Best forex cards in India: Features, Charges, and Which is best for international travel?

Having a forex card can make managing your money when you travel or spend online with international retailers easier and cheaper. If you have a trip coming up, you might be wondering which are the best forex cards available on the market today, to help you figure out which card is best for international transactions, and what it’ll cost you.

This guide looks at some of the best forex cards in India, including options from banks and providers like Wise which allow you to hold multiple currencies and spend with no additional fee if you hold the currency you need when you’re abroad. We'll also introduce you to the Wise Travel card, which allows you to hold 40+ currencies in on card and spend without any forex markups or hidden fees.

So - which is the best forex card in India? Let’s investigate.

What’s a forex card

A forex card is a debit card which is intended for use when you’re traveling abroad, or when you spend in a foreign currency online.

Forex cards are often linked to a digital account which can hold multiple currencies, allowing you to add a balance in INR and then convert to the currency you need before you travel. You can then spend with no additional fees when you’re abroad, and manage your budget from your phone or smart device.

In this guide we explore which bank forex card is best - and also touch on a few alternatives which are from specialist providers rather than banks, like the Wise Travel Card. Specialists like Wise may be able to offer a broader range of supported currencies as well as low fees and great rates when you spend. More on that later.

Things to look out for when choosing a forex card

We’ll dive into a review of the best forex cards in India in just a moment - first, here are a few things to consider while you choose the ideal provider for your needs:

• Currencies available: Most forex cards let you hold multiple currencies in one account - but some only support a single currency, or may force you to hold your balance in INR and only convert when you pay. If you’d prefer to have your foreign currency balance set before you travel, pick a provider which covers the currencies you need for your trip - like the Wise Travel Card which has 40+ currencies for holding and exchange.
• Exchange rate: Some cards state that there’s no exchange fee or forex fee, but this may simply mean that the costs involved have been absorbed into the exchange rate you get when you convert currencies. Look out for hidden charges so you don’t lose out on exchanging your INR to the currency required.
• Currency conversion fee: Forex cards may add a markup or margin - a forex fee - to the interbank rate to convert your INR to the currency you need to make a payment. This can be 2% - 4% of the sum you convert. Look out for cards which don’t have any hidden or hard to spot forex fee, like the Wise Travel Card.
• Digital card: Having a digital card can be a bonus if you shop online or make mobile payments. Your digital card has different card details to your physical card so you can delete and dispose of your digital card if you need to without needing to cut up your physical card.
• Application process: Some providers need you to visit a store or branch to order your card or to load your account. Finding a provider which operates fully online can be much simpler and take less time overall.
• Fees: Finally look out for issuance, annual and inactivity fees, ATM costs and any other charges which may mean you have less to spend on your travels.

Best forex cards in India

Here’s a summary of 7 popular cards to help you figure out which is the best forex card for international travel in your specific case. We’ve got a comparison on important features and fees first, followed by more on each provider to kickstart your research.

*Details are correct at time of research - 11th November 2025

Wise Travel card

Best for: 40+ currencies for holding and exchange, always with interbank rates

Get a Wise Travel card to hold foreign currency balances in 40+ currencies – the highest number of currencies supported by any forex card provider in India. Wise offers interbank rates for every currency conversion, and low, transparent fees - and there are no annual costs or inactivity fees to worry about once you have your card. You can apply, load and reload money, and view your balance or transaction history with your phone, so there’s no need to visit a branch. Wise customers can also get digital cards for increased convenience and security when you spend online or make mobile payments.

Want a quick walkthrough of how to load, use and manage your Wise Travel card? Watch this short video to learn everything you need before you travel.

💳 Get your Wise Travel card

Niyo global forex card

Best for: No forex fees in 180+ countries, while holding a balance in INR

Niyo offers a range of international services including 2 debit cards and a credit card which all offer zero forex fees when you spend. You won’t pay a card issuance fee but there may be an annual fee to pay depending on the specific card you select. Niyo cards hold a balance in INR only so you can’t convert to the currency you need before you travel. Instead, your card can convert from INR to the currency required when you checkout or make a cash withdrawal overseas, with the network rate and no additional forex fee.

