prepaid card for travel in europe

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Top 5 Prepaid Debit Cards in 2024

Prepaid debit cards are a must-have for anyone looking to spend money internationally.

Whatever you need it for, we’ve drawn up a list of the best prepaid cards for international travel, available in the USA in 2024:

• Serve (by Amex)

Wise - great all-round prepaid card

• Hold and exchange 40+ currencies with the mid-market exchange rate and no hidden fees
• Auto-convert feature means you can wait for the best exchange rate before converting your USD to other currencies
• Send payments to 160+ countries and get paid easily from 30+ countries with a Wise account

Find out more about the Wise card .

Read our Wise card review .

Open a free Wise account online or in the Wise app and order a linked international debit card for spending and withdrawals in 170+ countries around the world.

You’ll be able to hold and exchange over 50 currencies in the Wise app, with no fee to spend any currency you hold - and all currency exchange uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup and no hidden fees.

There’s a one time fee of $9 to get your Wise card, with no ongoing charge after that. Some transaction charges apply, depending on the services you use.

Netspend - great for depositing cash and checks

• 130,000+ physical reload locations, plus options to add funds electronically
• Earn cash back and rewards on spending
• Some cards offer a purchase cushion of up to $10 if you run low on funds in your account

Find out more about the Netspend card .

Netspend prepaid cards are available with a broad variety of plan options, including pay as you go, monthly fee and premier plans

You can top up using cash or a check in a physical store location, or have your salary or government benefits deposited to your account for easy spending. You can also deposit checks using just your phone.

Fee structures and plans vary. Check your terms and conditions - particularly for international charges. Foreign transaction fees of 3% - 4% may apply, plus fees to withdraw from international ATMs.

Revolut - great exchange rate

• Hold 25+ currencies, and exchange with the mid-market rate up to your plan limits
• No-fees applied to ATM withdrawals at 55,000+ in network ATMs
• 10 no-fee international transfers per month

Find out more about the Revolut Card .

Read our Revolut card review .

Revolut offers prepaid travel cards and multi-currency accounts you can manage in-app, with a standard plan and 2 higher tier plans which offer more features and no-fee transactions. Use your Revolut account to hold 25+ currencies,  exchange between them no-fee up to plan limits ($1,000/month for the no-fee plan), and spend on your linked prepaid card around the world.

Some out of hours and fair usage fees may apply to your account - and you’ll need to pay a monthly fee to unlock the full range of account features and benefits.

Serve - great for instant pick-up

• Get your card online or pick up at a participating retailer for no mailing delays
• Top up at a physical location or using a digital method if you’d prefer
• Different card plans which have their own features and fees, some including cash back options

Find out more about the Serve card.

Serve has several different prepaid debit cards you can use internationally, including some which offer cash back on purchase or other features like fee free direct deposits. You’ll be able to pick up a card in a participating store which means you can start using it pretty much instantly - or order online if you’d rather get everything sorted from home.

Fees apply for different transaction types - including a foreign transaction fee which may be in the region of 3.5%, and international ATM fees which can be around $4.95.

Chime - great for low foreign transaction fees

• No monthly fee, and no foreign transaction fee when you spend with your Chime card overseas
• Fee free ATM withdrawals at 60,000+ locations
• Checking, saving and credit building account options also available

Find out more about the Chime card.

Chime offers a relatively broad range of financial services, including a variety of account options, and linked Visa debit cards which are good for international use as there’s no foreign transaction fee. When you sign up for a Chime debit card you’ll also be able to get instant access to a temporary digital card while you wait for your physical card.

Some card fees are likely to apply, including out of network and international fees applied by merchants and ATM operators.

What is a prepaid debit card?

A prepaid debit card can be used for spending and withdrawals, much like a regular debit card would be.

However, in most cases, a prepaid card is linked to an account you can’t overdraw - so there’s no risk of extra fees if you run short of funds.

International prepaid debit cards can be used to spend in foreign currencies - and often come with extra perks, lower international costs or better exchange rates.

How do I get a prepaid debit card for international travel?

The process to sign up for a prepaid travel card varies by provider, but usually you can choose:

• To apply online and have your card delivered to your home address
• To pick up a card in a physical location and complete verification there

In most cases you’ll have to show or upload proof of your identity for verification, and then load an initial amount onto the card. The good news is that it’s usually more straightforward to sign up for a prepaid card than a credit card as there are no credit checks to complete.

Fees and charges for international prepaid cards

The costs associated with an international prepaid debit card can vary widely based on the provider and card you pick. Have a look at your card’s terms and conditions, and cardholder agreement document to make sure you’re familiar with all the fees, which can include:

• Monthly maintenance fees
• Cash and check reload fees
• Transaction fees
• Foreign exchange fees
• ATM withdrawal fees
• ATM inquiry fees
• Inactivity fees
• Replacement card fees

Check out the Wise card, Chime card, or a standard Revolut account and card if you’re interested in prepaid international debit cards with no ongoing fees and options for currency exchange with no foreign transaction fee.

Are prepaid travel cards safe?

Prepaid travel cards are usually considered safe to use as long as you take normal security precautions - like keeping your account details and card PIN secret.

If your prepaid travel card is stolen you’ll usually be able to freeze or cancel it in an app - and it’s not linked to your main bank account, which can also offer peace of mind. Some providers like Revolut also offer "disposable" virtual cards which can add an extra layer of security when spending with new merchants.

How are deposits on prepaid debit cards protected?

In the US, most reputable prepaid debit card providers offer customers protection under the FDIC insurance scheme , either through their own banking licenses and FDIC membership, or through working with partner banks which are themselves FDIC insured.

If your funds are held by a provider which offers FDIC insurance your funds are usually protected up to $250,000. All of the providers we picked out above do offer customer protections either through safeguarding funds by placing customer money with partner banks, which have FDIC protections in place.

How to add money on a prepaid debit card

How you add funds to your international prepaid card can vary depending on the details of the card. You’ll usually be able to choose from one or more of the following options:

• Have direct deposit payments - such as your salary or government benefits deposited to your account
• Transfer in money yourself from a checking account
• Add money in cash or checks at a physical location - some cards also let you add checks electronically with your phone

Prepaid debit cards: Best MasterCard alternatives

Most of the cards we’ve looked at so far are issued on the Visa network. Visa is one of the card networks with the broadest global coverage - and most merchants and ATMs which offer Visa also allow Mastercard transactions.

It’s useful to have cards on several different networks, just in case there’s a problem with one card or network. Some networks which are commonly used here in the US aren’t as popular in some other regions - such as Discover and American Express. That makes it handy to carry one or more Visa or Mastercard card options alongside your normal cards if they’re on these networks.

In case you’d rather have a Mastercard, we’ve picked out a few top Mastercard prepaid international debit cards as well:

Monzo - great overall alternative

• Range of account functions, to support budgeting, saving and more
• No foreign transaction fees, no ATM fees, no monthly maintenance fees
• Cards are Apple Pay and Google Pay compatible

Find out more about the Monzo card.

PayPal Prepaid Card - great for cash reload

• Add money from your bank, by direct deposit or in person at a physical location
• Earn cash back and rewards with PayPal partner merchants
• 4% foreign transaction fee applies to international spending

Learn more about the PayPal prepaid card.

Ally Bank card - great for everyday use

• FDIC insured with broad range of services including savings, investments and IRA plans
• Manage your money on the move with easy online and mobile banking
• International fees, including a foreign transaction fee when making ATM withdrawals, may apply

Learn more about Ally Bank.

Prepaid travel cards FAQs

Which is the best prepaid debit card for use abroad.

There’s no single best prepaid debit card. It’ll depend on what’s important to you, and how you’ll use the card once you have it.

For example, if you’re looking for a card with the Google exchange rate with no markup you might want to take a look at Wise. If being able to add funds at a physical location is most important , check out Netspend instead.

There are lots of providers out there - so you’ll  be able to find the best prepaid travel card for you with a bit of research.

Are prepaid debit cards anonymous?

Prepaid debit cards are still covered by similar financial rules to banks - both here and internationally. That means you’ll usually be asked to show ID when you get a card, for verification.

All of the cards we have profiled here require customers to provide ID to comply with financial legislation, and to keep customers and their money safe. That means they’re not truly anonymous - even though they’re not linked usually to your normal bank account in any way.

Are prepaid debit cards worth it?

Prepaid debit cards are more secure and convenient than carrying lots of foreign currency cash. And if you pick the right provider for your needs you could also find you get a better exchange rate and lower overall costs for your international spending.

The Backpacker Network

Travel Cards for Europe – The Best Options for Travellers! 

Choosing the right travel card for Europe can be complicated. There are a lot of factors to consider: exchange rates, fees for spending or withdrawing, type of card, payment processors, plus travel rewards and perks. 

Get it right and you’ll be a budgeting ninja – you’ll know exactly how much you’ve spent and how you’re going to pay for everything you need. Get it wrong and you’ll be more clumsy clown than ninja! Hefty bank fees, poor exchange rates and potentially being unable to access your hard-earned money are all risks you take when you pick the wrong bank card for European travel. 

We’ve trawled the internet for information about travel money cards, so you don’t have to. This research, combined with our own experiences and recommendations from our backpacking community on the ground, has helped us put together this shortlist of the best travel money cards for Europe.

Top Three European Travel Cards 

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We always write our articles before checking if affiliate links are available.

• Available to European Economic Area residents.
• Limited fee-free withdrawals.
• Use the interbank exchange rate.

• Only available to UK residents. 
• Unlimited fee-free withdrawals
• Use the Mastercard exchange rate.

• Fee-free withdrawals depending on the country the card was issued in.
• Multi-currency accounts.
• Low fees when transferring money. 

Related: (links open in a new tab)

• Cheapest Cities in Europe
• Cheapest Countries in Europe
• Europe Budget Guide

Types of Travel Card for Europe

Debit cards for travel .

You’re bound to be familiar with debit cards. They’re provided with almost every current account as standard. The idea is that money is taken from your account as soon as it’s spent, making it easy to keep track and avoid spending more than you can afford. But not all debit cards are created equal. 

Many traditional banks charge ridiculous fees for using your card abroad or withdrawing money from foreign ATMs. On top of this, they often deliver a poor exchange rate, meaning the bank profits from you swapping your money into a foreign currency. 

Travel debit cards from digital or challenger banks tend to be much better for use in Europe. There are very few charges and you can usually withdraw at least some cash without paying foreign withdrawal fees. The exchange rate at challenger banks tends to be better too, often sticking to the official Mastercard or interbank rate. This means you can be sure the bank isn’t profiting from you needing some euros! 

Prepaid Travel Cards for Europe 

A prepaid travel card is essentially a debit card that needs to be topped up from your bank account. You can top them up using online banking, via an app or in certain stores and establishments. When the funds are loaded, you can use the card as a regular debit card. 

Until the relatively recent rise of digital banks, prepaid euro cards were an excellent choice for anyone travelling the continent. While they still have plenty of fees attached, they’re cheaper than traditional banks. However, with the swell of challenger banks offering excellent debit cards for travel, there’s no real need to use a prepaid card anymore.

If you do opt for a prepaid euro card, ensure you understand the fees and exchange rates. Prepaid cards that take multiple currencies may offer a fantastic exchange rate if you convert the money to euros straight away. But, if you load the card with your home currency, the exchange rate for each foreign transaction is generally much worse. It’s also worth noting that some even charge you to a small fee to top up! 

Credit Cards for Travel in Europe

Travel credit cards are an excellent way to save money in Europe – but only if you’re careful! Make sure you pay off the balance each month. If you don’t, the interest you’ll need to pay will negate any savings you’d otherwise make. 

Most credit cards for travel offer fee-free transactions, no matter where you are in Europe. However, very few offer fee-free cash withdrawals – and even if they do, there is usually a higher interest rate attached to withdrawing cash on a credit card.

As well as fee-free transactions, travel credit cards tend to offer points for every pound, dollar or euro you spend. These points add up over time and can be redeemed for air miles, hotel stays and a range of other incentives, including cold hard cash! Exactly what is on offer will depend on your credit card provider, so shop around to make sure you get the best deal! 

Direct Debit Travel Card 

Direct debit travel cards offer a unique way to save money in Europe: simpler than opening a new bank account, easier than getting a new credit card and far less faff than choosing a good prepaid euro card, direct debit travel cards are changing the game. 

They connect to your normal bank account and you use them as a traditional debit card. The only difference is that the transaction goes through the travel card provider who act as an intermediary between your bank and the card machine you’re using. This step means your bank won’t charge you foreign transaction fees, saving you a small fortune! 

The Best Money Cards for Europe!

• Available to customers from the European Economic Area as well as many more countries!
• Multi-currency accounts on offer
• Limited free foreign withdrawals

Available to customers from many countries  – As well as being available to anyone with an address in the  European Economic Area , Revolut offer accounts to anyone from Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, UK, USA, Japan and Brazil. Revolut also offer ‘lite’ accounts to customers from other countries too! 

