We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Using Visa Debit Abroad vs Currency Exchange?

HI, I'm travelling to italy in a few days and can't decide whether it will be best to transfer spending money (£500) into Euro's and risk carrying it around (with risk of a lot of pickpockets etc.) or do I just take a few euro's and use my HSBC Visa Debit at ATM's Shops when I get there?

I have a HSBC Advanced account so I only have to worry about a 2.75% non-sterling fee.

What should I do?

Comments

  • eDicky
    eDicky Posts: 6,835 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Use the Revolut prepaid MasterCard and top it up as needed with your debit card.

    https://revolut.com
    Evolution, not revolution
  • dj1471
    dj1471 Posts: 1,969 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Home Insurance Hacker!
    In my experience paying a fee of around 3% works out cheaper than the best rate you can get exchanging cash. Just make sure they don't charge an ATM fee on top.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.3K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.2K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.9K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.4K Life & Family
  • 261.4K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.