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5 best Debit Cards for travelling overseas without foreign transaction fees
Avoid unnecessary fees when spending overseas. Discover 5 Australian debit cards with no foreign transaction fees and learn how to save on overseas purchases, ATM withdrawals, and travel expenses.
Do you use your debit card when overseas?
If so, it could be costing you more than you think.
Some Australian banks charge an international transaction fee when you use your debit card overseas. You may also pay a fee when withdrawing cash from an international ATM, on top of any fee charged by the ATM operator.It might not sound like much, but over the course of a trip, those small charges add up fast, eating into your holiday budget.
Wouldn’t you prefer to spend that money on delicious local food and unforgettable adventures?
With a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card, you can.
Here are 5 Australian debit cards and multi-currency cards with no foreign transaction fees, helping you keep more of your travel budget for experiences, not fees.
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Macquarie Transaction Account
The Macquarie Transaction Account is a popular option for Australians who want to avoid fees when spending overseas.
Macquarie charges no international transaction fees on overseas purchases and doesn’t charge a fee for withdrawing cash from overseas ATMs. However, international ATM operators may charge their own fees.
The account also has no monthly account-keeping fee, making it a straightforward option if you want to use your everyday debit card when travelling.
- Pros: No international transaction fees, no Macquarie fee for overseas ATM withdrawals, no monthly account-keeping fee
- Cons: Overseas ATM operators may charge their own fees
ING Orange Everyday
ING Orange Everyday is another Australian transaction account with no international transaction fees.
ING charges $0 for international transactions and $0 for international ATM withdrawals. However, the ATM operator may charge its own fee when you withdraw cash overseas.
The account also has no monthly account fee and comes with a Visa debit card that can be used worldwide wherever Visa is accepted.
For travellers who want to use an Australian bank account overseas without paying ING’s international transaction fees, Orange Everyday is worth considering.
- Pros: No international transaction fees, no ING fee for international ATM withdrawals, no monthly account fee
- Cons: Third-party ATM fees may still apply
Up
If you prefer managing your money through an app, Up is another Australian option to consider.
Up charges 0% international transaction fees and doesn’t charge a fee for international ATM withdrawals at most major bank ATMs. However, individual ATM operators may still charge their own fees.
The Up debit card can be used overseas, while the app lets you manage your spending and accounts from your phone.
- Pros: 0% international transaction fees, no monthly service fee, app-based money management
- Cons: Third-party ATM fees may still apply
Wise
Wise is a multi-currency financial service rather than a traditional Australian bank account. Its debit card is designed for spending and managing money in different currencies.
Wise lets Australian customers spend in 40+ currencies, using the mid-market exchange rate with a conversion fee when currency conversion is required. It doesn’t charge a separate foreign transaction fee simply for using your card overseas.
You can also hold multiple currencies in your Wise account, which can be useful if you travel frequently or visit several countries.
Wise currently allows Australian customers to withdraw up to AUD $400 per month from ATMs without a Wise ATM fee. Once you exceed that amount, a 2.69% fee applies to the amount over AUD $400. ATM operators may also charge their own fees.
- Pros: Mid-market exchange rate, multi-currency account, no separate foreign transaction fee, digital card available
- Cons: Currency conversion fees apply, ATM fees can apply after the monthly allowance
Learn more about how Wise works in our Wise card review.
Revolut
Revolut is a digital financial service that offers Australian customers a range of plans and card options.
With the Standard plan, you can spend and exchange foreign currencies during market hours without an additional exchange fee up to a AUD $2,000 rolling monthly allowance. Once you exceed this allowance, a 0.5% exchange fee applies. Standard customers also pay a 1% exchange fee on weekend currency exchanges.
For international ATM withdrawals, Standard customers can withdraw up to AUD $350 or make five withdrawals per rolling month, whichever comes first, without a Revolut fee. Withdrawals above this allowance are charged at 2%, subject to a minimum fee of AUD $1.50. The ATM operator may also charge its own fee.
Revolut offers physical, virtual and single-use virtual cards, making it a convenient option if you prefer managing your travel money through an app.
- Pros: Multi-currency account, physical and virtual cards, no monthly fee on the Standard plan, useful app-based money management
- Cons: Exchange fees can apply after the monthly allowance and on weekends, ATM fees apply after the Standard allowance
Find out more about Revolut in our Revolut card review.
Choosing the right no no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card for you
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of these 5 debit and multi-currency cards, showing their key perks and differences so you can determine which one suits your travel style.
| Card / account | Foreign transaction fees | ATM perks | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Macquarie Transaction Account | None | No Macquarie fee for overseas ATM withdrawals | Travellers who want a traditional Australian bank |
| ING Orange Everyday | None | No ING fee for international ATM withdrawals | Travellers who want a simple everyday account |
| Up | 0% | Free at most major bank ATMs | App-focused travellers |
| Wise Debit Card | No separate foreign transaction fee; conversion fees apply | Free up to AUD $400/month, then 2.69% on the amount over AUD $400 | Frequent travellers who want a multi-currency account |
| Revolut Standard | No additional exchange fee within the allowance; exchange fees can apply after the limit or on weekends | Free up to AUD $350 or 5 international withdrawals per rolling month | Travellers who prefer app-based money management |
Tips for choosing the best debit card abroad
When choosing a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card to use overseas, look beyond the international transaction fee. Check the provider’s ATM fees, exchange rates, withdrawal limits and other charges before you travel.
Even when your bank doesn’t charge an overseas ATM fee, the ATM operator may charge you directly. Where possible, look for ATMs operated by established banks and check the fee displayed on the screen before confirming your withdrawal.
If you travel frequently, compare how much you can withdraw before your provider starts charging an ATM fee. Some cards have monthly withdrawal allowances, while others don’t charge their own overseas ATM fee at all.
Here are a couple of additional tips:
- Travel safety features: Look for a provider that offers physical and virtual cards, as well as mobile wallet support such as Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you lose your physical card, you may still be able to pay using your smartphone.
- Money-saving travel perks: Some debit and multi-currency cards offer cashback, rewards or other benefits. Compare these features alongside the account’s international transaction and ATM fees to see whether they suit your travel habits.
- Choose local currency: When paying by card or withdrawing cash overseas, you may be offered the choice of paying in Australian dollars or the local currency. Choosing the local currency will generally allow your card provider to handle the currency conversion rather than using the merchant’s or ATM’s exchange rate.
Travel smarter with Holafly eSIM and no-fee cards
Maximise your savings by pairing a no-foreign-transaction-fee debit card with a Holafly eSIM. You can avoid unexpected card fees while reducing your reliance on potentially expensive mobile roaming, leaving more of your budget for the experiences that matter.
With Holafly’s unlimited data plans, you can connect to WhatsApp, maps, and travel apps the moment you land, helping you get your trip underway without searching for Wi-Fi.
What’s more, with Holafly’s 1 GB of Always On backup data, you’ll be covered as long as your Holafly eSIM stays with you. So, don’t delete your eSIM! Get any Holafly eSIM plan, and we’ll automatically become your travel companion with backup data in 70+ global destinations.
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Formerly a travel journalist turned marketing copywriter, I found my way back to the travel world with Holafly—my dream company that made remote work possible. My motto? “Dream big and make it happen.” I’m passionate about writing, exploring the world, and staying active through walking, running, swimming, and hiking. I also love learning, reflecting, and connecting with inspiring minds.
