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What Is the Best Bank Card for Traveling? Comparison of Fee-Free Cards Abroad

Philippe

May 12, 2025

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Whether you’re heading off for a weekend in Europe, an extended holiday across the Atlantic, or even a round-the-world trip, choosing the right bank card is essential to avoid unpleasant financial surprises abroad. Between hidden currency exchange fees, ATM withdrawal commissions, and additional charges imposed by some banks, the real cost of your payments can quickly add up.

Not all cards are created equal when it comes to travel. While some traditional banks charge hefty fees, others—particularly Swiss neobanks like Alpian, Neon, Radicant or Yuh—as well as international alternatives such as Revolut and Wise, offer far more advantageous conditions. But which one should you choose? Which bank cards are truly fee-free or come with reduced fees? What criteria should you prioritize based on your travel style and needs?

In this article, we present a precise comparison of the best bank cards for traveling, so you can travel with peace of mind and without unnecessary fees.

• Fee-free bank cards abroad: do they really exist?
• Comparison: The best bank cards for traveling
• 🟢 Radicant – Ultra-competitive fees for travelers
• 🔴 Neon – Interesting, but less advantageous since May 2025
• 🟣 Yuh – A simple and effective card, if you manage your currencies
• ⚪ Alpian – A premium card, ideal for multi-currency payments
• 🔵 Zak – Acceptable in Switzerland, poorly suited abroad
• 🌍 And the international alternatives?
• 🔵 Revolut – Versatile, but not a Swiss bank
• 🟢 Wise – Perfect for multi-currency payments, also useful for some withdrawals
• 🔎 Key takeaways:
• Comparison table of Swiss cards for travel
• Why do foreign banking fees vary so much from one bank to another?
• 💱 The main factor: the margin on the exchange rate
• 💸 Fixed or variable withdrawal fees
• 🧾 Lack of transparency
• 👉 In summary
• Credit card for travel: make the right choice
• 💳 Debit card vs. credit card: what’s the difference for travel?
• 🛡️ Included insurance: a real plus for travelers
• 🧾 Check fees BEFORE you depart
• 👉 Final tip
• Conclusion: Which is the best bank card for travel? Our opinion
• ✈️ Our final advice
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about travel bank cards

Fee-free bank cards abroad: do they really exist?

Many banks promote cards as “fee-free abroad”. But in practice, these claims often hide a different reality: unfavorable exchange rates, hidden fees, ATM withdrawal commissions, or discreet surcharges on foreign currency transactions. As a result, payments made outside Switzerland can quickly become costly if you don’t choose your bank card carefully. 🧐

To understand what you’re actually paying, you need to look at two main elements:

• 💱 Currency conversion fees: some banks add a margin to the official exchange rate (often between 0.5% and 3%), quietly increasing the cost of your payments.
• 🏧 ATM withdrawal fees: ATM withdrawals can incur high fixed or variable fees depending on the bank and the country you’re visiting.

Fortunately, some Swiss neobanks and fintechs like Alpian, Neon, Radicant or Yuh now offer much more transparent and advantageous conditions. ✅

But beware, significant differences remain between these offers, so a careful comparison is essential before you travel.

Comparison: The best bank cards for traveling

To travel stress-free (and fee-free), choosing the right bank card is crucial. Here’s a clear comparison of the most competitive Swiss neobanks, as well as two international options frequently used by travelers.

🟢 Radicant – Ultra-competitive fees for travelers

• Card: Visa Debit (virtual or physical)
• Exchange fees: ~0% on foreign currency payments
• Withdrawals abroad: CHF 2 per local currency withdrawal
• Withdrawals in Switzerland: 12 free withdrawals per year, then CHF 2 per CHF withdrawal, CHF 5 per EUR withdrawal
• Advantages: Included travel insurance, clear app, Swiss customer support
• To remember: Simple, transparent, and advantageous offer for payments abroad, but watch out for withdrawal fees if you withdraw cash frequently

🔴 Neon – Interesting, but less advantageous since May 2025

• Card: Mastercard Debit
• Exchange fees: 0.35% (Neon Free), or 0% with the Neon Plus subscription (CHF 2/month)
• Withdrawals abroad: 1.5% (or 1.0% with Neon Plus)
• Withdrawals in Switzerland: not included (2 free per month with Neon Plus)
• Advantages: Intuitive app, analytics features, Spaces, included transfers
• To remember: The free offer is still decent for occasional payments abroad, but Neon Plus becomes very competitive if you travel regularly

