6 Best Travel Money Cards for Canada in 2024: A Guide for Australians
Are you planning a trip to Canada from Australia? Navigating the scenic landscapes from British Columbia to Quebec City requires financial planning.
In Canada you are likely to pay for accommodation, food, transport and entertainment as well as withdraw cash from ATMs with your card. So which is the ultimate card to take with you?
It's easy, to save you lots of time, we have compared a large number of the best travel money cards to take to Canada for Australians and have summarised their best points.
Best 6 Travel Money Cards for Canada:
- Wise Travel Card - for the best exchange rates
- Revolut Multi Currency Card for low fees
- Travelex Money Card - Best all rounder
- HSBC Global Everyday Debit Card for an everyday debit card you can also use in Australia
- Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card for lowest interest rate
- ING One Low Rate Credit Card with no annual fee
Wise Travel Card - Great Exchange Rates
- 40+ currencies available
- Best exchange rates globally
- One of the lowest conversion fee on the market
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees
- Extremely low costs to send money overseas
Wise Travel Card
- Cross currency conversion fees are between 0.24–3.69%. AUD to USD, EUR or GBP was 0.42%, which is one of the lowest on the market
- Free cash withdrawals up to $350 every 30 days. However after that, Wise charge a fixed fee of $1.50 per transaction + 1.75%
- Daily ATM withdrawal is $2,700
- Issue up to 3 virtual cards for temporary usage
- It takes between 7 to 14 business days to receive your card
- Can be used wherever MasterCard is accepted
The Wise Travel Card is an excellent choice for Australians travelling to Canada. It offers access to over 40 currencies, including Canadian Dollars (CAD), at the inter-market exchange rate, which is typically the most cost-effective rate available globally. This feature is particularly beneficial for Australians converting AUD to CAD, ensuring efficient and economical transactions. The card also enables you to make online purchases from international vendors without any transaction fees, ensuring you get the best exchange rate. However, it's important to consider that if you anticipate frequent cash withdrawals from ATMs in Canada, this card might not be the best option due to the associated fees. Finally Wise Travel Card lets you transfer money to an overseas bank account with extremely low fees and the best exchange rate.
Revolut - Low Fees
- 30+ currencies available
- One of the best exchange rates globally
- No international transaction fees
- No annual or monthly fees for standard membership
- No initial card fee
- Instant access to a range of cryptocurrencies
Revolut Travel Card
- No fee ATM withdrawals up to A$350, or 5 ATM withdrawals, whichever comes first, per rolling 30 day period and 2% of withdrawal amount (minimum charge of A$1.50) after that
- Exchanging currency on the weekend can incur a 1% mark-up fee
- Fees on international money transfers were introduced in April 2021.
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The Revolut Travel Card is a decent option for those who travel a lot as it offers over 30 currencies at a great exchange rate, which is the cheapest rate globally. However if you exchange currency on the weekend you can incur a two-percent mark-up fee. In addition they have introduced fees for international transfers. Finally if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the fees.
Travelex Money Card - Best All Rounder
Best Features
- Unlimited free ATM withdrawals
- 24/7 Emergency Assistance
- Initial and replacement card are free
- No international transaction fees
- Lock in up to 10 currencies
Travelex Money Card
- Minimum load of $100 and maximum load of $100,000
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
- Fees include a $10 closure fee, $5 for an additional card and $4 inactivity monthly fee.
- While Travelex don't charge ATM fees, some ATM operators may charge their own fees.
- Currencies that can be loaded are AU$, US$, EU€, GB£, NZ$, TH฿, CA$, HK$, JP¥, SG$
- If your card is lost or stolen you can access cash in your account through Moneygram or Western Union agents, with no charge
- Boingo hotspots offer free wifi and you can look at their number of free hotspots per country on this map
The Travelex Money Card is a good all-rounder no matter if you are heading to the bustling cities of Toronto or Vancouver, or exploring the breathtaking Canadian Rockies.
You can use it to take money out of the ATM, for merchant purchases like restaurants and even for online shopping in foreign currency. While the exchange rates aren't as good as Wise or Revolut, the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good. This asset can be of great assistance while traversing the vast and varied landscapes of Canada.
HSBC Everyday Global Travel Card - Best Travel Card by Bank
Best Features
- Great exchange rate offered for Canadian dollars (CAD)
- No ATM fees at HSBC tellers
- No international transaction fees
- No initial card, closure, account keeping or monthly fees
- No cross currency conversion fees
HSBC Everyday Global Travel Card
- 10 Currencies can be loaded are CAD, AUD, USD, EUR, GBP, SGD, JPY, NZD, HKD and CNY (currency restrictions on CNY)
- No maximum balance for any currency
- Very competitive exchange rates on all currencies when you have currencies already loaded on your card
- ATMs within Australia need to be HSBC and overseas they need to display a VISA or VISA Plus logo, not be be charged fees
- Earn 2% cash back when you tap and pay with payWave, Apple Pay or Google Pay for purchases under $100.
- Daily maximum ATM withdrawal is $2,000
- Fraud protection covered by Visa Zero Liability
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The HSBC Everyday Global Travel Card offers a great exchange rate for Canadian dollars, ATMs, so you can withdraw cash without the hefty overseas ATM fees.
In addition it does not charge an ‘international transaction fee’ so you can spend in Canada and online in Australia and not pay an additional 3%.
Finally, on top of the excellent currency exchange rate, there is no maximum balance on currencies held and a 2% cash back incentive when you tap and pay under $100.
