Best travel cards for Barcelona

If you're getting ready to swap the UK for the sunny streets of Barcelona, it's also important to consider how you'll manage your spending while you're there. Travel money cards are one of the best payment methods for travel, thanks to their security and reliability. But which one should you choose?

In this guide, we’ll help you find the best travel card for Barcelona. We’ll compare the features of different cards so you can choose the one that best suits your spending habits and needs. We’ll also provide some general travel tips for Barcelona.

We’ll also show you a cost-effective way to manage your spending in Barcelona. For international purchases, whether online or in person, you can rely on the Wise international debit card. You can even withdraw euros like a local for low fees* at the mid-market exchange rate.

Learn more about the Wise debit card

What is a travel card?¹

A travel card is a type of a payment card that you preload with foreign currencies for use abroad, both for spending and ATM withdrawals. Don’t confuse them with travel credit cards, which typically don’t hold foreign currency but offer different rewards and perks when you spend.

The primary benefit of travel cards is safety. Since you can load only a set amount of money, your total account funds are protected in case of theft. Additionally, travel cards often have lower foreign transaction fees compared to regular debit or credit cards.

Another advantage is that you can only spend the amount you’ve loaded, making it easier to stick to your budget while traveling.

Best travel cards - a quick comparison

Let’s compare a few of the best travel cards for Barcelona and point out their differences:

Post Office Travel Money Card²

The Post Office Travel Money Card is a contactless prepaid Mastercard, specifically designed for use outside the UK. It could be a good choice for your trip to Barcelona, since it allows you to secure euros before travelling.

If you wish to order the Post Office card, you can do so in one of three ways: in-branch, through the official Post Office website or via the app. If you apply in person, you’ll get your card the same day, while online ordering methods take around 2-3 working days.

In case you run out of money on your travel card during your stay in Barcelona, you can easily top it up via the app or the official Post Office website. You can add up to £5,000 in one go.

Travelex Travel Money Card³

Travelex’s contactless travel card is another excellent option for traveling to Barcelona, as it supports 22 major currencies, including euros. You can use it at millions of stores and businesses worldwide, including in the UK. Travelex offers free card top-ups, ATM withdrawals and foreign transactions

You can order the Travelex Travel Money Card online and have it delivered to you or get it in any Travelex store. All you need is to be at least 18 years old and have a government-issued photo ID.⁴

The card allows you to spend £3,000 per day and withdraw up to £500 from ATMs. If you run out of funds, you can top it up in-store, online or via the Travelex Money app. The minimum load amount is £50.

FairFX currency card⁵

The FairFX currency card is a prepaid Mastercard that allows you to hold funds in 20 currencies, including euros. It comes with no monthly fees, card issuance charges or foreign transaction costs.

If you prefer paying with your phone, you can add this card to your mobile wallet and use it digitally. Ordering is very easy, just click 'Create Card' in the Cards section of FairFX’s website. You’ll need at least £50 in your balance to get started.⁶

Since this is a Mastercard, it can be used anywhere Mastercard is accepted, which is essentially anywhere cards are widely accepted. This makes it an excellent travel companion.

Sainsbury's Bank Travel Money Card⁷

Sainsbury’s Bank can be a great travel option, especially if you’re a Nectar member. While this travel card uses the Mastercard exchange rate, Nectar programme participants benefit from better rates.

The card allows you to use euros and 14 other currencies, with no foreign transaction or ATM fees, except those charged by banks separately. If you need it quickly, you can collect it the same day from a local in-store bureau. Alternatively, you can have it delivered to your address, but this may take up to 8 days. Simply visit their website and click 'order for collection' for the first option, or choose 'order for delivery' if you'd prefer it sent to your home.

You can manage your finances in Barcelona through the dedicated Sainsbury’s Bank Travel Money Card app. Plus, as the card detects your location and automatically selects the appropriate currency, you won’t have to worry about any extra hassle.

Travel tips for Barcelona

Before you head off to Barcelona, here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind.

Cash is the most popular payment method in all of Spain, followed by credit cards. The share of cash payments remains relatively high, especially compared to other European countries.⁸ However, you’ll likely be able to use your card at most places in Barcelona.

Like many major cities, Barcelona is known for pickpockets. You can still take some precautions and avoid any uncomfortable situations and enjoy your trip. However, by taking some simple precautions, you can avoid uncomfortable situations and enjoy your trip. In addition to not carrying too much cash, it’s wise not to load excessive funds onto your travel card. Since most companies allow you to top up your card balance via their app or website at any time, there’s no need to keep large sums on your card.

If you need to withdraw cash, there are over 20,000 ATMs in Spain. They’re called ‘cajero’ in Spanish, though you might also see signs saying ‘caixer’ in Catalan.⁹

Travelling abroad? Choose the Wise Card

That wraps up our guide to the best travel card for Barcelona. Be sure to review your options carefully and choose the one that fits you best.

And if you want another option for spending abroad without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees, the Wise international debit card could be a great solution.

You can use your Wise card for international payments in 150+ countries, including Spain. It automatically converts your pounds to the currency you need in your destination at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee. Open a Wise account online, hold and exchange 40+ currencies and order the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals to the value of 200 GBP each month. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal. There’s also a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

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Sources used:

Sources last checked on date: 09-Dec-2024