Money isn’t the most exciting part of travel, but it can definitely make or break a trip. When I travel, I like to keep things simple: travel-friendly credit cards for most purchases, a bit of cash for small shops or street food, and a debit card tucked away for emergencies. It’s a system that’s worked for me everywhere from Tokyo to Prague — no surprise fees, no frozen cards, just smooth spending wherever I go.
It’s a setup that’s worked smoothly across different countries. But depending on where you’re headed, not all cards are accepted (or worth using). And depending on the country, the “best” card can look very different. Some destinations favor Visa, others love Mastercard or even local networks.
So, in this post, I’m breaking down the best cards for travelers by country — based on real travel experiences, what’s accepted where, and which ones actually help you avoid unnecessary fees while exploring the world.
Table of Contents
💳 Credit Cards
✅ Pros
- Better protection: Most credit cards offer fraud protection, dispute resolution, and travel insurance (like trip cancellation, rental car coverage, or lost luggage reimbursement). So in case of disruption during your travel, and you don’t have travel insurance, be sure to check the coverage provided by the credit card you used.
- Exchange rates: Often use favorable interbank exchange rates, better than cash exchange bureaus. When charging overseas, remember to select local currency instead of USD.
- Rewards & points: Earn miles, cashback, or travel rewards on purchases.
- Emergency backup: If your debit card is lost or frozen, you can still access funds through credit.
- Hotel & car rental holds: Easier to use — deposits are authorized, not withdrawn, so your actual cash isn’t tied up.
⚠️ Cons
- Possible foreign transaction fees (FTF): Some cards charge ~3% per purchase abroad (though many travel cards waive this). It is important to check if your card charges FTF before your trip because it can add up very quickly. Only bring the cards that do not charge FTF, so there’s no chance of you using the wrong card.
- Interest risk: If you can’t pay off the balance right away, interest can add up quickly. To ensure you don’t overspend, you can set up a personal spending limit.
- Cash advances: Using it at ATMs incurs high fees and interest immediately.
💡 Best For
- Paying for hotels, car rentals, flights, and larger purchases.
- Situations where you want fraud protection and travel perks.
🏧 Debit Cards
✅ Pros
- Direct access to your money: You’re spending your own funds, not borrowing.
- Cash withdrawals: Great for getting local currency from ATMs (usually better rates than currency exchange kiosks).
- No interest or debt.
⚠️ Cons
- Limited protection: Fraudulent charges can temporarily lock up your cash until resolved.
- ATM fees: Both your bank and the local bank may charge fees unless your bank refunds them.
- Holds on funds: Hotels or car rentals can freeze part of your balance, making it unavailable.
- Daily limits: Withdrawal or spending limits might disrupt travel plans.
💡 Best For
- Withdrawing local cash and smaller daily expenses (like meals, local transport, or souvenirs).
✈️ Travel Credit Cards (No Foreign Transaction Fees)
Here are a few favorites:
| Card | Why I Like It for Travel | Trade-offs / What to Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|
| Chase Sapphire Preferred® | Flexible travel rewards, good multipliers on travel & dining, and no FTF | Has an annual fee (but it tends to be worth it for frequent travelers) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | Flexible travel rewards and no FTF, similar to the Preferred, but with more perks. | Has a much higher annual fee comparing to the Preferred. Only sign up for the Reserve if you think you’ll use most of the perks. |
| Capital One Venture / VentureOne | No FTF, solid rewards on everyday spending | The premium version has a higher annual fee |
| American Express (no-FTF options) | A few Amex cards waive FTF and offer nice bonus categories | Amex isn’t accepted everywhere; always have a Visa/Mastercard backup |
How I use them on trips: I’ll pay for lodging, tours, transport, and dining on one of these no-FTF credit cards. If there’s any issue with a charge (wrong amount, double billing, etc.), having it on credit gives me leverage to dispute it without tying up my own funds.
🏧 Travel-Friendly Debit Cards (for Cash Withdrawals)
No matter how “cashless” some places seem, you’ll often need local currency — for taxis, small shops, tips, or where cards aren’t accepted. A good travel debit card minimizes or eliminates the usual ATM + foreign transaction fees.