🟣 Yuh – A simple and effective card, if you manage your currencies

• Card: Free Mastercard Debit (physical + virtual)
• Exchange fees: 0.95%, but 0% if you hold EUR in your EUR account
• Withdrawals abroad: CHF 4.90 per withdrawal
• Withdrawals in Switzerland: 1 free withdrawal per week, then charged
• Advantages: Multi-currency account (CHF, EUR, USD), mobile payments, included Pocket insurance
• To remember: Yuh is a good option for payments abroad if you preload sub-accounts in EUR or USD to avoid the 0.95% exchange fee. However, withdrawals remain expensive and are not suitable for travelers who use cash frequently.

⚪ Alpian – A premium card, ideal for multi-currency payments

• Card: Metal Visa Debit
• Exchange fees: 0.2% on weekdays and 0.5% on weekends for CHF, EUR, USD, GBP
• Withdrawals abroad: 2.5% of the withdrawn amount
• Withdrawals in Switzerland: CHF 2 per CHF withdrawal; EUR/USD/GBP 5 per withdrawal
• Advantages: Multi-currency account, premium app, personalized customer service
• To remember: The standard offer does not include travel insurance, but customers can obtain an Amex Platinum or Gold card with full travel insurance coverage

🔵 Zak – Acceptable in Switzerland, poorly suited abroad

• Card: Free Visa Debit (issued by Banque Cler)
• Exchange fees: 2.5% markup on foreign currency payments
• Withdrawals abroad: CHF 5 per withdrawal (Zak offer); free with Zak Plus
• Withdrawals in Switzerland (third-party): CHF 2 in CHF / CHF 5 in EUR (Zak offer); free with Zak Plus
• Advantages: Simple app, free withdrawals at Cler ATMs, Zak Plus improves withdrawal conditions
• To remember: Fine for use in Switzerland, but one of the least competitive options internationally

🌍 And the international alternatives?

🔵 Revolut – Versatile, but not a Swiss bank

• Card: Virtual and physical Mastercard or Visa Debit
• Exchange fees: 0% up to CHF 1,250 exchanged per month, then variable fees (~0.5%)
• CHF account: No, Lithuanian IBAN
• Withdrawals abroad: free up to CHF 200/month, then fees (CHF 1.75 + variable %)
• Advantages: Multi-currency, interbank exchange rate, comprehensive app, RevPoints program
• To remember: Great secondary card for travel, but no Swiss IBAN or Swiss deposit guarantee

🟢 Wise – Perfect for multi-currency payments, also useful for some withdrawals

• Card: Mastercard Debit (virtual or physical)
• Exchange fees: real exchange rate + commission (~0.4–0.6% depending on currency)
• Withdrawals abroad: 2 free withdrawals/month up to CHF 200, then CHF 0.50 per withdrawal + 1.75% on amount over CHF 200
• Advantages: Multi-currency account, ultra-transparent exchange rates, international app
• To remember: Excellent solution for payments in almost any currency, handy as a supplementary travel card or for online payments in foreign currencies
• Limit: Not a Swiss bank, no Swiss IBAN, no Swiss deposit guarantee

🔎 Key takeaways:

If you’re looking for the most economical bank card for traveling abroad, Radicant remains the most advantageous option among Swiss neobanks, with almost zero exchange fees and included travel insurance. Alpian offers a well-thought-out premium package for those who often transact in CHF, EUR, USD or GBP. Yuh can be suitable if you manage your currency sub-accounts carefully. Neon, despite introducing a fee in May 2025, remains simple, transparent, and still competitive for many users. Zak, on the other hand, should be avoided abroad due to its high fees. Finally, Revolut and Wise offer great flexibility for payments and transfers outside Switzerland.

Comparison table of Swiss cards for travel

To help you choose more easily, here is a summary table of the main bank cards available in Switzerland, including Swiss neobanks and some popular international options. It compares exchange fees, withdrawals abroad, any included insurance, and the specific advantages of each card. This table gives you a clear and quick view of the essential differences to know before you travel.

Why do foreign banking fees vary so much from one bank to another?

When you pay by card abroad, the final cost depends not only on the amount displayed at the terminal. What your bank charges in the background can vary significantly from one institution to another. This is not theoretical: a 2024 RTS study revealed very large differences between Swiss banks. For the same amount, some customers can pay several francs more than others, simply because of hidden margins or opaque pricing policies.

