What Is an International Debit Card? Uses, Benefits, and Top Options in India

The Wise Travel card lets you hold 40+ currencies and spend at the interbank exchange rate with no forex markups or hidden fees - now free to order for a limited time.

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If you’re traveling overseas, having the use of an international debit card can help you manage your travel budget and cut the overall costs of currency conversion. Different providers and banks in India have their own offerings, which have varying features and international debit card charges.

This guide introduces the best international debit cards in India so you can decide if any suits you, including the Wise Travel card.

Table of contents
What is an international debit card? Uses and benefits of an international debit card Best international debit cards for travel Wise Travel card SBI Platinum International Debit Card Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card Niyo SBM Debit Card ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card HDFC Multicurrency Platinum Forexplus Chip Forex Card Summary: What’s the best debit card for travel?

What is an international debit card?

An international debit card is optimised for use abroad, and may differ from your standard debit card in that it’s likely to be issued on a globally accepted network for overseas use.

International debit cards can also offer perks and rewards which are aimed at travellers like airport lounge access or travel insurance cover.

In this guide to international debit cards we’ve selected debit cards designed for travel which are connected to bank accounts, and forex cards from banks and specialist providers. These cards may work in slightly different ways - forex cards allow you to hold multiple currencies in one account for example, while debit cards may support INR only for holding. But in each case, the card can be used very widely for spending and withdrawals, making it convenient if you have a planned trip.

Uses and benefits of an international debit card

The exact features you get do vary between card providers. However, there are some common factors which are offered by most providers.

Here are a few of the things you may be able do with an international debit card:

• Spend globally wherever your card network (usually Visa or Mastercard) is accepted
• Make local and international ATM withdrawals to get cash
• Hold a balance in INR, and in some cases foreign currencies as well
• View and manage your card account and transactions with your phone when you travel
• Get customer support, even when you’re away from home

Things to consider when choosing a debit card for international travel

Different international debit cards for travel can have their own advantages and disadvantages, so comparing a few before you pick makes good sense. Here are a few things to consider before you choose:

• What are the card’s issuance and annual fees? - These can be quite high, particularly for premium type cards.
• What are the costs for local and overseas ATM use? - Some cards have no fees for local withdrawals, but international use can be more costly.
• What exchange rate and foreign transaction fee applies? - If your card has a foreign transaction fee this pushes up the costs of overseas spending by up to 4.5% for every purchase.
• Does your card support spending in the currencies you require? - When picking a forex card make sure your card lets you hold a balance in the currency or currencies you’re likely to need.

Best international debit cards for travel

To help you find the best debit card for international travel we’ve got a comparison for 6 options, looking at the common costs and benefits of international debit cards side by side. There’s also more on each of our picks for the best travel debit card coming right up.

Card	Holding currencies	Issuance fee	Annual fee	Other perks
Wise Travel card	40+ currencies supported for holding and exchange Spend in 160+ countries	460 INR + GST - waived until 10 Feb 2026	No annual maintenance fee	Unlimited free ATM use up to 200USD
SBI Platinum International Debit Card¹	INR only for holding Spend wherever network is supported	300 INR + GST	250 INR + GST	Lounge access opportunities, partner rewards and discounts
Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card²	INR only for holding Spend wherever network is supported	No fee	No fee if you maintain Burgundy status, 1,500 INR + GST if not	Lounge access opportunities, high transaction limits, complimentary cinema tickets
Niyo SBM Debit Card³	INR only for holding Spend wherever network is supported	Up to 500 INR + GST⁴	Up to 500 INR + GST	No forex markup, airport lounge access and other travel benefits
ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card⁵	INR only for holding Spend wherever network is supported	4999 INR + GST	4999 INR + GST	Rewards, lounge access and BookMyShow and Inox offers
HDFC Multicurrency Platinum Forexplus Chip Forex Card⁶	22 currencies supported for holding Spend wherever network is supported	500 INR + GST	No stated annual fee	Concierge and insurance benefits available

Wise Travel card Overview

Best for: Hold a balance in 40+ foreign currencies, and exchange with interbank rates and low, transparent fees

Spend in 150+ countries with the Wise Travel card which can hold 40+ currencies – the best international debit card in terms of the number of currencies supported.

When you convert from one currency to another you get interbank rates with low, transparent fees, allowing you to spend with no surprises. Manage your account and card balance with just your phone, and no need to visit a branch - apply, load and reload money, and view your balance or transaction history in just a few taps. Plus you can get digital cards for secure and simple online or mobile payments.

