Debit cards allow you to spend the money you have in your bank account, instead of having to pre-load it like a prepaid travel card. There are some debit cards that don't charge any international transaction fees and even some that allow you to hold multiple currencies - like the HSBC Everyday Global Account.
Instead of a debit card, a prepaid card lets you load up on the currency you need before you get there. There are several options for this, but the right one for you will largely depend on the currency you're going to be using.
We've looked at the top 10 most popular travel destinations for Aussies based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics overseas departure and arrivals data and rounded up the most relevant travel cards you could use in each location. From the rolling hills of New Zealand to the bustling streets of China, read on for the travel card tips you'll need for your next holiday.
Australia is a nation of travellers. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there were 8,337,080 resident returns from overseas for the year 2022 - 2023. The most popular reason we travel is for a holiday, and the median trip duration is 15 days.
The land of towering snow-capped mountains, crystal blue lakes and hobbits and elves often tops Australia's list of favourite travel destinations. Conveniently, most Australian prepaid travel cards support New Zealand dollars.
See our New Zealand travel money guide for more tips to help you prep for your trip over the Tasman.
Aussies love the tropical climate, beaches and poolsides of Indonesia. Despite our close proximity to Indonesia and Australia's reputation for frequenting tourist destinations such as Bali, no Australian travel cards currently support Indonesian rupiah.
However, as Visa and Mastercard are accepted in Indonesia, you can still use an Australian travel card when you're there. You can find travel cards that don't charge a currency conversion fee when you spend in an unsupported currency.
Browse our Indonesia travel money guide for more travel money options.
The land of stars and stripes also has a soft spot in the heart of Australian travellers. So, it's probably no surprise that most Australian prepaid cards support US dollars.
See our US guide for the best travel money options for your next trip to the states.
If you're making a Eurotrip to the UK, you'll be glad to know that most Australian prepaid travel cards support the pound sterling.
Use our UK travel guide for everything you need to plan your next trip to the UK.
The Indian rupee isn't supported by any Australian travel cards. So, if you're travelling to the hustle and bustle of India, you might want to look for travel cards that don't charge any currency conversion fees when spending in an unsupported currency.
Thailand is a popular holiday destination for many Aussies seeking sunshine and rich culture, so it's lucky that quite a few Australian travel cards support the Thai baht.
Use our Thailand travel money guide to research more travel money options for your trip.
While the white sands and crystal blue waters of Fiji are a favourite for Aussie travellers, no prepaid travel cards currently support the Fijian dollar. However, as Mastercard and Visa are widely accepted in Fiji, there are still a few options available for holidaymakers drawn to this island oasis.
See our Fiji guide for more travel money tips and tricks.
If you're taking a trip to the Garden City, there are a few travel card options to choose from.
You can find more travel money options for your trip to Singapore with this guide.
Whether you want to bask in the beauty of cherry blossom season or tear up the snowy slopes, there are plenty of travel card options if you're planning a trip to Japan.
See our Japan guide for more travel money tips for your next holiday.
A land of beautiful beaches, Buddhist pagodas and bustling cities, Vietnam makes the list of Australia's most popular travel destination. If you're planning a trip and want to spend in Vietnamese dong, there are travel card options to choose from.
You can find more travel money options for your trip to Vietnam with this guide.
While there's no single best travel money card out there, it's easier to narrow down your search when you know which cards support the local currency you'll be spending in on your trip. Once you've done this, look for any issue fees, ATM withdrawal fees and loading costs to help compare your travel money options and pick the right travel card companion for you.
The Wise Travel Money Card supports over 40 currencies, with free loading by bank transfer and an instant, virtual card. Here’s how its other features compare.
Revolut offers virtual and physical Visa cards, support for over 30 currencies and other travel perks – plus 3-month Premium trial with this offer.
Use finder's interactive world map to learn about variations in beer prices globally. Find out where in the world you'd pay a whopping $15.10 for a pint.
Discover the travel money options available for young people and how to prepare for a trip overseas.
