The 5 Best Travel Cards for Australians Going to Europe
Planning a European adventure from Australia? Whether you're exploring the romantic streets of Paris, the historic landmarks of Rome, or the cultural hubs of Barcelona, having the right travel money card can come in handy when overseas.
All across Europe, Australian debit cards are accepted at ATM's as well as payment terminals in supermarkets, restaurants and in taxis. An everyday bank card in Australia can come with unwelcome fees that are that easy to spot.
Debit and prepaid cards that are specifically used for travel to Europe can have better exchange rates, lower fees and even allow you to preload your currency before you get on your flight.
This guide will explore the best debit, credit and prepaid travel cards for Europe, to help your money go further.
Best 5 Travel Money Cards for Europe in 2024:
- Wise Multi Currency Card for good exchange rates
- Revolut - best prepaid travel card for Europe
- Travelex Money Card - Best if you are using the ATM a lot
- Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card for lowest interest rate
- Macquarie Transaction Debit Card for a card you can use in Australia too
Travel Card |
Exchange Rates |
Fees |
Limits |
Wise |
0.6188 | Service fee 0.35% | 2 ATM withdrawals per month under AUD350 |
Revolut |
Live Market | Account Exchange Fees of up to 1.5% | 5 ATM withdrawals per month under AUD350 |
Travelex |
Set daily | Closure fee ($10) Additional card ($5) Inactivity ($4) per month |
Maximum load of $100,000 |
Macquarie |
Mastercard Exchange Rates | Daily maximum ATM withdrawal is $2,000 | |
Bankwest Breeze |
Set Daily | Annual fee $59 Purchase interest rate 12.99% Cash advance fee 3% |
Minimum credit limit: $6,000 |
Wise Travel Card - Best Exchange Rates
- 40+ currencies available
- Best exchange rates globally
- One of the lowest conversion fee on the market
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees
- Extremely low costs to send money overseas
Fees and limits
- Cross currency conversion fees are between 0.24–3.69%. AUD to USD, EUR or GBP was 0.42%, which is one of the lowest on the market
- Free cash withdrawals up to $350 every 30 days. However after that, Wise Card charge a fixed fee of $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%
- Daily ATM withdrawal is $2,700
- Issue up to 3 virtual cards for temporary usage
- It takes between 7 to 14 business days to receive your card
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
Using the Wise card in Europe
You can use the Wise card all across Europe. You can convert any currency into Euros and preload the card. Alternatively if you don't have a Euro balance on the card, when you use it, the card will convert the currency which is loaded, each time you use it.
The Wise Card works just as well in France, Germany and Italy as it does in Australia, the UK or the US.
Revolut - Low Fees
- 30+ currencies available
- One of the best exchange rates globally
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees for standard membership
- No initial card fee
- Instant access to a range of cryptocurrencies
Fees and limits
- No fee ATM withdrawals up to A$350, or 5 ATM withdrawals, whichever comes first, per rolling 30 day period and 2% of withdrawal amount (minimum charge of A$1.50) after that
- Exchanging currency on the weekend can incur a 1% mark-up fee
- Fees on international money transfers were introduced in April 2021.
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
Using the Revolut in Europe
The Revolut Travel Card is one of the best prepaid travel cards for Europe. You can preload every currency used in Europe like Euros, Czech Koruna or Polish Zloty. Alternatively, you can load up your own currency and it will convert it to the local currency each time you spend money.
The app is easy to use and the fees on the standard card are low, provided you don't use the ATM too much.
Travelex Money Card - Best Support
Key Features
- Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Initial and replacement card are free
- No international transaction fees
- Lock in up to 10 currencies
Fees and limits
- Minimum load of $100 and maximum load of $100,000
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
- Fees include a $10 closure fee, $5 for an additional card and $4 inactivity monthly fee.
- While Travelex don't charge ATM fees, some ATM operators may charge their own fees.
- Currencies that can be loaded are AU$, US$, EU€, GB£, NZ$, TH฿, CA$, HK$, JP¥, SG$
- If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash in your account through Moneygram or Western Union agents, with no charge
- Boingo hotspots offer free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map
Using the Travelex Money Card
You can the Travelex Money Card in Europe to take money out of the ATM, for merchant purchases like restaurants and even for online shopping in foreign currency. While the exchange rates aren't as good as the Wise or Revolut cards, the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good.
Macquarie Transaction Debit Card
Key Features
- No ATM fees overseas or ATM fees in Australia
- No monthly fees or initial card fees
- No foreign transaction fee
- Contactless limit with no PIN up to $200 per transaction
- Joint accounts available
Fees and limits
- Simple and easy to work out costs for account
- Can be used in Australia as an EFTPOS card
- Instant transfers can be made using PayID and OSKO
- Works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin
- Available to 14 year olds and older
- Easily lock and unlock your card in the app if your card is lost or stolen
- Multi award winning account including Mozo Best Everyday Savings for 2021
- $2,000 daily limit for ATM withdrawals
- Exchange rates are MasterCard exchange rates, which are normally 2% - 6%+ the market rate
- Get discounts of up to 10% on eGift cards to use at over 50 leading retailers
- Added security with a mobile app that sends actionable push notifications for you to approve or deny online transactions and account activity
- Tools for spending each time you make a transaction, it’s automatically categorised into groups such as groceries, travel, leisure or technology. In addition you can see how you're spending at a glance and over time.