Visa or Mastercard  – Whether you get a Mastercard or Visa Revolut debit card will depend on where you live and where your account is registered. Both Visa and Mastercard work across Europe, so you won’t have an issue with either! 

Spending and Withdrawals  – Revolut allow you to withdraw £200GBP ( the exact amount may be slightly different in your local currency ), or make five withdrawals per month fee-free. After this, a 2% cash withdrawal fee kicks in. You also get limited fee-free card transactions each month. The first £1000GBP spent on your card (not including cash withdrawals) comes with no additional fees. After the first £1000GBP, a 0.5-1% fee applies to every transaction. With Revolut’s paid accounts, the withdrawal and spending limits are higher. 

App-Based  – Revolt offer full control of your account through the app. You can open a current account, multi-currency account, lock the card and create single-use digital debit cards all from the comfort of your sofa – no more needing to queue up at the bank to tell them you’re going travelling! 

Accommodation Bookings  – Revolut Stays allows you to book accommodation through the Revolut app and get 3-10% cashback!

You must be 18 and over to open a Revolut account. Read the full T&Cs .

• Free foreign withdrawals
• Deluxe accounts available for an additional fee
• Uses the interbank exchange rate
• Free withdrawals are limited to a certain amount of money each month
• Exchange rate changes at the weekend
• Fee-free foreign spending is limited

Starling Bank

• Fee-free foreign withdrawals and transactions
• Uses the Mastercard exchange rate 
• Account set-up is quick and easy

Withdrawals – Starling allow you to withdraw up to £300GBP or make six withdrawals per day . There are no foreign withdrawal fees and Starling uses the Mastercard exchange rate with no markup. There are also no fees for using your card to pay directly when in Europe!

Ethical Banking – Starling seem determined to do things differently. They have clear ethical and environmental goals laid out on their website . While your typical high street bank is investing your money in firearms, tobacco, alcohol and fossil fuels, Starling opt for ethical investing! 

Works Across Europe – Starling Bank provide a Mastercard with their accounts. This works almost everywhere in Europe! 

Helps You Budget – Thanks to spending notifications, spending categories, saving spaces and goals, Starling helps you accurately budget before and during your trip. You can create a virtual debit card for each saving space, allowing you to closely monitor your spending while you travel in Europe!

• No fees on foreign spending or withdrawals
• Easily replaces your traditional bank
• Full control from your phone
• Only available to those with a UK address

• No fee for foreign transactions
• Multi-currency account – hold up to 50 currencies at once
• Some free foreign withdrawals – the exact amount depends on where you live and where the account is registered

Perfect for Digital Nomads – If your work involves clients in multiple countries, Wise has you covered. A Wise account allows you to be paid in and store multiple currencies. 

Visa or Mastercard – Wise provide either a Visa or Mastercard depending on where you live and where your account is registered. However, not all Wise customers are eligible for a debit card with their account, this also depends where you live. See the full list of card-eligible countries here . 

Fees for Withdrawing Cash – Wise offer some free cash withdrawals each month. The exact amount you can withdraw before incurring fees depends on where you live and where the account the registered. 

Fees for Foreign Transactions – Wise allow you to spend money on your card fee-free but only if you have the correct currencies stored in your account. If not, they charge a small conversion fee for each transaction. 

• Available to residents of almost every country
• Can store and spend multiple currencies with one account
• Low international transfer fees
• Not all accounts come with a debit card (it depends on where you live)
• The card doesn’t work in every country

• No foreign transaction fees
• Uses Visa’s live exchange rate
• Works in all European countries

Fees – Although you can access a network of over 60,000 ATMs fee-free in the USA, you’ll need to pay a $2.50USD fee to withdraw money abroad with your Chime debit card. However, there are no international transaction fees with Chime, so you can pay for things on your card without having to stump up for an additional fee. 

Exchange Rate – When spending abroad with your Chime debit card, you’ll get the live Visa exchange rate. While fractionally worse than the Mastercard exchange rate, it’s still much better than using a money changer or letting traditional banks dictate the exchange rate. Remember to always pay in the local currency if you see the option on an ATM or card terminal! 

App and Website – Both Chime’s smartphone app and website give you an excellent level of control of your account. Make sure you enable international spending either through the app or website, so you can use the card abroad! Failure to do so will prevent the card from working and could see Chime block the card due to suspicious activity! 

Withdrawal Limit – Chime offer a generous $500USD daily withdrawal limit. If you’re withdrawing money abroad, you should withdraw the maximum possible to reduce the frequency you’ll be paying the $2.50USD foreign withdrawal fee!

• No rolling monthly fee
• High daily withdrawal limits
• Easy to control your account through the app or website
• Only available to customers in the USA
• No contactless card payments possible (does work with Apple and Google Pay though)
• Not all online payments are supported by Chime

• Connects with your traditional bank account
• Use the Currensea card as you would a normal debit card
• Removes foreign transaction fees usually levied from your bank

Easy to Use – While getting another travel card or opening a new bank account can feel like a hassle, Currensea making spending money in Europe easy! Thanks to open banking laws, a Currensea direct debit travel card hooks straight into your bank account, allowing you to spend money with reduced fees while abroad. Simply use the card as you would your normal debit card and Currensea handle the rest!

Different Plans – Currensea offer three different plans. The free plan offers everything you need for a shorter trip but if you travel a lot, getting either the Premium or Elite plan gives you access to better exchange rates, larger fee-free withdrawals and a range of other perks such as hire car discounts, hotel bonuses and even airport lounge access with the Elite card! 

Mastercard – The Currensea direct debit travel card is powered by Mastercard. This means you can use it anywhere that accepts Mastercard (almost everywhere in Europe)!

• No need to set up a new account
• Up to £500GBP fee-free withdrawal each month
• Different plans available depending on your needs
• Small fees for foreign withdrawals after the £500GBP limit is reached
• 0.5% foreign transaction fee with the free account (no transaction fee with paid accounts)
• Still leaves you reliant on your major high street bank

Prepaid Euro Cards 

While not necessary in the age of digital banks and FinTech companies, prepaid euro cards are still relatively popular – more popular than they deserve to be, honestly. 

Prepaid travel cards tend to have lower fees than your traditional high street bank but the costs are higher than opting for a digital bank or even a direct debit travel card. Some prepaid cards also have nasty hidden fees, such as a fee for loading money onto the card, or a fee for getting any leftover money back after your trip. 

We don’t like to recommend prepaid travel cards because they serve little purpose in today’s digital world but in case you’ve already made up your mind, these are the most popular options among travellers to Europe! 

• Travelex – Best for Travellers from the USA
• Monese – Top Choice for Travellers from the UK
• Fair FX – Top Choice for Travellers from the EU
• PayPal Prepaid Mastercard – Another Good Option for Travellers from The USA

Travel Money Cards for Europe – Your Questions Answered! 

Which cards are accepted in europe.

Mastercard and Visa cards are widely accepted throughout Europe and the rest of the world. You may have a hard time using an American Express card in Europe, although they’re more common than they used to be. Discover cards are less accepted than American Express. If you only have a Discover or American Express card, we recommend supplementing your wallet with a Mastercard or Visa as well! 

What is a Travel Card?

Travel cards allow you to access your money, either via card transactions or an ATM, abroad, without incurring high fees from your traditional bank. They come in different forms:

– Travel Credit Cards – Usually just regular credit cards with low or no foreign use fees and often include travel-based incentives like air miles or discounts on hotel stays.  – Travel Debit Cards – Can be used like a normal debit card. Often travel debit cards are supplied by a travel-friendly bank but you can also get prepaid travel debit cards that you top up from your traditional bank. You can also get direct debit travel cards which connect to your traditional bank and allow you to bypass your bank’s fees.

Travel Cards for Europe – A Round-Up

Getting the right travel card for Europe won’t make or break your trip but it can mean the difference of a few hundred dollars, even over a couple of weeks of travelling! For a longer adventure, the savings you’ll make will allow you to upgrade your accommodation choices or treat yourself to good restaurants while you travel!

It really is a no-brainer! Grab your travel card, book your flight and head to Europe for a backpacking trip to remember!  Have we missed your favourite travel card from our list? Let us know in the comments below!

Tim Ashdown | Writer and Gear Specialist

After a life-changing motorcycle accident, Tim decided life was too short to stay cooped up in his home county of Norfolk, UK. Since then, he has travelled Southeast Asia, walked the Camino de Santiago and backpacked South America. His first book,  From Paralysis to Santiago,  chronicles his struggle to recover from the motorcycle accident and will be released later this year.

•   Argentina
•   Australia
•   Brasil
•   Canada
•   Deutschland
•   España
•   France
•   India
•   Italia
•   Magyarország
•   Malaysia
•   New Zealand
•   Polska
•   Portugal
•   România
•   Singapore
•   United Kingdom
•   United States
•   繁體中文 (香港)

The 5 Best Travel Cards for Europe 2024

Europe is one of the top destinations for Australians heading on holiday - with year round attractions depending on whether you’re looking for a beach break, ski trip, or simply some time to eat, drink and soak up the culture. No matter what you’re off to Europe for, you’ll need to pay for things while you’re there. This guide walks through our picks of 5 of the best travel cards available for Australians heading to Europe, with a look at their features, benefits and drawbacks.

5 best travel cards to use in Europe

• Wise - debit card
• Revolut - debit card
• Travelex - prepaid card
• 28 Degrees Platinum - credit card
• Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard - credit card

Wise is our pick for travel debit card for Europe

With this card:

• Convert Aussie dollars to Euros at the mid-market exchange rate
• It's very easy to set up and order
• You can receive foreign currency into a multi-currency account linked to the card
• You can transfer money to a bank account overseas

It's not all good news though

• There is a 1.75% ATM withdrawal fee when you withdraw over $350 during a month
• It takes 7-14 days for delivery

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Wise compares

Read the full review

What are different types of travel cards?

It can be tricky working out which is the best travel card to use in Europe.

The fact is, the best one for you will really depend on what you need from the card you're using. We've listed what we think are three of the best travel money cards you can use while you're in Europe.

They can be either prepaid, debit or credit cards designed specially for overseas use. You can use travel cards to make purchases online, in stores and to withdraw money at ATMs. There are 3 popular types:

Travel Debit Cards

Prepaid travel cards, travel credit cards.

Let's have a look at each one.

Debit Cards offer the convenience of a credit card, but work differently. They draw money directly from your bank account when you make a purchase. It's designed for everyday money transactions and means that you're not accumulating debt.

If you have spending issues, it's a better option to use your debit card whenever possible. This is because it will prevent you from falling into credit card debt. And for daily purchases, we think a debit card can help you stick to your travel budget, because you can't overdraw money from your account.

Generally, we recommend having the combination of a travel debit and travel credit card for safety, flexibility and convenience on your trip.

Wise - travel debit card for Europe

The Wise card offers a flexible way to pay and make withdrawals with most European currencies covered for holding and exchange. You’ll be able to order your card for a low one time fee, with no ongoing costs to worry about.

Whether you’re spending in euros, British pounds, or any of the other 40+ currencies supported, you’ll get the mid-market exchange rate when you switch from AUD, with low fees from 0.43%. Exchange your AUD to the currency or currencies you need in advance, or just let the card handle the conversion at the point of payment for extra convenience.

• No annual fee, hidden transaction fees, exchange rate markups
• No minimum balance requirements
• Allows you to make payments and withdrawals wherever you are in the world in over 40 currencies
• Local bank account details in Australia (AUD), the UK (GBP), the USA (USD), Europe (EUR) and New Zealand (NZD)
• It takes 7-14 business days to receive the card
• Can't always access local technical support depending on where you are
• Free cash withdrawals limited to under $350 every 30 days
• Only currently available in the US, UK, Europe, Australia and New Zealand

Revolut - prepaid travel card for Europe

The Revolut prepaid travel card lets you pick the account and card type that suits your personal needs and preferences. Go for a Standard plan with no monthly fee to pay, or upgrade to one of the higher tier account options with ongoing costs, which unlock extra features and benefits. Whichever card you pick you can spend in 150+ countries and get some no fee ATM withdrawals and currency conversion which uses the mid-market rate. Fair usage fees apply once you’ve used your account plan no-fee limit for a particular transaction type.

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Revolut compares

• Very easy to use app
• Free to set up
• No hidden fees or exchange rate mark-ups (except on weekends)
• You can use it to transfer money to a bank account overseas
• Additional fees for using the card on a weekend
• 2% ATM fee once you withdraw more than $350 in any 30 day period
• 3-4 business days before you receive your card
• Ongoing subscription fee for Premium and Metal cards

For prepaid cards, you're able to load the card with a set amount of money in the currencies you need. Ideally you do this before your trip, but often you can reload them as well.

Most prepaid travel cards allow for multiple currencies to be loaded onto the card. So it's important to know what currency you'll be using on your travels. Airlines also offer prepaid cards so the money you spend can earn you reward points.

Depending on where you're visiting, there might be better local alternatives available. Check out our lists of the best prepaid cards available in the USA and UK .

