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Money & Costs Updated April 2026

Best Travel Cards for the UK

The real comparison of Wise, Revolut, Monzo and Starling for UK travel — fees, exchange rates and which card to pick.

InfoUK.org · Independent guide · Not affiliated with any government

Why Not Your Home Card

Your home debit card will work at UK ATMs and card terminals, but you'll lose 2-5% to fees:

  • Foreign transaction fee (1-3%)
  • Currency conversion markup (1-3%)
  • ATM withdrawal fee ($3-8 per withdrawal)
  • DCC (dynamic currency conversion) if you accidentally pay in home currency (5-7%)
💷 Example: A £100 purchase on a typical US debit card costs about $131 (at £1 = $1.28). With Wise or Revolut, same £100 costs about $128 — $3 saved per £100. Over a 2-week trip spending £2,000, that's £50+ saved.

The Top Options

CardBest forSignup
WiseBest all-round5 min, ship card in 2 weeks
RevolutMulti-currency + crypto5 min, instant virtual card
MonzoUK residents10 min, UK address needed
StarlingUK residents10 min, UK address needed
Chase (UK)Cashback10 min, needs UK address

Fees Compared

CardFX markupATM feeMonthly
Wise0.35-0.70%Free £200/monthFree
Revolut (free)0-1%Free £200/monthFree
Revolut Premium0%Free £400/month£7.99
MonzoFreeFree £200/monthFree
Starling0%Free worldwideFree
Typical home bank3-5%£3-8 per withdrawalUsually free

ATM Withdrawals

  • LINK network — 50,000 ATMs in the UK, free at most (including Tesco, Sainsbury's)
  • Avoid: standalone ATMs in corner shops (£1.50-3 fee)
  • Most bank ATMs free with any UK or Wise/Revolut card
  • Decline "conversion to home currency" — always choose GBP

Which to Pick

  • Short trip (1-4 weeks): Wise — open online, card arrives in 2 weeks, use in 170 countries
  • Longer trip + EU travel: Revolut — multi-currency, great for Europe too
  • Long stay (3+ months): Monzo or Starling — UK bank with coral/teal card, bill splits with friends
  • Already bank with HSBC worldwide?: HSBC Global Money Account — free transfers between HSBC accounts
💳 Backup card: Always travel with 2 cards from different networks (one Wise + one Revolut). If one is lost/stolen, the other keeps you going. Store the backup separately.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best travel card for the UK?

Wise for most travelers — real exchange rate, near-zero fees. Revolut is a close second with good multi-currency features.

Will my home debit card work in the UK?

Yes, almost anywhere — but expect 2-3% foreign transaction fees. Contactless is accepted everywhere.

Do I need cash in the UK?

Not much — the UK is largely cashless. £30-50 cash for occasional stalls, tips or small pubs is enough.

Does Revolut work in the UK?

Yes — Revolut is UK-licensed and widely used. Free tier covers most travelers; Premium (£7.99/month) adds travel insurance.