Thomas Cook Borderless Travel Card

Best for: Extra travel perks like lounge access, Ubers to the airport and meet and greet service

Thomas Cook offers a Borderless Travel Card which supports 12 currencies for holding and exchange, as well as specialised cards for students and enterprise customers. These cards are optimised for travel and also offer extras to make your trip a little bit more relaxing like complimentary lounge access, subject to meeting eligibility conditions. The Thomas Cook exchange rate applies when exchanging card balance which may mean you pay a forex fee - you’ll be able to talk through all the fees when you contact the provider to order your card.

Bookmyforex Multi-Currency Forex Card

Best for: No issuance, annual or inactivity fee to worry about

The Bookmyforex Multi-Currency Forex Card supports 14 currencies for holding at fixed exchange rates - and there’s also a different card which supports USD only for overseas spending. There are few fixed fees to work about - so no issuance, annual or inactivity fee - but there are costs when you convert from one currency to another. A 3% cross currency fee applies when exchanging currency to lock in your balance in the foreign currency you require for your trip.

HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card

Best for: Complimentary travel insurance, emergency cash cover and concierge service

You can hold 22 currencies on a HDFC Multicurrency Platinum ForexPlus Chip Card, covering many popular destinations from India. The card also comes with some nice extras like complimentary insurance covering loss of baggage and other common travel disruptions which can help give you peace of mind if you travel a lot. There’s a 500 INR + GST issuance fee but then no maintenance fee once you have your card - a 2% cross currency fee applies when exchanging currency.

State Bank Multi-currency Foreign Travel Card

Best for: 7 supported currencies, backed by SBI for use at 34.5 million merchants globally

The State Bank Multi-currency Foreign Travel Card supports 7 currencies for holding and exchange. You can use your card to spend and make cash withdrawals conveniently - but it’s worth noting that you can only load funds to your card in a SBI branch. This means you’ll need to be very organised before your trip and load more than enough cash, to avoid being short of money when you’re away.

ICICI Multi-Currency Forex Prepaid Card

Best for: Free international SIM card provided by Visa when you sign up

You can hold 15 currencies on a ICICI Multi-Currency Forex Prepaid Card, with no issuance fee and no joining fee to pay when you sign up. Before you start to transact, read the terms carefully as there are different forex fees which may apply, depending on your transaction type, up to 4.5% when exchanging currency. This card is backed by Visa and has good insurance in the case your card is stolen and misused, and also gets you a free international SIM card when you sign up.

Summary: Best forex cards in India

Having a forex card before you travel overseas can allow you to convert INR to the currency you need, and lock in exchange rates so you know exactly what your trip budget will be. Picking the right card for your needs can make travel easier and cheaper, by avoiding foreign transaction fees which may apply to debit card transactions otherwise.

Use this guide to see if there’s a good forex card for your next trip, either from a bank like SBI, or from a specialist - like the Wise Travel card which supports 40+ currencies with interbank rates and no forex fees added to the rates you see.

Meet the Wise Travel card: 40+ currencies in one card, with no forex markups or hidden fees

With no hidden markups, the Wise Travel card is a smart way to spend abroad. You'll always get the real interbank exchange rate for conversions across 40+ currencies. Wise's transparent, low pricing, plus no foreign transaction fees or forex markups, usually means you are getting the best value for your money.

The fully digital account opening and vKYC process allows you to sign up from the comfort of your home, and there are no annual or monthly fees either. Simply order your card, show proof of your travels, load your funds, and you're all set. Plus - card orders are currently free to Indian addresses (only until February 10, 2026)! A physical Wise card enables you to make secure chip and PIN payments and get some free ATM withdrawals while you're overseas. You can also instantly freeze or unfreeze your card in the app anytime for peace of mind.

Wherever your travels take you, the Wise Travel card is the only forex card you'll need to make spending internationally simpler and cheaper.

🚀 Get a Wise Travel card