The Best Way to Get Cash while Travel internationally (Without Wasting Money on Fees)

Why This Travel Tip Matters I always thought the safest and cheapest way to get foreign currency for an international trip was to plan ahead, visit a bank, and exchange cash. It felt official, secure, and hassle-free. But while planning our upcoming family trip to Thailand, I did a deep dive—and what I found shocked me. Bank exchange rates? Often among the worst. If you're like me—traveling with kids and trying to avoid surprises—this post breaks down the real best ways to get cash while traveling internationally, based on recent research and real-world comparisons. I Compared Options—And Here’s What I Found Tap to view the full-size table. Not all currency exchange options are equal—this side-by-side table shows which methods cost more and which give you the best value while traveling. What Is the Mid-Market Rate? The mid-market rate is the real exchange rate between two currencies—the midpoint between buy and sell rates o...