What to Pack and Prepare Before You Travel With Money

Start with these essentials before you leave

Before you board a flight or cross a border, you need to know three things: what forms of money work where you're going, what you're legally required to declare, and what happens if your card stops working at 2 a.m. in a city where you don't speak the language. A working checklist covers all three and keeps you from discovering gaps when it's too late to fix them.

The checklist below walks through the practical steps in the order that matters — what to do at home before you leave, what to verify once you arrive, and what to keep accessible throughout your trip. It's built around the real problems travelers face: frozen cards, currency that won't exchange, fees that surprise you, and documents you need but didn't bring.

Key Takeaways

• Contact your bank and card issuer before you travel to tell them your destination and dates, or your cards may be blocked as fraud.
• Carry at least two separate payment methods — a primary card, a backup card from a different bank, and some cash in the local currency.
• Know the exchange rate and typical fees your bank charges for foreign transactions before you leave, so unexpected charges don't shock you.
• Keep copies of your card numbers, your bank's international phone number, and your passport information separate from the originals in case of loss or theft.
• Research ATM networks and currency exchange locations in your destination before you arrive, so you know where to get cash if your card fails.

Notify your bank and card issuers before departure

Call or log into your bank's website and tell them you're traveling — where, when, and for how long. Most banks flag foreign transactions as potential fraud and freeze your card if they don't know you're the one using it. A single blocked card in a foreign country can strand you for hours while you wait on hold with customer service in a different time zone.

Get your bank's international customer service number and write it down. Do not rely on the number on the back of your card — that line often routes you to a domestic center that cannot help with overseas issues. Ask specifically for the number you call if your card is blocked while you're abroad. Save it in your phone, email it to yourself, and write it on a piece of paper you keep separate from your wallet.

Ask your bank about their foreign transaction fees. Most charge between 1 and 3 percent per transaction, but some charge a flat fee per withdrawal or a combination of both. Knowing this number before you leave means you won't be shocked when you check your balance later. Also ask whether they charge fees for ATM withdrawals in foreign countries — some do, some don't, and the answer changes by bank.

Gather and verify your documents

Your passport is your primary ID abroad, but you also need proof of your identity and address for some currency exchanges and for proving you own your bank accounts if something goes wrong. Make a photocopy of your passport's main page and your visa (if required) and keep it separate from the original — in a different bag, or stored in your email, or both. If your passport is lost or stolen, the copy proves you had it and speeds up replacement.

Write down your card numbers, expiration dates, and the CVV codes. Do not carry this list in your wallet. Email it to yourself, store it in a password-protected note on your phone, or leave a copy with someone you trust at home. If your card is stolen, you'll need these numbers to report it and to confirm you own the card when you call your bank from abroad.

If you're traveling with traveler's checks or planning to exchange currency at a bank, bring your passport and one additional form of ID. Some countries require both. Check your destination's requirements before you leave — the U.S. State Department website lists entry requirements by country, including what documents you need to carry.

Decide how much cash to carry and in what form

Carrying only cards leaves you stranded if your card is blocked, stolen, or the ATM network fails. Carrying only cash makes you a theft target and leaves you without recourse if it's lost. The safest approach is a mix: a primary debit or credit card, a backup card from a different bank, and some cash in the local currency.

How much cash depends on your destination and how long you're staying. For a week in a major city with reliable ATMs, $200 to $400 in local currency is usually enough to cover meals, tips, and small purchases if your card fails. For a rural area or a country where ATMs are sparse, bring more. For a short city trip where you'll use cards for most purchases, bring less. The point is to have enough to survive a day or two without your card, not to fund your entire trip in cash.

Get local currency before you leave if possible — at your bank, at a currency exchange, or at the airport. Airport exchanges charge higher rates than banks, but the convenience of arriving with cash in hand is worth it for a first day of travel. If you can't get local currency before departure, plan to withdraw cash from an ATM as soon as you arrive, before you need it for a taxi or meal.

Research ATM networks and exchange locations in your destination

Not all ATMs work with all cards, and not all cards work in all countries. Before you leave, search online for "ATM networks in [destination]" and "which banks accept [your card type] in [destination]." Your bank's website usually lists partner banks and ATM networks abroad — check there first. If your bank doesn't have partners in your destination, ask whether they reimburse ATM fees or charge extra for out-of-network withdrawals.