With prepaid travel cards you need to be careful. They can have numerous fees and charges, which can make it more expensive than other options. But if you're organised and travelling to multiple cities a prepaid travel card is a good option.

Travelex - prepaid travel card for Europe

The Travelex travel money card can be a convenient pick if you’re in a hurry as you can walk into a Travelex store and get one in just a few minutes. Just take along a suitable ID document, to get your card and account before you travel. You’ll be able to hold and exchange 10 major currencies, which covers euros and pounds. Bear in mind that exchange rates may include a markup - and other European currencies aren’t supported for holding or exchange so while you’ll be able to spend in a selection of other currencies, you won’t be able to buy them in advance to lock in a rate and set your travel budget.

Click here to see the full list of cards and how Travelex compares

• Supports 10 major global currencies for holding and exchange 
• Get your card online or in person for extra convenience
• No Travelex fee to spend or make an ATM withdrawal
• Some fee free ways to top up your card balance are available
• Exchange rates are likely to include a markup on the mid-market rate
• Fees may apply when you buy or top up your card
• Relatively low number of supported currencies
• Account closure and inactivity fees may apply

Credit cards have obviously been around for a long time. But now there are specialised travel credit cards. Generally, these cards give you longer to pay back what you've spent but the interest rates after this time can be quite high.

The main advantage with credit cards are the reward points you get in return for your customer loyalty when you spend. But it only works if you pay off the balance in full each month.

Credit cards are great to use for car hire, restaurants and accommodation - larger expenses that are easier for you to pay back over time. Some services only take credit cards to hold purchases so they can definitely be handy while you're travelling.

28 Degrees - travel credit card for Europe

• There are no annual fees
• No overseas purchase fee or currency conversion fee
• You get 55 days interest free on purchases
• Access to free 24/7 concierge service
• Emergency card replacement worldwide

The 28 Degrees Platinum Mastercard has additional benefits including shoppers and repayments benefits cover.

• Can have 9 additional cardholders
• No overseas purchase fee, or currency conversion fee
• No foreign transaction fee
• Free Replacement Card
• High interest rates after the initial 55 days
• Minimum credit limit is $6,000
• No introductory offers or rewards

Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard - travel credit card for Europe

The Bankwest Zero Platinum Mastercard has no annual fee to pay, and no foreign transaction fee either. That can make it a good option if you’d prefer to spend using a credit card and then pay off your travel bills later. There’s even a buy now, pay later which may let you split the costs of some eligible purchases into 4 payments with no extra interest to pay. Bear in mind that some fees and costs do apply to this card, particularly if you want to make ATM withdrawals, or if you’d prefer not to pay your bill off in full every month.

• No annual fee to pay
• No Bankwest foreign transaction fee
• Some complimentary travel insurance available for card holders
• Can be used as a payment guarantee, such as when renting a car or checking into a hotel
• Interest applies if you don’t pay your bill in full every period
• Cash advance fee of 3%, and a higher rate of interest compared to card spending
• 6,000 AUD minimum credit limit
• Subject to eligibility requirements and credit checks

FAQ - 5 best travel cards for Europe

Which card is better to use in Europe?

The best card for Europe will depend on exactly where you’re heading and how you like to manage your money. Using a travel debit card or travel prepaid card like Wise travel card or Revolut can be a handy way to hold, exchange, spend and manage your money across a selection of major European currencies, offering flexibility and low costs. 

What's the best prepaid card to use in Europe?

There’s no single best prepaid card for Europe, but picking one which covers all the currencies you’ll need is essential. Bear in mind that there are many other European currencies aside from pounds and euros - choose a card which has a broad range of supported currencies for convenience. Wise supports 40+ currencies, while Revolut has 25+ currencies, making either of these a good place to start your research.

Can I use my Australian debit card in Europe?

You can use your Australian debit card in Europe anywhere the network - often Visa or Mastercard - is supported. Bear in mind that you may need to tell your bank you’re planning to travel, to avoid your card being frozen for security reasons. Double check if your debit card has a foreign transaction fee to pay - if it does, using a specialist travel card can mean you pay less overall when you spend in foreign currencies.

What is the best way to pay when travelling in Europe?

Having a selection of ways to pay whenever you travel is a good idea. You may choose to carry some local cash, some AUD for exchange, your Australian debit card and a specialist travel credit or debit card, for example. This should mean you’re covered - even if you find a merchant which can’t accept your preferred payment method.

Which debit card has no fees in Europe?

A travel card from a provider like Wise, Revolut or Travelex lets you hold a foreign currency balance and spend it with no extra fee. Each card has its own features and fees so you’ll need to compare a few to decide which is best for your specific needs.

Is Visa or Mastercard better for Europe?

Both Visa and Mastercard are very widely accepted in Europe. Look out for the symbol displayed on ATMs or at payment terminals in stores.

Need to know more about travelling to Europe?

Passports, Visas and Vaccinations

How Much Things Cost in Europe

Currency in Europe

Banks, ATMs & Currency Exchange

The Best Cards to Use in Europe

7 Common Travel Money Traps to Avoid in Europe

12 Best Prepaid and E-Sim Cards for Europe in 2024

Planning your trip to Europe and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Don't get stuck with high roaming costs or slow overseas data roaming packages! Get yourself a sim card for traveling in Europe. This is a guide for finding the best European sim card for your trip.

Whether you need a physical prepaid sim card or an e-sim cards for Europe in this guide you will find them both. Find out where to order one, up to date prices as per May 2024 and everything else you need to know before ordering a sim card for traveling to Europe in 2024

For my research finding the best sim card for Europe I traveled to every European country and documented all my travel tips. That is why on Traveltomtom you can find complete guides for finding the best prepaid and e-sim card for Spain ,  Italy , Switzerland , Greece ,  Ireland , Portugal , Germany ,  Poland , France ,  Sweden , UK , Hungary , Croatia , Austria , Finland , Norway , Netherlands , Belgium , Bulgaria  and all others.

In the above guides you can find a comparison between local prepaid sim cards you buy on arrival and sim cards for Europe you buy on the internet.

My recommendation for 2024

Buying a local prepaid sim card is the cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Europe in 2024. In the links above you will find specific guides for buying a local prepaid sim card per country or airport, which means on arrival in Europe.

But wouldn't it be easy to be online and have data on your phone as soon as the plane lands?

Arrive prepared for your trip to Europe and by ordering a sim card online before your trip. Ordering a sim card for Europe on the internet is super easy and there are amazing tourist sim card deals available.

Here are Traveltomtom's top picks for 2024:

1. Holiday Europe - 50 GB - $59.90 USD

• valid for 28 days
• unlimited calling & texting
• valid in 39 countries - all of Europe
• only $1.2 USD per Gigabyte

Click here for more info or to order a Orange e-sim card for traveling to Europe via SimOptions .

Traveltomtom rates the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM as the best Europe sim card in 2024. For $59.90 USD you get 50 GB data which is just $1.2 USD per Gigabyte and best thing is that this e-sim card is 5G ready, where most of the physical prepaid and e-sim cards for Europe only support 4G/LTE.

2. Bouygues Telecom - 30 GB - $44.90 USD

• valid for 30 days
• $1.5 USD per Gigabyte

Click here for more info or to order a Bouygues Telecom e-sim card for traveling to Europe via SimOptions .

Traveltomtom ranks the Bouygues Telecom e-sim cards as the second best sim card for traveling to Europe in 2024. You get 30 GB data for 30 days for $44.90 USD including unlimited calling and texting. This comes down to $1.5 USD per Gigabyte.

Physical prepaid sim card

If your phone is not e-sim compatible then Traveltomtom recommends an  Orange Holiday Europe . This is the best physical prepaid sim card for visiting Europe in 2024.

You get 30 GB data for 15 days including unlimited calling and texting plus 120 minutes to anywhere in the world for $49.90 USD. That is $1.67 USD per Gigabyte. SimOptions  is the only sim card provider where you can order a physical prepaid sim card for Europe.

Don't waste your precious holiday time in Europe standing in line at the airport or waste an hour waiting for your turn in a local sim card store. No more language barriers. Order a sim card for Europe online before your trip! How?

This is your ultimate guide, read everything you need to know below and get connected instantly.

Traveltomtom's favorite e-sim providers are  Airalo  and  SimOptions . Why? Traveltomtom has personally used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards for more than 5 years and never faced an issue.

All the sim cards listed in this article are European sim cards with data that you can order online before your trip. The international physical prepaid sim cards will be delivered to your home address before your trip and are activated automatically from its first use. E-sim cards for Europe obviously are delivered via email.

Traveltomtom also recommends world sim cards with global coverage. Check out my article with a comparison of the  best international sim cards for travelling in 2024  if you for example continue your trip to Europe to Turkey, Asia or the Middle East.

Sim cards for Europe with unlimited data

Traveltomtom does not recommend sim cards for Europe with unlimited data. With most of these sim cards you will end up frustrated! Always double check at what speed you get unlimited data, because in reality 'unlimited' is mostly not 'unlimited'.

There is pretty much always a FUP (Fair Use Policy) on these Europe sim cards with unlimited data.

For example Holafly sells e-sim cards with unlimited data for Europe, but in the small letters you will find this:  the eSIM includes unlimited data for the contracted time. However, please note that the carrier may reserve the right to apply a Fair Usage Policy.

This literally means that if the operator thinks you are using too much data on a day, they reduce your data speed. Holafly does not specify what the FUP is. From my own experience I can tell you that this already applies sometimes after using 2 GB data per day.

When this happens your data speed is reduced to something like 512 Kbps which means you can barely send a photo through WhatsApp and your social media apps won't work for a full 24 hours.

To avoid all this hassle, Traveltomtom does not recommend sim cards for Europe with unlimited data, unless the Fair Use Policy is clearly mentioned and it is above 100 GB data per month or something similar.

To make it all easy for travelers coming to Europe, just buy your sim card online before your trip! Here are the 12 best European prepaid sim cards and e-sim cards for Europe. The best ones are ranked first...

1. Orange Holiday Europe eSIM - 50 GB

This is the latest addition to the family of the Orange sim cards for traveling in Europe. It is the bigger brother of the Orange Holiday Europe sim card. At the moment this sim card is only available as an e-sim card and not as physical prepaid sim card.

This Orange Holiday Europe 50 GB eSIM is the only proper 5G ready sim card for Europe. The rate of only $1.2 USD per Gigabyte makes this the best-buy e-sim card for Europe in 2024.

Price: $59.90 USD

• 50 GB data in all of the EU including Switzerland, UK, Iceland and Norway
• Unlimited calling & texting in Europe
• 120 minutes to any country in the world
• 1000 sms to any country in the world
• Valid 28 days
• Automatically activated from the first time it connects to a supported network in Europe
• Top up available
• ID verification/registration is NOT required
• Sim card comes with a phone number from France starting with +33

Click here to order the Orange Holiday Europe e-sim card for 28 days .

2. Bouygues Telecom My European eSIM - 30 GB

The Bouygues Telecom prepaid sim card for tourists is rated as one the best sim card for traveling to Europe in 2024 by Traveltomtom. Unfortunately the Bouygues Telecom tourist sim card is ONLY available as an e-sim card and not as a physical prepaid sim card, so make sure your phone is e-sim compatible.

Price: $44.90 USD

• 30 GB data in all of the EU countries including UK, Norway, Iceland
• Switzerland is NOT included
• Valid for 30 days
• Top up is possible
• E-sim card comes with a phone number from France starting with +33
• Can receive sms and calls
• You have to activate the e-sim card within 1 year after purchase
• Automatically activates from the first time it connects to a supported network in Europe

Click here to directly order a Bouygues Telecom e-sim card for Europe .

This Bouygues Telecom e-sim card package is called My European eSIM and with $1.5 USD per 1 Gigabyte data is among the best value sim cards for Europe. On top of that this e-sim card is valid for 30 days and therefore it is mentioned second in my list of the best sim cards for Europe in 2024.

3.  Orange Holiday Europe - 30 GB  (physical and e-sim)

One of the best physical prepaid sim cards for traveling in Europe is the Orange Holiday Europe sim card for tourists, especially if you are looking for a Europe sim card including international minutes. It is available as physical prepaid sim card as well as e-sim card and you can order it directly online.

Price: $49.90 USD

• 30 GB data in all of the EU including Switzerland, UK, Iceland and Norway
• Valid 14 days
• $1.67 USD per Gigabyte

Click here to order this Orange Holiday Europe sim card for Europe as a physical prepaid sim card

You can also order this sim for Europe as an e-sim via SimOptions  for the same price.

Great advantage of this Orange tourist sim card for Europe is that it has international calling minutes included. The downside about the Orange Holiday Europe prepaid sim card is that it is valid for only 14 days.

If your trip to Europe is longer than 14 days I recommend you getting a different prepaid or e-sim card for Europe so you don't have to worry about topping up during your holiday.

4. Jetpac (e-sim)

Jetpac is a fairly new e-sim provider and is trying to conquer the market with some incredible e-sim card plans for traveling to Europe. 

