Travel debit cards to use overseas

What is a travel debit card?

A travel debit card is a regular debit card with features designed for travel. For example, the card may charge no international transaction fees on overseas purchases or no overseas ATM fees. Or, it may allow you to hold different currencies as well as AUD.

The debit card is attached to a bank account with your own money, and you can only spend what's available in the account. You can use the debit card to make purchases in stores or to withdraw cash from ATMs while you're overseas, just like you would here in Australia.

What's the best debit card to use overseas?

Finder Score	Monthly fee	Own network ATM fee	International transaction fee	International ATM Fee
Best global debit card
Finder score 9.3Excellent HSBC Everyday Global Account Finder AwardApple PayGoogle Pay10 Currencies	Finder score 9.3Excellent	Monthly fee $0	Own network ATM fee $0	International transaction fee 0%	N/A	Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases. T&Cs apply.	View details Compare product selection Compare	loading	Why we like it The HSBC Everyday Global Account is one of the best bank accounts for travelling. It has no account keeping fees, no international transaction fees and access to free ATMs around the world. You can hold up to 10 different currencies in the one account, which allows you to top up on a currency while the exchange rate is good, then spend in that local currency while you're overseas. Plus, earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases (T&Cs apply). It won the 2026 Finder Award for Best Global Debit Card. Pros & cons Pros Earn 2% cashback on tap and pay purchases under $100, up to $50 in cashback per month (subject to terms and conditions) $0 monthly account fees and international account fees Buy, hold and spend in up to 10 currencies with the HSBC app Apple Pay and Google Pay available Cons You can only pre-load up to 10 currencies Fees apply to deposit foreign currency notes into the account

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Our expert says

"The good part about the ability to hold multiple currencies is that you can transfer money before you go. So when the Australian dollar is strong against a particular currency, I transfer money into that account, and then when I go, I just spend in local currency. That way, I'm not getting hit with a potentially higher exchange rate, or being forced to spend in AUD and charged for the conversion."

Alanna Glenn

Money Expert

How to find the best travel debit card

No account keeping fees

Look for a debit card with no monthly account keeping fee.

No overseas ATM fees

This is charged by your bank when you use your card at an overseas ATM, and can be as much as $5 (or more) per transaction on top of the fee charged by the ATM operator. It's best to look for a debit card without this fee, if possible.

No international transaction fees

This is charged by your bank when a currency conversion is needed (e.g.: when using your AUD card to make purchases in the UK). This fee can be as high as 4% of the transaction value. Luckily, there are several Australian debit cards that don't charge this fee.

Account accessibility

It's handy to choose a debit card from a bank that has a good mobile baking app, which you can use overseas to keep an eye on your account and transfer money if needed.

Multiple currencies

Some debit cards allow you to hold multiple currencies at once. This is handy for travelling as it allows you to load up on the currency you need ahead of your trip while the exchange rate is good.

Contactless payment options

Being able to link the debit card to Apple Pay or Google Pay could be helpful while you're travelling if you don't want to keep your physical debit card on you.

Additional safety features

Some debit cards will come with a 'card lock' feature in the attached mobile banking app that allows you to temporarily freeze or lock your card if you've misplaced it while travelling.

Is it better to use a debit card or credit card overseas?

Unlike debit cards which only allow access to the money in your account, a travel credit card offers a line of credit for you to spend what you need and then repay at the end of the payment period (usually monthly). This can be helpful to manage cashflow while you're travelling, so you know you'll always have money available.

However, if you don't repay it in full, you'll be charged interest at a fairly high rate. There are also annual fees and other charges for credit cards that debit cards don't have.

Some credit cards allow you to earn points or other rewards as you spend, which could end up allowing you to upgrade your flights from economy or use a special airport lounge. Some credit cards also offer things like complimentary travel insurance, which isn't offered with a debit card.

Frequently asked questions

• Should I use a prepaid debit card?

  Debit cards are not prepaid, they use the money that's available in your bank account. A prepaid card, instead, allows you to load up on currency before you leave. However, prepaid travel cards can often come with extra fees and charges.

• Do Australian banks have ATMs overseas?

  Some of the big banks do have ATMs overseas, or they'll be part of a global alliance or network of partnering banks. For example Westpac's global ATM alliance allows you to access tens of thousands of ATMs overseas.

• Do debit cards come with travel insurance?

  Debit cards typically don't come with travel insurance, this is more commonly offered with a credit card. There are a few debit cards that do offer insurance, for example the NAB Platinum visa Debit Card, however they usually also have a monthly account fee.

• Can you use a travel debit card online?

  Yes you can, and it's a great idea to do so. If you make an online purchase from a retailer located outside of Australia, you'd usually need to pay a foreign transaction fee of 3.5% (or more) on the value of your transaction. However if you opt for a debit card that waives this fee, you can save a fair bit of money.

Written by

Alison Banney

Editorial Manager, Money

Alison is an editor at Finder and a personal finance journalist with over 10 years of experience, having contributed to major financial institutions and publications such as Westpac, Money Magazine, and Yahoo Finance. She is frequently quoted in media outlets like SmartCompany and SBS, offering expert insights on superannuation and money management. Alison holds a Bachelor of Communications in Public Relations and Journalism from the University of Newcastle, and has earned three ASIC RG146 certifications in superannuation, securities and managed investments and general financial advice, ensuring her expertise is fully aligned with ASIC standards. See full bio

Alison's expertise

Alison has written 667 Finder guides across topics including:

• Superannuation
• Savings accounts, bank accounts and term deposits
• Budgeting and money-saving hacks
• Managing the cost of living