6 Best Travel Money Cards for Thailand in 2024: A Guide for Australia
Thailand beckons with its breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant street food scenes. Whether you're diving into the bustling markets of Bangkok, exploring ancient temples in Chiang Mai, or lounging on the beaches of Phuket, having the right travel money card can make all the difference. This guide aims to help Australian travelers find the best travel money cards for their trip to Thailand, ensuring you enjoy a hassle-free journey without worrying about high fees or poor exchange rates.
To save you time, we have looked at the best Australian travel cards to help you make the best decision for your trip.
6 Best Travel Money Cards for the Thai baht:
- Wise Travel Card Best exchange rates
- Revolut Multi Currency Card For low fees
- Travelex Money Card Best all rounder
- Westpac Travel Card Best card to use overseas
- Bankwest Breeze Platinum Credit Card One of the best credit cards for travel
- ING One Low Rate Credit Card Best with no annual fee
Wise Travel Card - Best 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 Card 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 a great financial companion for those traveling to Thailand, offering a range of features well-suited for international visitors. This card provides access to over 40 currencies at the interbank exchange rate, the most economical rate globally. For travelers to Thailand, this means they can convert their home currency into Thai Baht (THB) at very competitive rates, ensuring cost-effective transactions during their stay. However if you use ATMs frequently this is not the card to use due to the 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 one-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 Bangkok, Phuket or an island like Ko Samui.
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 for spending abroad, the support network if the card is lost or stolen is very good. This can be really handy when holidaying through Thailand.
Westpac Worldwide Wallet for Prepaid Travel Money Card
Best Features
- Great exchange rate for Thai Baht of prepaid cards
- No foreign transaction fees
- No fee on initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
- Free additional card
- Flight delay pass
Westpac Worldwide Wallet Prepaid Card
- 2 cards per account for free
- Lock in great currency exchange rates on Thai baht before you leave
- Can be used wherever Mastercard is accepted
- No cross currency transactions fees
- $50,000 maximum limit on currencies loaded on to travel card
- $2,000 maximum limit on ATM withdrawals overseas within 24 hours
- No foreign transaction fees, initial card, load, unload or inactivity fees
- $3 roughly for ATMs that are not within the Non Westpac Global Alliance
- Secure from fraudulent transactions with Mastercard Zero Liability protection
- According to the Westpac it can take up to 8 business days to receive the travel card
- 11 currencies can be loaded: AUD, THB, USD, EUR, GBP, NZD, CAD, HKD, JPY, SGD & ZAR
- If you run out of one currency on the card, you can pay with other currencies without the expensive cross currency transaction fee
If you want great exchange rates for Thai baht and a traditional travel money card, then the Westpac Worldwide Wallet is one of the best prepaid cards for international travel with very low fees and no foreign transaction fees.
It is worth noting that for cash withdrawals at ATMs most banks will charge a 200 baht fee for using a foreign card, though Aeon Bank’s rate is a little lower at 150 baht. As this is a flat rate per transaction.
Finally it has access to a flight delay pass in case your flights are delayed and you need to access airport lounges.
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
- 0% p.a. on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months, then reverts to 9.90%
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
- 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 Thailand.
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 Thailand.
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 Thailand 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 Thailand.
Choosing the Right Travel Money Card for Thailand
Selecting the best travel money card for your Thai getaway involves comparing several key factors to ensure you get the most bang for your baht. Consider these features when choosing your card:
- No Foreign Transaction Fees: Choose a card that waives foreign transaction fees to save money on each purchase in Thailand.
- Competitive Exchange Rates: Look for cards that offer rates close to the mid-market rate to maximize your spending power.
- Wide ATM Acceptance: Ensure the card is accepted at a vast network of ATMs across Thailand, giving you easy and reliable access to cash.
- Safety Features: Opt for cards with robust security measures like chip and PIN technology and temporary lock capabilities.
Using Your Travel Money Card in Thailand
To make the most of your travel money card in Thailand, follow these practical tips:
- Notify Your Bank: Let your bank know about your travel dates and destination to prevent any security holds on your card.
- Understand the Fees: Familiarize yourself with any applicable fees for ATM withdrawals or currency conversion to avoid surprises.
- Carry a Backup: Always have a backup payment option, such as a second card or some local currency, to ensure you’re covered in case of an emergency.
Managing Your Finances While Traveling
Keeping a close eye on your finances while exploring Thailand can help you avoid overspending. Here are some strategies to manage your money effectively:
- Budget Wisely: Set a daily spending limit to keep your travel budget on track.
- Monitor Your Transactions: Regularly check your card’s app or online account to monitor your spending and review transaction history.
- Take Advantage of Perks: Some cards offer travel-related perks like discounts at partner hotels, restaurants, or attractions. Make sure to use these benefits to stretch your travel dollars further.
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 money cards for Thailand are the Wise Multi Currency card, which offers the best exchange rate for Thai baht, a Westpac Worldwide Wallet or Up Bank debit card for ATM withdrawals and the BankWest Platinum Breeze or ING One Low Rate cards for credit purchases.
It is better to take cash and cards to Thailand. We recommend taking cash and at least 2 travel cards to Thailand. Take cash for the smaller items and take a debit travel card or prepaid travel card loaded with Thai baht. This way you are spending your own money, locked in a good exchange rate. We advise taking a credit card as a ‘just in case’ card.
Yes you can use a travel card in Thailand. You can use a debit travel card, prepaid travel card or credit card. Most travel cards are either Mastercard or Visa which means they are accepted in most places within Thailand.
Yes you should exchange money for Thai baht before you travel to Thailand. Many places in Thailand accept cash and it's handy to have Thai baht for corner stores, local markets, transport or for tipping.
A travel money card is better for security than cash. If you lose your travel money card, you can report it stolen or lost quickly online and the card is cancelled to prevent unauthorised spending. You also need a 4 digit pin to spend money on your travel money card. If you lose cash you are unlikely to recover it.
No you can not use dollars in Thailand, you need to use the currency of Thailand, Thai baht. The Thai baht has 5 notes for the 20 baht, 50 baht, 100 baht, 500 baht and 1000 baht notes. The most common coins in Thailand are the 1 baht, 2 baht, 5 baht, and 10 baht.
You can carry an unlimited amount of foreign currency to Thailand and if you arrive with more than USD20,000 you need to declare it to customs. According to the Thai Embassy you can bring in less than THB50,000 to Thailand.
How much spending money you need for Thailand depends on whether you are backpacking, travelling with family or a luxury tour of Thailand. $40 per day should cover the backpacking budget, $150 per day should cover a family and $200 upwards for luxury travel around Thailand.
Westpac offers the best bank travel card as it provides the best exchange rates for a bank, no foreign transaction fees, no fee on initial card, no load fees, no unload and no inactivity fees. It also offers a flight delay pass that gives you access to airport lounges in case your flight is delayed.
Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus or Maestro main cards accepted in Thailand hotels, restaurants and shops. They are also the two main cards accepted at ATMs. American Express is less popular and we don't recommend taking that as your main source of payment.