The Jetpac e-sims work in 28 countries in Europe: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican City.

Pretty much in all popular tourist destinations in Europe, however not in: Poland, Ukraine, Slovakia, Romania, Albania, Cyprus, Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

If you are visiting the Balkan on your trip to Europe then Jetpac is not the perfect e-sim for your trip.

Prices and rates Jetpac Europe

Jetpac Global is at the moment the cheapest e-sim card for Europe as they have an offer for just $1 USD. Here are all the e-sim card plans from Jetpac for 2024:

• 1 GB data for 30 days = $1 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $8.5 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $18 USD
• 15 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $34 USD
• 25 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
• 30 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
• 40 GB data for 30 days = $60 USD

Click here to  order a Jetpac e-sim card for Europe .

The rate of the best Jetpac e-sim is 30 GB data for $40 USD which comes down to $1.33 USD per Gigabyte.

The Jetpac Global e-sim card plans are valid for 30 days and the validity starts automatically when it connects for the first time to a network in a country where you can use Jetpac and the data pack is valid 1 year from date of purchase.

Jetpac Global is only available as an e-sim card and not as a physical prepaid sim card. The Jetpac Global e-sim cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

An extra advantage of Jetpac Global e-sim cards is that they provide free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other e-sim cards offer.

For more info check out the Jetpack website .

5. Eurolink eSIM from Airalo

Airalo is a trusted e-sim card provider and offers e-sim cards for pretty much every country in the world. Their Europe e-sim card plans are more expensive than other e-sim cards for Europe.

The Airalo e-sim cards for Europe are partially 5G ready, meaning in some countries you are able to use 5G in some countries you will have to it with 4G/LTE. It is a 50/50 I would say.

5G is available in: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, France, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK. All other countries there is only 4G/LTE network available.

Eurolink e-sim cards also have plans for 3 months and even for 6 months, which could be a very interesting e-sim for travelers visiting Europe for more than 1 month.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
• 3 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
• 10 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
• 50 GB data for 90 days = $100 USD
• 100 GB data for 180 days = $185 USD

Click here for more info or to order a Eurolink e-sim card for Europe via Airalo .

Eurolink e-sim cards are valid in all of Europe including Iceland, Norway, UK, Switzerland, Ukraine and even in Turkey!

Traveltomtom uses Airalo e-sim cards a lot, but their rates per Gigabyte for Europe are more expensive than the other sim cards mentioned above.

Traveltomtom sometimes uses an Airalo e-sim card for Europe when I continue my Europe trip to Istanbul. Airalo is the best e-sim card for traveling to Europe and Turkey on one trip.

Especially for people looking for e-sim cards for Europe that are valid for 3 or 6 months Airalo is one of the best e-sim cards for Europe.

6. Bouygues Telecom Travel Basic - 15 GB  (e-sim)

This is another e-sim card only plan from Bouygues Telecom, basically a cheaper plan. This European sim card is for those travelers who stay less than 15 days and only need about 1 GB per day.

Price: $21.90 USD

• 15 GB data in all of the EU countries including UK, Norway, Iceland
• Valid for 15 days

This Bouygues Telecom sim card is not available as a physical prepaid sim card, only as an e-sim card.

7.  Three (3) Data Pack - 10 GB  (physical sim)

This Three UK sim card is only available as a physical prepaid sim card and NOT as an e-sim. It will be delivered to your home address and it is plug and play on arrival in Europe.

Price: $24.90 USD

• 10 GB data in all of Europe including Switzerland, UK, Norway, Iceland and up to 30 countries outside of Europe
• Unlimited calls/sms in all of Europe
• Valid 30 days from inserting in phone
• No top up possible
• Sim card comes with a phone number from UK starting with +44

Click here to directly order a Three Data Pack physical sim card for traveling to Europe .

Big plus is that this Europe sim card is 5G ready and includes unlimited calls/sms in Europe and up to 30 other countries around the world like USA, Brazil, Australia, Indonesia, Israel, Singapore, Vietnam, Costa Rica, Colombia and many more.

8. Nomad eSIM for Europe

Nomad has some of the cheapest e-sim cards for traveling in Europe with some amazing value plans. They go as low as $1.3 USD per GB data. The Nomad e-sim cards are from eSIM Go and they support 5G in some countries, not yet everywhere.

• 1 GB data for 7 days = $7 USD
• 3 GB data for 15 days = $13 USD
• 5 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
• 20 GB data for 30 days = $26 USD

Click here to order a Nomad e-sim card for traveling in Europe .

The Nomad e-sim cards are data-only sim cards for Europe and do not come with a phone number. Incoming and outgoing calls are not supported.

9.  O2 Go Card Prepaid sim card - 10 GB  (physical and e-sim)

This O2 sim card plan from Czech Republic is available as a physical prepaid sim card as well as an e-sim card. When you order this physical sim card it will be delivered to your home address before your trip to Europe.

• 10 GB data in all of Europe (Switzerland NOT included)
• $2 credit for calls in Europe (top up online available only for EU citizens. For non-EU citizens only within Czech Republic)
• $2 credit for sms in Europe
• Receiving unlimited calls in all of the covered countries in Europe
• Valid for 30 days from its installation, even if not in Europe yet
• It comes with a Czech number starting with +420

Click here to order an O2 Go Card as a physical prepaid sim card and here as an e-sim card .

10. Orange Holiday Zen sim card for Europe - 12 GB

Price: $29.90 USD

• 12 GB data in all of Europe including Switzerland, UK, Iceland and Norway
• Valid for 14 days from the first time it connects to a supported network in Europe

The smaller brother of the Orange Holiday Europe sim card is called the Orange Holiday Zen. Unlimited calls/texting in Europe and 12 GB, so much smaller data plan, but also cheaper.

Click here to order this Orange Holiday Zen sim card for Europe as a physical prepaid sim card and click here to order the Orange Holiday Zen as an e-sim card .

11. Holafly

Holafly sells e-sim cards for Europe with unlimited data. Traveltomtom is not a fan of e-sim cards with 'unlimited' data and I explained to you why in the beginning of this article.

• 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
• 2 days 'unlimited' data = $10 USD
• 3 days 'unlimited' data = $13 USD
• 4 days 'unlimited' data = $16 USD
• 5 days 'unlimited' data = $21 USD
• 6 days 'unlimited' data = $25 USD
• 7 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
• 8 days 'unlimited' data = $31 USD
• 9 days 'unlimited' data = $35 USD
• 10 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
• 11 days 'unlimited' data = $40 USD
• 14 days 'unlimited' data = $48 USD
• 20 days 'unlimited' data = $64 USD
• 30 days 'unlimited' data = $75 USD

The Holafly e-sim cards for Europe are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These e-sims do also not come with a phone number. The Holafly e-sims operate on the 4G/LTE network and are not 5G ready.

You can use a hotspot on Holafly Europe e-sim cards of up to 500 MB per day.

The Holafly Europe e-sims are valid in the following 32 countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and Ukraine.

Why 'unlimited'? Because there is a Fair Use Policy and Traveltomtom has had bad experiences with this in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data.

If I hate something then it is slow data speed. Therefore Traveltomtom's is not a fan of e-sim cards with 'unlimited' data and I do not want reduced data speed because I apparently hit the FUP (which is not defined).

Therefore the Holafly e-sim cards for Europe are not ranked that high in this list of the best sim cards for traveling to Europe in 2024.

Of course you can also order sim cards for traveling to Europe on Amazon. When searching for 'Sim Card for Europe' on Amazon you will get a long list of available physical prepaid sim cards. There are no e-sim cards available on Amazon.

Here are some examples:

• Orange: 16 GB data (not in UK, Switzerland) + 800 minutes for 28 day = $28 USD + tax
• Three: 10 GB data + unlimited calls/sms for 30 days = $19 USD + tax
• Sim2Roam: 3 GB data for 30 days = $16 USD + tax
• Vodafone: 12 GB data for 14 days = $17 USD + tax

Listed as a last option because it is a jungle finding the best sim card for Europe on Amazon. Plus delivery fees and taxes making it sometimes really expensive.

Free EU data roaming on European sim cards

The European Union came in 2017 finally with the genius idea to let go of roaming charges within the EU countries. Therefore in 2017 people can use their sim card from Spain in Italy and their Germany sim card in Sweden without any extra charges. For people looking for a sim card for Europe travel this was the best news ever of course.

Therefore upon arrival in Europe you can potentially buy a local prepaid sim card for tourists and be connected to the internet in all other countries you visit in Europe. However, there are a lot of exceptions, so keep reading…

The biggest exceptions are: UK, Switzerland and Norway. As you might know these are countries in Europe, but they are NOT part of the European Union, which means roaming costs can apply for these countries.

Brexit threw the UK out of the European Union and one of the major problems is the free EU roaming on UK prepaid sim cards. Most of the prepaid and e-sim cards you buy in the UK do not include free EU roaming anymore. For more info see my guide for buying a sim card in the UK in 2024 .

Why buying a sim card for Europe

A very simple question? Do you want to rely on others when traveling to Europe? Yes, your hotel, bar, restaurant, train and even park have free public WiFi these days. So getting WiFi when traveling is fairly easy. Yet, Traveltomtom still recommend you getting a sim card for Europe.

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First of all public WiFi can not be trusted in speed, signal and security. What if the signal in your hotel room is weak and you can't change rooms? Or it is too slow to even upload an Instagram story. Getting connected with your phone makes traveling so much easier, just like real life!

Also another reminder that surfing the internet on public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended in these cases to protect your privacy.

Think about ordering a cab on the streets through a taxi app, or getting directions from Google Maps and finding a nearby restaurants with good reviews or finding out the train schedule to get back to your hotel. So many reasons Traveltomtom recommends getting a sim card for your trip to Europe.

Local prepaid sim cards vs. European sim cards

All sim cards mentioned in this article are sim cards with FREE EU roaming intended for those that visit a couple countries on a short trip. However, if you only travel to 1 or 2 countries in Europe you might be better off buying a local sim card on arrival. Local sim cards are mostly valid in 1 country only. Especially for a trip to Eastern Europe I would recommend buying a local sim card, rather than a European sim card.

For a complete overview of all sim card prices per country have a look at my guide for buying a local sim card in Europe in 2024 .

I love traveling in Europe off the beaten path , have a look at my 12 secret places to visit. I bet some of them you have never even heard of.

Getting connected is the first thing I do when I get to a new country. Depending on the length of my trip that means either buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival or ordering an e-sim card online. Must say that the last years on all my trips to Europe I bought an e-sim card since it is just much easier and less hassle.

Buying a local sim card on arrival in Europe

Sometimes the best European sim card deals you get on arrival in Europe. In France for example you get 150 GB data for €20 EUR ($22 USD) and data bundles in Italy are also very affordable. Most countries in Eastern Europe offer amazing local prepaid sim card deals with up to 75 GB data for just $6 USD but these local prepaid sim cards often do NOT offer free EU data roaming.

Therefore I recommend you to check my complete guide for buying a local sim card in Europe in 2024 , with a specific list of every country in Europe and what prices to expect on arrival before buying a sim card for Europe.

Traveltomtom also wrote sim card guides for all major airports in Europe: Zurich ,  London Heathrow , London Gatwick , Copenhagen , Amsterdam , Paris , Frankfurt , Dublin , Madrid , Manchester , Lisbon , Rome , Milan , Venice , Vienna , Oslo , Athens , Barcelona ,  Berlin , Budapest , Geneva , Bucharest , Tirana , Budapest , Prague , Brussels  and many more.

I hope all the above tips for finding the best sim card for your trip to Europe in 2024 were helpful. If you still have questions please don’t hesitate to leave me a comment below.

Looking for off the beaten path destinations in Europe then click on the link and I bet most of those places you have never even heard of. Let me fuel you with some more wanderlust.

Because Traveltomtom would also like to visit every country in the world  you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all around the world: USA , Canada , Mexico , Colombia , South Africa , Asia , Turkey ,  Saudi Arabia ,  Hong Kong , Thailand , Singapore , Brazil , Philippines , Egypt , China , Australia , New Zealand  and many more!

So next time you plan your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and e-sim card advice for your next holiday destination. Bookmark me!

If interested check out my Instagram profile @traveltomtom to see more of my journey to visit every country in the world . As of May 2024 I have traveled to more than 155 countries, but no rush to reach 197.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Adventure Travel & Blogger (@traveltomtom)

Enjoy your trip to Europe!

Some links in this article about the best travel sim cards for Europe are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate links I earn a small commission. Don’t worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

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The 6 Best Travel Money Cards for Europe - 2024

If you’re travelling to Europe, a travel money card can make spending and withdrawing cash when you’re away cheaper and more convenient. Different types of travel money cards, including travel debit cards, prepaid travel cards and travel credit cards, are available to support different customer needs. The right one for you will depend on your personal preference and how you like to manage your money.

Read on for all you need to know, including a closer look at travel money card types, some great options to consider, and the sorts of fees you need to think about when you choose.