Main features and fees:

• Supported currencies - 40+ currencies supported for holding and exchange
• Currency conversion rate - Small, transparent variable fee
• Foreign transaction fee - No fee
• ATM costs - Unlimited free ATM withdrawals per month, up to a total of USD 200 (or equivalent). For any amount above USD 200 (or equivalent) - 1.40 USD (or equivalent) + 3.25% of the withdrawn amount

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SBI Platinum International Debit Card Overview

Best for: INR debit card which also offers lounge access and member rewards and perks

The SBI Platinum International Debit Card offers a flexible service you can use to spend locally and when you travel, with over 30 million global merchants supported for spending in total.

When you spend overseas, the purchase amount is converted to INR, and a 3% foreign transaction fee is debited from your SBI account. Customers can join the State Bank Debit Card Loyalty Program to earn rewards you can redeem on purchases and payments.

Main features and fees:

• Supported currencies - INR only for holding
• Currency conversion rate - Bank or network rate applies
• Foreign transaction fee - 3%⁷
• ATM costs - Domestic fees may vary depending on banking package and the ATM operator; Overseas fees 100 INR min. + 3.5% of Txn. Amt. + GST⁸

Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card Overview

Best for: Global debit card for Burgundy members looking for an international ATM card with no overseas ATM fees

You can get the Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card with no additional annual fee if you maintain Burgundy membership but it’s worth checking out the eligibility criteria for Burgundy before you sign up. High deposit amounts and salary are required.

Once you have your Burgundy card you can use it anywhere the network is accepted at home and abroad. Your overseas purchases are converted to INR at the network or bank rate, plus a foreign exchange fee of up to 4.5%.

Main features and fees:

• Supported currencies - INR only for holding
• Currency conversion rate - Bank or network rate applies
• Foreign transaction fee - 3.5% cross-currency markup (+1% DCC only when applicable)
• ATM costs - No Axis ATM fee (foreign transaction fees may apply when overseas)

Niyo SBM Debit Card Overview

Best for: No foreign transaction fee debit card when you spend your INR balance overseas, plus travel perks

The Niyo SBM Debit Card has no forex markup or foreign transaction fee which means your overseas purchases are converted to INR using the Visa rate. The Visa rate may contain a margin so you may be paying hidden fees you don't realise.

Your card can also give you airport lounge access in India, and exclusive travel offers which can make it attractive to people living an international lifestyle.

Main features and fees:

• Supported currencies - INR only for holding
• Currency conversion rate - Visa rate, may contain markup
• Foreign transaction fee - No foreign transaction fee
• ATM costs - Domestic use - up to 5 free transactions a month, then 20 INR; international use up to 500 INR/transaction

ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card Overview

Best for: Member benefits and perks, with a card accepted globally for spending and withdrawals

The ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card can only be used to hold INR but is offered for global spending and withdrawals. Your card also offers specific perks for travellers like lounge access, as well as BookMyShow and Inox offers.

When you spend overseas your purchase costs will be converted to INR with any applicable foreign transaction fee to be debited from your ICICI account.

Main features and fees:

• Supported currencies - INR only for holding
• Currency conversion rate - Bank or network rate applies
• Foreign transaction fee - Check directly with the bank - details not publicly shared
• ATM costs - Check directly with the bank - details not publicly shared

HDFC Multicurrency Platinum Forexplus Chip Forex Card Overview

Best for: 22 currencies supported for holding and exchange - and you can spend wherever the network is supported

The HDFC Multicurrency Platinum Forexplus Chip Forex Card lets you hold 22 currencies in one account which can be helpful for people who prefer to set their travel spending budget in advance. Just load your card with the currency you need to spend when you’re away to make sure you stick within your budget.

There’s no fee to spend a currency you hold in your account, but a charge of up to 2% applies if you don’t have the currency needed for a purchase.

Main features and fees:

• Supported currencies - 22 supported for holding
• Currency conversion rate - Bank or network rate depending on transaction type
• Foreign transaction fee - 2% fee when you spend a currency you don’t hold in your account
• ATM costs - Costs depend on the currency you’re withdrawing

Summary: What’s the best debit card for travel?

There’s not one single best debit card for travel. Instead different customers will make their own decisions based on their spending patterns and preferences. When you’re weighing up your options for international debit and forex cards, be sure to compare bank issued cards against alternatives like the Wise Travel card so you can pick the perfect partner for your next trip.

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Sources:

1. SBI Platinum International Debit Card
2. Axis Bank Burgundy Debit Card
3. Niyo SBM Debit Card
4. SBM charges
5. ICICI Bank Sapphiro International Debit Card
6. HDFC Multicurrency Platinum Forexplus Chip Forex Card
7. SBI service fees
8. SBI ATM service fees