Best ways to spend money while travelling abroad

Heading off on holiday? Whether it’s a summer holiday in France, road trip in the USA or a month-long trek across Thailand, you’ll need to get your spending money sorted.

But what is the best way to spend money abroad? The most important factor is bound to be cost, working out how much you’ll need to pay in commission fees and the impact of exchange rates. There’s also convenience to consider, as well as security.

In this helpful guide, we’ve put together a rundown of all the best ways to spend overseas. This includes cash, debit cards, credit cards and more, with pros, cons and tips on the best options to choose.

We’ll also show you how dedicated travel cards like the Wise card could save you money during your trip.

Cash

In the past, a trip to the local Bureau de Change to buy currency was an essential part of getting ready for a holiday. It’s not the case anymore, as debit and credit cards have become a more popular way to spend overseas (more on those options later).

However, some people prefer to spend in cash when they’re in a foreign country. It can be easier to keep track of spending, which is essential if you’re travelling on a budget. You also don’t need to worry about finding a cash machine for vendors that don’t accept cards. If you buy in advance, you’ll have all the spending money you need from the moment you land.

There’s also the benefit of avoiding hidden fees and knowing exactly how much your currency purchase cost. You can compare exchange rates and commission fees before you travel, and purchase at the right time to get a good deal.

But there are of course downsides to spending in cash on holiday. It’s far from the safest way to spend money abroad, as there’s always the chance it could be lost or stolen. Not everywhere will accept cash either, as more and more places (especially in Europe) are going cash-free.

It’s also unlikely that you’ll get the best exchange rates when purchasing foreign currency, compared to using a dedicated travel card. Commission fees can be high too, especially when exchanging money at airports and hotels - this is to be avoided if possible, as it can make it very expensive to get hold of spending money.

Pros of cash:

• You’re able to compare and lock in exchange rates
• It can help you stick to a budget
• It’s handy for tips and other transactions where cards aren’t accepted.

Cons of cash:

• Security is a concern - cash can be lost or stolen, so always make sure you have somewhere secure to keep it.
• Commission fees can be high for exchanging money
• You may not get the most competitive exchange rates
• It’s not suitable for places where cash isn’t accepted.

Travel debit cards

A more convenient way to spend while overseas is by debit card. All you need is one small piece of plastic, and you can spend and withdraw cash whenever you need to. There are even prepaid travel debit cards out there, which you load up with money before you travel. These can help you keep an eye on spending during your trip.

However, there is one very important thing to remember - not all debit cards are travel-friendly. The debit card that comes with your UK bank account may have high fees for using it outside of the UK. The fee will usually be described as a ‘non-Sterling transaction fee’ and will apply to both card payments and ATM withdrawals.

But there are some cards that don’t charge these fees. Here’s a quick look at a couple of the best debit cards for spending abroad:

To get your hands on either of these travel-friendly debit cards, you’ll first need to open a current account with the provider.

This can be a bit of a hassle, and takes some time for the paperwork, online banking login details and the card itself to be posted out to you. It’s no good if you’re due to fly in a few days' time.

A better alternative could be with an online account like Wise, which offers an international debit card for a one-time fee of just £7 or get the Wise digital card for free. This card is tailor-made for travel, letting you spend and withdraw cash like a local in 150+ countries.

Pros of debit cards:

• More secure than carrying cash around, as many cards can be frozen/cancelled through a linked mobile banking app
• Spend anywhere without needing to change currency
• Access to cash via ATMs if you need it
• Mastercard and Visa offer exchange rates close to the mid-market exchange rate.

Cons of debit cards:

• May need to pass a credit check to open a current account
• Not all debit cards are fee-free for spending overseas
• Debit cards don’t offer Section 75 protection like credit cards do.

Travel credit cards

One of the cheapest ways of spending money abroad is a travel credit card. Like with debit cards, you can’t just take any old credit card with you. Some will have non-Sterling transaction fees, as well as a hefty charge for taking cash out at an overseas ATM.

What you’ll need is a specialist credit card, one designed for travel. These cards don’t have fees for spending overseas, and they give you an exchange rate close to the mid-market rate. Some even offer perks such as cashback, air miles or other travel-related rewards.

However, you’ll need to pass a credit check to get a credit card, and you’ll also need to make sure you can pay back whatever you spend. One thing that’s worth remembering is that although many travel credit cards don’t charge fees for cash withdrawals, some will start charging interest from the moment you take the money out.

Here are a couple of the top travel credit cards available right now:

Pros of credit cards:

• More secure than carrying cash around, as many cards can be frozen/cancelled through a linked mobile banking app
• Spend anywhere without needing to change currency
• Section 75 protection on spending - get your money back if anything goes wrong with a purchase
• Mastercard and Visa offer exchange rates close to the mid-market exchange rate
• Some cards offer perks, cashback or rewards.

Cons of credit cards:

• Need to pass a credit check, and you may not be accepted for all travel credit cards
• Late or defaulted repayments will go on your credit record, so make sure you’re able to repay on time. Cash withdrawals can also leave a mark on your credit history.
• Interest may start accruing on cash withdrawals right away.

Travel money checklist - how to get the best deal when spending overseas?

While you’re busy booking flights and packing your suitcase, you’ll also need to get travel spending sorted. Here’s a quick checklist of things to look out for:

• If you’re buying currency, always compare the fees and exchange rates carefully. You can see how much of a mark-up the provider adds to the rate by comparing it to the mid-market rate. A mark-up is how providers make their profit, but it means you get fewer euros or dollars for your pounds.
• Check whether your bank has fees for using your debit card abroad. You should also check whether there are any ATM withdrawal limits.
• If using a credit card, check whether interest on cash withdrawals starts accruing right away. If so, make sure to repay as quickly as possible - many credit cards can be managed through mobile apps, so you can repay on the move.
• When spending overseas on a card, always choose to pay in the local currency rather than GBP. Otherwise, the vendor or ATM operator will get to choose the exchange rate.
• Watch out for ATM operator fees. Your bank may not charge fees for cash withdrawals, but the ATM might.

Spend worldwide for low fees and great exchange rates with Wise*

If you’re after margin-free exchange rates, low fees and a cash-free solution for your holiday spending, check out the Wise card from the money services provider Wise.

The Wise card is a contactless international debit card, which can be used in 150+ countries worldwide. It works everywhere from shops and restaurants to transport hubs and hotels.

When you spend, the card automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate. There are no margins or markups, only a small currency conversion fee. And if you already have the currency in your Wise account, there’s no charge.

Need cash? No problem. The Wise card lets you withdraw up to £200 a month (2 or less withdrawals) with no fee*.

Although you’ll need to watch out that overseas ATM operators don’t charge their own fee.

Open a Wise account online and you can get a Wise card for a one-time cost of just " or get the Wise digital card for free, with no subscription fees*.

Sign up with Wise today 💰

Sources used for this article:

Sources checked on 01-Feb-2024.