The Best Travel Cards for Australians Visiting Singapore
Planning a trip to Singapore? Ensure your vacation from Australia is as smooth as silk by choosing the right travel money card. Singapore offers a plethora of sights and sounds, from the futuristic Gardens by the Bay to the bustling markets of Chinatown. With the right travel money card in your pocket, you can enjoy everything the Lion City has to offer without worrying about foreign transaction fees or exchange rate mishaps.
In this guide, we'll walk you through the best travel money cards available for Australians heading to Singapore.
We have looked at the best travel card for overseas in 2024 and summarised their best points.
Best 6 Travel Money Cards for Singapore in 2024:
- Wise Travel Card - for the best exchange rates
- Revolut Travel Card for low fees
- Travelex Money Card - best all rounder
- HSBC Global Everyday Debit Card for ATM cash withdrawals
- Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card for lowest interest rate
- ING One Low Rate Credit Card with no annual fee
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 Singapore
The Wise Travel Card is an excellent choice for people traveling to Singapore, offering a multitude of benefits tailored to international visitors.
One of the key advantages is access to over 40 currencies at the interbank exchange rate, widely acknowledged as the most cost-effective globally. This is particularly useful for travellers coming to Singapore, as they can exchange their home currency for Singapore Dollars (SGD) at very competitive rates. However if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees. Finally Wise Travel Card lets you transfer money to an overseas bank account with extremely low fees and the best exchange rate.
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 Singapore
The Revolut Travel Card is a decent option for those who travel a lot as it offers over 30 currencies at a great exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. However if you exchange currency on the weekend you can incur a two-percent mark-up fee. In addition they have introduced fees for international transfers. Finally if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees.
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 in Singapore
The Travelex Money Card is a good all-rounder no matter if you are heading over the bridge to Sentosa, or exploring the breathtaking night safari at the zoo.
You can use it 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 Wise or Revolut, the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good. This asset can be of great assistance while traversing the vast and varied sites, sounds and flavours of Singapore.
HSBC Everyday Global Travel Card - Best Debit Card
Key Features
- Great exchange rates
- No fees at ATMs to withdraw cash
- No international transaction fees
- No initial card, closure, account keeping or monthly fees
- No cross currency conversion fees
Fees and limits
- 10 Currencies can be loaded are JPY, USD, AUD, EUR, GBP, CAD, NZD, SGD, INR and CNY (currency restrictions on CNY)
- No maximum balance for any currency
- Very competitive exchange rates on all currencies when you have currencies already loaded on your card
- ATMs within Australia need to be HSBC and overseas they need to display a VISA or VISA Plus logo, not be be charged fees
- Earn 2% cash back when you tap and pay with payWave, Apple Pay or Google Pay for purchases under $100.
- Daily maximum ATM withdrawal is $2,000
- Fraud protection covered by Visa Zero Liability
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The HSBC Everyday Global Travel Card is a good option to take overseas and to spend money with no international transaction fees, international ATM fees and monthly fees.
There is no maximum balance on currencies held and a 2% cash back incentive when you tap and pay under $100.
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.
ING One Low Rate Credit Card - No Annual Fee
Key Features
- No annual fee
- No international transaction fees on purchases
- Up to 45 days interest free on purchases
- Lowest cash advance interest rate of 11.99%
- Use instalment plans to pay off your purchases over time at a lower interest rate
Fees and limits
- 11.99% interest rate on purchases
- $6,000 minimum credit card
- Make payments from your mobile with pay with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- International ATM fee and Foreign currency conversion fee are waived when you deposit $1,000 into your Orange Everyday each month, and make 5+ card purchases that are settled. Otherwise they are the higher of 3% or at least $3
- Put repayments on auto payment each month to pay the minimum balance or full amount
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The ING One Low Rate credit card for travel is a great option to take for your next overseas trip as it has one of the lowest interest rates with no international transaction fee on purchases. These two features alone will save you lots of money abroad.
In addition, it has no annual fee, offers 45 days interest free on purchases and it offers the one of the lowest interest rates for cash advances. Finally, it's super versatile. You can make payments from your mobile with Apple Pay and Google Pay.
