Tips for spending money abroad.
Get our top tips for spending money abroad on holiday. Learn about withdrawing cash abroad, spending smart and staying safe.
Published: 13 March 2026
Before you go: buy some holiday money
It’s a good idea to buy some foreign currency before you fly. That way, there’s one less job when you land. And you’ll get a better deal if you sort your holiday money before you head for the airport.
You can find out more about foreign currency exchange in our Currency exchange guide.
To help you manage your money on holiday, we’ve got a few things to watch out for when spending money abroad.
Withdrawing cash abroad - some quick tips
Here’s some simple tips on using ATMs when you’re on holiday. To help you to stay safe and keep your costs down when withdrawing cash abroad.
- Use bank ATMs where you can. Ideally inside a branch.Use bank ATMs where you can. Ideally inside a branch.
- Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC). If an ATM or card machine asks - Pay in pounds or local currency? - pick local currency. It usually works out cheaper.Avoid dynamic currency conversion (DCC). If an ATM or card machine asks - Pay in pounds or local currency? - pick local currency. It usually works out cheaper.
- Take out a little more, less often. That helps to reduce repeated ATM charges.Take out a little more, less often. That helps to reduce repeated ATM charges.
- Check on-screen messages - before you confirm, to see if any fees apply.Check on-screen messages - before you confirm, to see if any fees apply.
- Keep a small backup of cash - for taxis, tips and markets.Keep a small backup of cash - for taxis, tips and markets.
How to withdraw money abroad without charges
Next up, some practical steps to help cut or avoid common add-ons. Here’s how to withdraw money abroad without charges, where possible.
- Avoid foreign transaction fees - Use a card that doesn’t add foreign transaction fees.Avoid foreign transaction fees - Use a card that doesn’t add foreign transaction fees.
- Don’t convert to pounds - Paying in local currency helps you to avoid hidden mark-ups. So always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC).Don’t convert to pounds - Paying in local currency helps you to avoid hidden mark-ups. So always decline dynamic currency conversion (DCC).
- Choose bank-run ATMs - If available, it’s a better option than standalone machines.Choose bank-run ATMs - If available, it’s a better option than standalone machines.
- Plan ahead - Buy some currency before you go to cut down on overseas withdrawals.Plan ahead - Buy some currency before you go to cut down on overseas withdrawals.
Note: some ATM operators charge their own fee that can’t be avoided. The machine will usually warn you first, but it’s best to watch out for this.
Spending smart on holiday
For day-to-day spending, here’s some tips to keep costs down and hassles away.
- Pay by card where it’s widely accepted. Use cash for small vendors or giving tips.Pay by card where it’s widely accepted. Use cash for small vendors or giving tips.
- Choose local currency on the card machine every time.Choose local currency on the card machine every time.
- Keep cards and cash in separate places. Take photos of your card numbers and the relevant helplines, just in case.Keep cards and cash in separate places. Take photos of your card numbers and the relevant helplines, just in case.
- Set spending alerts in your banking app or on your pre-paid currency card, to stay on budget.Set spending alerts in your banking app or on your pre-paid currency card, to stay on budget.
Cash limits and simple safety
A few rules of thumb, so you stay on the right side of local laws and keep your money safe.
- Many countries have limits on how much cash you can bring in. Check before you travel and declare how much you have if you’re asked.Many countries have limits on how much cash you can bring in. Check before you travel and declare how much you have if you’re asked.
- Use your hotel safe where possible. Cover your PIN and stay alert when using ATMs.Use your hotel safe where possible. Cover your PIN and stay alert when using ATMs.
How Tesco Travel Money can help with your holiday spending
Buy your currency easily online. Or pick up in-store when you’re doing the weekly shop.
- Competitive rates on over 50 currencies - Pick up popular notes like euros and US dollars, plus many more.Competitive rates on over 50 currencies - Pick up popular notes like euros and US dollars, plus many more.
- Clubcard Prices - Get a better rate with your Clubcard. T&Cs apply.Clubcard Prices - Get a better rate with your Clubcard. T&Cs apply.
- Buy online or in-store - Buy your currency online for Home Delivery or Click+Collect. Or buy in-store at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau. Fees may apply.Buy online or in-store - Buy your currency online for Home Delivery or Click+Collect. Or buy in-store at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau. Fees may apply.
- Price Match - at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau in-store. Terms apply.Price Match - at a Tesco Travel Money Bureau in-store. Terms apply.
- Multi-currency Cash Passport prepaid card - Add up to 22 currencies to our prepaid card for easy spending and ATM withdrawals abroad.Multi-currency Cash Passport prepaid card - Add up to 22 currencies to our prepaid card for easy spending and ATM withdrawals abroad.
- Currency Buy Back - Sell your leftover holiday money to us. Plus, add our Buy Back Promise when you buy your travel money, for peace of mind. Terms apply.Currency Buy Back - Sell your leftover holiday money to us. Plus, add our Buy Back Promise when you buy your travel money, for peace of mind. Terms apply.
To learn more about taking cash abroad, take a look at our guide - Why you still need travel money abroad.
Exchange rates may vary during the day. Rates will vary whether you're buying in-store, online or over the phone. They'll also vary depending on whether you're buying cash or a pre-paid currency card.
We buy back most currencies we sell in most banknote values. Excludes closed currencies.
How much travel money will I need?
Whether it’s a burger in Brisbane or a taxi in Toronto, get a feel for how far your travel money might go with our foreign currency guides.
Travel Money with Clubcard Prices
Buy Travel Money online or in-store and get a better rate with your Clubcard. Choose from up to 50 currencies in cash or add up to 22 currencies to a Multi-currency Cash Passport card.
Important information
Tesco Travel Money ordered in store is provided by Travelex Agency Services Limited. Registered No. 04621879. Tesco Travel Money ordered online or by telephone is provided by Travelex Currency Services Limited. Registered No. 03797356. Registered Office for both companies: Worldwide House, Thorpewood, Peterborough, PE3 6SB.
Multi-currency Cash Passport is issued by PrePay Technologies Limited pursuant to license by Mastercard® International. PrePay Technologies Limited is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011 (FRN: 900010) for the issuing of electronic money and payment instruments. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
Buy Back Promise
Our Buy Back Promise is only available if you’re:
- going abroad and coming back to the UK within 45 daysgoing abroad and coming back to the UK within 45 days
- spending a minimum of £75 on travel money online or £35 in-storespending a minimum of £75 on travel money online or £35 in-store
We’ll buy back your foreign currency bank notes at the same exchange rate you got when you bought your travel money from us, up to a maximum value of £250.
We’ll buy back any currency you have above the £250 limit using the rate available on the day, which you can see on our rates board in-store.
When you buy your travel money from us, you’ll see the exchange rate on your receipt.
*Excludes closed currencies, including Moroccan Dirham.
How does our Price Match work?
If you find a better exchange rate from another provider, we'll match it at a Travel Money Bureau in-store. As long as it’s:
- within 3 miles of your chosen Tesco Travel Money Bureauwithin 3 miles of your chosen Tesco Travel Money Bureau
- available on the day you buy your currency in-storeavailable on the day you buy your currency in-store
Price Match only applies in-store on a like-for-like basis on sell transactions. It doesn’t apply to exchange rates advertised online or by phone.
This is not available in conjunction with any other offer. We reserve the right to check the rate you’ve found and the 3-mile distance from our store (using a standard route planning tool).