When I first decided to travel abroad, I was very worried about how I would manage my money there? Carrying cash was risky, and using my debit or credit card would incur high forex markup fees. Then I came to know about forex cards, and my life became a lot easier! Forex cards made it easy and safe for me to make payments abroad, and I also got good exchange rates. Today, I will tell you about the top 10 best forex cards in India, which are perfect for your 2025 foreign trip. So, let’s take a look at each card!
What is a forex card and why is it necessary?
A forex card is a prepaid card, in which you can load foreign currency (e.g. US Dollar, Euro) in advance. This card helps you a lot when making payments abroad or withdrawing money from ATMs. I took a forex card on my first trip, and I found it to have many advantages:
- Security: No fear of losing cash. If you lose your card, you can block it immediately.
- Good exchange rates: You can lock the exchange rate while loading the card, which eliminates the need to worry about currency fluctuations.
- Low fees: Debit/credit cards charge a 3-5% forex markup fee, but forex cards charge very little or none at all on some cards.
- Convenient: You can swipe at stores and withdraw money from ATMs around the world.
There are now many good forex cards available for Indians going abroad in 2025. I will tell you about the top 10 cards in detail, which will make it easy for you to choose the card according to your needs.
Top 10 Best Forex Cards in India 2025
BookMyForex YES Bank Forex Card
This card seemed to be the best for me, as it has zero forex markup fees. You can load 14 currencies, and there are no fees for issuance, reloading, and unloading. I got a discount of Rs 200 on my first transaction (Promo Code: NEWTOBMF). This card is accepted at 30 million stores and 1 million ATMs. Moreover, it has chip-and-PIN technology, which makes it very secure.
To Apply Click Here: BookMyForex Card
Niyo Global Card (Equitas Bank/DCBBank/State Bank of Mauritius)
This card is especially good for students and travelers. It has zero forex markup fees, and you can make payments in 130+ currencies. I got 3 free ATM withdrawals per month and international lounge access in India. It doesn’t charge TCS (Tax Collected at Source) up to Rs 7 lakh, but after that, it charges 20% TCS. Its app is very easy to use, with real-time currency conversion and ATM locator.
To Apply Click Here: Niyo Global Card
Axis Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
This card supports 16 currencies, including US Dollar, Euro, Pound Sterling. Its issuance fee is Rs 300 (free for Burgundy/Priority account holders). I got a discount of Rs 500 on the VI International Roaming Pack. But if you make a payment in a currency other than the loaded currency, there is a 3.5% cross-currency markup fee. This card offers 24/7 travel assistance through TripAssist.
HDFC Bank Regalia ForexPlus Card
This card can only be loaded in US dollars, but there are no cross-currency fees for payments in other currencies. It has an issuance fee of Rs 1,000, and there is no reward structure. But I got good insurance coverage with it – up to Rs 5 lakh for lost card and up to Rs 10 lakh for air accidents. I found this card perfect for single currency travel.
ICICI Bank Goibibo Forex Card
This card is specifically for Goibibo trips. Its issuance fee is Rs 499, and it comes with Goibibo vouchers worth Rs 15,000 and goCash+ vouchers worth Rs 500. It supports 15 currencies, and is secure thanks to chip-and-PIN technology. I really liked the emergency cash delivery service, which comes in handy if the card is lost.
Also Read: Improve Your Credit Score
IndusInd Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
This card supports 14 currencies, and there is no forex markup fee (when making payments in the loaded currency). Its issuance fee is Rs 300, and an inactivity fee of Rs 250 per quarter after 18 months. I like the chip technology and the facility of withdrawing money from VISA ATMs. This card is good for frequent travelers.
State Bank Multi-Currency Foreign Travel Card
This card from SBI supports 7 currencies, and its issuance fee is just Rs 100. However, this card cannot be used in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. I like the 24/7 global assistance and chip-and-PIN protection. The reload fee is Rs 50, and if you are an SBI account holder, this card is easy to get.
YES Bank Multi-Currency Card
This card supports 10+ currencies, and it gets real-time SMS alerts. The special thing about it is that you can temporarily lock the card. It has high security and low cost. I really liked the online customer care support in it, which makes it easy to manage the card while abroad.
MakeMyTrip Tripmoney Global Forex Card
This card is 100% digital, and has zero forex markup fees. It has lifetime validity, and offers discounts of up to Rs 70,000 on MakeMyTrip/Goibibo. I found it easy to manage the card through the app. But there is a fee of Rs 250 (in India) and Rs 3,000 (abroad) for card replacement.
