Written by 
International travel can be stressful, especially when it comes to managing your finances. The global economic system and the variety of currencies worldwide can be overwhelming to deal with while travelling. Imagine constantly converting your currencies and calculating your expenses while desperately caring for everything else during your travels. Not very fun, is it?
Fortunately, money travel cards or currency cards have become popular over the years among international travellers for various reasons. So, what are exactly these cards, and how do they work? In this blog, we take a deep dive into the world of travel cards and bring you a curated list of the six best travel money cards in 2024. Read along!
What is a Travel Money Card?
A travel money card or a currency card is a tool that you can use while travelling internationally. You can load the card with money and use it like a debit/credit card to pay in multiple currencies. Travel money cards make it convenient for the user as it takes away the hassle of calculating and converting currencies while travelling.
Travel money cards are essentially similar to Forex cards or foreign exchange cards. However, your provider may use a different name for it depending on the region they are based in (the term forex card is widely used in the Asian region.) To know more about exchange rate forex cards, read our blog for a detailed explanation of what is a forex card.
But why do these cards make a great payment option? Money cards have become popular over the years as they are safer than loose cash. It also eliminates the need to constantly calculate how much money you must pay and convert it during your travels. Money cards also allow you to lock your cash in, so you don’t have to worry about currency fluctuations that might occur during your trip. Let’s now dive into the world of this amazing tool and discuss the six best travel money cards in 2024!
Best Travel Money Cards
Now that you know what a travel money card is and its usefulness, you must choose the best card that is perfect for you! So, here’s a carefully curated list of the six best travel money cards in 2024 so you can make an informed choice.
1. Wise Travel Money Card
Regarding international travel, Wise offers one of the best travel money cards. The app sends users notifications and helps them track their spending, making it one of the best travel money cards for students. With your Wise Travel money card, you can withdraw cash from 3 million ATMs across 160 countries worldwide. Wise offers free withdrawals up to £200, after which they charge a small amount of transaction fee.
2. HOP Card by Money HOP
Another of the best travel money cards is the HOP Card by Money HOP. Valid in 150+ countries worldwide, the card lets you do transactions at 2 million ATMs globally. Another significant advantage of the HOP Card is VISA’s zero liability policy that protects you from unauthorised transactions and stolen cards, making it one of the safest and most secure cards available in the market.
3. BookMyForex travel card
MakeMyTrip’s exclusive product, the BookMyForex travel card, makes it to the list of the best travel money cards with numerous benefits and features. This VISA-powered card is accepted virtually over 30+ million stores, 2+ million ATMs and 1+ million e-commerce sites globally, enabling users to load up to 14+ currencies. The BookMyTravel card waivers off any additional forex charges and reloading and unloading charges, making it one of the best travel money cards for college students.
4. Niyo Global Zero Forex Card
Experience the future of global banking with Niyo Global, designed exclusively for international travellers. Save 3-5% on all international transactions with Niyo Global zero forex markup benefit. Add a touch of luxury to your journey with complimentary airport lounge access at major international airports in India.
5. Revolut
One of the most popular and best travel money cards, the Revolut money card enables its users to pay like a local at unbelievably low exchange rates. Their virtual card feature also lets you pay through a digital and more instant version of the card rather than having to wait for the physical card to arrive. Another significant feature that Revolut offers is its single-use virtual cards, which are perfect for online shopping as the card details get refreshed instantly after every purchase.
6. WeSwap
Wanna try something new and secure? WeSwap travel money cards bring to the table the fresh concept of community-based currency exchange. The process is as simple as registering and joining a community of enthusiastic travellers. The WeSwap card lets you swap money with fellow travellers using a peer-to-peer currency exchange model. This new, fresh approach and innovative solution help travellers across the globe avoid almost all currency exchange fees associated with traditional forex. The best foreign currency card card lets you carry 32 wallets simultaneously and offers great features to track your spending through real-time transaction notifications.
Advantages of Travel Money Cards
- Best travel money cards provide enhanced security compared to carrying large amounts of cash.
- They are typically PIN-protected, reducing the risk of theft or unauthorised access.
- Many travel money cards offer fraud protection features, allowing users to report and block the card if it’s lost or stolen.
- Travel money cards allow travellers to load a specific amount of currency onto the card, helping them stick to a budget.
- Access to ATMs allows users to withdraw local currency without the need for currency exchange services.
- Travel money cards often support multiple currencies, allowing users to preload and switch between different currencies on the same card.
- Some best travel money cards offer the advantage of no or lower foreign transaction fees, saving money on each international purchase.
- Travel money cards contribute to reducing the environmental impact associated with printing and transporting physical currency.
Choosing the Best Travel Money Cards
While all the travel money cards mentioned above are great and provide many exclusive benefits, it is important to consider choosing the perfect card. Some essential factors like your financial needs, travel destination, usage purpose, etc., should be considered when choosing the best travel money cards. Here are some more factors to look out for:
- Needed currencies
- Exchange rates
- ATM withdrawal limits
- Availability of online banking services
- Availability of apps for instant reloading
- UX/UI of the said app
- Additional charges and transaction fees
Understanding how travel cards work and comparing your options before buying one is a great way to ensure you get your hands on the best travel money cards. A good currency card can actually make your travelling experience smoother, more enjoyable and more convenient than ever. So, get your travel money card today and get ready to see the world! Before you start with a wire transfer, make sure you read our guide on the international wire transfer.