Wise - our pick for travel debit card for Europe

Before we get into details about different travel money card options, let’s start with the Wise card as a good all-round option that allows you to hold and spend euros, as well as a diverse range of other European and world currencies.

Here are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using the Wise travel money debit card , to help you decide if it's suitable for you.

Hold and exchange 50+ currencies including EUR and a selection of other European and world currencies

No fee to spend any currency you hold, low conversion fees from 0.41%

Mid market exchange rate on all currency conversion

Some fee free ATM withdrawals every month

No ongoing fees and no interest to pay

ATM fees apply once you exceed your plan limits

No option to earn points or rewards

Click here to read a full Wise review

What is a travel money card?

Similar to your standard bank card, a travel money card is accepted for online and in-store transactions, as well as cash withdrawals - but the features and fees  you’ll get are tailored for international usage. That can lead to benefits such as improved exchange rates and reduced fees compared to your regular card.

If you’re headed to Europe, you could find a travel money card which supports the currency or currencies in the destinations you’re visiting is a good idea. While much of Europe uses the euro, there are actually 29 different European currencies, so you’ll need to double check what’s needed wherever you’re headed.

6 travel money cards for Europe compared

Before we get into each card option in more depth, here’s a summary of how six of the best travel money cards for Europe compare to each other.

The features of various travel money cards can differ significantly. Typically, travel debit cards are cost-effective and convenient, while travel credit cards offer advantages such as cashback or rewards, but may result in interest and late payment fees, depending on how you choose to pay.

Travel debit cards usually allow you to easily add funds online or via a mobile app, which helps you stick to your budget and avoid overspending. Conversely, travel credit cards enable you to spend up to your credit limit, and you can pay off the balance over several months. The choice between the two will come down to how you like to manage your money - we’ll dive into a few more details about each card type, next.

What are different types of travel cards?

Generally, Canadian customers are able to select a travel money card from either a regular bank or a specialist provider, with card types available including travel debit cards, travel prepaid cards or travel credit cards. We’ll walk through what each travel money card type is, and pick out a couple of good card options, so you can compare and choose.

1. Travel debit cards

2. Travel prepaid cards

3. Travel credit cards

1. Travel Debit Cards

Travel debit cards from specialist providers have linked digital accounts you can use to hold and convert a currency balance. It’s common to find a good selection of major European currencies supported, including euros and British pounds. Some more flexible card options, like Wise, also support other European currencies like Norwegian or Danish kroner, Swedish kronor, Romanian lei and more. While different cards have their own features, travel debit cards can usually be topped up easily online and through an app, with the option to see your balance and get transaction notifications through your phone too. That makes it easier to keep on top of your money, even when you’re away from home.

Travel debit card Option 1: Wise

Wise is our pick for travel debit card for Europe . There’s no fee to open a Wise account, and no delivery fee for your Wise card, with no minimum balance and no monthly charge. You just pay low Wise fees from 0.41% when you convert currencies, and transparent ATM fees when you exhaust the monthly free transactions available with your account.

No fee to open a Wise account, no minimum balance requirement

No fee to get your Wise card, free to spend any currency you hold

2 withdrawals, to 350 CAD value per month for free, then 1.5 CAD + 1.75%

Hold EUR and 50+ other currencies, convert between them with the mid-market rate

Get local account details to receive EUR, HUF, RON and 6 other currencies for free

Travel debit card Option 2: Canada Post Cash Passport

You can pick up a Canada Post Cash Passport in your local Post Office, and top up your account in CAD. You can then switch your balance to any of the 7 supported major currencies - or you can just allow the card to convert to the currency you need, although there is a foreign exchange fee of 3.25% for doing so. You can use your Canada Post Cash Passport card in ATMs and wherever the network is supported. ATM fees apply which vary by currency.

Supports 7 major currencies, including euros and pounds

No fee to spend currencies you hold in your account

Variable ATM fee, 1.9 EUR when in the the Eurozone for example

1.5% fee for using your card in Canada - plus any applicable fee to convert funds back to CAD if you hold a foreign currency

Pros and cons of using debit travel cards in Europe

Avoid interest costs and late payment fees

Hold and exchange currencies in advance or at the time of spending

Accounts can be topped up, viewed and managed using just your phone

Safe to use, as accounts aren’t linked to your main Canadian bank account

Travel debit cards are issued on popular global payment networks

Transaction and currency conversion fees may apply

Cash back and rewards may not be available

How to choose the best travel debit card for Europe?

The best travel debit card for Europe really depends on your personal preferences and how you like to manage your money. If you’ll be travelling widely it makes sense to look for an account with mid-market currency exchange and a large selection of supported currencies as well as EUR, like Wise. Other providers like Canada Post also support EUR and GBP for your trip to Europe, and the Cash Passport can be conveniently collected in your local Post Office.

Is there a spending limit with a travel debit card in Europe?  

Card use limits are determined by individual providers and can vary depending on the transaction type. Limits may apply on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. For instance, there may be a cap on the number or value of ATM withdrawals allowed per day or a limit on the value of contactless payments you can make. These limits are set for security reasons and can often be adjusted using the provider's app.

2. Prepaid Travel Cards

With a prepaid travel card you’ll usually need to first order a card and then add funds in the supported currency of your choice. Once you have a balance you can then pay merchants and make cash withdrawals at home and abroad. While prepaid travel cards are usually issued on large global networks - and can therefore be used pretty widely - you may find you pay a foreign transaction fee when overseas, depending on the specific card you select.

Prepaid travel card option 1: BMO Reloadable Mastercard

The BMO Reloadable Mastercard can be topped up in CAD and used when you travel in Europe. You’ll pay a 2.5% foreign transaction fee when overseas, but you’ll still have the advantage that - as with other prepaid and travel cards - this card is not linked to your primary bank account, so it can increase security when spending abroad. There’s a 6.95 CAD annual fee, but as this is a purchase card rather than a credit card, there’s no interest to worry about. You just top up and you can spend up to your account balance freely.

6.95 CAD annual fee, 2.5% foreign transaction fee

5 CAD ATM fee

No interest to worry about

Manage your card online or using your phone, to top up and view balance

Add funds from BMO or other Canadian banks directly

Prepaid travel card option 2: Koho Premium Mastercard

You can get up to 2% cash back with the Koho Premium Mastercard, and there’s no foreign transaction fee to worry about. Instead, you pay a monthly card fee of 9 CAD. The basic card is free to get, or you can upgrade to a Koho metal card for 159 CAD if you want a fancier way to pay when you’re at home and abroad.

9 CAD/month premium fee

No foreign transaction fee

Earn cash back on your spending

Pros and cons of using prepaid travel cards in Europe

Manage your account, add more money or convert funds online or with an app

Accounts with no monthly fees are available

Issued on globally popular networks for good coverage

ATM withdrawals supported globally

Some accounts have extras like options to earn cash back or reward points

Typically only CAD supported - watch out for foreign transaction charges

Transaction fees apply to most accounts

How to choose the best travel prepaid card for Europe?

There’s no single best travel prepaid card for Europe - it’ll come down to your personal preference. If you don’t mind paying a monthly fee you might like the Koho Premium card which waives foreign transaction fees, and other charges like ATM withdrawal fees. Otherwise, if you just want a simple prepaid card and don’t mind the foreign transaction fee when you’re in Europe, the BMO prepaid card might suit you.

Is there a spending limit with a prepaid card in Europe?

Different prepaid travel cards set their own limits for spending and withdrawals, which can  vary between currencies. You’ll need to check your card’s terms and conditions carefully to make sure you pick a provider which suits your needs.

3. Travel Credit Cards

Travel credit cards typically offer some extra international features compared to regular credit cards, such as low or no foreign transaction fees or extra option to earn rewards when you’re abroad. In general, travel credit cards are safe and convenient but can be more expensive compared to using a debit card option. Before you select the right card for you it’s important to check the fees, rates, eligibility rules and interest rates which apply, so you can make sure it’s a good fit for you.

Travel credit card option 1: HSBC World Elite Mastercard

The HSBC World Elite Mastercard has been optimised for overseas use, with extra rewards on international spending and travel, plus no foreign transaction fees to pay. There are lots of ways to earn rewards, including variable new customer bonus offers - the downside is that there’s an annual fee of 149 CAD, so you’ll need to check if the benefits outweigh the costs. As with any other credit card, you’ll also need to pay off your bill in full every month to avoid interest charges.

149 CAD annual fee, 5 CAD ATM withdrawal fee

Variable interest rate

Options to earn rewards, including enhanced benefits for travel spending

Travel credit card option 2: Home Trust Preferred Visa Card

The Home Trust Preferred Visa Card is a credit card with a variable interest rate, no foreign exchange fees and 1% cash back on all eligible purchases. There’s no annual fee to pay, although the ATM withdrawal fees can run pretty high - 1% or 1.5% depending on the ATM type, and the maximum cap is 15 CAD for some withdrawals.

No annual fee, no foreign transaction fee

1% cash back on all eligible purchases

ATM fees apply, which are set as a percentage, and can run pretty high

Pros and cons of using credit cards in Europe

Some cards offer zero liability policies, for extra consumer protection

Spread the cost of your travel over several months

You may pay no foreign transaction fee

Network exchange rates typically apply, which are usually pretty fair

Some cards offer cash back and rewards on spending

Interest charged if you don’t repay in full every month

Eligibility rules apply

How to choose the best travel credit card for Europe?

Selecting the best travel credit card for Europe largely depends on individual preferences. If you aim to earn rewards and cashback on your foreign transactions, the Home Trust Preferred Visa may be a suitable option as it does not have a foreign transaction fee and provides cash back on all purchases. Whichever card you’re considering you’ll want to weigh up the potential fees you’ll need to pay against the rewards you can earn to make sure it’s worthwhile.

If you regularly travel to Europe, getting a travel money card which supports the currencies you need frequently can help you save money. Travel money cards have different features, and can be picked up via regular banks, online specialists and even the Post Office.

You could opt for a low cost travel debit card which comes with a linked account to hold a selection of currencies - like the Wise account. Or you might prefer a prepaid travel money card like the Koho Premium Mastercard which has monthly fees in exchange for lower transaction charges - handy if you use it abroad often. Finally, another option is to get a travel credit card either to earn cashback and rewards, or to avoid foreign transaction fees.

The good news is that the Canadian market is well served for all types of travel money cards - use this guide to start your research and pick the right option for your specific needs.

FAQ - Best travel cards for Europe

You can usually make cash withdrawals with a credit card in Europe at any ATM that supports your card network. You’ll often find that a fee applies, and you may start to accumulate interest on the withdrawn amount immediately. Travel money debit cards from providers like Wise and Canada Post can be a lower cost option for cash withdrawals overseas.

You can use your debit card anywhere you see the card network’s logo displayed. Visa and Mastercard networks are very well supported globally, including in Europe, making these good options to look out for when you pick your travel debit card for Europe.

Prepaid cards from reputable providers are safe to use at home and abroad. They aren’t linked to your main bank account which can offer extra peace of mind, and may also make it easier to manage your travel budget. However, you’ll need to check the card features and fees carefully to make sure you're getting the best match for your needs.

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When traveling in Europe, credit and debit cards are often perceived to offer maximum convenience, as holidaymakers can pay for goods and services quickly in the knowledge that their card will be accepted in most destinations. With the money debited from their accounts a few days later – with the bank handling the conversion from the overseas currency to dollars (or sterling for British travelers) – the process of purchasing abroad couldn’t seem to be more straightforward. However, most travelers fail to appreciate that using their credit or debit cards abroad can be an expensive option, especially if fees are charged for overseas transactions or if the currency conversion rate isn’t especially favourable.

A sensible alternative, which can prove to be more cost-effective, is a prepaid travel card. This shares a familiar design, appearing to be little different from a standard credit or debit card, but can be pre-loaded with the relevant foreign currency before leaving home.

What are the benefits of a prepaid travel card ?

A prepaid travel card offers several important advantages over a conventional credit or debit card:

• Prepaid travel cards often allow cash withdrawals from overseas ATMs at no charge, unlike a debit or credit card that may levy additional and sometimes confusing fees.

• Preloading a card with a foreign currency is free and there are no additional charges for using it in your resort. Similarly, you don’t pay commission, such as when buying foreign currency before your departure.

• Because the prepaid travel card is loaded with the local currency for your destination, you don’t need to mentally calculate the conversion every time you shop. Instead, the prepaid card offers a simpler approach, as the price you see is the price you’ll pay.

• A prepaid travel card is a safe option that avoids you having to carry large quantities of cash when you’re out and about. If unrestrained spending is a concern, this type of card also means that you have a limit for how much you can spend and should budget accordingly to ensure you don’t run out of money.

Should I leave my wallet at home?

While a prepaid travel card offers a convenient, safe and cost-effective solution for making purchases in Europe, it is always advisable to carry your debit or credit card with you in the event of an emergency that requires you to draw on funds from your home bank account. For example, should one of your travel party become ill and be unable to return home on time, you may face unexpected fees for accommodation and food that can be claimed from your insurance company later.