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
If you want a debit card you can use in Australia or in Europe without paying fees at ATMs then the Macquarie Bank Transaction debit card is a good fit. It has no foreign transaction fees, no ATM fees in Australia or overseas and no monthly fees. In addition the only fee you will pay is the currency conversion charged by Mastercard.
The debit card works in Australia and the contactless limit is $200, which is super handy. It also works with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Fitbit and Garmin. Finally it has tools to help you track your spending, can be given to teenagers over 14 and is easy to lock or unlock your card through the app if lost or stolen.
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card - Lowest Interest Rate
Key Features
- Lowest interest rate at 9.90%
- No international transaction fees on purchases
- Up to 55 days interest free on purchases
- Low annual fee
- Complimentary international travel insurance
Fees and limits
- Free annual fee first year, then $69 annual fee
- Free international travel insurance that includes the basics but does not cover cancellation costs, pre existing conditions and travellers over 80
- $6,000 minimum credit card
- 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then reverts to 9.90%
- 21.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances
- Cash advance fee of the higher of $4 or 2% of cash advance
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
The Bankwest Breeze Platinum is a great no frills credit card that offers ‘no foreign transaction fees’ and the lowest interest rate on the market, at 9.90%. These two factors alone will save you hundreds of dollars when travelling.
In addition it has a low annual fee and complimentary international travel insurance. Finally for its price point it is a great value credit card that will be accepted most places that take Mastercard.
Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines.
Why Opt for a Travel Money Card in Europe?
Navigating finances in Europe is easier with the right travel money card. Here’s why they’re a smart choice:
- Ease of Use: Travel money cards are widely accepted across Europe, from the smallest towns to the largest cities, making them incredibly convenient for everyday expenses.
- Enhanced Security: Unlike carrying large amounts of cash, a travel money card offers security features such as instant card blocking and fraud protection, safeguarding your funds throughout your journey.
- Cost Efficiency: Many travel money cards offer competitive exchange rates and low or no transaction fees, which can add up to significant savings on your trip.
Tips for Using Your Travel Money Card Effectively
Make the most of your travel money card with these practical tips:
- Inform Your Bank: Always notify your bank of your travel dates to ensure uninterrupted card use abroad.
- Carry a Backup: It’s wise to have a second card stored separately from your primary card for emergencies.
- Keep Tabs on Your Spending: Regularly monitor your expenditures through your card’s app or website to manage your budget effectively.
- Choose Local Currency: Opt for payments in the local currency instead of AUD to avoid extra conversion fees.
Key Considerations When Selecting a Travel Money Card
Choosing the right card requires considering several factors:
- Favorable Exchange Rates: Ensure the card offers good exchange rates for the Euro or other local currencies you will encounter.
- Minimal Fees: Look for a card with low fees for ATM withdrawals and other transactions. Transparency about any associated costs is crucial.
- Convenient Reload Options: Check if you can easily reload the card while traveling, either online or via an app.
- Robust Security Features: Opt for a card that offers features like temporary locking and geo-specific security settings.
- Reliable Customer Support: Ensure that you can access customer service easily, anytime and anywhere, should you need assistance.
FAQs
Yes, ordering euro from S Money can be cheaper than withdrawing money from an ATM overseas.
In fact, taking both cash and a card can be a great way to bring money to Europe. It is also more convenient to have cash on you before you arrive, one less thing to do in the airport when you arrive. Finally it’s handy to have cash to tip, for smaller purchases or transport.
Debit cards, prepaid cards and credit cards with Mastercard or Visa can be used in Europe in most places. Similar to Australia, American Express is also accepted but not as frequently, due to the costs American Express places on the seller. Best to avoid other types of cards as they might not be accepted.
Yes you can place Euros on a prepaid travel card or you can have your debit account linked to currency accounts like with Wise and Citibank. Most prepaid travel cards have hefty fees including initial card, loading, reloading, inactivity and ATM fees so while they are handy, there are cheaper alternatives on the market.
Yes Mastercard debit cards work in Europe and are one of the two cards most commonly accepted throughout Europe. If the ATM has a Mastercard, Cirrus or Maestro logo on it, two different coloured circles overlapping you can withdraw local currency with your Mastercard debit card.
As a general rule, working out how much spending money to take to Europe depends on where you go and your type of travel. If you travel on a budget to Eastern Europe it can cost $60 – $100 a day. If you travel in the middle range throughout Europe it can cost $250 – $300 per day. Finally if you travel with luxury throughout Europe it can cost anywhere from $400 per day.
Yes it is better to use a debit card in Europe as it is cheaper than using funds from a credit card which have an interest rate typically of 20%, they are accepted in most places for payment, they are secure and you can transfer money into the account easily overseas.
