee will not be charged.
Usually the most practical solutions aren’t the most appealing to the eye. Travel money belts keep your money and important valuables/ documents safely tucked in a compartment under your shirt to minimise the risk of theft and loss. If security and peace of mind is your first priority when travelling and you don’t mind a piece of fabric strapped around your waist, then investing in a travel money belt will protect your travel money cards and important valuables.
Charlie Barton is a publisher at Finder. He specialises in banking and investments products, including banking apps, current accounts, share-dealing platforms and stocks and shares ISAs. Charlie has a first-class degree from the London School of Economics, and in his spare time enjoys long walks on the beach.
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Yes, you can use your FairFX Travel Card in New Zealand. We do have a FairFX Travel Money review on this page. You may also read this guide as it helps you know what services does FairFX offer and what currencies you can order through FairFX.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
The best way to get Indian Rupees depends on your needs, preference, and budget. If you plan to exchange your money to Indian Rupees, you can check local currency exchange rates within your area. You can also check online and find services who may do so.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Upon checking, you might want to check this page. It is our travel money guide for France. On the same page, you will also find a list of travel cards that you can use in France. Most of them allow you to top up using cash.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Hi going to indian Surat at end of April want to get prepaid card. Which card be best to use at atm need to withdraw 5000 pound in two weeks. Wedding shopping
I might not be able to tell you which prepaid card is the best option for you since I don’t know all your personal details and needs. However, I can help you make a better decision by providing general information.
Please go to this page to compare prepaid travel cards. On that page, you will find prepaid cards that you can use in India. Though our table on that page does not include Indian Rupees, you can still use those cards in India as long as you see the Mastercard or Visa logo.
To know more about their ATM fees and other charges, please click on the “Go to site” green button to be redirected to their official website.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
The decision of buying/converting your money to EUR before heading to Malta would actually depend on your preference and travel plans. You may want to consider some factors before buying like the conversion rates and fees as well. We have here an article – https://www.finder.com.au/travel-money/europe on travel money guide to Europe, which you might find useful. This will also give you an idea on what card to bring in case.
It’s nice to know that you are preparing for your next trip.
We currently don’t have a page on 28 Degrees Mastercard. But upon checking, the card doesn’t charge fees on overseas purchases when travelling, doing overseas purchases when shopping online, and converting international currencies.
Please refer to this page to know more about credit cards specifically designed for overseas use.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
We (husband and me) are going to Australia for a month and wanted to open an Australian Bank Account so that all the hotels, car hire etc can be paid in local dollars. We would like to transfer X amount of £ (say about £7000) to cover our month stay to this account. When we leave if we had money left over we would transfer it to our Son who lives there at the moment and has an Australian Bank account. He can then transfer money back to us from his UK account. We just feel this would be easier than alot of payments with a UK debit card. Can we do this? I can see if we were on a working holiday we may be able to but we have ETA. visa’s. Thanks
Thanks for contacting finder about your question. Yes, you may open a bank account in Australia. Non-resident accounts for tourists and visitors are offered by some Australian banks.
You may check this page about opening a bank account for foreigners. On the other hand, you may check this page, for you to see the other list of options and read a comprehensive guide in opening a bank account in Australia. Click the links on the pages I have provided to find out more about Australian banks and what they can offer you as a non-resident. You may contact them directly to discuss what they can offer you as a non-resident.
As I cannot buy Indian rupees in the UK, is it best to take cash & exchange it when I get there? Or is there an alternative e.g cash card. I’d rather not take debit/credit cards?
Thank you for your inquiry. We understand you want some guidance on how to get rupees on your trip.
Due to current Indian financial regulation, we can’t take rupees in or out of India. As such, tourists must buy their rupees on arrival in most instances.
However, there may be travel prepaid cards that you allow reloading of multiple currencies that include INR. You may talk to some prospect banks and have your card request completed several days before departure. This will ensure it gets there before you go out of country.
Thanks for your question. As we are a comparison website, we may not be able to recommend a specific product to you as the best option would ultimately depend on your financial situation, travel plans, and spending habits.
Nonetheless, the travel card that you may like to bring to Thailand is the one that can hold Thai Bhat (TBH) currency. The cards can lock in TBH are issued by Travelex and Post Office. You can find the review and details for the Travelex here and Post Office Travel Money on this page. If you’d like to apply for any of the two cards, please click on the green ‘Go to site’ button.
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finder.com is an independent comparison platform and information service that aims to provide you with the tools you need to make better decisions. While we are independent, the offers that appear on this site are from companies from which finder.com receives compensation. We may receive compensation from our partners for placement of their products or services. We may also receive compensation if you click on certain links posted on our site. While compensation arrangements may affect the order, position or placement of product information, it doesn't influence our assessment of those products. Please don't interpret the order in which products appear on our Site as any endorsement or recommendation from us. finder.com compares a wide range of products, providers and services but we don't provide information on all available products, providers or services. Please appreciate that there may be other options available to you than the products, providers or services covered by our service.
Can I use my FairFX Travel Card in New Zealand?
