The Best Ways to Take Money Overseas (2024)

Use a pre-paid Travel Money Card

Travelex Travel Money Card is safer than both cash and cards when you're taking money overseas – and much more convenient. You can use them just like a debit or credit card – to pay directly in shops and restaurants or get cash out.

You won't overspend or get into debt because your pre-paid card will only let you spend what you've loaded onto it. With Travelex, you can lock in the exchange rate when you buy or reload your card, so you won't lose out if the rate takes a dip. Best of all, your travel money is paid for before you've even started spending – perfect if you're on a budget.

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Travelling with Cash

Even if you plan to use cards, you’ll need some notes and coins while you’re away. Cash is essential for things like tipping, taxis, markets and smaller shops and restaurants that don’t accept cards.

You could withdraw cash when you get there, but there’s always the chance you won’t see an ATM or currency exchange right away. That’s why we recommend you get it before you go. You won’t have to sort cash out when you should be starting your holiday, and you won’t be at the mercy of exchange rates and charges.

We advise ensuring that you have travel insurance to cover you if the worst happens and your cash is lost or stolen. But it’s also a good idea to combine cash with another way of taking your money overseas, such as our Travelex Money Card.

You can order your foreign currency from us – you’ll get our best rates when you do it online – and pick it up in store when you’re ready. We’ve got over 45 currencies to choose from, and you can order three to 21 days in advance.

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Travelling with credit and debit cards

Using your credit and debit cards when you travel can be a convenient way to spend. However, many cards have fees associated with spending overseas so you could end up an unexpected foreign transaction fee or currency conversion fee for using your card overseas – whether you’re paying with credit card or withdrawing cash from an ATM.

When withdrawing cash from an ATM using an Australian card, you can fall victim to dynamic currency conversion. This is when currency is converted in real time so exchange rates can get much worse for you over the trip, unlike when using the lock-in exchange rate as offered by Travelex Travel Cards.

Whilst it’s more secure than cash, it's worth bearing in mind that if your card was stolen fraudsters will be able to use it until you cancel it.

An alternative to credit and debit cards is the Travelex Money Card. They have all of the convenience of using your debit and credit card but they are safer as they're not linked to your bank account.

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Which option’s right for you?

It all comes down to personal choice, but we recommend a combination of cash and card – ideally a pre-paid one like the Travelex Money Card that lets you both pay as if using a regular card and also withdraw cash on the go without suffering from the international withdrawal fees many banks charge.

That way you’re ready for anything – places where using a card isn’t an option, getting cash out when you need more, and paying by card. You won’t get hit with annoying card fees, your money’s protected if your card gets lost or stolen, and you’ve paid for your foreign currency before you even start spending it.

Buy Foreign Currency