Traveling is meant to be fun, not stressful, but managing money abroad gets tricky.
Exchange rates aren’t always fair, bank fees add up, splitting costs with friends can get confusing fast, and even a simple ATM withdrawal can lead to unexpected charges.
Over the past few years, I’ve tried many travel money apps and always come back to the 5 below.
These five are the ones I still use on every vacation I go on. They cover the basics: tracking spending, avoiding fees, and simplifying payments.
1. Currency Converter + Deals App by MoneyTransfers.com
This app combines a real-time currency converter with a money transfer comparison tool. It shows accurate exchange rates and lets you compare how much you’ll get if you convert or send money with different money transfer providers.
Before your trip, it helps you plan where and when to withdraw cash. During your trip, it’s handy when shopping, tipping, or deciding whether to pay with a card or cash.
It works offline, so you don’t need data to check prices or rates on the go. There are no ads or subscriptions, and it’s available on Google Play and App Store.
2. Wise Multi-Currency Account
Wise gives you a multi-currency account and prepaid debit card.
It uses the mid-market exchange rate with no markup, unlike many banks that quietly add 3-5% on top. That difference adds up quickly.
You can hold and convert money in the app before your trip, or spend directly from your balance in local currency. It works with Apple Pay and Google Pay, so you don’t always need the physical card.
Wise also lets you send money to others or to another account like Revolut (in case you’ve hit your cash withdrawal limits).
ATM use is possible, but the monthly free limit is low. After $100, you’ll pay 2 percent plus a small fee if you withdraw more than twice. I always have at least 2 multi-currency cards with me so I can increase my total withdrawal limit.
It’s a reliable option for spending abroad, and is also available on iOS and Android, though some features are limited for US users.
3. Revolut
Revolut is a digital app, almost a super app. It’s similar to Wise, just a bit better for group travel since you split the bills in local currency, track spending, manage budgets in one place, and earn points.
You can create savings pots before your trip, get spending alerts, and monitor your budget in real time. The app handles currency conversions when splitting costs, so no one ends up doing mental math over dinner.
ATM limits are more generous than Wise’s. You can also send money from Revolut to Wise if you hit a withdrawal limit and still need cash.
Revolut includes other travel extras like rate alerts, insurance, and loyalty perks, but its main strength is the number of currencies, low fees, and simplifying shared spending.
Just note that exchange fees apply after a monthly limit, and Standard users pay a 1 percent fee on weekend currency exchanges.
Just like Wise, Revolut is available on iOS and Android.
4. YNAB (You Need a Budget)
I always start planning my vacation with YNAB. It’s a budgeting app that uses a zero-based system, meaning I can start saving for my vacation months in advance and put every remaining dollar into my vacation expenses.
With YNAB, every dollar is given a job, whether it’s meals, transit, or a day trip. It’s most useful for longer or more expensive trips, when it’s easy to lose track of spending.
You set targets in each category and update them as your plans shift. The app helps you stick to your plan and avoid surprises, like running out of food money halfway through your stay.
YNAB does take some setup, and it’s not free. It also isn’t ideal for quick weekend trips.
But if you’re traveling for a while and want to stay on budget (or just want a budgeting app), it gives you a clear picture of what you can spend and where.
YNAB is available on all app stores (iOS and Android), and offers a generous free trial.
5. Curve Pay
With Curve, you can connect all your cards into one app and use them all with one physical card.
You pick which card to use for each transaction, and if you make a mistake, you can switch the charge after the payment is made. It’s a pretty cool concept.
This helps you use the right card for rewards or better FX rates, without carrying all your cards with you. It also tracks spending across accounts in one place.
Curve offers cashback when traveling and no foreign transaction fees on some plans. Still, your original card may charge cash advance or international fees, depending on the bank.
Many of Curve’s best features require a paid plan, and costs can be high. But if you have several cards or want to keep things simple, it’s a smart way to organize your spending while traveling.
Just like other apps on the list, it’s available for both iOS and Android.
These apps solve all my most common problems during all my trips. They cover spending, budgeting, splitting costs, and avoiding fees. Each serves a different purpose, and together they give the most control and fewer surprises.
Set them up before your next trip. It takes a few minutes, but it’ll save you time and money when it counts.
