5 Best Banks for International Travel

Schwab Bank customers who use the Investor Checking Account get fees refunded from any ATM in the world when making cash withdrawals. That kind of perk is usually only available for premium checking accounts at other banks.

Plus, the bank doesn't charge foreign transaction fees.

Pros: - Refunds on all ATM fees worldwide. - No foreign transaction fees. - Account earns interest. - No minimum balance requirement and no monthly fee.

Though it’s not the only bank that doesn’t ding you for international purchases, Capital One 360 is a NerdWallet favorite because its fees are low across the board.

Capital One 360 doesn’t charge a foreign transaction fee for using your debit card outside the U.S. or for any transactions made in a foreign currency. If you want to use cash, the bank won’t charge you a fee for taking money out at an ATM (but it also won’t refund you if the ATM owner charges you a fee).

In comparison, many banks charge special fees when you make purchases abroad, or even if you buy something online from a retailer based outside the U.S.

Pros: - No foreign transaction fees. - No ATM fees. - No monthly maintenance fees.

In the U.S., HSBC only offers premium accounts that require a high balance to open. But for those who can swing the balance, this bank can be handy while living abroad. A few features make this bank handy for expats or frequent globetrotters: The bank doesn’t charge foreign transaction fees on debit card purchases; it lets depositors monitor and move money between HSBC accounts in multiple countries; and if you lose your wallet while traveling, you can access up to $10,000 in emergency cash.

Pros: - Can access up to $10,000 in emergency cash in U.S. dollars or local currency if you lose your wallet while traveling. - No foreign transaction fee on debit card purchases. - Account holders can receive international wire transfers for free.

While many banks offer customers a way to send remittances directly without going through a third-party wire transfer service, few do it as elegantly as Citibank, which offers free international transfers to other Citi accounts through the Citibank Global Transfers service.

Plus, if you need cash while you’re abroad, Citibank offers withdrawals at its ATMs in more than 20 countries. And if you often find yourself in a hurry before a trip with too much to do, the bank will deliver foreign currency by the next business day to a Citibank branch, your home or office.

Pros: - Foreign currency delivery before a trip. - Free international transfers to other Citi accounts. - Citibank ATMs available in more than 20 countries.

The Revolut account lets you hold more than two dozen currencies in its app and uses a real-time exchange rate. Users can transfer money internationally, exchange currencies in the app and use their debit card for spending abroad. Revolut offers more than 55,000 ATMs worldwide for fee-free withdrawals. One catch is that Revolut will charge a markup fee for transactions on the weekends.

Pros: - Can withdraw up to £3,000 (or the equivalent in other currency) per 24-hour period. - Can hold money in more than two dozen currencies. - Can send money in more than 70 currencies. - Savings account offers competitive rates, especially for higher-tier plans.