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Traveling abroad means juggling cards, cash and ATMs with safety and fees in mind. This guide explains which cards to use, when to carry cash and how to avoid common charges and scams. Follow these practical tips to keep your money accessible and protected on the road.
Bring at least two payment cards from different networks (Visa, Mastercard, plus a backup like Amex or Discover if widely accepted at your destination). Use a debit card with no foreign ATM fee for withdrawals and a credit card with no foreign transaction fee for purchases; many travel-focused banks advertise both features (e.g., Charles Schwab, HSBC Expat accounts, or fintechs like Revolut and Wise). Keep one card in a secure money belt and one in your daypack, and store photocopies or photos of front/back card images and customer service numbers in an encrypted note or offline. Notify your bank you’ll be traveling, but do not rely solely on that—carry the issuer’s international phone number and a second payment method in case of holds or fraud blocks.
Carry enough local currency for immediate needs (first 24–48 hours)—typically 50–200 USD equivalent depending on destination—not large sums to reduce theft risk. In many places, small denominations (for taxis, markets, tips) are essential; for example, carry 10–20 local notes and a separate small coin pouch. For multi-country trips, keep one small amount of a widely accepted currency (EUR or USD) for emergency use and exchange the rest locally when needed. Use official currency exchange counters at airports only for small amounts; for better rates, use bank ATMs or local banks away from tourist hubs.
Prefer ATMs inside banks or well-lit locations and avoid standalone machines on the street to reduce skimming and fraud risk. Choose ATMs that display your card network’s logo and withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize fixed per-withdrawal fees (e.g., withdraw the equivalent of 200–400 USD at once if secure). Opt out of dynamic currency conversion (DCC) when offered—always request to be charged in the local currency to avoid poor exchange rates. Keep withdrawal receipts, cover the keypad when entering your PIN, and compare the ATM’s fee screen to your bank’s fee schedule beforehand.
Know the three fee types: your bank’s foreign transaction fee (percentage of purchase), ATM operator fees (fixed amount), and currency conversion marks (bad exchange rates). Use cards with no foreign transaction fees for purchases and a debit card with reimbursed ATM fees (e.g., some Schwab and HSBC accounts) to avoid cumulative charges. If charged an ATM operator fee, keep the receipt and contact your bank—some banks reimburse international ATM fees. Track fees in an app or simple spreadsheet during your trip so you can adjust habits quickly.
Contactless cards and mobile wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay) are widely accepted in Europe, parts of Asia and Australia, but less so in some developing areas and small vendors. Verify your card’s contactless symbol and preload a card into your wallet before travel; some terminals require an initial chip-and-PIN transaction before accepting contactless. Mobile wallets add a layer of security (tokenization) and can work with public transit systems in many cities—check local transit websites (e.g., London Oyster alternatives or Singapore's EZ-Link compatibility). Always carry a physical backup card because mobile acceptance and roaming data may be unreliable.
Avoid airport exchange booths for large sums—use them only for a small arrival amount. Better options: withdraw local currency from an ATM upon arrival (often best rate), use local bank branches during business hours for larger exchanges, or use reputable online services (Wise, Revolut) to convert and withdraw. Compare rates and commission structures: some counters advertise 'no commission' but use a poor mid-market rate. Keep exchange receipts for any large conversions in case you need to reconvert or report for accounting/tax reasons.
Immediately call your card issuer using the international helpline number (found on your card issuer’s website or in your saved travel notes) to freeze or cancel the card; many banks allow temporary lockdowns via their app. Use your backup card or emergency cash stash (kept separately from primary wallet) while waiting for a replacement—request expedited international replacement if needed. File a local police report if the card was stolen; some issuers require a report for fraud claims. Monitor accounts closely and dispute unauthorized charges promptly; use your bank’s secure chat or international fraud email if phone lines are busy.
In countries where tipping is cash-preferred (parts of Southeast Asia, Latin America), keep small bills handy; restaurants in tourist zones may add service charges—check receipts before tipping. For card-not-present payments (online bookings or phone reservations) use a credit card with good fraud protection and set up travel alerts ahead of large transactions to avoid declines. In rural or remote destinations, expect limited ATM access and lower card acceptance—plan ahead by withdrawing extra cash or arranging bank wire/cash pickup services through your hotel or tour operator. Also carry a small emergency USD or EUR stash if local ATMs are out of service.
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