Revolut Fees Abroad Explained: What's Free and What Costs Extra
Revolut is popular with travellers because spending abroad on it is often cheaper than on a standard bank card. But "no fees" isn't quite true: there are limits, time-of-week markups and ATM charges that can catch you out. This guide explains the fees that matter when you use Revolut overseas, using Revolut's published Australian fee schedule as the example, with a few worked examples so you can see what a typical trip costs.
Fee details last checked 27 October 2026 against Revolut's Australian Standard fees page. Revolut's fees and limits differ by country and plan and change over time, so check the schedule in your own app before you travel.
The three places you can pay
When you spend abroad with any card, cost shows up in three places: the exchange rate applied when your money is converted, any fee on top of that rate, and ATM fees if you withdraw cash. Revolut's published rate is close to the real market rate, so its cost is mostly the fee rules below.
1. Currency exchange fees
On Revolut's Australian Standard plan (A$0 a month), exchange fees depend on when you convert and how much you've converted this month:
| When you exchange | Up to A$2,000 a month | Above A$2,000 a month |
|---|---|---|
| During market hours | A$0 | 0.5% of the amount |
| Outside market hours (weekends) | 1% of the amount | 1.5% of the amount |
"Market hours" follow foreign exchange markets: they run from Sunday evening to Friday afternoon in New York, which is roughly Monday morning to Saturday morning in Australia. Revolut lists the exact hours, so check them in the app. The practical lesson is simple: if you're converting a lot of money, do it on a weekday, ideally before you travel.
Worked examples
- Converting A$1,500 on a Tuesday: within the A$2,000 monthly limit and in market hours, so the fee is A$0.
- Converting the same A$1,500 on a Saturday: 1% of A$1,500 is A$15.
- Converting A$2,500 on a weekday in one month: the first A$2,000 is free and the last A$500 is charged at 0.5%, which is A$2.50.
Card payments in a foreign currency use the same exchange rules, so buying coffee on a Saturday can cost more than the same purchase on a Wednesday. The fee is small per purchase, but a weekend away can add up.
2. ATM withdrawals
For international ATM withdrawals on the Standard plan, Revolut allows free withdrawals up to A$350 or 5 withdrawals in a rolling month, whichever you reach first. After that, the fee is 2% of the amount, with a minimum of A$1.50.
Worked example
If you take out five withdrawals of A$50 each, you're within the free allowance. A sixth A$50 withdrawal costs 2% (A$1.00) but the minimum applies, so you pay A$1.50, which is effectively 3%. That's why one larger withdrawal is usually cheaper than many small ones.
Separately, the ATM operator can charge its own fee, which neither Revolut nor any other card can refund. The machine should show it before you confirm, so read the screen and cancel if the fee is high. Standalone machines in tourist areas tend to charge more than ATMs inside banks.
3. The "pay in your home currency?" trap
Card terminals and ATMs overseas often offer to charge you in Australian dollars instead of the local currency. This is called dynamic currency conversion, and the rate is almost always worse than what your card would use. Choose the local currency every time. This single habit can save more than any choice of card.
4. Other costs to know about
- Card delivery: standard delivery is A$4.99 and express is A$33.99, so order early rather than paying for express.
- Extra or replacement card: A$8.99 each.
- Adding money by credit card: 0.4%. Topping up from a bank account is A$0, so use a bank transfer where you can.
How to keep Revolut costs near zero on a trip
- Exchange money on a weekday before you leave, and keep your total under the monthly limit.
- Add the card to Apple Pay or Google Pay so you can spend without the physical card.
- Always pay in the local currency.
- Take out fewer, larger cash withdrawals, staying within the monthly allowance.
- Check the ATM's own fee on screen before confirming.
- Carry a second card from another provider as a backup if one is lost or blocked.
Is Revolut or Wise better for you?
If your spending fits inside Revolut's monthly limits and you spend on weekdays, Revolut can be very cheap and the app has useful budgeting tools. If you often spend on weekends, convert large amounts, or want pricing that doesn't depend on the day, Wise's flat, visible fee may suit you better. We compare them in detail in our Wise vs Revolut guide and our Wise review, and you can see both side by side on our travel money page.
Frequently asked questions
Does Revolut charge a fee for paying abroad by card? Revolut's Australian schedule doesn't list a separate fee for card payments abroad. The exchange-fee rules above apply when a payment needs currency conversion.
Is Revolut cheaper than my bank card? Often, because many banks add a foreign transaction fee on every purchase. Check your own bank's fee schedule to compare.
What happens if I go over the monthly limits? You pay the higher fee rate on the amount over the limit. The limits reset on a rolling monthly basis, and the app shows where you stand.
Should I rely on a single travel card? No. Carry a backup card in a different place in case one is lost, stolen or blocked.
Fees, limits and rates are set by Revolut and change over time. This is general information, not financial advice.
More guides: Wise vs Revolut for Travel Money · Wise Review for Australian Travellers · Do You Need Travel Insurance? · all guides