Under 18's Travel Money Card
Simplify Spending Abroad | The Best Travel Money Cards for Under 18s
Looking for the best travel money card for under 18s? Prepaid travel cards help children and teenagers spend safely abroad without carrying cash, while giving parents instant spending controls and peace of mind.
A kids debit card for travel is a simple, hassle-free alternative to carrying cash abroad. 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 get their new card covered with 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 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.
Easy Spending Controls for Parents: Use a handy app to track their holiday spending in real-time, set budgets, and instantly top up funds right from your sun lounger.
Extra Reassurance Abroad: Freeze a misplaced card with a single tap to protect their cash, while resting easy knowing their belongings covered by Holiday Extras travel insurance.
Best Travel Money Cards for Under 18s:
Nationwide FlexOne
Age: 11–17
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Nationwide fee
ATM Limit: £300/day
Key Notes: If your teenager is heading on an independent trip, this high-street account is a fantastic choice. It requires a branch visit to open, but rewards them with a £300 daily ATM limit abroad and zero foreign transaction fees.
Monzo U16s
Age: 6–15
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Monzo fee
ATM Limit: £100/day
Key Notes: For parents already using Monzo, this is the ultimate hassle-free option. It is completely free for ages 6–15, offering instant holiday pocket money transfers, zero overseas fees, and a sensible £100 daily ATM limit.
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
Key Notes: While it costs £3.99 a month, the unmatched parental controls make it worth it for anxious parents. You can set strict spending limits for ages 6–18, and they can enjoy fee-free overseas spending with up to a £150 daily ATM limit.
Starling Kite
Age: 6–15
Main Cost: Usually free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Starling fee
ATM Limit: £100/day
Key Notes: If you have a Starling account, this free add-on gives your 6–15 year old fee-free overseas spending and a £100 daily ATM limit. Plus, you get real-time notifications on your phone whenever they buy a souvenir or an ice cream!
HypeJar U18s
Age: 6–17
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No ATM withdrawals
ATM Limit: n/a
Key Notes: This free card for ages 6–17 completely blocks ATM withdrawals, which is brilliant for security if the card gets lost. It is perfect for teaching kids how to budget their holiday money in destinations that rely on card taps.
Revolute U18s
Age: 6–17
Main Cost: Free basic plan
Overseas Spending: Free within limits
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: Depends on plan
ATM Limit: Variable
Key Notes: A great free basic plan for ages 6–17 that allows fee-free overseas spending up to set limits. However, parents need to be mindful of weekend foreign exchange markups and variable ATM fees.
Monzo 16s-17s
Age: 16–17
Main Cost: Free
Overseas Spending: No fee
Overseas ATM Withdrawals: No Monzo fee
ATM Limit: £400/day UK
Key Notes: This is a fully independent, free bank account that treats older teens like adults. It features zero overseas spending fees and a £400 daily ATM limit, giving them the freedom they need while travelling.
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
Key Notes: If you already bank with NatWest, this fantastic app and card combo is completely free for ages 6–17. It charges no overseas spending fees, though you should stick to card taps as international ATM withdrawals can carry small charges.
How Do Travel Money Cards for Kids Work Abroad?
A holiday spending card for children is 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 simply 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.
For family holidays, school trips and first-time independent travel, prepaid cards can help children learn how to manage money responsibly while abroad. Parents also benefit from added visibility over spending without needing to hand over large amounts of cash. If your child is travelling abroad without you, check out our complete guide to under-18s travelling alone featuring a FREE downloadable child travel consent form.
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 helps reduce the worry of them carrying large amounts of loose cash. With Holiday Extras child travel insurance, you can enjoy extra reassurance knowing their pre-paid travel cards are covered if they are lost, stolen or damaged. 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.
Book your Travel Insurance Today
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.
Jetting off more than once this year? Save time with an annual multi-trip policy.
Insure gadgets like mobile phones or laptops for an additional premium.
We consider most pre-existing medical conditions with our specialised medical travel insurance.
What to Look for in a Travel Money Card for Under 18s:
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.