Travel guides / Money, phone and insurance

Money abroad: cards, ATMs and avoiding extra fees

Small fees add up on a trip. A few simple choices at the card machine and the ATM can save you a lot.

Always pay in the local currency

When a card machine or ATM asks whether to charge you in your home currency or the local currency, choose local currency. Choosing your home currency is called dynamic currency conversion, and its exchange rate is usually much worse, often several percent.

Know your card's fees

• Many cards charge a foreign transaction fee, often around 3%, on every purchase abroad. Some travel cards charge none.
• Your bank may charge for using a foreign ATM, and the ATM's owner may add its own fee. Fewer, larger withdrawals usually cost less.

Before you leave

• Check whether your bank needs to know your travel dates; many now detect travel automatically.
• Carry two cards and keep them in different places.
• Save your bank's international phone number, not just the toll-free one.

Cash

Cash is still needed for small shops, rickshaws and markets in Bangladesh and India. Bring some, but not large amounts. If you carry more than $10,000 into or out of the US, you must report it. In India, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) is widely used for small payments; some apps let international visitors use it.

Exchanging money

Airport exchange counters often have poor rates. Withdrawing local cash from a bank ATM is usually cheaper. Keep receipts in case you need to change money back.

Handy tools

• Currency and unit converter
• Tip calculator
• Trip budget planner

Keep reading

• Plug adapters and voltage: US, India and Bangladesh
• Travel insurance: what it covers and do you need it?
• Using your phone abroad: roaming, eSIM and local SIM cards

Sources

• CBP: Know before you go (reporting money)
• FinCEN: Reporting currency over $10,000

Rules, fees and processing times change. Check the official sources above before you travel. Last checked October 2026.