There’s no single “best” travel card - the right one depends on where you’re going and how you spend. Compare the exchange-rate margin, load/reload and ATM fees, and the currencies supported; and wherever you are, pay in the local currency, not Australian dollars.
A travel card is a product, so this guide sticks to how to choose one - the types available and what to compare - rather than naming a “best” card or quoting rates.
The main types
- Prepaid travel money cards. You load one or more currencies in advance and spend from the balance. Useful for locking in a currency and budgeting, but watch for load, reload, and inactivity fees.
- Travel debit cards. Linked to an everyday transaction account, often with no foreign-transaction fee and fee-free overseas ATM withdrawals up to a point. Good for travellers who’d rather not pre-load.
- Low-fee credit cards. Some credit cards waive foreign-transaction fees. Convenient, but mind interest and cash-advance costs if you withdraw cash.
What to compare
- Exchange-rate margin - the gap between the mid-market rate and the rate the card gives you. Often the biggest cost, and easy to overlook.
- Fees - foreign-transaction, load/reload, overseas ATM, and any monthly or inactivity fees.
- Currencies supported - does it hold the currency you need, and what happens if you spend in one it doesn’t?
- Backup and support - how quickly a lost card is replaced, and whether you have a second way to access money.
Traps to avoid
- Dynamic currency conversion (DCC). When a shop or ATM offers to charge you in AUD, it usually applies a worse rate. Always choose the local currency.
- Weekend and holiday loading. Some cards add an extra margin when markets are closed.
- Only one card. Carry a backup card (and a little cash) in case one is lost or blocked.
For general guidance on travelling with money, see the government’s Moneysmart service.
This is general information about types of card and what to compare - not financial advice and not a recommendation of any card. Tradergy collects no personal data. Reviewed by the Tradergy editorial team, July 2026.
Common questions
What is the best travel card for Australians?
There isn’t one “best” card - it depends on where you’re going, how you spend, and which fees matter most to you. Compare the exchange-rate margin, load/reload and ATM fees, and the currencies supported. Tradergy doesn’t recommend a specific card.
Should I pay in local currency or Australian dollars overseas?
Almost always pay in the local currency. If a terminal offers to charge you in AUD (“dynamic currency conversion”), it usually applies a worse exchange rate. Choosing the local currency lets your card do the conversion instead.
Travel money card or travel debit card?
A prepaid travel money card lets you lock in and hold multiple currencies; a travel debit card draws from your everyday account, often with no foreign-transaction fee. Each suits different travellers - compare the fees and how you like to manage money.