Under 18's Travel Money Card
Simplify Spending Abroad | The Best Travel Money Cards for Under 18s
Don't let foreign ATM fees and hidden bank charges eat into your family's holiday budget. For teenagers and younger kids travelling abroad, carrying bundles of cash is a worry you just don't need.
A travel money card for kids is the perfect hassle-free alternative. Enjoy safe, fee-free spending abroad, instant parental controls, and the freedom to let them buy their own holiday souvenirs while you relax. Plus, for ultimate peace of mind, you can can get their new card covered with our Holiday Extras travel insurance to ensure their holiday (and their gadgets!) are fully protected if anything goes missing. Compare the best options below to make your child's holiday spending completely stress-free.
Key Benefits:
- Safe & Cashless: Ditch the bulky currency. Kids can tap, pay, and withdraw cash securely like a local, without the risk of carrying loose notes.
- Total Parental Control Use a handy app to track their holiday spending in real-time, set budgets, and instantly top up funds right from your sun lounger.
- Instant Peace of Mind: Freeze a misplaced card with a single tap to protect their cash, while resting easy knowing their belongings covered by Holiday Extras travel insurance.
How does a travel money card work?
A travel money card works just like a standard debit card, but because it's prepaid and not linked to your main bank account, there is zero risk of your child overspending. They are incredibly simple and secure—you just load the card with holiday funds before they travel. Most providers use a handy app, so you can top up their money instantly, even right from your sun lounger! Perfect for under-18s, these cards can be used worldwide for:
- Making contactless payments in shops and cafes.
- Withdrawing foreign cash from local ATMs.
- Paying securely for activities or goods online.
Our top-picks:
To help make finding the best travel money card a little easier, compare Money Saving Expert's top cards for under-18's below. Remember, these cards may not charge you but some ATMs may still charge their own fee.
Nationwide FlexOne
Age: 11–17
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Nationwide fee
ATM Limit: £300/day
Notes: Full UK bank account. Can be opened in branch with parent/guardian.
Monzo Under 16s
Age: 6–15
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Monzo fee
ATM Limit: £100/day
Notes: Parent must have Monzo account.
Monzo
16-17s
Age: 16–17
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Monzo fee
ATM Limit: £400/day UK
Notes: Independent account for older teens.
Starling
Kite
Age: 6–15
Main Cost: Usually free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Starling fee
ATM Limit: £100/day
Notes: Parent must hold Starling account.
HyperJar
U18
Age: 6–17
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No ATM withdrawals
ATM Limit: n/a
Notes: Good for budgeting abroad.
Revolut
<18
Age: 6–17
Main Cost: Free basic plan
Overseas Spending: Free within limits
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: Depends on plan
ATM Limit: Variable
Notes: Weekend FX markups may apply.
GoHenry
6-18s
Age: 6–18
Main Cost: £3.99/month
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No GoHenry fee
ATM Limit: £120–£150/day
Notes: Strong parental controls.
NatWest
Rooster
Age: 6–17
Main Cost: Free for NatWest parents
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: Small charges may apply
ATM Limit: Variable
Notes: Best for NatWest families.
What are the benefits of getting your child a travel money card?
Giving your child a prepaid travel card is the smartest, hassle-free way to manage their spending abroad. It completely removes the worry of them carrying large amounts of loose cash, which can easily be dropped or stolen. If your child is travelling alone this can be especially stressful, but with Under 18s Travel Insurance, you can be confident they’re covered if something doesn’t go to plan.
Cards can be safer than carrying around cash and can be cancelled and replaced if lost or stolen. Parents can also keep an eye on spending with smart apps that also have the ability to set budgets and send money easily.
Under-18s are covered when a parent or guardian makes the purchase on their behalf. Whether it’s a school trip, family getaway or weekend adventure, you can rest assured that everyone is protected. Choose from our three cover levels – Gold, Silver, and Bronze, each offering their own levels of protection. Book your Travel Insurance Today
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Insure gadgets like mobile phones or laptops for an additional premium. 
We consider most pre-existing medical conditions with our specialised medical travel insurance.
Things to Consider:
- Smart Security: Look for travel money cards with PIN protection, real-time fraud alerts, and an app that lets you instantly freeze or block the card if it goes missing abroad.
- Check the Limits: Review the daily spending and foreign ATM withdrawal limits to ensure your child won't accidentally overspend or get caught without cash.
- Reliable Support: Ensure the provider offers easily accessible customer service to help resolve any hiccups while your child is away.
Over 40 years experience in travel services.
Voted Best Insurance Provider 16 years running – since 2009.
A choice of cover levels and add-ons to help you pick the policy that suits your trip
£10.4 million paid in 2025, providing reliable support when it matters most.
Holiday Extras Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Holiday Extras Cover Limited, registered office address: Ashford Road, Newingreen, Hythe, Kent CT21 4JF.
Holiday Extras Cover Limited is an insurance intermediary authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, registration number 828848. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Holiday Extras™ is a Trading Name of Holiday Extras Cover Limited. The insurance is underwritten by Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited. Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is a company incorporated in England and Wales with company number 13436330 and whose registered office address is 1 Fen Court, London, United Kingdom, EC3M 5BN.
Great Lakes Insurance UK Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Firm Reference Number 955859. You can check this on the Financial Services Register by visiting: http://register.fca.org.uk
Our flight delay cover is underwritten by Astrenska Insurance Limited and serviced by Collinson Insurance Services Limited.