Many of us would simply use the debit card associated with our bank account. Be sure to check the T&Cs, or meet with a local banker, to understand the fees that may incur when withdrawing from an ATM overseas or any FTF. Another option would be using any of the below cards:
| Debit Account / Card | What Makes It Travel Friendly | Things to Double-Check |
|---|---|---|
| Charles Schwab High Yield Investor Checking + Schwab Visa Debit | No FTF, unlimited rebates of ATM fees worldwide, no account fees. Many travel bloggers swear by it. | You may still face a local bank’s “ATM access fee” — but Schwab typically reimburses it |
| Capital One 360 Checking + Debit | No FTF, no ATM fees (for many machines) | They won’t always reimburse the ATM operator’s surcharge |
| Wise Multi-Currency Card | This is a “travel-oriented” debit card: you can hold multiple currencies, spend at the mid-market rate, and pay very low withdrawal fees after a certain free threshold. | For large withdrawals, check their fee schedule |
| Revolut / Betterment / Similar fintechs | These app-based accounts often waive FTFs and reimburse ATM fees. | They may have monthly withdrawal limits or “premium plan” requirements |
How I use them on trips: I typically exchange a small amount of the local currency to bring with me. That way, I’ll have some cash to spend before I can exchange for some more, or withdraw from an ATM. Once I’m out of cash mid-trip, I’ll withdraw more rather than carry too much in my wallet. Monitor each withdrawal for hidden fees.
🌏 Country-Specific Cards That Make Travel Easier
If you’ve ever fumbled for coins at a subway gate or tried to make your credit card work on a vending machine that only takes local transit cards — you’ll understand why country-specific cards can be absolute lifesavers.
During my trip to Japan, I watched locals just tap-and-go while I was still figuring out ticket machines. One Suica card later, everything changed.
These cards aren’t just for trains — they now double as digital wallets for coffee, snacks, and even lockers. Here are a few country-specific cards worth knowing about, along with whether you can add them digitally before your trip.
🇯🇵 Japan — Suica / Pasmo / ICOCA
What it’s for: Trains, subways, buses, convenience stores, vending machines, and lockers nationwide.
Why it’s great: One tap does it all — no more paper tickets or small change. Works across most regions.
Suica is the prepaid IC card by JR East for JR trains in the Greater Tokyo, Niigata and Sendai regions. The standard physical Suica card is good for 10 years from the last date it was used. A special version of Suica, called Welcome Suica (red instead of green), is available to foreign tourists. The special cards are valid for only 28 days, come without a deposit fee, but do not allow refunds. 
Pasmo is the prepaid IC card of Tokyo’s railway, subway and bus operators other than Japan Railways (JR).
Icoca is the prepaid IC card of JR West for JR trains in the Kansai (incl. Osaka and Kyoto), Chugoku and Hokuriku regions.
Digital version: ✅ Yes!
- Apple Wallet: Add Suica or Pasmo directly on iPhone or Apple Watch (works on international models).
- Android: Use the Mobile Suica app (FeliCa-enabled phones only).
- Tip: The Welcome Suica for visitors doesn’t need a deposit or Japanese address. An app version, Welcome Suica Mobile, is available for Iphones and is valid for 180 days instead of just four weeks.
- Good to know: Keep some cash for small shops. Refunds are possible for physical cards at JR stations.
- iPhone users: read helpful tips from Apple support page about IC digital cards.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Oyster Card / Contactless Pay
What it’s for: London’s Tube, buses, trains, ferries.
Why it’s great: Daily fare caps and fast tap-in/out across the whole TfL network.
Digital version: ✅ Yes!
- Use Apple Pay, Google Pay, or any contactless card directly — same fare caps as Oyster.
- Manage via the TfL Go or Oyster app.
Good to know: Always tap in and out with the same device or card to avoid overcharges.
🇪🇸 Spain (Basque Country) — Barik Card
What it’s for: Metro, bus, and tram in Bilbao and Biscay.
Why it’s great: Cheaper fares than buying single tickets.