If you are British, your wallet should also contain a European Health Card (EHIC) – previously known as the E111 card – for every member of your party. The EHIC card is evidence of your entitlement to receive free or cheap health care in countries that have a reciprocal agreement with the UK, so that you don’t face unaffordable medical bills in the event that you or one of your party requires health treatment. Your insurance company may also require you to carry your EU health card while overseas, so don’t forget to ensure that you complete the EHIC renewal in good time before travelling, so that you can enjoy peace of mind that you’ll be looked after in the event that you need medical care on your holiday.

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The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Europe in 2024

Jarrod Suda

A writer and editor at Monito, Jarrod is passionate about helping people apply today’s powerful finance technologies to their lives. He brings his background in international affairs and his experiences living in Japan to provide readers with comprehensive information that also acknowledges the local context.

Links on this page, including products and brands featured on ‘Sponsored’ content, may earn us an affiliate commission. This does not affect the opinions and recommendations of our editors.

These days, it’s almost impossible to imagine visiting a foreign country without mobile connection. You may need to call a rideshare, find your hotel on maps, connect to the internet when away from Wi-Fi, or translate signs in a foreign language.

However, using international roaming with your home carrier to get data could cost hundreds of dollars. This is why prepaid eSIM cards are the fastest growing option for international tourists who own an eSIM-compatible device.

In this guide, you’ll find the 5 best prepaid SIM and eSIM options available for tourists in Europe in 2024, including their pricing and data plans. Let’s get going!

Airalo is our top choice to avoid expensive international roaming fees. Airalo offers eSIMs tailored to you, from 5 days up to months at a time, covering hundreds of countries, with both multi-country and various GB plans available.

The Best Prepaid SIM Cards in Europe For Travel in 2024

• 01. Where can I buy prepaid SIM cards in Europe? scroll down
• 02. Do I need to register my prepaid SIM in Europe? scroll down
• 03. Physical prepaid SIM cards in Europe scroll down
• 04. Best prepaid eSIMs in Europe scroll down
• 05. What are the largest mobile network operators in Europe? scroll down

Facts About Prepaid SIMs in Europe

Where to buy physical prepaid sim cards for europe.

The ease of finding prepaid SIM cards for tourists in Europe varies by country, but generally, major airports and city centers provide good access. The European market tends to be reasonable in accommodating tourists' needs with a variety of options.

1. European Airports

As a general rule, prepaid SIM cards will be slightly more expensive in the airport than in the city center, but the European Union's most major airports will have SIM card kiosks. You won't have to worry about not finding SIM cards for large networks like Orange and Vodafone in Paris CDG, Amsterdam Schiphol, Frankfurt, Madrid, and more.

2. Network Provider Retail Stores in Europe

Across Europe, tourists can usually find a wide array of prepaid SIM card options at local branches of major network providers such as Vodafone, Orange, Telekom, and local operators specific to each member state. These stores, commonly situated in city centers, offer a variety of plans reflecting the EU's regulations on roaming charges, making them good choices if you're seeking connectivity across multiple EU countries.

You could also consider having a physical prepaid SIM card shipped to your house before you travel by shopping on online sites (like Amazon). You’ll often find small SIM card providers that partner with the large European networks (like Orange or Bouygues) to connect your phone to mobile data. You could even consider buying a portable Wi-Fi hotspot device.

Shopping online requires a little travel pre-planning but allows you to search around for better prices and data plans that meet your needs.

The easiest online option, and the one that we highly recommend, is to purchase an eSIM. These digital SIMs can be instantly activated straight from your smartphone from apps like Airalo and Holafly , which then give you seamless access to data in your travel destination.

Registration Process For Prepaid SIM Cards in Europe

In Europe, registration is necessary in most countries, in which case you'd need to show your passport to the issuer. 

It's worth noting that an increasing number of countries are requiring registration from mobile phone users for security reasons, where purchasing a prepaid SIM card requires consumers to provide proof of identity.

For the countries that have these Know-Your-Customer (KYC) laws, registration will also apply to eSIMs. However, eSIMs do have the benefit of digital registration as opposed to the hassle of an in-person process. If your eSIM is data only (no local phone number), then you may be able to get connected without registering your info.

Cheap Physical Prepaid SIM Card Options For Europe Travel

Here are some of the most popular options for plastic SIM cards for tourists in Europe:

The Orange Holiday Plan is designed for Europe-wide usage, offering a comprehensive package that includes data, calls, and texts.

Priced at €39,99, it offers up to 30GB of data in Europe, unlimited calls/texts within Europe, 2 hours of calls + 1000 texts from Europe to the world, and is available in both SIM & eSIM formats.

2. Bouygues

Bouygues' "My European e-SIM 30GB" plan also caters to customers traveling across Europe, emphasizing data usage and calls.

For €39.90, customers get 30GB of data usable in Europe, unlimited calls within Europe, and €25 credits for international and French overseas calls, all valid for 30 days.

Best Digital Prepaid e-SIMs For Tourists in Europe

Want to ditch physical plastic SIM cards? You can conveniently download and active the following international eSIMs from your smartphone instead.

Airalo is an excellent eSIM provider for international travel. For Europe, they offer eSIMs from 1GB for 7 days at $5 up to 20GB for 30 days at $74, and other plans in between. It was super easy for us to set up in the app and purchase instantly.

More info: Read our Airalo review or visit their website .

Holafly offers unlimited data volume packages for international travel. Holafly's data packages for Europe cost between $19 and $99 once off and are valid from 5 to 90 days, offering peace of mind that you'll never run out of data.

Although Holafly offers unlimited data in most countries, including Europe, if you're a globetrotter, it's worth keeping in mind that Holafly offers limited data plans to some other destinations. Be sure to check their website or app before traveling to a new country to confirm whether Holafly's unlimited packages apply.

More info: Read our Holafly review or visit their website .

Yesim, a Swiss-based eSIM service, offers flexible plans for 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, and 20GB. The pricing of these eSIMs for Europe range from $9.90 to $27.50.

The 3GB plan is good for 7 days while the 5GB one is good for 15 days. The 15GB and 30GB plans both last for 30 days.

To make sure your phone can support eSIM cards, read our list of eSIM-compatible phones .

Largest Mobile Network Operators in Europe

eSIMs are great because they connect to the best network available wherever you are. Your phone might connect to Orange or Bouygues, depending on your location, at no extra cost. In contrast, if you buy a SIM card directly from one European telecom provider, then your phone will only access that provider's network.

In Europe, expect to see these names as you connect to data on your travels:

• Vodafone: Global reach and advanced network infrastructure, delivering cutting-edge mobile and internet services worldwide.
• Bouygues: Known for its superior network quality and competitive pricing.
• Orange: Extensive network and comprehensive service packages.

Frequently Asked Questions About Prepaid SIM Cards For Travel in Europe

Yes, it is wise to plan ahead, but you can also opt for an eSIM even 24 hours before your trip if you have an eSIM-compatible phone. The best part about eSIMs like Airalo and Holafly is that the plans won’t activate until you connect within the plan’s designated country. This means you won’t be on the clock until your trip finally starts.

We believe Airalo offers the best prepaid eSIMs in Europe and around the world in 2024, with options that are 5G compatible, starting from 1GB for 7 days at $5 up to 20GB for 30 days at $74.

Check our list to make sure your device is compatible with eSIM technology.

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The Best Prepaid SIM Cards for Europe in 2023

Traveling to Europe can be one of the most exciting and amazing experiences in your life. Visiting iconic places like the Eiffel Tower, the Big Ben or Saint Basil’s Cathedral are just some of the many activities you will be able to do in Europe.

Of course, you will need to have internet access sometimes, so it is very important to find the best options to do this. Buying a SIM card can be very expensive and of course, you will want to save money for some other things, but do not worry.

Keep reading and learn more about the best Europe SIM card  and enjoy your next trip to the old continent.

Looking for an alternative solution? We have eSIMs for Europe available!

What Are The Best SIM Cards for Europe?

What is The Best Europe SIM Card?

Simoptions – prepaid sim cards for europe.

Whether you are traveling to Asia, the Americas or Europe, you can grab one of many international SIM cards offered by SimOptions for your travels abroad. They all provide you with free data roaming in more than 200 destinations worldwide. Perfect for anybody who’d like to keep their smart devices connected to the internet to stay in touch with friends and family – anywhere – anytime.

The pre-registered SIM cards will be sent right at your door and you will not need to show any identification. After buying your SIM, you just have to insert it on your phone and start using it! That’s why they call their SIM cards plug-and-play SIMs.

Go Card | $ 24.90 - 10GB

• Calls/SMS: Yes
• Credit Validity: 30 days

PAYG AIO20 | $ 39.90 - 12GB

Holiday europe | $ 49.90 - 30gb.

• Credit Validity: 14 days

Are you looking for travel inspiration? Follow us on Instagram!

Orange – One of The Best 4G Networks in Europe

This multinational telecommunication company was founded in 1988 as France Télécom. It is based in France and it is considered to be the fourth network operator in the whole European continent. It is also the twelfth telecommunication operator around the world after China Mobile, Airtel, China Unicom and some others.

Due to its popularity, it has around 256 million users worldwide. Some of its products are fixed-line telephones, mobile phone, broadband and IPTV.

Let’s talk a little bit about the 2 most famous prepaid SIM cards for Europe so you can choose the right one for you.

Holiday Zen | $ 29.90 - 12GB

Find more information here: Orange Holiday SIM Card 8GB

Find more information here: Orange Holiday SIM Card 20GB

If you run out of data and you still need to have internet access, please check the following top-up options:

Orange SIM Card (1GB | $12.60)

• Data: 1GB Internet
• Calls: No calls
• SMS: No SMS
• Credit Validity: 7 days

Orange SIM Card (3GB | $30.90)

• Data: 3GB Internet

Three – Pay As You Go SIM Cards for Europe

This company is considered to be one of the biggest ones in the whole continent. It was originally founded in Hong Kong in 2002, but then it started growing around the world, reaching 130 million users worldwide. As part of CK Hutchison Holdings, Three has many subsidiaries all around the world.

We will focus just on 3 Group Europe, which includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Austria and Denmark. As an interesting fact, we have that Three UK was launched on 3 March 2003 (03/03/03) for publicity purposes.

Of course, Three has many SIM cards options, but here we chose just the most famous ones to buy while you are in Europe:

Data Pack 12GB | $ 29.90 -

• Credit Validity:

PAYG MBB 12GB | $ 59.90 - 12GB

• Calls/SMS: No
• Credit Validity: 1 Year

PAYG MBB 24GB | $ 79.90 - 24GB

• Credit Validity: 2 Year

O2 – International SIM Card for Europe

Vodafone – sim card deals for europe.

If you travel with your pocket WiFi, tablet or any other device to have an internet connection, Vodafone has different options regarding mobile broadband that can be very useful for you.

Vodafone Data SIM (1GB | $11.50)

• Data: 1GB of 4G speed
• Credit Validity: 90 days

But if you are traveling just with your cellphone, maybe you should consider buying a Pay As You Go SIM card. This is the best option for travelers that are not spending so much time in the continent and want to save money. Take a look at this option:

Vodafone Pay As You Go (500MB | $11.20)

• Data: 500MB of 4G Data
• Calls: Unlimited Minutes
• SMS: Unlimited Texts

These were just some of the best Europe SIM cards, so if you are planning to visit this incredible continent, you should consider any of the options we gave you in this article. Alternatively, you can also view our eSIMs.  Since roaming can be very confusing, we decided to share with you a few more details about the roaming regulations in Europe so that you can make a more educated choice.

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Roaming Regulations in Europe

There are some limits at the moment of using your phone out of your telecommunication company coverage. If you go out of that coverage, you have to pay extra charges that sometimes are very expensive. Europe has established different regulations for people to stop hiring cheaper packages than the ones offered on their local countries. In this way, they are avoiding expensive roaming charges. But let’s take a look at some of the roaming regulations established for the European Union’s country.

Calls and SMS

Phone calls and text messages do not have an established limit. You can make calls and send text messages as much as your contract in your local country indicates. The same taxes apply as if you were at home. The roaming limits only affect to the mobile internet and data usage.

Limited Contract

These contracts are those that have a data package with a limit per month. What happens if you are out of your local country? Each operator decides how much an extra charge for data usage costs. They have to indicate it in the contract and send notifications to the users through SMS or another way just when the service is almost run out. However, there is an estimated price per extra data consumed outside your local country. We recommend you to check your telecommunication company contract.

Just in case you have cheaper data taxes, the operator can make a recharge for roaming even if you do not consume the quota of the month. The operator, in this case, must notify the users before these exceed the limits. Anyway, the price has to be reasonable.

Unlimited Contract

If you have a contract with unlimited data for mobile internet in your local country, the operator must set a limit if you go to any other country. If you reach that limit, they can make an extra charge.

