Comparison hub

Cards vs Cash vs ATM: Which costs least abroad?

Every way to spend abroad has different costs. We compare the most popular methods so you can see exactly where your money goes.

Method
Exchange rate
FX fees
ATM cost
Best for
Rating
Multi-currency (Wise) ↗
Mid-market
0.35%–1.5%
Free up to £250/mo (UK)
Everyday spending everywhere
9.5/10
Travel credit card
Network rate
0% on travel cards
Cash advance trap
Large purchases, hotels, car rental
8.5/10
Digital banking (Revolut) ↗
Interbank (wkday)
0% (paid plans)
Free up to £200/mo
All-in-one + perks
8.5/10
Prepaid travel card
2–4% markup
Built into rate
$1.50–3/withdrawal
Budget control, gifting
6.0/10
Bank debit card
3–5% markup
2.5–3%
$3–5 + 2.5%
Avoid if possible
3.0/10
Airport exchange
5–12% markup
N/A
N/A
Emergency only
2.0/10
Typical fees; Wise ATM allowance checked against wise.com on 2 Oct 2026, other rows not re-checked since July 2026. Links marked ↗ are external links to the provider. Actual costs vary by provider, amount, and currency.

Real scenario: Spending $1,000 in Japan

What you'd actually get in Japanese yen after all fees:

Wise (mid-market rate) ~¥156,900 best rate
Travel credit card (no FX fee) ~¥156,400 -¥500
Revolut (interbank, weekday) ~¥156,400 -¥500
Prepaid travel card ~¥153,600 -¥3,300
Regular bank debit card ~¥150,400 -¥6,500

Based on USD/JPY ≈ 158, derived from the European Central Bank euro reference rates of 1 October 2026 (EUR/USD 1.1298, EUR/JPY 178.49). Figures are illustrative and use the typical fee levels in the table above; actual rates move daily. The gap between the best and worst option here is roughly $40 on a $1,000 trip.

Which method for which situation?

Multi-country Euro trip

Wise + travel credit card. Hold EUR, spend across the Eurozone with zero markup.

Cash-heavy country (Japan, Morocco)

Multi-currency debit card for ATM withdrawals + cash backup. Decline DCC always.

US road trip

Travel credit card for every purchase. Zero FX fees + rewards + purchase protection.

Backpacking Southeast Asia

Multi-currency card + cash. Withdraw max amounts to minimize $3-6 ATM fees. Keep USD backup.

Business travel

Premium travel credit card. Lounge access, travel insurance, expense tracking, zero FX fees.

Budget traveler

Free multi-currency account (Wise) + no-fee travel credit card. Zero annual fees, near-zero FX costs.

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Disclaimer: This information is for general reference only and does not constitute financial advice. Exchange rates, fees, and product features are subject to change. Always check the provider's official website for current rates and terms before making a decision.