Heading on holiday soon? These travel money hints and tricks are must-read before you do

Britons spend billions of pounds abroad every year, but it can be difficult to know how to make your money go as far as possible.

With the summer holiday season upon us, there are always opportunities to splash out on holidays, so the Money team spoke with travel experts to find out when, where and how to pay abroad.

Credit cards

"The cheapest way to spend overseas is often on plastic, if you've got the right plastic," said James Jones, head of consumer affairs at Experian.

"Using credit and debit cards can be a great way to get the very best exchange rates."

Find consumer news and tips in the Money blog

Rates offered by currency exchange shops are usually "much less attractive" than those offered on some cards, which were much closer to the rates the banks use themselves, he said.

Fees could wipe out any gains

But it's essential to be aware of things such as non-sterling transaction fees, cash withdrawal fees and credit card interest.

An example of this is reward credit cards, such as American Express, which charges a 2.99% foreign transaction fee, according to consumer expert Which?.

So shop around for a card with travel rewards, Jones said - and do this before your trip.

"You probably need to give yourself, ideally, six weeks."

Extra protection

When you book a trip between £100 and £30,000, try to pay for some of it on a credit card to get "extra protection" under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act, Jones said.

That means the card provider is jointly responsible with the retailer if something goes wrong, such as arriving at a hotel only to find it has closed down.

If you are using a credit card, make sure you can pay it off in full to avoid interest charges, said Sean Tipton from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

One trap you must not fall into

An increasingly common trap when paying by card (credit or debit) is being presented with the option to pay in the local currency or in pounds, Jones and Tipton said.

While paying in sterling might "seem like a wonderful convenience", you will ultimately be paying "quite a bit more for the purchase", Jones said.

If you pay in pounds, the local retailer's bank sets the exchange rate, but if you pay in the local currency, your UK bank sets the rate.

Read more from our Buy like a Pro series:
Best time to book, packing tricks and cheaper flights
Don't buy air conditioning until you've read this
The problem with supermarket honey - and what you should be looking for

Debit cards

"Some service providers don't apply fees for overseas use on their regular UK debit cards," says Moneyfacts - but you must always check, as some incur big fees.

Alternatively, "some service providers offer specialist travel debit cards that don't impose non-sterling transaction fees and cash withdrawal fees".

Prepaid travel cards

Prepaid cards can be loaded with multiple currencies and work like a debit card, without being connected to your bank.

"Typically, prepaid travel cards will offer competitive or even no charges for foreign usage, which can make them a cheaper alternative to using a normal credit or debit card while on holiday," says Moneyfacts.

Be aware - prepaid cards do not offer purchase protection like a credit card and aren't regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Cash

"Don't rely solely on a card - it can backfire on you if you do," Tipton said.

Some taxis only take cash, leaving you to face hefty charges for withdrawing from an ATM.

In some countries, such as Argentina, it can be difficult to get money out of ATMs without a local bank account, he said.

Jones added: "If you're in a very remote part of the world that actually doesn't have many ATMs and maybe where cash is king, then that might dictate what you need to do."

Where and when to get cash

"I'd strongly recommend [to] get some cash out in the UK," Tipton said.

It can be difficult to find a bureau de change in some developing nations, and ATMs have "started introducing quite hefty charges" across the board, he said.

The exceptions are countries with really high inflation rates, where it may make more sense to get cash out when you arrive, he added.

When to exchange currency really depends on the destination, said Laura Plunkett, head of travel money at the Post Office.

"Exchange rates change frequently, so if you have time, do your homework and lock in a rate when it is good."

If you do have to use a cash machine abroad, find one attached to a high street bank, as standalone machines can often charge extra premiums on withdrawals, consumer group Which? says.

In-store or online?

"Most online suppliers will insist on a minimum order value that might be too high for some people, and you'll have to make sure that you're home for when it's delivered," Plunkett said.

"But typically, rates are better online if that's an option for you."

(c) Sky News 2026: Heading on holiday soon? These travel money hints and tricks are must-read before you do