💱 The main factor: the margin on the exchange rate

Some banks apply an invisible margin on the interbank rate, often between 0.3% and 3%. This extra cost goes unnoticed by most users because it doesn’t appear as a “commission” in the banking app. This margin can quickly weigh on your budget, especially for repeated payments or cash withdrawals in foreign currencies.

💸 Fixed or variable withdrawal fees

Fee discrepancies don’t only concern card payments: ATM withdrawal fees abroad also vary widely between banks. Banks apply either a fixed amount, a percentage, or a combination of both, depending on the case. Some offers, like those from Wise or Revolut, allow free withdrawals within a monthly limit, while others—such as Alpian, Radicant or Yuh—charge from the first franc. The variety of models makes comparisons difficult, especially since fees are not always well explained in bank interfaces. For the customer, a simple withdrawal can cost mere cents or several francs, depending on the card used.

🧾 Lack of transparency

The RTS study also highlights a transparency issue. Few banks clearly display the total cost of a foreign currency transaction, making it difficult for consumers to compare. This is exactly where neobanks like Alpian, Neon, Radicant or Yuh shine: they communicate more transparently about exchange fees and overseas usage conditions.

👉 In summary

Differences in fees between banks are not trivial. To travel smart, it’s crucial to understand not only the displayed fees but also the hidden ones. Choosing the right bank card can save you tens or even hundreds of francs over the year.

Credit card for travel: make the right choice

When preparing a trip, you often think about tickets, luggage, or insurance… but rarely about the bank card you’ll use on site. Yet, the right choice between a debit card, credit card, or multi-currency card can directly impact your expenses and peace of mind abroad.

💳 Debit card vs. credit card: what’s the difference for travel?

• Debit card: linked directly to your bank account, payments are debited immediately. This is the most common model among Swiss neobanks (Alpian, Neon, Radicant, Yuh, Zak).
• Credit card: amounts spent are billed at the end of the month. It can offer more guarantees (insurance, car rentals, hotel bookings), but it is rarely free.

🛡️ Included insurance: a real plus for travelers

Some credit cards include travel insurance: cancellation, flight delay, baggage loss, or medical coverage abroad. This is a real advantage if you pay for your flights, hotels, or rentals with that card.

Among Swiss neobanks, Radicant stands out by including travel insurance directly with its Visa Debit card. Alpian, on the other hand, does not include insurance with its standard bank card but offers customers access to an Amex Platinum or Gold card with full travel coverage. A compelling option for those seeking premium service and extensive protection.

🧾 Check fees BEFORE you depart

Traditional bank credit cards are often associated with high foreign fees (conversion fees, transaction fees, interest). In contrast, some Swiss neobanks and fintechs like Revolut or Wise offer much more advantageous cards for foreign currency payments.

👉 Final tip

For a trip without surprises, it’s useful to have two complementary cards:

• a debit card with low foreign fees (Revolut, Wise, Radicant or Alpian, depending on usage)
• a credit card with insurance, for your bookings and emergencies

This way, you combine savings and security, while enjoying optimal flexibility during your trip.

Conclusion: Which is the best bank card for travel? Our opinion

There is no single bank card that suits all traveler profiles—it all depends on your habits, budget, and needs for currency exchange or insurance.

👉 For travelers seeking to avoid as many fees as possible, Radicant stands out as one of the best options in Switzerland: no exchange markup, free withdrawals within reason, and included travel insurance, all through a modern, intuitive app.

👉 Neon remains a simple and effective solution, especially for occasional travelers, although its competitiveness decreased with the introduction of a 0.35% fee in May 2025.

👉 If you often transact in CHF, EUR, USD, or GBP and seek a premium banking service, Alpian is an excellent alternative. Its metal Visa card does not include insurance, but the option to access Amex Platinum or Gold offers full travel coverage.

👉 Yuh is particularly interesting if you take the time to load the appropriate currency sub-accounts before your foreign payments—you can then avoid the 0.95% exchange fee.

👉 Zak should be avoided for international use due to its high fees (2.5% surcharge on payments).

👉 Finally, Wise and Revolut are excellent supplementary cards for multi-currency payments or transfers abroad, although they are not Swiss banks and may pose some limitations in daily management.

✈️ Our final advice

Always carry at least two cards when traveling—a primary low-fee card and a backup credit or fintech card. This ensures flexibility, security, and control over your expenses, anywhere in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about travel bank cards