Hi David,
Thanks for getting in touch with Finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Yes, you can use your FairFX Travel Card in New Zealand. We do have a FairFX Travel Money review on this page. You may also read this guide as it helps you know what services does FairFX offer and what currencies you can order through FairFX.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
What is the best way to get Indian rupees?
Hi Mason,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
The best way to get Indian Rupees depends on your needs, preference, and budget. If you plan to exchange your money to Indian Rupees, you can check local currency exchange rates within your area. You can also check online and find services who may do so.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I will be working in France. I’m looking for a travel card to use while I’m there but also one I can top up using cash.
Hi John,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder. I hope all is well with you. :)
Upon checking, you might want to check this page. It is our travel money guide for France. On the same page, you will also find a list of travel cards that you can use in France. Most of them allow you to top up using cash.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
Hi going to indian Surat at end of April want to get prepaid card. Which card be best to use at atm need to withdraw 5000 pound in two weeks. Wedding shopping
Thanks
Hi Shital,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder.
I might not be able to tell you which prepaid card is the best option for you since I don’t know all your personal details and needs. However, I can help you make a better decision by providing general information.
Please go to this page to compare prepaid travel cards. On that page, you will find prepaid cards that you can use in India. Though our table on that page does not include Indian Rupees, you can still use those cards in India as long as you see the Mastercard or Visa logo.
To know more about their ATM fees and other charges, please click on the “Go to site” green button to be redirected to their official website.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
I will be going to MALTA this summer. Am I best to buy euros before I go or wait until I get there?
Hi Jan,
Thanks for leaving a question on finder.
The decision of buying/converting your money to EUR before heading to Malta would actually depend on your preference and travel plans. You may want to consider some factors before buying like the conversion rates and fees as well. We have here an article – https://www.finder.com.au/travel-money/europe on travel money guide to Europe, which you might find useful. This will also give you an idea on what card to bring in case.
Cheers,
Joel
I am travelling to Vietnam and Cambodia soon – would a 28 Degrees Mastercard be helpful for me?
Hi Alwena Tomos,
Thanks for getting in touch with finder.
It’s nice to know that you are preparing for your next trip.
We currently don’t have a page on 28 Degrees Mastercard. But upon checking, the card doesn’t charge fees on overseas purchases when travelling, doing overseas purchases when shopping online, and converting international currencies.
Please refer to this page to know more about credit cards specifically designed for overseas use.
I hope this helps. Should you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to reach us out again.
Have a wonderful day!
Cheers,
Joshua
We (husband and me) are going to Australia for a month and wanted to open an Australian Bank Account so that all the hotels, car hire etc can be paid in local dollars. We would like to transfer X amount of £ (say about £7000) to cover our month stay to this account. When we leave if we had money left over we would transfer it to our Son who lives there at the moment and has an Australian Bank account. He can then transfer money back to us from his UK account. We just feel this would be easier than alot of payments with a UK debit card. Can we do this? I can see if we were on a working holiday we may be able to but we have ETA. visa’s. Thanks
Hi Jean,
Thanks for contacting finder about your question. Yes, you may open a bank account in Australia. Non-resident accounts for tourists and visitors are offered by some Australian banks.
You may check this page about opening a bank account for foreigners. On the other hand, you may check this page, for you to see the other list of options and read a comprehensive guide in opening a bank account in Australia. Click the links on the pages I have provided to find out more about Australian banks and what they can offer you as a non-resident. You may contact them directly to discuss what they can offer you as a non-resident.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Judith
As I cannot buy Indian rupees in the UK, is it best to take cash & exchange it when I get there? Or is there an alternative e.g cash card. I’d rather not take debit/credit cards?
Hi Melanie,
Thank you for your inquiry. We understand you want some guidance on how to get rupees on your trip.
Due to current Indian financial regulation, we can’t take rupees in or out of India. As such, tourists must buy their rupees on arrival in most instances.
However, there may be travel prepaid cards that you allow reloading of multiple currencies that include INR. You may talk to some prospect banks and have your card request completed several days before departure. This will ensure it gets there before you go out of country.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
Jonathan
WHERE’S BEST TO BUY USA DOLLAR TRAVELLERS CHEQUES
Hi Gerry,
Thank you for contacting finder. We are a comparison website and general information service, we’re more than happy to offer general advice.
We don’t have a specific article listing options where you can buy them, however you may refer to this page for options that may suit your needs.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Danielle
What is the best currency to take to Thailand from the U.K for holiday money? Many thanks.
Hi KF,
Thanks for your question. As we are a comparison website, we may not be able to recommend a specific product to you as the best option would ultimately depend on your financial situation, travel plans, and spending habits.
Nonetheless, the travel card that you may like to bring to Thailand is the one that can hold Thai Bhat (TBH) currency. The cards can lock in TBH are issued by Travelex and Post Office. You can find the review and details for the Travelex here and Post Office Travel Money on this page. If you’d like to apply for any of the two cards, please click on the green ‘Go to site’ button.
Hope this helps.
Cheers,
May