Use a card for daily spending
A travel card or multi-currency card can be convenient, but check card conversion fees, weekend markups, ATM limits, and whether the merchant offers a worse home-currency conversion at checkout.
Travel money guide
A simple checklist for spending, withdrawing cash, and changing money while travelling. Rates and fees change often, so always confirm the final quote inside the app, ATM, card terminal, or exchange counter before paying.
Best way to change money
Keep some local cash
Use cash for small shops, markets, drivers, tips, temples, and backup situations. Avoid changing a large amount at the airport unless convenience matters more than the rate.
Compare the final cash value
The best quote is not always the highest headline rate. Compare the local cash or spending value after exchange spread, card fee, ATM owner fee, weekend markup, and counter charges.
When to change money
- Weekdays are usually cleaner for FX because markets are open and providers can price risk more tightly.
- Weekend quotes can be worse or include extra markup because markets are closed and providers protect against Monday moves.
- If your trip is close, do not wait until the last day just for a tiny possible rate improvement.
- For bigger trip budgets, change only a starter amount first, then compare again once you arrive if rates and fees look better.
- Before public holidays or long weekends, check rates earlier because banking rails and cash counters can be slower.
Wise, Revolut, and similar travel apps
- Wise fees can vary by currency, card, withdrawal, and conversion route. Check the exact fee before topping up, converting, or withdrawing cash.
- Revolut fees vary by country, plan, currency, usage limit, and timing. Some plans or weekend exchanges may have different pricing.
- Check whether you are converting before you travel, spending directly by card, or withdrawing cash. Each action can have different fees.
- Look for monthly fair-use limits. A quote may look free until you pass a plan limit, use an ATM, or exchange during a weekend/closed-market window.
Quick checklist before paying
- What is the final local cash amount or card spending value?
- Is the exchange rate guaranteed, and for how long?
- Is there a fixed fee, percentage fee, weekend fee, card fee, ATM fee, or counter fee?
- Is the ATM or counter adding its own fee before you accept?
- Are you paying in local currency instead of accepting a merchant's home-currency conversion?