Want to avoid fees and charges when using your card overseas? This guide explains the most common pitfalls when using travel cards.
This guide explains how you can get back any leftover funds from your travel money card after your trip.
Use this guide to understand foreign currency exchange and discover how to get the best deal.
Spend in up to 13 major currencies, lock in exchange rates and manage your account with the CommBank app when you use the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card.
Spend in 11 currencies wherever Mastercard is accepted and save on currency conversion fees with the Cash Passport Platinum Mastercard.
I am going on a cruise with stops in India, Singapore, Dubai and Sri Lanka. Apart from getting cash what is the best way to take money there? I will only be in Sri Lanka for one day.
Hello there Ian,
Thank you for your inquiry.
Like the page you’re on, you have travel card alternatives for Singapore and India. However, India does not support Australian travel cards, but rather you can look at your travel card choices that don’t charge currency conversion fees.
In Dubai, you may begin looking at your travel card.
In Sri Lanka, Their Government has tight control over the national money and there are strict points of confinement on the measure of rupees you can get in and out of the nation. Aside from cash, you may look at your prepaid travel cards, debit or credit card choices on our page for Travel guide in Sri Lanka.
You may likewise jump at the chance to consider a Debit Card or Credit Card with low or no currency conversion fees.
I hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Asia
Travelling to Mexico and Cuba and don’t know whether there is any card better than a Westpac Global Currency Card all things considered.
Hi Louis,
Thank you for visiting Finder.
For options in getting the most suitable travel money card for you, you may want to visit our travel money option for Mexico as well as our travel money guide for Cuba. From there you may compare cards and select which one would suit your needs. Once you have chosen a particular card, you may then click on the “Go to site” button and you will be redirected to the bank’s website where you can proceed with your application or get in touch with their representatives for further assistance.
Please ensure you review the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions before applying.
Cheers,
Joanne
What about Peruvian Soles? Or Chilean Pesos? Do I have to put in USD first?
Hi Nancy,
Thanks for your question.
Currently, prepaid travel money cards do not support the currencies of South American countries. You would have to load them with Australian dollars and withdraw the local currencies such as nuevo sol and peso. However, this will attract overseas ATM fees and currency conversion fees.
If you wish to avoid these fees you can use debit or credit cards. Moreover, you can consider a travel card with no currency conversion fees. Check out our Travel Money Guide to Peru to compare your options. You may also check your travel money options for South America.
Before applying, please ensure that you read through the relevant Product Disclosure Statements/Terms and Conditions when comparing your options before making a decision on whether it is right for you. You can also contact the provider if you have specific questions.
Cheers,
Liezl
Travelling to Bali with a Qantas Cash card. I understand I can’t load it with rupiah, however can use it where Mastercard accepted. I’m not clear though on what the currency conversion fee is. Above it says that you can “avoid currency conversion fees when spending Indonesian rupiah with this card.” However you can’t load Rupiah in the card. Can you explain further please?
Hello Jacqui,
Thank you for your inquiry.
The currency conversion fee is when you load Australian dollars on your card and then convert them to Rupiah while you’re traveling in Indonesia. In this case, you are simply converting the currency on a “as per needed basis”, Qantas daily rate for the currency you’re spending in will apply. You can use their currency conversion tool on the website to check the exchange rate daily.
If in case you are interested, please explore different travel money options in Indonesia.
Please take time to download the Product Disclosure Statement of this product to know more about the terminologies and fees associated with use.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers,
Jonathan
What about. Europe comparison for travel cards?
Hi Suzanna,
Thanks for your inquiry.
Here is the page where you can compare Travel Cards for Europe – https://www.finder.com.au/travel-money/europe. It also has a comparison for Travel Credit Cards and Travel Debit Cards.
Hope this information helped.
Cheers,
Rench
Hi Suzanne,
Thank you for your inquiry.
You may be interested to check the available option/s for travel cards in Europe on our website. Check that page and you will also find more details about how you use travel money cards in Europe.
I hope this information has helped.
cheers,
Harold