Paying for things abroad isn’t always as smooth as it sounds. Many travelers swipe their regular debit or credit cards without thinking twice — only to come home to unexpected charges and terrible exchange rates. On top of that, carrying large amounts of cash isn’t always safe or practical.
But forex cards are a good option. They let you load foreign currency in advance, so you know exactly how much you’re spending. You don’t have to worry about daily rate changes or hidden bank fees.
So let’s talk about how forex cards work, why people are choosing them, and a few good options to check out.
A forex card is a prepaid card that you load with foreign currency before you travel. It works just like a regular debit card — you can swipe it at stores, restaurants, and hotels abroad, or use it to take out cash from ATMs in the country you’re visiting.
But instead of using your local bank card and paying extra fees for every transaction, you load the currency you need ahead of time and spend from that balance.
For international travel, a prepaid forex card offers better control over spending and fewer unexpected charges compared to standard bank cards. It also reduces the risk of card blocks due to overseas use, which is common with domestic debit or credit cards.”
And there are two main types of forex cards. One is a single-currency card, which holds just one type of currency — like dollars or euros. The other is a multi-currency card, which lets you carry money in several currencies at once. This is useful if you're visiting more than one country on the same trip.
Once the card is loaded, you can use it anywhere that accepts Visa or Mastercard, just like your regular bank card. You can also check your balance, track your spending, and reload money using an app or online portal, depending on the provider.
As you can see in the image above, the forex card market has been growing steadily over the years. In 2024, it stood at USD 461.22 billion and is expected to cross USD 537.88 billion in 2025. By 2034, it’s projected to reach over USD 2,146 billion, growing at a solid pace of 16.62% CAGR.
This kind of growth shows one thing clearly — travelers are making the switch. Here’s why.
Using your regular bank card abroad often means paying foreign transaction fees, currency conversion fees, and ATM charges. These can add up fast without you even noticing.
With a forex card, you load the money in the currency you need, and that’s what you spend. It also helps you stay in control and avoid losing money to hidden fees.
With a forex card, the exchange rate gets locked in when you load the money. So even if the rate changes the next day, it won’t affect you. This is great if you’re traveling during times when currency values are shifting. You know exactly how much you're spending, and there’s no stress about rate jumps while you’re already abroad.
Carrying a lot of cash when you travel is risky. If you lose it or it gets stolen, there’s no way to get it back. A forex card gives you more safety. If something goes wrong, most providers offer quick blocking and replacement services.
You can also keep track of your spending through a mobile app, which adds an extra layer of security.
Forex cards are accepted at most shops, hotels, restaurants, and ATMs around the world — just like any Visa or Mastercard. You don’t need to hunt for currency exchange counters or worry about carrying enough local cash. You just swipe or tap and go.
Forex Cards work like your regular bank card, but they’re designed to handle international use more smoothly.
If you're visiting more than one country on your trip, a multi-currency forex card can hold several currencies at once.
For example, you can load dollars, euros, and pounds all on the same card. The card automatically picks the right currency based on where you are. This saves you time, keeps things simple, and helps avoid unnecessary conversion charges.
Follow these steps to get a Forex card.
Start by picking a provider that’s well-known and easy to reach if something goes wrong. Trusted banks or providers are popular for a reason — they offer solid support, quick reloads, and apps to track your spending.
It’s easy to get tempted by lower rates from unknown sites, but if the card fails overseas, there’s no one to call. Going with a trusted provider may cost a little more upfront, but it saves stress when you actually need support.
Don’t leave it for the last minute. While some providers offer same-day cards, it’s better to apply at least 5–7 days before your travel date. This gives you enough time to load money, set up the app, and test the card before you leave. Rushing can lead to delays, mistakes, or even worse — traveling without the card.
You’ll usually need your passport, visa, PAN card, and a copy of your flight ticket to apply. Some digital platforms may ask for a selfie or a quick video KYC.
Having your documents ready makes the process smoother and faster — especially if you’re applying online. Double-check what’s needed before you start.
Before you choose a card, check the small stuff — issuance fees, ATM charges, reloading costs, and inactivity penalties. Some cards look cheap upfront but add hidden costs later. A few minutes reading the fee breakdown can save you a lot of money while you’re abroad.
It might be tempting to load a large amount “just in case,” but it’s smarter to start with what you expect to spend. Most cards can be reloaded online if needed, even while you’re overseas.
Loading too much in advance means you might have leftover currency later, and refunding it isn’t always simple.
Most forex cards let you skip the usual bank fees and exchange rate issues. Some also throw in extras like lounge access, travel cover, or tools that help students manage money better. The cards listed below are just a few that travelers from different countries are using based on where they live and where they’re headed.
BookMyForex offers a featured packed forex card that comes with benefits such as instant reloads, instant conversion to 15 currencies and disposable virtual cards. Cardholders can also instantly refund their unspent foreign currency balance to INR and spend their balance in India. The card can be loaded at zero markup rates and there are also no issuance, reload or unload charges on the card. BookMyForex also provides same-day door delivery across 20+ cities in India.
Wise gives you a card that works in over 40 currencies. You get the same exchange rate you see on Google, with no added markups. You can add money in your own currency, then spend or convert when you need to.
It’s easy to manage everything through their app, and the card works anywhere that accepts Mastercard. You can also freeze it or get a new one quickly if something goes wrong.
You can load this card before your trip and lock in the exchange rate, so you know exactly what you’re spending. It works with up to 10 different currencies and can be used at shops, ATMs, and other regular places while you’re abroad.
The card is available in countries like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Managing it is pretty easy too — just log in on their site or app to reload or check your balance.
Monzo is a digital bank based in the UK, and its card is a solid choice if you’re traveling. You can spend or withdraw money abroad without any extra fees — at least up to a monthly limit. The app breaks down your spending clearly, which makes it easier to keep track of things. And if something goes wrong, like losing your card, you can freeze it instantly with just a tap.
If you’re based in the U.S. and want something simple for overseas travel, this card is worth checking out. It refunds ATM fees worldwide and doesn’t add charges when you spend in other currencies. It’s tied to a regular checking account, not prepaid, but still works well when you need cash on the go. A lot of travelers use it as a backup just in case their main card doesn’t work or gets blocked.
If you're traveling to another country, using a forex card just makes things simpler. You don’t have to worry about surprise bank fees or bad exchange rates. You load the money you need before your trip, and then use the card like you would at home.
It works at shops, ATMs, and most places that take Visa or Mastercard.
Plus, you won’t need to carry a lot of cash, and you won’t waste time looking for currency exchange counters. Just set it up before you leave, and have a backup card with you, just in case.