Write down the names and addresses of at least two ATM locations near your hotel or in the main areas where you'll spend time. Take a screenshot of their locations on Google Maps. If one ATM is broken or out of cash, you'll know where the next one is without having to search on a phone with limited data.

Research currency exchange locations — banks, exchange offices, and hotels that exchange currency. Know which ones charge the best rates and which ones are open during the hours you might need them. Hotels almost always charge worse rates than banks or dedicated exchange offices, so use them only as a last resort.

Prepare for card loss or theft

If your card is stolen or lost, you need to report it immediately. Before you leave home, write down the phone numbers to call — not the customer service line on the back of your card, but the international fraud line. Your bank's website has this number, usually under "Report Fraud" or "Lost Card." Write it down and keep it separate from your cards.

Know what your bank will do if you report a card stolen. Most will cancel it immediately and mail a replacement to your home address, which doesn't help you while you're abroad. Some will issue a temporary card number you can use online, or wire you cash, or arrange for a replacement card to be picked up at a branch in your destination. Ask before you leave so you know what to expect.

If you're staying in one place for more than a few days, consider having your bank mail a replacement card there. Give them the hotel address or the address of a friend or family member in that city. It takes a week or more to arrive, but it's better than waiting until you get home.

Check your phone and data plan

You need your phone to access your bank's app, to call customer service if something goes wrong, and to navigate and find ATMs. Before you leave, confirm that your phone will work in your destination. Some countries use different cellular networks, and some phones don't work on those networks.

Ask your phone carrier what it costs to use your phone abroad. International roaming charges can be $2 to $10 per day or more. Many carriers offer international plans for $10 to $15 per day that include data and texting. Compare the cost of a plan to the cost of buying a local SIM card in your destination — sometimes a local SIM is cheaper, especially for longer trips.

Download your bank's app before you leave and test that it works. Some banking apps don't work outside your home country, or they work differently. Knowing this before you travel means you can set up alternative ways to check your balance or report fraud.

Create a backup plan for each payment method

Your primary card fails. What's next? Your backup card. Your backup card fails. What's next? Cash. Cash runs out. What's next? A wire transfer from home, a traveler's check, or calling your bank to arrange an emergency advance. Each step should have a plan before you leave.

If you're carrying traveler's checks, know where to cash them in your destination. Not all banks accept them, and some charge fees. If you're planning to have money wired to you, know which banks or money transfer services (Western Union, MoneyGram) operate in your destination and what they charge. If you're planning to ask family or friends to wire you money, make sure they know how to do it and have the bank details they'll need.

Write down these backup plans and keep them with your documents. Don't rely on memory when you're stressed and far from home.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to declare cash when I cross a border?

Most countries require you to declare cash over a certain amount — usually $10,000 USD or the equivalent in your destination's currency. The U.S. requires declaration of any amount over $10,000 when entering or leaving. Check your destination country's customs rules before you travel. Failure to declare can result in confiscation or legal trouble.

What's the difference between a debit card and a credit card abroad?

Debit cards withdraw money directly from your bank account and usually charge lower fees for foreign ATM withdrawals. Credit cards let you borrow money and pay it back later, and some offer better fraud protection. Carry both if possible — use the debit card for ATM withdrawals and the credit card as a backup or for larger purchases.

Should I exchange money before I leave or after I arrive?

Exchange rates are usually better at banks and ATMs in your destination than at airports or exchange offices in your home country. However, arriving with some local cash means you can pay for a taxi or meal without hunting for an ATM. A middle approach: exchange a small amount before you leave, then withdraw the rest from ATMs once you arrive.

What if my card doesn't work in the ATM?

Try a different ATM — some machines don't accept all card types. If multiple ATMs reject your card, call your bank's international number to ask why. It could be a temporary block, a network issue, or a problem with your card. Have your backup card ready and know where the nearest currency exchange is.

Can I use my phone to pay for things abroad?

Mobile payment apps like Apple Pay and Google Pay work in many countries, but not all. Check whether your payment app works in your destination before you leave. Even if it does, have a backup payment method — not all merchants accept mobile payments, and your phone could die or be lost.