Yes, you can use your Australian Visa or Mastercard debit card in England anywhere Visa/Mastercard is accepted, which is widespread. You can pay in shops, restaurants, and use ATMs to withdraw GBP. However, you will likely incur international transaction fees (typically $2.00–$5.00 per ATM withdrawal + 3%–3.5% currency conversion fees) unless using a fee-free account.
You can use your card wherever Visa is accepted, including overseas and online. Unlike a credit card, using a debit card means you won't have to worry about high credit interest rates, or paying off any holiday debts, because when you use a debit card you use your own money.
Which way will you pay in the UK? In most cases, paying by card is more convenient than cash, though we always recommend carrying a small amount of cash for parking, taxis, small purchases and tips. Ideally, take a Wise Mastercard and a Visa debit or credit card with you – plus a small amount of cash.
For no international transaction fee debit cards in Australia, look at banks like Macquarie (Transaction Account), ME Bank (SpendME), ING (Orange Everyday), Ubank (Spend Account), Suncorp (Options/Essentials), and HSBC (Everyday Global), which offer 0% on purchases, though ATM withdrawals abroad might still attract local operator fees. These accounts let you spend in foreign currencies online or overseas without extra bank charges, but always check ATM fees for foreign operators.
Most ATMs in the UK are equipped to accept international debit cards. These ATMs typically display logos of international card networks like Visa and Mastercard.
Wherever you wander in Europe, it's wise to travel with cash euros. While ATMs and card facilities are widespread across the continent, this cannot always be relied upon. Some countries or areas off the beaten track have yet to fully embrace card payments, so cash means you won't get caught short.
Credit, debit and contactless payment cards are widely used throughout Britain. Visa and Mastercard are the most common type, while American Express and Diners Club are only sometimes accepted. Some small shops, markets and cafes may not accept card payments or may stipulate a minimum spend.
Top travel credit cards in Australia (Money.com. au's picks)
Use the following tips to help you reduce or avoid ATM fees while overseas:
Eftpos (Australia's domestic network) and debit cards (like Visa/Mastercard) both draw from your bank account, but debit cards offer international use, online payments, and stronger fraud protection, while eftpos is purely Australian, allows cash-outs at retail checkouts, and is typically cheaper for merchants, though it has limited dispute options and can't be used overseas. Modern cards often carry both networks (dual-network), letting you choose or the terminal automatically route payments, but older "eftpos-only" cards are restricted to in-store, domestic transactions.
London has an almost endless list of things to keep you entertained. It doesn't matter what day of the week it is, there's always something going on, somewhere to explore, or a fun adventure to be had. If you want to make the most of a day in the city, £50 is more than enough to have an amazing time.
To avoid a 3% foreign transaction fee, use a credit or debit card with no foreign transaction fees, always choose to pay in the local currency (not your home currency) when prompted, use multi-currency accounts or prepaid travel cards, and consider paying with cash for smaller purchases to bypass card fees entirely, while exchanging currency before travel for better rates.
Resist the urge to buy foreign currency before your trip.
Some tourists feel like they must have euros or British pounds in their pockets when they step off the airplane, but they pay the price in bad stateside exchange rates. Wait until you arrive to withdraw money.
Revolut is one of the best travel cards for the UK from Australia, trusted by millions worldwide.
Is it better to convert currency in Australia or the United Kingdom? When travelling to the United Kingdom, it's generally better to exchange your currency in Australia.
It's not essential, but it helps our fraud detection systems to know in advance that you're travelling abroad. Find out how to get it at How do I get the mobile banking app?
Starling Bank, Monzo, and first direct are some of the top UK banks with no foreign transaction fees. There are alternative providers in the UK that offer low-fee international spending with additional benefits like no-markup exchange rates.
For no international transaction fee debit cards in Australia, look at banks like Macquarie (Transaction Account), ME Bank (SpendME), ING (Orange Everyday), Ubank (Spend Account), Suncorp (Options/Essentials), and HSBC (Everyday Global), which offer 0% on purchases, though ATM withdrawals abroad might still attract local operator fees. These accounts let you spend in foreign currencies online or overseas without extra bank charges, but always check ATM fees for foreign operators.
2. Choose a bank that doesn't charge foreign ATM fees
Using debit cards overseas
Use your debit cards to pay in-store and withdraw cash using your Debit Mastercard (look for the Mastercard symbol) or Keycard (look for the Cirrus symbol) to withdraw up to the equivalent of $2,000 AUD a day in local currency. Keep in mind that international ATM and EFTPOS fees may apply.
The 2/3/4 Rule is an informal guideline, primarily used by Bank of America, that limits how many new credit cards you can be approved for: two in a two-month (or 30-day) period, three in a 12-month period, and four in a 24-month period, helping lenders manage risk from frequent applications and "churning" for bonuses. It's a rule for applicants, not a limit on how many cards you should have, but a strategy for managing applications to avoid automatic denials.
Credit cards are likely to remain more widely accepted than debit cards, especially cross-border. However, withdrawing money from ATMs abroad and the currency exchange associated with international transfers are often much cheaper with a debit card than with a credit card.
It's often better to pay in the local currency, if the card reader gives you the option. That way you avoid the overseas provider's currency conversion fees. Some cash machines may charge a fee, even if we don't.
The "15" and "3" refer to the days before your credit card statement's closing date. Specifically, the rule suggests you make one payment 15 days before your statement closes and another payment three days before it closes.
Generally, it is safe to share your account number and sort code for legitimate purposes, such as receiving payments or setting up direct debits with trusted companies. However, while these details alone cannot be used to directly withdraw money, they can be exploited in fraud attempts.