Best Travel Debit Cards for Long-Term Travel in 2025
Not all debit cards are built for long-term travel, and the wrong one can cost you more than just foreign transaction fees. After months of research (and a few bank-related meltdowns), here’s what we’re using for our upcoming year abroad, why it matters for families on the move, and how to choose the right travel card for your own trip.
When you’re planning long-term travel, especially with a family, you think about flights, gear, maybe vaccinations.
But you know what’s quietly critical (and what nobody tells you upfront)?
Your travel debit card.
If you’re moving countries every few weeks, or living abroad for months at a time, your card becomes your lifeline to your money. And choosing the wrong one means:
Steep ATM fees
Rubbish exchange rates
Cards blocked mid-trip (cheers, HSBC)
Lost hours on hold with customer service
We’ve been researching and testing travel-friendly cards for our own year-long family adventure through South America and we’ve learned what matters.
Here’s what to look for, what we’re using, and why it’s worth getting right.
What to Look for in a Travel Debit Card
Not all debit cards are built for global movement. If you’re travelling long-term, look for these key features:
1. No (or low) foreign transaction fees
Many bank cards charge 1–3% on every overseas purchase. Over a year, that’s hundreds wasted.
2. Low ATM withdrawal fees
You’ll be using cash more often than you think, especially in parts of South America or Southeast Asia. Some cards reimburse ATM fees, others charge a flat rate.
3. Real exchange rates
Avoid cards that “helpfully” convert currencies for you at inflated rates. Look for mid-market rates with full transparency.
4. Multi-currency support
The ability to hold, send, and spend in multiple currencies saves you conversion fees (and stress). Great if you’re earning or paying in USD, GBP, or EUR while abroad.
5. Reliable international support
You need a solid app, freeze/unfreeze options, and support that won’t make you cry from a hostel Wi-Fi connection.
Our Top Pick: The Wise Debit Card
We’re not sponsored just seriously impressed. Wise is the card we’ve chosen for our long-term family travels through South America, and here’s why:
Why we'll use it:
Transparent mid-market exchange rates
Super low conversion and ATM fees
Instant top-ups from UK bank
Works in 160+ countries
App is clean, fast, and helpful
You can get a virtual card for online bookings
Real-world example:
We ran the numbers on a €200 ATM withdrawal. With Halifax, we’d pay nearly £10 in fees a £4.75 flat charge plus 2.99% on the amount withdrawn.
That adds up fast.
Downsides?
Some ATMs still charge a local fee (not Wise’s fault)
Free withdrawals are capped monthly unless you upgrade (still generous)
👉 Sign up for Wise here
If you travel more than 2x a year or plan to live abroad — this card will likely save you more than you’d think.
Other Travel-Friendly Debit Cards to Consider
| Card | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Revolut: | Great budgeting app, flexible plans | Weekend exchange fee quirks, capped withdrawals on free plan |
| Monzo: | Instant transaction alerts, UK favourite | Limited fee-free withdrawals abroad |
| Charles Schwab: | No ATM fees worldwide (US only) | Only available to US residents, setup can be slow |
They’re all decent but if you’re going long-term, especially across multiple regions, Wise is the most versatile for global, real-life use.
Our Best Money Tips for Long-Term Travellers
Bring two cards, one stored separately as backup
Always withdraw in local currency (don’t accept the ATM’s conversion offer!)
Use virtual cards for hotel + transport bookings
Notify your bank before international use, or go digital and skip the drama
Wise vs Revolut vs Monzo — Which One’s Right for You?
Not every traveller has the same needs, and while Wise is our go-to for long-term travel, here’s how it compares to two other big players in the space.
Feature
| Wise | Revolut | Monzo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Availability: | Global (160+ countries) | EU, US, UK, AUS, etc. | UK & US only |
| FX Rate: | Mid-market, transparent | Mid-market (limited on free) | Mid-market (with markup abroad) |
| ATM Withdrawals: | Free up to limit, then low fee | Free up to €200, then 2% fee | £200 limit abroad (free) |
Multi-currency Account: | 40+ currencies supported | 30+ currencies | GBP account only |
Virtual Card: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
App Experience: | Excellent (top-rated) | Slick, flexible | Clean + intuitive |
| Ideal For: | Long-term & family travel | Frequent short trips, EU-based | UK-based short-term travelers |
Why we chose Wise:
For multi-country family travel, Wise gave us the most flexibility with the fewest surprise fees. It handles local spending and international transfers with no nonsense.
Who Needs a Travel Debit Card Like This?
You might be wondering: Do I actually need one of these?
If you’re going on a 10-day beach holiday, probably not.
But if you’re planning any of the following, you’re the exact kind of traveller who benefits most from a Wise-style debit card:
You’re spending across categories, food, taxis, groceries, and accommodations.
Wise lets you track and separate expenses across currencies.
Plus, you’ll avoid bank blocks from “suspicious” activity in three countries in 10 days.
Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
If you earn in one currency and spend in another, or juggle USD, EUR, GBP and local currencies this is a no-brainer.
You can hold balances in multiple currencies
Pay freelancers or receive payments with minimal conversion loss
Long-Term & Slow Travellers
Whether you’re on a gap year, sabbatical, or indefinite slow travel journey:
Regular ATM use adds up so does poor conversion
Wise gives you fee transparency, which is rare and crucial
Expats / Worldschooling Families
If you’re paying for things like local rent, tutoring, or private medical expenses abroad:
You’ll likely need to transfer between banks or top up your account
Wise makes this easier (and cheaper) than most banks
No matter your travel style, if you’re going beyond “all inclusive” a global-first card pays off.
How to Set Up a Wise Account Step-by-Step
It’s surprisingly easy (even for tech-frustrated parents like us). Here’s what we did:
1. Create an Account
Go to Wise (our link may include free transfer perks)
Sign up with your name, email, and country
Set a secure password
2. Verify Your Identity
Upload a government-issued ID (passport or driver’s license)
This usually takes under 24 hours
3. Order Your Debit Card
Choose the Wise Multi-Currency Card
Ships in ~7 business days depending on your location
Works with Apple Pay + Google Pay
4. Top Up Your Account
Connect your home bank account or card
Transfer funds into your Wise wallet
You can hold and convert between over 40 currencies
5. Start Spending, Online or Abroad
Use the app to freeze/unfreeze your card, set limits, or create a virtual card
Withdraw at ATMs or pay directly with your physical or digital card
It’s the kind of setup we wish traditional banks had 10 years ago.
Final Thoughts: Choose a Card That Works With You
We’ve spent months planning our long-term family trip, flights, gear, schooling but money access is the quiet backbone of this lifestyle.
Don’t let bad fees or frozen cards trip you up.
🎯 Wise is what we’re using for our travels, it’s what we’ve tested, what we trust, and what we genuinely recommend.
👉 Get your Wise card here
And start your travels without worrying about how to use your money.
