Cheapest way for cash abroad?

SunflowerSalad

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TadleyBaggie

I use either my Starling or Chase debit cards to get gas out of ATMs when abroad, no fees and the exchange rate is always good. Finding an ATM that doesn't charge a fixed fee nowadays is hard but by taking a a larger withdrawal help to mitigate this.

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82137127#Comment_82137127

You haven't read the final line of the OP. That being said that is going to exclude the OP from almost any decent option.

TadleyBaggie

I just assumed that the OP meant they wanted a physical debit card, which both Starling and Chase provide.

SunflowerSalad

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vacheron

I use my physical Halifax Clairity or Revolut card to withdraw cash from an ATM soon after I arrive.

As @TadleyBaggie says, aim to make a small number of larger withdrawls as overseas ATM's will charge a few euros per transaction. The exchange rate is the mid-market rate, so far better than any travel money place in the UK could offer. I always like to have a few euros left over at the end of my trip anyway to see me though on my next trip until I reach my first ATM.

la531983

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82137205#Comment_82137205

All banks use phone apps these days. Like I said it would limit your options so you can exclude the initial suggestions straight away if that is your school of thought.

eskbanker

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82137280#Comment_82137280

Just to be clear, all banks offer phone apps, but only a subset mandates them!

NoodleDoodleMan

I don't think there is a "one size fits all" scenario that covers all EU countries - in Spain and Canaries (for example) a regular UK Santander debit card used at fully branded Banco Santander branch located ATM is completely free of fees to withdraw currency.

You'd need to investigate each country on your travel itinerary to get the best deals.

zagfles

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82137291#Comment_82137291

No proper bank mandates phone apps.

OP, see Best Travel Credit & Debit Cards 2026 - Fees & Top Picks

Much better value than changing cash in the UK and far less hassle than prepaid cards which IME don't work in half the places you want to use them.

You might be subject to ATM charges in a lot of places but if you're mainly using cash then taking a large amount out at once minimises those charges as they're usually flat rate. The charges are likely to be less than exchange rate markups when changing cash.

Sometimes changing cash abroad can be better value, it's rarely better value to buy forex in the UK.

SunflowerSalad

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