With payments abroad it is easy to lose money needlessly — on a bad rate, withdrawal fees and hidden conversion in shops. A few habits keep the money in your pocket.
Always pay in the local currency
When a terminal offers to charge "in your home currency" instead of the country's, that is DCC — conversion at the merchant's unfavourable rate. Always choose the local currency so your own bank converts it.
Use multi-currency accounts and cards
Currency accounts and cards convert at close to the market rate, often with no fee. This is usually the cheapest way to pay and withdraw abroad.
Withdraw from ATMs wisely
Choose bank ATMs, not private "converters" at airports, decline their conversion offer and withdraw larger amounts less often to limit per-transaction fees.
Keep a backup and a plan B
Take two cards from different networks and some cash to start. If you block or lose one card, the other saves the day.
It is part of the travel budget
Include conversion costs in your spending plan — our guide on how to build a travel budget helps. See also how to stay online cheaply with an eSIM abroad. Save your route and places in TRAMFI.
Frequently asked questions
Cash or card abroad?
Mostly card, but always keep some cash for places that do not take cashless payment and for small expenses.
Should I tell my bank about the trip?
Less often necessary now, but it is worth checking limits and enabling notifications so a foreign transaction is not flagged as suspicious.