Handling money abroad revolves around your mobile today. Not too long ago, it used to mean stuffing envelopes with cash or paying steep bank fees every time you swiped your card abroad. That’s largely changed today. Modern financial apps built around real exchange rates and global usability have made it much easier to spend, exchange, and manage money while travelling. Here are three solid options worth knowing about.
1. Revolut
Revolut sits somewhere between a bank account, a travel card, and a budgeting app. If you opt for a physical debit card, it’s accepted wherever Visa or Mastercard is accepted, which covers most of the world.
It lets you spend in over 150 currencies without manually converting anything beforehand. The app automatically handles the conversion at the point of sale, using exchange rates that track closely to the interbank rate on weekdays. However, you can also exchange currencies as you please to take advantage of extra favourable exchange rates before you travel. Options are endless.
What sets it apart for travellers is the built-in expense tracking. Every transaction is categorised in real time, which makes it surprisingly easy to see where your money is actually going on a trip. This feature is also useful for gamblers who like to keep a tight grip on their finances. It’s highly popular amongst users of Irish fast withdrawal casino websites, according to this source, since it allows them to know exactly when the payment has been processed.
Free ATM withdrawals are available up to a monthly cap, after which fees apply. However, opting for a premium account can increase the cap significantly and prevent fees further.
2. Wise
Wise approaches travel spending from a slightly different angle. It’s primarily built around currency exchange, and it does that exceptionally well. They use the mid-market exchange rate (the same rate you’d see on Google), with a small transparent fee disclosed upfront. There are no hidden markups in the rate itself or nasty surprises to discover later.
The account lets you hold over 40 currencies simultaneously, which is particularly useful for longer trips or anyone who moves between countries regularly. However, the selection is a bit narrower compared to Revolut, so it depends on where you go. You can receive money in multiple currencies, too, which occasionally matters when splitting costs with people from different countries.
Like Revolut, Wise offers free ATM withdrawals up to a monthly limit. Where Revolut is often described as better for day-to-day spending, Wise tends to be the preferred tool for larger currency exchanges and international transfers since you get better rates in the long run.
3. N26
N26 is a digital bank rather than a pure travel product. However, it still works well internationally. The account runs on the Mastercard network which functions globally, and comes with free options for users who don’t want to pay monthly fees.
Its premium tiers include perks that make it more relevant to travellers, such as free ATM withdrawals abroad and bundled travel insurance. If you aim to use it a lot, a premium subscription can be beneficial in the long run. Still, the standard account is useful enough on its own as a reliable backup card, so it entirely depends on your usage. It’s particularly popular among EU residents who travel frequently within Europe, and it was designed with that use in mind. As such, most of their accepted currencies are European, with USD, AUD, CAD and a few other additional options.
Both Revolut and Wise offer more sophisticated currency features, but N26’s appeal is largely its simplicity. It behaves like a normal bank account, just one that works reasonably well wherever you are.
Using These Cards Together
Many frequent travellers use a combination of these apps rather than relying on a single one. Not only does this give it a broader global availability, but it also allows for backups in case something goes wrong.
A common setup: Revolut for everyday spending and expense tracking, Wise for larger currency exchanges or international transfers, and N26 as a backup.
Having cards on both the Visa and Mastercard networks also adds a layer of flexibility. If one network has an issue at a particular terminal, you have another option. It also allows you to store one card somewhere safe in case your main card gets stolen or lost along the way. It’s better to have a backup prepared and not need it.
General Tips for Managing Money While Travelling
- Always pay in local currency. When a card terminal or ATM asks whether you’d like to pay in your home currency, decline. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and the exchange rate offered is almost always significantly worse than what your card would apply automatically. It’s one of the most common hidden costs in travel spending.
- Notify your bank if you’re bringing a traditional card. Legacy banks sometimes flag international transactions as fraud and freeze cards. A quick notification before you leave avoids that problem. Some banks allow you to lock regions in your online banking account, so remember to open it up if needed.
- Carry some cash for the first day. Card acceptance varies by country and region, so having cash at hand can be handy. Rural areas, open markets, and smaller businesses often operate on cash only, even in today’s digital age. Having a small amount on arrival removes the stress of finding an ATM the moment you land and often gives you more control of the exchange rate.
- Keep a backup card separate from your main wallet. If your wallet is lost or stolen, a card stored elsewhere, like a bag, jacket pocket, or hotel safe, means you’re not stranded.
- Check ATM fees locally. Even cards with no foreign transaction fees can be subject to charges imposed by the ATM operator itself. Withdrawing a larger amount less frequently tends to minimise the impact of fixed per-withdrawal fees.