Digital version: ⚠️ Partial.
- Barik app lets you check balance and top up, but physical card still needed for tapping.
Good to know: If you’re just taking a few rides, buying single tickets may be simpler.
🇮🇹 Italy (Rome & Lazio) — Metrebus Card
What it’s for: Metro, buses, trams, and regional trains in Rome.
Why it’s great: Lets you load passes and skip long ticket lines.
Digital version: ⚠️ Partial.
- Apps like myCicero or TicketAppy sell digital QR tickets for certain routes.
Good to know: Not all gates accept QR codes yet, so physical cards are still more reliable.
✅ When It’s Worth Using a Local/Transit Card versus Just Credit/Debit
From everything I’ve seen:
- If you’re going to be using public transit frequently (daily commuting, multiple rides per day), using a transit smart card tends to be cheaper, more convenient, and saves you time.
- For small local purchases (snacks, vending machines, etc.) in places that accept the local payment card (e.g. IC in Japan), smart/IC cards help reduce the friction of needing exact change or waiting in line for tickets.
- If credit/debit cards in that country have foreign transaction fees, or places that don’t accept international cards easily, local cards help you avoid that. Or at least reduce the number of times you have to withdraw cash.
- If using mobile versions (wallet integration) of transit cards, that’s even better, because you lose less (no risk losing the card, etc.)
⚠️ What to Check Before Relying on Them
- How easy is it to get the card when you arrive? (airport, train stations, etc.)
- Where & how you can top it up (do you need cash, or can you use your international credit/debit?).
- Whether there’s a refund/deposit policy (if you return the card or certain agencies allow refunds on leftover balance).
- Whether the smart-card is interoperable (if it works outside just one city or transit company).
- Whether there are discounts / caps (e.g. daily caps, multi-ride deals) which make the cost better than single tickets.
- Whether small vendors accept cards vs cash in that country (sometimes cash still wins for tiny shops or remote places).
✈️ My Takeaway
If you’re heading to Japan or London, go digital — you’ll love how easy it feels to just tap your phone and go.
In Spain and Italy, physical cards are still the safer bet for now, though apps are catching up fast.
So here’s my travel trio that keeps me sane:
💳 Use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees for big purchases,
💰 A travel debit card for ATM cash,
🚇 And a local transit card (or its mobile version) for quick, everyday rides.
At the end of the day, managing money while traveling isn’t about having the “perfect” card — it’s about finding what makes your trip easier. With the right cards in your wallet — and a little awareness of what works best in each country. It’s the little things like this that make a trip smoother — less fumbling, more wandering.
I hope you find these tips practical and helpful. This, of course, is not a complete list as I haven’t traveled everywhere in the world! I could only share what I’ve experienced! If you have tips for other countries that I haven’t included here, please share. I’ll be glad to add to the post and credit you for it.
📝My Go-To Money Routine Every Trip
- Before departure
- Notify all banks/issuers of travel plans (dates, countries) so they don’t flag activity as fraud.
- Double-check card settings that allow “international usage” or “chip & PIN.”
- Carry two credit cards (no-FTF) + one travel debit + one backup card stashed separately.
- At the airport / arrival
- Use credit card for large purchases (airline, ride to the city).
- At the first large bank ATM, withdraw a modest amount of local cash.
- Keep a little cash in a hidden spot for emergencies.
- Purchase and load up a local card if applicable.
- During the trip
- Day-to-day: credit card for hotels, restaurants, tours.
- Cash for street markets, food stalls, small transport.
- Every few days, top up cash/local card if needed — watching for ATM fees.
- Check daily spending and balance via app, and lock a card (disable if lost) if needed.
- Post-trip
- Reconcile foreign purchases, convert bonuses/points.
- If any fee reimbursements (e.g. from Schwab), check they showed up.
- Trip summary: Personally, I prefer using cards over cash — it makes tracking so much easier. When the trip’s over, I can simply look back at my statements to see where the money went and total up the full cost. It’s a small habit, but it helps me stay mindful of how I spend and what each trip really costs.
Making Memories 
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