To Apply Click Here: Tripmoney Global Forex Card
RBL World Safari Credit Card
This card is specially designed for foreign travelers, and has 0% forex markup fees, which allows you to save 3-4% on foreign transactions. Its joining and annual fee is Rs 3,000 + GST, but you get a Rs 3,000 MakeMyTrip voucher as a welcome gift, which can be used for flights and hotel bookings. I really liked this card because it offers 2 free domestic lounge visits (every quarter) and 2 free international lounge visits (every year through Priority Pass).
It also offers travel insurance cover of up to US$50,000, which includes trip delay, baggage loss and dental treatment. You earn 2 travel points for every Rs 100 spent (on all expenses) and 5 points on travel expenses, but no points on international expenses. I also got 4 free rounds of golf and 1 golf lesson per month. But keep in mind that if you withdraw money from an ATM, finance charges will apply, so use this card only for swiping.
To Apply Click Here: RBL World Safari Credit Card
Single Currency vs Multi-Currency Forex Card: Which One Should You Choose?
- Single Currency Card: It supports only one currency (e.g. HDFC Regalia ForexPlus Card only accepts US Dollars). This is good if you are only visiting one country.
- Multi-currency card: It supports multiple currencies (e.g. Axis Bank card supports 16 currencies). This is more convenient if you are traveling to multiple countries. RBL World Safari Credit Card works like a multi-currency card, as you can make payments in any currency, and with a 0% markup fee, you don’t have to pay extra.
What to look for when choosing a forex card?
- Forex markup fee: Choose a card with zero or low fees (e.g. RBL World Safari, Niyo Global Card).
- Currency support: Check if the card supports the currency of the country you are visiting.
- Issuance and reload fees: Some cards do not have this fee (e.g. BookMyForex), while others do (e.g. Axis Bank).
- ATM withdrawal fees: Some cards offer free withdrawals (e.g. Niyo Global Card offers 3 free withdrawals).
- Security: Choose a card with chip-and-PIN technology and emergency assistance.
- Additional benefits: Look out for benefits like lounge access, discounts, insurance cover. RBL World Safari offers lounge access, travel insurance and golf benefits.
Some important tips you should know!
- Load in advance: Load the card before the trip, so that you get better exchange rates. There is no loading required for RBL World Safari, as it is a credit card.
- Replacement card: Check if you can get a replacement card in case of loss of the card. RBL World Safari has this facility.
- Remember TCS: 20% TCS is charged on spending above 7 lakhs, so keep a budget.
- Use the app: Download the card app, so you can check the balance and transactions. RBL Bank’s app can be used for RBL World Safari.
Also Read: Transfer Money From Credit Card to Bank Account
What I Think!
Forex cards made my overseas trips much easier and more fun, and the RBL World Safari Credit Card gave me the benefits of both a credit card and a forex card. I avoided the risk of carrying cash, and I got good exchange rates. If you are also planning to travel abroad in 2025, choose one of the top 10 forex cards above according to your needs. I liked BookMyForex, Niyo Global Card, and RBL World Safari Card the most, as they have zero markup fees and good benefits. If you have any more questions, be sure to ask me. I will explain them to you in simple terms! Plan your trip now and travel hassle-free with a forex card!
FAQ:
1. What are the best forex cards in India for 2025?
Top forex cards for 2025 include BookMyForex YES Bank, Niyo Global, Axis Bank Multi-Currency, and RBL World Safari Credit Card, offering zero markup fees and travel perks.
2. How does RBL World Safari Credit Card help in travel?
RBL World Safari offers 0% forex markup fees, free lounge access, travel insurance up to $50,000, and MakeMyTrip vouchers, making it ideal for international travel.
3. What’s the difference between single and multi-currency forex cards?
Single-currency cards (e.g., HDFC Regalia) support one currency, while multi-currency cards (e.g., Axis Bank) support multiple, ideal for traveling to various countries.
4. Are there forex cards with zero markup fees?
Yes, cards like BookMyForex YES Bank, Niyo Global, and RBL World Safari Credit Card offer 0% forex markup fees, saving you 3-4% on international transactions.
5. How do I choose the best forex card for my trip?
Look for zero markup fees, supported currencies, low issuance fees, ATM withdrawal benefits, and added perks like lounge access or insurance, as offered by Niyo or RBL cards.