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Choosing the Right Travel Money Card for Singapore
When choosing a travel money card for your trip to Singapore, consider currency conversion rates, withdrawal fees, and ease of use. Here are some key features to look for:
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Opt for cards that do not charge additional fees for transactions in foreign currencies.
- Competitive Exchange Rates: Some cards offer rates closer to the interbank rate, which can lead to significant savings.
- ATM Network: Ensure the card is widely accepted at ATMs in Singapore, giving you easy access to cash whenever needed.
- Reloadable: A card that you can easily top up online or via an app can be incredibly convenient, especially if you're planning a longer stay.
Using Your Travel Money Card in Singapore
Once you've selected your travel money card, understanding how to use it effectively in Singapore should be your next step. Here are some tips:
- Inform Your Bank: Before you leave, inform your bank of your travel plans to avoid any blocks on your card.
- Daily Limits: Be aware of any daily withdrawal or spending limits and plan your expenditures accordingly.
- Backup Options: Always have a backup payment method, such as a second card or some cash, in case of emergencies.
Managing Finances While Traveling
Effectively managing your finances while abroad can help prevent overspending and ensure you have a pleasant travel experience. Use these strategies:
- Track Your Spending: Use your card’s app or a budget tracking app to keep an eye on your expenses. This is particularly important in a city like Singapore where it's easy to splurge.
- Local Partnerships: Some travel money cards offer discounts at partner restaurants, shops, and attractions. Take advantage of these offers to save money.
- Customer Support: Ensure that your card provider offers 24/7 customer support in case you face any issues during your trip.
FAQs
The best travel card for Singapore is the Wise Multi Currency card for tap or swipe large transactions like accommodation and restaurants. Wise offers the best exchange rate for Singapore dollars globally and charges no international transaction fees.
HSBC Global and Citibank Plus cards are the best for ATM withdrawals and great exchange rates for Singapore dollars. Both these cards charge no international transaction fee and can be used within Australia without penalties.
The best credit cards for Singapore are the BankWest Platinum Breeze and ING One Low Rate as they have the lowest interest rates on the market with and charge no international transaction fees.
Yes, you should bring cash to Singapore and buy Singapore dollars before you travel to Singapore. It is one of the best ways to take money to Singapore. Having Singapore dollars on hand when you arrive at the airport will make your life a lot easier. The airport is also the most expensive place to exchange currency, so you will save a lot of money as well. Even though Singapore is card friendly, having cash on hand will always be handy for small purchases, tipping and paying for transport.
HSBC and Citibank have the best travel money cards for Singapore. Both have lots of ATMs within Singapore, both offer fantastic exchange rates for the Singapore dollar and both offer ‘no international transaction fees’.
A travel money card is more secure than cash because you need your pin to authorise transactions, if you lose cash you are unlikely to have it returned. If your travel money card is stolen, then you can report it lost or stolen online quickly. It is also less bulky to carry 2 or 3 cards than lots of cash.
The best prepaid cards for Singapore are Wise, HSBC and Citibank which offer the most competitive cards in the market. Other older style prepaid cards like Australia Post, Cash Passport, Travel Money Oz and Travelex have lots of charges like load, unload, inactivity, ATM withdrawals and initial card fees.
You can place money on your travel money card online and paying by direct debit from your bank account will cost you the least. Log in to your bank account, transfer your funds into the travel money card and the money should be there within 24 hours.
As a general rule, working out how much money to take to Singapore depends on where you go and your type of travel.
If you travel on a budget to Singapore it can cost from $70 a day. If you travel in the middle range throughout Singapore it can cost from $150 per day. Finally if you travel with luxury throughout Singapore it can cost anywhere from $300 per day.
You can only use Singapore dollars in Singapore, you can not use Australian dollars or US dollars. The currency used in Singapore is the Singapore dollar. There are 4 commonly used bank notes with different colours, they are $2, $5, $10, $50, $500 and $1,000. There are 5 coins, they are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c and $1.
