Caxton Currency Card
Administration fee
No fees
Foreign transactions
Free
Overseas ATMs
Free
Load charges
Bank transfer: free, debit card: free
Eligibility
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
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Compare our best travel money prepaid cards deals
Find a travel money card that could unlock a cheaper way of spending abroad by checking loading charges and transaction fees.
- Spend in multiple currencies
- Get an up-to-date exchange rate
- Avoid carrying around cash
Compare prepaid travel cards from top providers
You'll only find results from genuine companies. Our data experts check each company before we add them to our comparisons.
How to compare and get a prepaid travel card
1
Compare cards
Use our prepaid card table to find one that offers all the features you need that will cost the least in fees.
2
Check the eligibility
Make sure you fit the eligibility criteria for your chosen card, and have proof of ID.
3
Apply for the card you want
Click 'view deal' and fill out the application form on the provider's website with your personal details.
4
Start using your prepaid card
Once you receive the card and your PIN, start to use and manage your prepaid card.
Prepaid travel card deals
6 results found, sorted by affiliated products. How we order our comparisons. Commission earned affects the table's sort order.
Get up to £40 off your first card load. T&Cs apply
FairFX Currency Card
Administration fee
No fees
Foreign transactions
Free
Overseas ATMs
£1
Load charges
Bank transfer: free, debit card: free
Free multi-currency card that lets you hold 15 major currencies. Lock in some of the best rates available before you travel. Spend in the UK without any added fees and earn at least 3.5% cashback at some top high street retailers, T&Cs apply.
Eligibility
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
Caxton Red Account Card
Administration fee
£5 a month
Foreign transactions
Free
Overseas ATMs
Free
Load charges
Bank transfer: free, debit card: free
Eligibility
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
Better than a pre-paid travel card! No topping up and no fees.
Currensea Travel Debit Card
Administration fee
No fees
Foreign transactions
Free
Overseas ATMs
Free
Load charges
Debit card: free
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Currensea offers the UK’s first direct debit card, providing the best FX rates compared to the banks, Fair FX & the Post Office. No hidden fees such as weekend or dormant charges. Plus no need to top-up and no leftover balance like an old prepaid card.
Eligibility
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
Post Office Travel Money Card
Administration fee
No fees for 12 months after expiry then £2 a month
Foreign transactions
Free
Overseas ATMs
Varies
Load charges
Debit card: free, Post Office: free
Over 60 currencies available for next day home deliver or collection from over 11,000 branches. Click and collect EUR and USD in two hours from a branch near you. Includes travel money refund guarantee. Ts & Cs apply.
Typical card expiry is four years.
Eligibility
| Permanent UK Resident | |
| Minimum Age | 18 years |
| Additional Cardholders Minimum Age | 18 years |
Wise Multi Currency Account
Administration fee
No fees
Foreign transactions
Free
Overseas ATMs
Varies
Load charges
Bank transfer: free, debit card: £5
Spend money abroad at the mid-market exchange rate. You’ll avoid exchange rate markups and your money will always be converted at the lowest possible fee. Hold 50+ currencies and enjoy free ATM cash withdrawals up to £200/ month.
Compare another type of prepaid card
What is a prepaid travel card?
A prepaid travel card, also known as a travel money card, is a debit card that you preload with money and take on holiday. It's a good way to avoid carrying a lot of cash.
It can be used at cashpoints, in shops and restaurants, or anywhere that accepts MasterCard or Visa debit or credit cards.
A prepaid travel card is not the same as a credit card, for two key reasons:
The pre-loaded limit prevents you from accidentally overspending and getting into debt
You can choose which currency you preload your travel money card with, depending on where you're going, which often means you can secure a better exchange rate
You also get the same benefits as any other prepaid card, such as protection if it is lost, the chance to budget your spending, and an easy application process.
Who can get a prepaid travel card?
Anyone can get a prepaid travel card. There's no need to have a bank account and no credit checks are required.
Sometimes parents like to get them for their children's holiday money, as it can help teach them about budgets and responsibility. Teenagers can also apply for one themselves.
Types of prepaid travel card
You can choose from two prepaid travel card options, depending on the extent of your trip abroad.
Single-currency prepaid travel cards
These prepaid cards for travel let you preload one currency. For example, you might get a prepaid euro card or a prepaid US dollar card, depending on where you're going.
Multi-currency pre-loaded travel cards
These pre-loaded travel cards can hold several different currencies. If you're visiting several countries, this could offer a better deal on currency conversions and exchange rates.
What does a prepaid travel card cost?
Once you've found the best type of travel card for your needs, it's time to find the cheapest option. Base your choice on whichever suits you best after comparing the fees for:
buying the card
keeping your account open (paid monthly or annually)
cash machine withdrawals
spending on the card
adding money to the card
The graph to the right shows the difference in card balances when adding £10 to a prepaid card each week for a year. The top line represents transfers with no transaction fee, and the bottom represents a £1.50 fee.