Prepaid SIM Cards

Roaming charges also apply for prepaid taxes. In this case, the operators can set a limit for calls and data usage. You have to activate roaming service through a phone call to your mobile operator anyway. Roaming does not activate automatically. According to the internet connection, they have a specific price per GB, and the price is set in the contract. The operator can set a data limit, it consists in dividing the remaining credit of your prepaid card when the roaming is activated.

Reasonable Usage

If the telecommunication companies detect the abusive usage of roaming service from the users, they can analyze the client’s consumption for at least about 4 months. Just in case during this time the user consumes more in other countries than in the local one, the company gives a deadline of 14 days for the customer justify that fact. If there is no notification beyond that the client is using the mobile phone more outside that at home, the company applies an extra charge for calls, texts messages and data usage.

Fake Roamers

It is simply problematic to control the operators with low taxes that hire clients in some countries where the mobile phones are really expensive. The hard situation here is that the operator is the one that is looking to take advantage of this and not the customer.

Borderline Workers

When a citizen works in an EU country but lives in another one, this person can hire mobile packages in any of these countries and use the roaming with the other one. It is not considerate roaming -although the user connects in the other country- if this person connects on its own country the same day.

Living in the Border

What happens if the user lives in the border between two countries, and automatically the mobile phone connects sometimes to a network of the neighbor country? Well, it is not considerate roaming if the user connects to a local network the same day.

Roaming on a Ship or a Plane

When users travel by plane or ship the free-roaming applies just if the clients are connected to land telephony. If the customer connects through satellite, the roaming cost is no regulated and it can be very expensive.

Roaming Outside the EU

If the user is outside the EU, it does not apply the free roaming. In this case, the customer has to pay roaming taxes that tend to be extremely expensive. As a recommendation, the users must check their contract policies.

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5 Ways To Save Money Traveling to Europe in 2024 According to Locals

P lanning a trip to Europe can be somewhat daunting when it comes to your budget . If you plan to visit one or more of the 27 countries in the European Union (EU), you can eliminate concerns about exchange rates during your travel by visiting one or more of the 20 countries using the euro.

Check Out: 11 Expensive Vacation Destinations That Will Be Cheaper in 2024

For You: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy

Once you’ve picked the countries you want to visit and what you’d like to do, you’ll need to manage the expenses to be sure you can make it happen.

Here are five ways to save money traveling to and around Europe in 2024, according to locals.

Sponsored: Owe the IRS $10K or more? Schedule a FREE consultation to see if you qualify for tax relief.

Find the Right Source of Local Transportation

Habits in each country vary, so you’ll need to take that into consideration. For instance, carpooling services are a common travel method that the locals in France use to save money. If you’re traveling to Spain, you can take the Renfe AVLO to get to different cities like Seville or Valencia. It’s comfortable, fast and affordable. Prepaid cards can save you money with Portugal and Ireland’s trams, buses and city trains, while Greece offers a loyalty card program for its ferries. Rail Europe also offers rail passes .

Ideally, you should walk or bike as much as possible. Hiking is free and a great way to take in the sights. Renting a bike is relatively inexpensive if you need to get somewhere a bit more quickly. Additionally, to get to Europe in the first place, be sure to check out sites like Dollar Flight Club and Going to optimize your airfare. 

Make Use of Free Attractions

In Denmark, you can kayak for free with Green Kayak , a nice way to explore and help the environment. In France, La Fête de la Musique offers free concerts, and La Nuit des Musées offers free museum visits during the evening. Many of Ireland’s museums are free all the time, including the Galway City Museum and the Irish Museum of Modern Art. On Sundays, museums have free admission in Lisbon and Barcelona.

There are also plenty of landmarks to visit for free. Nice is home to the Monastere de Cimiez, Copenhagen has its Botanical Garden and Madrid features the Templo de Debod.

Select Alternative Lodging

Rather than expensive hotels, you can opt for local Airbnb’s, bed and breakfasts and hostels. Hostels are cheaper and less luxurious and you’ll likely have to share a communal bathroom, but they commonly have other perks like free breakfast and laundry.

If they’re still not to your fancy, micro hotels are a step up in quality and may even come with a private en-suite bathroom. You should also book directly whenever possible because you might receive a complimentary breakfast or upgrade from the front desk. Plus, if something goes wrong, it’s easier to deal directly with the lodging site instead of a third party.

Be Selective About the Items You Consider Purchasing

It’s easy for vendors to sell souvenirs at unreasonable costs because they’re banking on you wanting to bring something back to remember the experience — regardless of whether or not the item in question is even of good quality. Be selective about parting with your money.

In countries like France and Portugal, locals recommend that you purchase drinks at a market rather than at a bar. Then, you’ll be able to spend more time immersing yourself in the unfamiliar scenery.

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com : 5 Ways To Save Money Traveling to Europe in 2024 According to Locals

Best prepaid SIM Cards for U.S. travelers and tourists 2024

Make sure your phone speaks the right language.

At a glance

Best overall, best for short stays, best budget, best non-mvno, best prepaid data plan, best data-only plan.

At a glance 1. Best overall 2. Best for short stays 3. Best budget 4. Best non-MVNO 5. Best prepaid data plan 6. Best data-only plan FAQ

Whether you're going on a quick vacation or moving for good, it's never a bad idea to invest in one of the best prepaid SIM cards so you can stay in touch with friends and family back home. If you're having trouble choosing among all of the options that are out there, fear not: we've gathered all of the best prepaid SIM cards for travelers so you don't have to worry. 

As long as your Android phone is unlocked for international use and compatible with local networks, such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, ordering a SIM card online or through a nearby retailer should be simple. 

Keep reading for all of the best prepaid SIM cards for U.S. travelers and tourists alike. If you want to go even deeper, you can also check out our guide to the best MVNO carriers or save some cash with the best MVNO deals of the month. 

From $15 at Mint Mobile

Soon to be owned by T-Mobile, a Mint Mobile SIM is a perfect choice if you're staying in the U.S. for three months or longer, with unlimited talk/text, a mobile hotspot, and more. 

Read more below.

From $19 at Ultra Mobile

The Ultra Mobile 3GB plan gives you a month of unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide on T-Mobile, up to 3GB of 5G/4G LTE data, and free Wi-Fi calling.

Read more below.  

From $15 at Lycamobile

If the ability to call abroad is your main focus, all Lycamobile plans come with unlimited talk and text to over 85 countries and a variety of data options.

From $30 at AT&T

Best non-MVNO 

Choose AT&T Prepaid's 5GB plan for $30 per month and you'll get unlimited talk, text, and 5GB of data with 5G access and the ability to text over 230 countries for free.

From $40 at T-Mobile

T-Mobile's prepaid plan is a little pricey, but you get 10GB of data, a free mobile hotspot, and access to the world's largest 5G network. 

From $35 at Cricket Wireless

If you only need data on your travels, Cricket's data-only plan offers a minimum of 20GB of high-speed data, as well as usage in Mexico and Canada. 

1. Mint Mobile

Our expert review:

Reasons to buy

Reasons to avoid.

Mint Mobile is one of the best MVNO carriers today and uses T-Mobile's 4G LTE and 5G network, making it a great prepaid SIM card to get if you plan on staying in the U.S. for at least three months. As we found in our Mint Mobile review , Mint's 5G connection is strong, and its phone compatibility is one of the best in the country.

With Mint, you need to purchase at least three months of service upfront. After that, the best deals are offered when you sign up for six months or 12. For three months on the unlimited plan, you'll pay $90 and get unlimited talk, text, and data, 10GB of mobile hotspot, and free calls to Mexico and Canada. Calling to other international locations is available at a per-minute rate but if you use an app to call your friends such as WhatsApp or Line, you'll only need data.

Joining Mint Mobile is easy, and you can even sign up for a trial online to get a free Mint Mobile SIM card . It's especially easy if your phone is eligible for an eSIM since you can then activate the SIM straight from your phone and later continue your service if you like it. You can also get a Mint SIM card from Target, Best Buy, Walmart, or Amazon.

2. Ultra Mobile 3GB

Ultra Mobile is an MVNO on T-Mobile's network, meaning that you'll get great T-Mobile coverage at a lower price. Our Ultra Mobile review showed strong coverage and speeds. Though Ultra Mobile offers its own set of prepaid plans, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is a perfect fit for anyone visiting the U.S. for a month or less.

This is a more traditional SIM and after 30 days, the plan will expire, making it great for users who just wanted simple talk and text to a wide range of destinations and don't need a lot of data on their travels. For $19 with the SIM kit included, you'll get unlimited talk and text to over 90 countries worldwide, plus free Wi-Fi calling and up to 4GB of 5G/LTE data, meaning you should have no issue reaching friends and family back home.

3. Lycamobile

Lycamobile is unique because it's a global MVNO, and in the U.S., it's an MVNO on T-Mobile's network. To check whether your phone is compatible, the easiest thing to do is type in your IMEI number on Lycamobile's website, but most GSM unlocked devices should work.

Lycamobile offers several plans to pick from and really caters to those who need unlimited nationwide talk and text and international calling and texting to 85+ countries. Each plan includes these features at no additional charge, making this the perfect plan if you're someone who wants to be able to call abroad whenever you want.

When it comes to data, you have multiple options starting at just 250MB and going up to 60GB. The cheapest 250MB plan costs $15, while the top unlimited data plan costs $59. The 2GB plan is only available to new customers so if you're already signed up, this plan will come with 1GB of data. Each plan includes slightly different bonus features, so you'll have to pick what makes the most sense for you.

Fortunately, Lycamobile SIM cards are pretty easy to get a hold of. They're sold online on Lycamobile's website and Amazon, but you'll also find Lycamobile SIM cards in several retailers, including 7-Eleven, pharmacies, local convenience stores, etc. When in doubt, you can also use the online store locator to find the nearest retailer near you.

4. AT&T Prepaid

Known for its great coverage, AT&T is also an excellent carrier to consider getting a SIM card from when visiting the U.S. and one of the best prepaid phone plans . It tends to have better coverage in rural areas than other carriers, so it's also a great option if you plan to be on the road a lot. For $30 (plus taxes and fees), AT&T Prepaid will get you 5GB of high-speed data, which is then throttled to 128Kbps. As always, you should check your device's compatibility with AT&T online before signing up.

On this plan, you're able to use your mobile hotspot, and you can text to more than 230 countries. You'll also be able to talk, text, and use data in Mexico and Canada (though data speeds may be slow). And if you think you'll need more than 5GB of data, you can always upgrade to a 15GB prepaid plan for $40, which is a great deal and definitely worth considering.

5. T-Mobile Prepaid

T-Mobile not only offers some of the best cell phone plans you could get today, but it also has an excellent prepaid option that will suit most travelers and tourists needs when visiting the U.S. Because T-Mobile's network has improved vastly over the past few years and its 5G network has some of the most expansive coverage and fastest speeds in the nation, you'll likely get excellent service with T-Mobile when traveling to major cities during your stay.

There are four T-Mobile prepaid plans from which to choose, though the ideal plan for most visitors will be T-Mobile's 10GB prepaid plan for $40 per month. This plan includes unlimited domestic talk and text, up to 10GB of high-speed data, free mobile hotspot data, and a music unlimited feature so that any music you stream won't eat up your data. If you want to add international calling, you can do so for $15 extra, or if you're traveling to Mexico or Canada for a few days, you can add talk, text, and 5GB of data to use over there for an extra $5.

6. Cricket Wireless

If you don't think you'll need minutes during your stay in the U.S. and really just want data, you could consider a data-only plan from Cricket Wireless , which is an MVNO on AT&T's network. For $35, you'll get 20GB to use during the month, or for $55, you'll get 100GB.

Again, this plan doesn't come with any minutes, so you'll have to be sure you're fine using apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, or Skype to connect with family or friends. It does come with text and picture messages across the U.S., as well as usage in Mexico and Canada if you plan on visiting those countries as well. It's the perfect plan for anyone who will be spending lots of time on the road and wants to be able to stream, download, and do some high-speed browsing.

You can get a Cricket SIM card by going into a Cricket Wireless authorized retailer, which you can locate with Cricket's online store locator. Other popular retailers such as Amazon, Target, Best Buy, and Walmart will also sell Universal SIM card activation kits for Cricket Wireless. The good news is that if you do end up wanting minutes, you can always switch to another one of Cricket's plans with the same SIM card.

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Which prepaid SIM card is best for you?

Why you can trust Android Central Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

You really can't go wrong with a prepaid SIM card on T-Mobile or AT&T's network while visiting the U.S., and the right fit for you depends on the length of your stay and whether you need features like being able to call back home. If you're traveling for only three weeks or less, the Ultra Mobile 3GB plan is the best choice and offers just enough talk, text, and data to stay connected.

On the other hand, if you'll be in the U.S. for a few months, Mint Mobile will give you the best multiple-month value. And if you're somewhere in between, a prepaid plan from either T-Mobile or AT&T is easy, reliable, and guaranteed to give you great coverage.

Should you use your current carrier's add-ons?

