Europe and the UK are not so far away from each other — weekend trips are more than common. With the joy of travelling comes the sadness of foreign payments. To avoid fees and embarrassing situations at shops, get the best UK credit cards for travel. In this article, we’re about to compare travel credit cards in the UK — read it and choose your fighter.
Travel credit cards in the UK: Explained
Barclaycard Rewards
Halifax Clarity
NatWest Travel Reward
Santander All in One
Bip Cardless
Zopa
FAQ — Travel credit cards in the UK
Travel credit cards in the UK: Explained
Before choosing the best credit cards for travel in Europe, we should understand what they are. Travel credit cards in the UK work as usual cards but with extra perks for travellers.
No foreign transaction fees
The main reason to get one of the top travel credit cards in the UK in 2025 is the absence of fees.
- When you pay with your regular card abroad, the bank charges you for converting pounds to euros.
- The same is true with ATMs; the average fee for withdrawing abroad is around 3%.
The best credit cards of 2025 for travel remove this problem. Most of them don’t charge any fees at all, so you can make yourself at home while paying in Europe. Others may charge a little for ATM usage, while some apply fees for payments, but we don’t call them the best UK credit cards for travel. It’s a title to be deserved.
If you plan to use ATMs during your trip, check these articles:
Cashbacks
Travel credit cards in the UK often offer a system of points or miles. You make purchases, receive the cashback and can spend it on flight tickets or travel expenses. Each of the best credit cards in 2025 for travel has its own terms. So, it’s up to you to decide which cashback you need and how you want to spend it. Some examples:
- airlines,
- hotels,
- general, including groceries and dining.
There are tons of benefits within each category: priority boarding, room upgrades, loyalty programmes, car rentals, transfers from/to the airport and more. Explore the offer carefully before choosing the best UK credit cards for travel.
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Travel insurance
Sometimes, trips don't go according to plan. A flight might be delayed or cancelled, leading to you missing the second flight, or you can accidentally get hurt. We hope it never happens, but it's good to be prepared.
You can search for credit cards with travel insurance in the UK. Some premium cards include it as a benefit; however, you'll have to pay for the coverage separately with the basic ones.
Note that credit cards with travel insurance in the UK usually have fewer payments and a shorter incident list than full travel insurance, so think twice about your final choice.
In short, finding and purchasing the best credit card for international use is definitely worth trying, especially if you’re a heavy traveller.
Best UK credit cards for travel: Barclaycard Rewards
One of the best credit cards for travel in Europe. Here’s what to expect if you want to purchase it:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fees | No ATM and purchase fees |
| Cashback | 0.25% on eligible purchases. There are no specific categories; cashback is earned from everyday purchases. |
| APR | 28.9%, can go up to 31.9% for some individuals. |
| Extras | You can add another cardholder, be it your mother, partner or a friend. |
| Requirements |
|
| Documents |
|
It’s one of the best credit cards for travel in Europe, if you use ATMs and want to get cashback for each small purchase. However, getting it might be problematic — expats who moved recently have little to no chances of getting it because of the ‘two years of permanent residency in the UK’ rule.
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Best UK credit cards for travel: Halifax Clarity
The next on our list of the best chip and pin credit cards for travel to Europe is Halifax Clarity.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fees | Fee-free for cash withdrawals and foreign currency purchases. |
| Cashback | No |
| APR | There is no set interest rate; it’s calculated individually for each applicant. On average, it’s 23.9%. |
| Extras | Single purchases are protected up to 100 GBP. |
| Requirements |
|
| Documents |
|
It’s not the best credit card for international use if you want cashback and side benefits. On the other hand, it works well for those who want to avoid fees abroad.
Best UK credit cards for travel: NatWest Travel Reward
Let’s see why we placed NatWest among the top travel credit cards in the UK in 2025.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fees | No fees on foreign purchases. Find all the details here. ATM fees = 3%, at least 3 GBP. |
| Cashback | 1% on eligible purchases. 1% to 15% on selected partners. Or 0.1% on everything. It’s a flexible programme, making it one of the best credit cards 2025 for travel in terms of the money you get back. |
| APR | 27.9%. May change up to 29.9% depending on your situation. |
| Extras | Platinum accounts include travel insurance. |
| Requirements |
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| Documents |
|
Best UK credit cards for travel: Santander All in One
Moving on to the next best credit card for international use.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fees | No foreign exchange fees. ATM fees = 3%, starting from 3 GBP. 3 GBP monthly fee. |
| Cashback | 0.5% on every purchase, but up to 10 GBP per month. |
| APR | 29.8%, may change in your individual case. |
| Extras | 0% interest on purchases and balance transfers for the first 15 months. |
| Requirements |
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| Documents |
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It’s one of the best credit cards for travel in Europe, if you intend to use it often. If not, it’s better to switch to a no-fee option.
Best UK credit cards for travel: Bip Cardless
We’re slowly getting to the end of our list of the best credit cards 2025 for travel. Bip provides digital credit cards, so you won’t hold a physical one. It’s convenient, but you’ll have to search for cardless ATMs, plus, some places may not accept Apple Pay or Google Pay yet. Check the offer:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fees | No fees at all. |
| Cashback | No. |
| APR | 34.9%, may vary. |
| Extras | Spending caps — set your expense limits. |
| Requirements |
|
| Documents | It’s a fully digital app, so you won’t need physical documents. Be ready to provide your full name, address, and information about your current financial situation. |
If you prefer digital solutions, this is one of the best credit cards for travel in Europe.
Top travel credit cards in the UK 2025: Zopa
The last on our list of the best chip and pin credit cards for travel to Europe is Zopa.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fees | No fees for payments abroad. 3 GBP for each ATM withdrawal. |
| Cashback | No. |
| APR | 34.9%, may vary. |
| Extras | Credit Cushion — set aside some of the available balance so you don't spend it accidentally. |
| Requirements |
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| Documents |
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FAQ — Travel credit cards in the UK
Which UK credit card is best for travel?
Depends on your preferences. Compare travel credit cards in the UK, for example Barclaycard Rewards, Halifax Clarity, NatWest Travel Reward, Santander All in One, Bip Cardless or Bip Cardless and go with what suits you the best.
Which UK credit cards don't charge foreign transaction fees?
The top picks are Barclaycard Rewards, Halifax Clarity, NatWest Travel Reward, Santander All in One, Bip Cardless, Bip Cardless and some others.
How do I avoid 3% foreign transaction fee?
Get the special travel credit cards.
Is it cheaper to use a credit card or a debit card overseas?
Usually, debit cards are cheaper. But if you get the travel credit card, it’ll be beneficial.
How to send money from the UK?
To transfer at great rates and with low fees, choose Profee, the service trusted by 800,000 expats.
