Category
Travel Money
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Quick answer
Going abroad or sending money overseas? Start here. We cover travel money cards, app-based accounts, money transfer services and the catches worth knowing.
For spending abroad, the cost is mostly in the exchange rate and any fees on top — not the headline “0% fee” claim. A card or app that uses a rate close to the mid-market rate usually beats changing cash at the airport. For sending money, compare the total the recipient actually gets, not just the transfer fee.
Key decision routes
Pick the question you’re trying to answer.
Ways to pay abroad compared
| Option | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Travel money card or app | Spending abroad at or near the mid-market rate; holding several currencies | Weekend mark-ups, monthly fee-free limits, ATM caps |
| Your UK debit or credit card | Convenience — no new account needed | Foreign transaction fees and cash-withdrawal charges on many accounts |
| Cash from a bureau | Small spends and places that prefer cash | Airport rates are often poor; lost cash is usually gone |
| Money transfer service | Sending money to someone abroad | Exchange-rate margin, delivery speed and recipient bank fees |
The comparison table has no figures because rates and fees move daily. Our travel money cards and money transfer guides carry dated figures.
The catch
Watch for dynamic currency conversion — when a shop or cash machine abroad offers to charge you in pounds. Saying yes usually means a worse exchange rate. Choose the local currency instead.
Some cards and apps add a mark-up at weekends or above a monthly limit, and cash machines abroad may charge their own fee on top of your card’s.
FX spreads and weekend mark-ups
The FX spread is the gap between the mid-market rate and the rate you actually get. It is a cost even when a card says “0% fee”. Compare the final amount in pounds, not just the fee line.
Some apps also charge more at weekends, when currency markets are closed. Revolut, for example, says a weekend fee of up to 1% may apply, depending on your plan, from 5pm Friday to 6pm Sunday.
| Provider / product | Rate / offer | Key catch | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revolut Standard | Fee-free exchange up to £1,000 a month | 1% fair usage fee above £1,000; weekend fee may apply | Suits occasional travellers who stay under £1,000 a month |
| Revolut Plus | Fee-free exchange up to £3,000 a month | 0.5% fair usage fee above £3,000; weekend fee may apply | Suits regular travellers who spend up to £3,000 a month |
| Revolut Premium, Metal and Ultra | No monthly exchange limit | Monthly plan fee; check weekend terms for your plan | Suits frequent travellers who will use the plan’s other features |
Figures as of 4 October 2026. Source: Revolut UK fees. Check the app before you travel, as fees can change.
Who it’s for — and who should avoid it
Who it’s for
- Anyone travelling outside the UK who’ll spend on a card
- People sending money to family or paying bills abroad
- Frequent travellers who want to hold several currencies in one app
- Anyone whose bank charges for spending in foreign currencies
Who should avoid it
- Anyone who’d rely on a single card abroad with no backup
- People who want a big cash float — carrying lots of cash carries its own risks
- Anyone sending large sums without checking delivery times and limits first
- People who won’t check weekend or out-of-hours exchange-rate mark-ups
FAQs
What’s the cheapest way to spend abroad?
Usually a card or app that charges close to the mid-market rate with no foreign transaction fee — but check weekend mark-ups and limits. See UK travel money cards.
Should I pay in pounds or the local currency?
The local currency. Paying in pounds abroad (dynamic currency conversion) usually means a worse rate.
Is cash still useful abroad?
Sometimes, for small spends or places that prefer cash. How much to carry is a personal choice.
Do you have Wise or Revolut referral links on this page?
No. This page has no referral links. Our money transfer guide explains which of its links are referral links.
Can my current account work abroad?
Some UK accounts have fee-free spending abroad. Check your bank’s fees before you rely on it — see Banking.
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