Many carriers have partnerships with international carriers to offer greater service to their own customers. Luckily, this often goes both directions and means there may be a plan add-on that can give you plenty of data without needing to set up and activate a new SIM. While these travel add-ons can be quite pricey, the simplicity of this option will make it worth it to many people. It also gives you the chance to have a connection if you're waiting for a connecting flight in another country.

What about eSIM apps?

Another emerging option is eSIM apps. These apps can use your phone's built-in eSIM slot to quickly activate and pay for a phone plan without needing to remove your old SIM or worry about shipping a physical SIM in the first place. Airalo , for example, allows customers to buy as little as 1GB for a week. If you just need enough data to get around in a new city, this is a good option. It works with Google Pay, credit card, PayPay, and even Alipay.

If you have an iPhone, there's even an official T-Mobile Prepaid eSIM app that accepts credit card payments from a number of countries. Regrettably, this app isn't available on Android though there are still other eSIM providers on the platform.

Just be sure to confirm compatibility before taking off. Still, there are other apps available on Android that offer solid deals on data without contacts or physical SIMs necessary.

• MVNO deals: Mint Mobile | Visible | Boost | Tello | Cricket

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After almost a decade of working in the e-commerce space, Patrick Farmer (he/him) began his career at Android Central as a Deals and Commerce Writer before moving into a new role as AC's eCommerce Editor in 2023. When he's not hunting down the best deals and offering shopping advice for our readers, you'll often find him listening to music, camping out at a brewery, or treating his cat like a human child. 

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USIMS eSIM - Travel & Internet 17+

Chat, text, connect on mobile, designed for ipad.

• 3.5 • 11 Ratings

Screenshots

Description.

Stay connected with a single eSIM across over 120+ countries and regions. Roam globally with no roaming fees on our all-new app! Get your eSIM instantly: download, activate, connect in a minute. Enjoy your free eSIM trial and 1GB of free data for the USA and Europe as a welcome pack from USIMS. Ditch SIM card swaps and cellular number changes. Use our eSIM and keep your cellular number unchanged while staying connected globally. Stay connected in various countries and regions with ease and affordability, thanks to USIMS. EFFORTLESS USIMS eSIM EXPERIENCE: Instant Purchase: Our USIMS global eSIMs download in a minute. Forget the hassle of physical SIM card swaps. Immediate Activation: Say goodbye to QR codes. Activate your USIMS global eSIM online instantly without the need to scan a code or receive an email. Connect the World: Real-time prepaid USIMS global eSIM data plans offering seamless Internet across multiple regions worldwide. Stay connected wherever your travels take you with USIMS, no roaming fees, and no expensive roaming. TRAVEL SMART, STAY CONNECTED WITH USIMS eSIMs: No More Overpriced Data: Forget waiting in lines at airports and buying foreign, expensive SIM cards. Free Data in Key Regions: First-time users enjoy free 1GB of USIMS eSIM data in the USA and Europe. Dual Connectivity: Maintain calls and SMS without a second number while enjoying USIMS' travel-friendly global eSIM plans with no hidden fees. TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE WITH USIMS: Available in the top global destinations listed below and hundreds more countries and regions.  Stay connected easily and affordably with our global eSIMs. WHY USIMS? Fast, anytime data for global travel. Install and activate a global eSIM in a minute. Affordable, wide-ranging global eSIMs data packages. Never get stuck! Recharge your eSIMs anywhere, anytime even if there is no WiFi connection. No messy multiple eSIMs or SIM cards anymore! Use only one global eSIM for all your travel destinations. DATA ROAMING, COST-FREE WITH USIMS: Skip international data charges. One eSIM for worldwide roaming-free plans. Say farewell to physical SIM hassles. Diverse, easily activated global eSIM travel data plans with no hidden fees and no expensive roaming. WHY TRAVELERS LOVE USIM’s eSIMs: Easy, affordable, instant connectedness. No physical SIM cards. No hidden fees or surprise roaming charges. Top up your prepaid global eSIM account, even if you do not have WiFi or data connection. Add and switch global eSIM data plans on the go. No need for a second number. Stay connected wherever you travel with no multiple SIMs, and no expensive roaming. WHAT DOES A USIMS eSIM PLAN INCLUDE? A USIMS package offers global eSIM data (e.g., 5GB, 10GB, etc.) that is valid for a specific 10-day period. If you run out of global USIMS eSIM data or your validity period expires, you can top up your USIMS eSIM or download a new one directly from the USIMS app. HOW MUCH DOES IT COST? Your first free global eSIM trial is on us! It includes 1 GB of free data for US and Europe valid for 6 months. Other global eSIM data plans are available starting as low as $9 USD for 10GB of data. DO USIM’s eSIMs COME WITH A SECOND PHONE NUMBER? USIMS eSIM focuses solely on providing data services without a second phone number, keeping your connected experience simple and straightforward. WHAT DEVICES ARE READY? You can find a regularly updated list of eSIM compatible devices at: usims.com/faq. Download the USIMS app, and it will automatically check if your phone is eSIM ready or compatible. CAN I USE MY CURRENT SIM CARD AT THE SAME TIME? Absolutely. Most devices allow you to use multiple SIMs and/or USIMS eSIMs at the same time. You can keep your primary line active for texts, calls, and 2FA authentication with no hidden fees. Happy travels with USIMS! -  Learn more about USIMS eSIM: USIMS Website: www.usims.com Follow the USIMS community! @usimsapp on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Version 1.17

Great news! The USIMS team is constantly striving to improve your experience and benefit. Here are the new features: — New in-app support via machine language to guide you every step of the way — Major changes to the app to simplify your user experience — Minor improvements and feature updates

Ratings and Reviews

What kind of rubbish app is this.

I haven't seen the specific content of the plan, so I have to bind the credit card first. Are you out of your mind?

Developer Response ,

Hey there! 😔 We're sorry for any confusion caused. Our intention is to keep things transparent & easy. UISMS offers you a free eSIM and 1GB without any credit card request. Thanks a bunch for your feedback and encourage you to try our latest release. 🌟

Don’t Waste Your Money

Doesn’t work at all, even after trying to fix in settings. Worthless, I threw away $4. Lame!

Hey QueenBee1981, we're really bummed to hear about your experience. 😔 It's super important to us that everything works smoothly. We'd love the chance to make things right. Could you reach out via [email protected] so we can look into this? Thanks a ton for your feedback! 🌟

Hello great app but need to add user can pay from AppStore because of user doesn’t has credit card or PayPal thanks

Hey there! Thanks a bunch for the great feedback and the suggestion! We're always looking for ways to improve and we have already added AppStore payments. Drop us an email at [email protected] and we will be happy to offer you free data package as a nice reward to your suggestion ! 🌟

App Privacy

The developer, Wone Sagl , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

Data Linked to You

The following data may be collected and linked to your identity:

• Financial Info
• Contact Info
• User Content
• Browsing History
• Identifiers

Data Not Linked to You

The following data may be collected but it is not linked to your identity:

• Diagnostics

Privacy practices may vary, for example, based on the features you use or your age. Learn More

Information

English, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Turkish

• Developer Website
• App Support
• Privacy Policy

More By This Developer

You might also like.

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eSIMs — Compare data eSIMs

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Find the best credit card for you

How to use the chase sapphire preferred hotel credit, the chase sapphire preferred's hotel credit goes a long way toward paying off the card's annual fee..

The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card currently has an elevated intro offer of 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on the card in the first three months from account opening. This card has a $95 annual fee , but, you can earn back over half of that cost every year by taking advantage of a single easy-to-overlook perk — the annual hotel credit.

Sapphire Preferred card members can receive a $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel credit every account anniversary year for hotels booked through the Chase Travel SM  portal . Here's what you need to know about how to use this credit and when it makes sense.

Chase Sapphire Preferred bonus and perks

What is the chase sapphire preferred $50 hotel credit, how to use the chase sapphire preferred's $50 hotel credit, when does it make sense to use the chase sapphire preferred's $50 hotel credit, alternative cards with hotel credits, bottom line, chase sapphire preferred® card.

Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3x on dining, select streaming services and online groceries, 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases, and $50 annual Chase Travel Hotel Credit, plus more.

Welcome bonus

Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's over $900 when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.

Regular APR

21.49% - 28.49% variable on purchases and balance transfers

Balance transfer fee

Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater

Foreign transaction fee

Credit needed.

Excellent/Good

Terms apply.

Read our Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card review .

The Sapphire Preferred's intro bonus offer is currently 15,000 points higher than the standard offer. This makes it a great time to apply because you're getting the same ongoing card benefits along with the additional upfront value.

This card earns Chase Ultimate Rewards® points, which are some of the best travel rewards thanks to their versatility. You can redeem Chase points for cash back or similar redemptions for one cent each. And if you use your Chase points to book travel through Chase Ultimate Rewards, you'll get a 25% boost in value as a Sapphire Preferred cardholder (1.25 cents per point).

You can really ratchet up your points' value by taking advantage of Chase's transfer partners . Chase points transfer to 14 airline and hotel loyalty programs at a 1:1 ratio. Through these programs, you can book business-class award flights or luxury hotels and dramatically increase the value of your rewards. This includes plenty of one-way Star Alliance business-class flights from North America to Europe for only 60,000 to 70,000 Aeroplan miles, flights that normally costs thousands of dollars.

The Sapphire Preferred also comes with a long list of travel and purchase insurance benefits. You'll get trip delay reimbursement, primary rental car collision coverage , purchase protection, extended warranty coverage and more.

The Chase Sapphire Preferred annual hotel credit can earn you an automatic statement credit of up to $50 every card anniversary year. To qualify for the credit, you need to book a hotel through Chase Travel SM and pay for the booking with your Sapphire Preferred card.

The $50 in hotel purchases that earn you the credit will not earn Chase points. Once a qualifying transaction is posted to your account, the statement credit should get credited within one or two billing cycles.

To use the Sapphire Preferred annual hotel credit, you book a hotel stay through Chase Travel SM . This platform works like booking through another online travel agency like Expedia , Priceline or Kayak . Simply search for the dates and the location where you need a hotel and book from the available options.

To use the hotel credit, first log in to your Chase credit card account and navigate to the Ultimate Rewards page. Next, select the "Travel" drop-down menu and click "Book travel."

Choose "Hotels" and enter the information for your trip. Once you start a search, you can filter the results by star rating, brand, cost and more.

After you've selected the hotel and specific room type, you'll be able to see the final cost in dollars and points.

To earn the full $50, you need to charge at least $50 on your card. If you want to pay with points, just be sure to redeem points for all but $50 of the cost. You can easily adjust how many points you're using for the booking in the "Points redeemed" box, just be sure to click the update button when you change the number of points you want to use.

From here follow the steps to enter the traveler information and payment card info before you finalize the reservation. Be sure to pay with your Chase Sapphire Preferred card. If you don't book with your Sapphire Preferred, you won't earn the credit.

The Sapphire Preferred hotel credit is straightforward — just book a hotel through Chase Travel SM to qualify for the offer. However, you should compare prices for the same dates, hotel and room type to ensure you're getting the best price when booking with Chase. As long as you aren't paying more for the booking, taking advantage of this credit makes sense.

If elite status perks are worth more to you for a particular stay, you may want to consider trying to maximize this credit on a different booking. That's because when you book hotels through a third-party site such as Chase Travel SM you typically won't earn elite status credit. You also won't normally receive elite status benefits, such as free breakfast or room upgrades.

If you're looking for hotel credits and benefits, a co-branded hotel credit card will typically offer the most value, but the perks will be tied to a specific brand. For statement credit perks that are more universal, you'll likely need to consider a general travel credit card.

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card (see r ates and fees ) offers an annual travel credit of up to $300 for bookings made through Capital One Travel. This credit applies to hotels, but also flights, rental cars and more. When you combine this travel credit with the card's annual 10,000-mile bonus, it's not hard to justify keeping this premium credit card .

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

10 Miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars, 5 Miles per dollar on flights when booked via Capital One Travel; unlimited 2X miles on all other eligible purchases

Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening

19.99% - 29.99% variable APR

$0 at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you

Foreign transaction fees

See rates and fees . Terms apply.

Read our Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card review.

The U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card has an incredibly easy-to-use travel and dining credit worth up to $325 every year. To qualify for the credit you don't need to book through a specific site. Instead, you just pay for travel or dining with the card and you'll earn the credit on the first $325 in eligible spending.

U.S. Bank Altitude® Reserve Visa Infinite® Card

5X points on prepaid hotels and car rentals booked through the Altitude Rewards Center; 3X points on every $1 on eligible travel and mobile wallet spending

Earn 50,000 bonus points (worth about $750 in travel) after spending $4,500 within the first 90 days of account opening

22.24% to 29.24% (Variable)

3% of the amount of each transfer, with a $5 minimum

See  rates and fees , terms apply.

For a limited time, the Chase Sapphire Preferred has an excellent increase welcome offer. However, it also has an extensive array of ongoing benefits for cardholders. These benefits include an annual $50 hotel credit that applies to hotel bookings you make through Chase Travel SM .

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