A £1.50 fee might seem small initially, but if you’re saving gradually and regularly it can have a big impact on the amount of money you’re able to spend. Think about how you plan to top up and spend, then select the card that best suits your habits.
Checking the exchange rate on your prepaid travel card
When you load money onto your international prepaid card, it’s converted subject to the issuer’s exchange rate.
For example, if your bank account is in pounds sterling and you're adding money to a prepaid euro card, you'll pay the pounds-to-euros exchange rate.
Here's how exchange rates work on prepaid travel cards, and how much it can cost.
| Currency | Exchange rate | Spending money from £1,500 |
|---|---|---|
| Euros (€) | 1.1 | €1.650 |
| Euros (€) | 1.2 | €1,800 |
| US Dollars ($) | 1.3 | $1,950 |
| US Dollars ($) | 1.4 | $2,100 |
| US Dollars ($) | 1.5 | $2,250 |
Finding the best exchange rate
The exchange rate greatly impacts the amount of local currency you’ll get, and thus how much is available to spend.
Even if you pay for something by credit card, you’re still converting pounds sterling to local currency. With a prepaid travel card that exchanges your money in one lump sum, you are at least aware of the exchange rate beforehand.
This table shows how even a seemingly small shift in the exchange rate can increase or decrease your holiday budget. When applying for a prepaid travel card, look for the best exchange rate possible to maximise your funds.
The advantages and disadvantages of a prepaid travel card
Pros
They're safer than carrying cash or leaving money in your hotel room or flat
Your money's safe if your card is lost or stolen – your provider can cancel it, and you might be able to get it replaced quickly
Budgeting is easier because there’s no credit facility
They can sometimes be the cheapest option
Prepaid cards are accepted in most shops, restaurants and bars around the world
Cons
Application fees
Monthly fees
Charges to load money
Fees to withdraw cash
Fees on spending
Fees for not using your card
What are the alternatives to a travel money card?
Prepaid travel cards aren’t always the best option, and there are several other ways to spend money abroad, each with their own pros and cons:
A prepaid credit card for travel works just like a regular credit card, but doesn’t charge big fees for spending abroad
Travel money leads to fewer fees, but it can be risky. You’ll need to budget carefully to ensure your foreign currency lasts the length of your trip and you’re not protected if it’s lost or stolen
Travellers' cheques allow you to carry less cash. They can be bought in the UK and converted into foreign currency once you're abroad
For many, however, prepaid travel cards are the best way to carry local currency when abroad.
Note: travel prepaid cards aren’t credit cards. That means that prepaid cards aren’t covered by the consumer protection law, Section 75, which offers you extra protection for your purchase if something goes wrong, such as faulty goods or lost packages. They're also not protected under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS)¹.
In addition, they can’t be used everywhere (some places may only accept cash, for example), and you can't use one to borrow money.
"Prepaid cards can be a great tool to keep your spending in check, build your credit score or learn how to budget.
"But certain features, especially access to credit, might make a credit card or current account a better option."
Can I top up a prepaid travel card while I’m away?
Some prepaid travel cards allow you to top up while you're abroad via text, an online site or an app. You may be able to use your debit or credit card to top up, too. You can sometimes do it by phone but be aware of international call charges.
Some prepaid travel cards even allow you to have your salary paid directly onto them, which is a guaranteed way to get a top-up if it's pay day while you're away.
Will I have to remember a PIN?
Yes, most prepaid travel cards are chip and PIN. However, some now support contactless, so you may not need a PIN for smaller purchases.
Avoiding card fees
Standard prepaid cards usually charge extra if you use them outside the UK, but the best international travel cards don't charge these fees.
Our comparison covers cards that are free to use outside the UK. If they're not free, the comparison table shows how much each card charges for foreign transactions and cash withdrawals.
When you're researching prepaid cards to use abroad, choose a card with fees that suit how you plan to use it. For example, if you'll be withdrawing cash often while travelling, pick one with no withdrawal fees.
Prepaid travel cards FAQs
Explore travel prepaid cards guides
Should you get a prepaid card?
Prepaid cards come with several pros and cons, but they could be the best way of spending for you. Here is how to work out if you should get a prepaid card.
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What are prepaid cards?
You can use a prepaid card to buy things online or in person, and you could get one without a credit check. Here is how they work and how to get one.
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How to use a prepaid card
Once you have your new prepaid card, you can start using it to buy things and pay bills. Here is how to use and manage your account.
Read MoreWhy compare prepaid card deals with money.co.uk?
Comparing prepaid cards could save you money. Our multiple award-winning comparison service makes sure you get the lowest fees and rates possible based on your individual circumstances. Our aim is to provide you with the most up-to-date information, as well as useful tools and calculators so to help you make life's most important decisions and take control of your money.
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We have always aimed to provide the best possible services to bridge the gap between our users and our clients. Over the years, we have been thrilled to be recognised by various prestigious bodies and organisations for those efforts.
¹To find out more about how the Financial Services Conduct Authority protects your money, visit FSCS.org.uk.
Last updated: 23 February 2022