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card - Lowest Interest Rate
Best Features
- Lowest interest rate at 9.90%
- No international transaction fees on purchases
- Up to 55 days interest free on purchases
- Low annual fee
- Complimentary international travel insurance
Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card
- Free annual fee first year, then $69 annual fee
- Free international travel insurance that includes the basics but does not cover cancellation costs, pre existing conditions and travellers over 80
- $6,000 minimum credit card
- 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then reverts to 9.90%
- 21.99% interest rate on purchases and cash advances
- Cash advance fee of the higher of $4 or 2% of cash advance
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
The Bankwest Breeze Platinum is a great no frills credit card that offers ‘no foreign transaction fees’ and the lowest interest rate on the market, at 9.90%. These two factors alone will save you hundreds of dollars when travelling throughout Canada.
In addition it has a low annual fee and complimentary international travel insurance. Finally for its price point it is a great value credit card that will be accepted most places in Canada.
ING One Low Rate Credit Card - No Annual Fee
Best Features
- No annual fee
- No international transaction fees on purchases
- Up to 45 days interest free on purchases
- Lowest cash advance interest rate of 11.99%
- Use instalment plans to pay off your purchases over time at a lower interest rate
ING One Low Rate Credit Card
- 11.99% interest rate on purchases
- $6,000 minimum credit card
- Make payments from your mobile with pay with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- International ATM fee and Foreign currency conversion fee are waived when you deposit $1,000 into your Orange Everyday each month, and make 5+ card purchases that are settled. Otherwise they are the higher of 3% or at least $3
- Put repayments on auto payment each month to pay the minimum balance or full amount
- Can be used wherever Visa is accepted
The ING One Low Rate credit card is a great option to take to Canada as it charges no annual fee and offers a low interest rate for purchases and cash advances of 11.99%. The cash advance interest rate is very low and about 50% less than most of its competitors who charge around 22% on cash advances.
Furthermore the ING One Low Rate credit card has no international transaction fees, so you can save money on your travels and when you buy goods from overseas. It's a handy backup card to have in your wallet when travelling through Canada.
Why Choose a Travel Money Card for Canada?
Travel money cards are ideal for several reasons:
- Convenience: Simplify your transactions across Canada without carrying a lot of cash.
- Security: With robust security features, these cards safeguard against potential loss or theft.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Enjoy competitive exchange rates and lower fees compared to traditional banks.
Selecting the Right Card
When choosing a travel money card for your Canadian journey, keep these factors in mind:
- Exchange Rates: Cards that offer favorable conversion rates from AUD to CAD will maximize your spending power.
- Low Fees: Look for cards that minimize or eliminate international transaction fees and ATM withdrawal charges.
- Reliability: Ensure the card is widely accepted at Canadian ATMs and merchants.
- Customer Support: Opt for providers that offer 24/7 customer service for any issues arising during your travels.
Usage Tips for Your Travel Money Card in Canada
To get the most out of your travel money card, consider these tips:
- Inform Your Bank: Before departing, notify your card provider about your travel plans to prevent any temporary freezes on your card due to unusual activity.
- Strategic Withdrawals: Use ATMs affiliated with major banks for better security and potentially lower fees.
- Carry a Backup: Always have an alternative payment method, such as another card or some Canadian dollars.
- Monitor Your Expenses: Regularly check your transactions through your card’s app or online portal to manage your budget effectively.
Editorial note: We may not cover every product in this category. For more information, see our Editorial guidelines.
Learn more about the best credit, debit and prepaid cards for travel
FAQs
The best travel card for Canada is the Wise Multi Currency card for tap or swipe large transactions like accommodation and restaurants. Wise offers the best exchange rate for Canadian dollars globally and charges no international transaction fees.
HSBC Global and Citibank Plus cards are the best for ATM withdrawals and great exchange rates for Canadian dollars. Both these cards charge no international transaction fee and can be used within Australia without penalties.
The best travel credit cards for Canada are the BankWest Platinum Breeze and ING One Low Rate as they have the lowest interest rates on the market with and charge no international transaction fees.
Yes, you should bring cash to Canada and buy Canadian dollars before you travel to Canada. It's one of the best ways to take money to Canada from Australia. Having Canadian dollars on hand when you arrive at the airport will make your life a lot easier. The airport is also the most expensive place to exchange currency, so you will save a lot of money as well. Even though Canada is card friendly, having cash on hand will always be handy for small purchases, tipping and paying for transport.
Mastercard and Visa are the 2 most commonly accepted credit cards in Canada. American Express is occasionally accepted but it's best not to rely on it as a reliable source of payment throughout Canada.
Yes, you can use an international debit card in Canada and the best debit cards do not charge an international transaction fee of 3%. It's best not to use the debit card you use for your grocery shopping as most debit cards in Australia will charge you an international transaction fee of 3% per transaction, a fee for ATM withdrawals and give very poor exchange rates.
A travel money card is more secure than cash because you need your pin to authorise transactions, if you lose cash you are unlikely to have it returned. If your travel money card is stolen, then you can report it lost or stolen online quickly. It is also less bulky to carry 2 or 3 cards than lots of cash.
As a general rule, working out how much money to take to Canada depends on where you go and your type of travel. If you travel on a budget to Singapore it can cost from $70 a day. If you travel in the middle range throughout Singapore it can cost from $150 per day. Finally if you travel with luxury throughout Singapore it can cost anywhere from $300 per day.
You can only use Canadian dollars in Canada, you can not use Australian dollars or US dollars. The currency in Canada is the Canadian dollar. There are 5 bank notes with different colours, they are $5, $10, $20, $50, and $100. There are 5 coins, they are 5c, 10c, 25c, 50c, $1 and $2.
