Are travel money cards cheaper than cash?

Often, yes – they use near-market exchange rates and reduce the need to carry large sums. Watch for reload, ATM and weekend fees.

Is it safe to carry cash abroad?

Carrying some cash is still useful for small purchases, tips and emergencies. Keep it split between bags or travel companions for safety.

What’s the best combination for 2026 holidays?

Use a fee-free travel money card for everyday payments and take a smaller amount of cash for arrival and backup. Compare providers for both to maximise value.

Travel Money Cards vs Cash – What’s Best for 2026 Holidays?

Updated 3 November 2025 • Read time: ~7 minutes

When planning your 2026 holiday, one question keeps coming up: should you use a travel money card or take cash? Each has its advantages and drawbacks. This guide explains how to decide, the hidden fees to watch for, and a smart way to combine both.

Quick take: For most travellers, using a fee-free travel card for day-to-day spending and carrying a small amount of cash for arrival and emergencies offers the best balance of cost, convenience and security.

Travel money cards: pros and cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Usually offer close-to-market exchange rates.	⚠️ Weekend mark-ups and reload fees can apply.
✅ Safer than carrying large amounts of cash.	⚠️ ATM withdrawals may incur local or provider fees.
✅ Easy to freeze/unfreeze via app if lost.	⚠️ Not always accepted in small shops or markets.
✅ Perfect for contactless payments and online bookings abroad.	⚠️ Poor Wi-Fi or card network issues can cause short delays.

Popular cards include Wise, Revolut, and Travelex Money Card. Each works slightly differently — Wise uses the real mid-market rate plus a small fee, while others apply limits or weekend margins. Always check the FX mark-up, ATM withdrawal limits, and reload fees.

Compare travel money cards
Live rates from trusted UK suppliers – updated every 15 minutes.

Carrying cash: pros and cons

Pros	Cons
✅ Widely accepted – ideal for tips, taxis and local markets.	⚠️ Risk of loss or theft; not replaceable once spent.
✅ No card fees or withdrawal limits.	⚠️ Bulky to carry and must be ordered in advance.
✅ Helps budget daily spending more clearly.	⚠️ Poor airport rates if bought last-minute.

Buying cash in advance usually gives better rates than exchanging at the airport. Compare several providers to see who offers the best value — the difference can be worth £30–£40 on £1,000 of currency.

Compare euro cash rates
Live rates from trusted UK currency suppliers – updated every 15 minutes.

The best of both worlds

The smartest approach for most 2026 travellers is to combine both options:

Carry some cash for arrival, small purchases and tipping.
Use a low-fee travel card for contactless payments and larger expenses.
Keep a backup (second card or small emergency cash reserve) in case of loss or technical issues.

Tip: If you’re using a travel money card, enable app notifications to track spending in real time and lock your card instantly if misplaced.

Common mistakes to avoid

Relying on a high-fee UK debit or credit card abroad.
Leaving all your ordering to the day before departure.
Forgetting that some currencies require advance notice (less common currencies often take 2–3 days to deliver).

Bottom line

There’s no single “best” method — but a mix of prepaid card and cash gives flexibility, safety and value. Whatever you choose, compare rates regularly and avoid the airport kiosk on departure day.

Compare travel money cards
Compare euro cash rates
Live rates from trusted UK currency suppliers – updated every 15 minutes.