🎓 Best Student Travel Cards for Indian Students Going Abroad (2026 Guide)
Planning to study abroad — whether in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, Europe or Singapore? Using the right student travel card can make your overseas spending far cheaper, safer and more convenient.
In this guide, we cover:
✔ The best travel cards for Indian students
✔ Forex vs credit + debit travel card comparison
✔ Fees & pricing you should know
✔ Where they work globally
✔ Student-specific perks
✔ How to choose the best student travel card
📌 Why Student Travel Cards Matter
Students often face:
❌ High foreign transaction fees
❌ Poor exchange rates
❌ ATM fees + cash advance charges
❌ Difficulty in accessing funds abroad
The right travel card solves all of that:
✔ Low or zero forex markup
✔ Safer than cash
✔ Works at POS/ATMs worldwide
✔ Helps with budgeting
✔ Often no income proof needed for students
🏆 Best Student Travel Cards for Indians (2026)
🥇 Niyo Global Zero-Markup Forex Card
Best overall student travel card
✔ Zero forex markup
✔ Multi-currency (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, etc.)
✔ Virtual card + physical card
✔ Easy mobile app
Why students love it:
- No income proof needed
- Quick issuance
- Excellent exchange rates
Fees:
| Feature | Fee |
|---|---|
| Forex Markup | 0% |
| Card fee | ₹0 |
| Reload fee | ₹0 |
| ATM Fee | ₹200–₹350 per withdrawal |
💡 Great for: daily spending, food, transport, shopping.
🥈 ICICI Bank Student Forex Card
Great for students living abroad
✔ Designed for student use
✔ ATM + POS transactions allowed
✔ Multi-currency reloading
Fees:
| Feature | Fee |
|---|---|
| Forex Markup | Included |
| Annual Fee | ₹650 |
| Reload Fee | ₹100 |
| ATM Withdrawal | $2–$3 |
💡 Best for: living expenses, monthly budgeting.
🥉 HDFC Bank Multi-Currency Forex Card
Best for multi-country students
✔ Loads many currencies
✔ Accepted at POS + ATMs worldwide
✔ Easy online reload
Fees:
| Feature | Fee |
|---|---|
| Forex Markup | Included |
| Issuance | ₹500 + GST |
| Reload | ₹75 |
| ATM Withdrawal | $2–$3 |
💡 Best for: students traveling across Europe/Australia/US.
🧑🎓 Axis Bank Student Forex Card
Good all-around student card
✔ USD and other currencies supported
✔ Global ATM + POS acceptance
✔ Virtual & physical card
Fees:
| Feature | Fee |
|---|---|
| Forex Markup | Included |
| Issuance | ₹300 |
| Reload | ₹100 |
| ATM Withdrawal | $2–$3 |
💡 Best for: flexibility + easy online management.
🥇 BookMyForex Multi-Currency Card
Best for exchange rate seekers
✔ Compare multiple providers
✔ Better-than-bank rates
✔ Multi-currency wallet
Fees vary by provider.
💡 Best for: students who want the best rate on their load amount.
🧠 Student Travel Card Features You Should Know
✔ Zero/Low Forex Markup
This reduces your overall spending abroad.
✔ ATM Access
Foreign ATM fees can add up — find a card with low or shared ATM network fees.
✔ Reloading Options
Online reload via:
✔ Netbanking
✔ UPI
✔ App
✔ Multi-Currency Support
If you travel to multiple countries, multi-currency cards are a big win.
✔ Safety
Chip + PIN cards are safer than carrying cash.
💳 Travel Card vs Travel Credit Card vs Debit (Student View)
| Feature | Student Forex Card | Travel Credit Card | Debit Card |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex Markup | Low/0% | High (3.5%) | High (3.5%) |
| ATM Withdrawals | Allowed | Cash advance fees | Allowed |
| Credit Needed | No | Usually Yes | Needs bank account |
| Safety Abroad | High | High | Moderate |
| Best For Students | ✔ | ❌ | ❌ |
Verdict:
Forex travel cards are the best choice for students — cheaper, safer, simple.
🗺 Where These Cards Work
✔ Hotels + hostels
✔ Cafes + restaurants
✔ Uber/Grab
✔ Public transport cards
✔ ATMs (worldwide)
✔ Online subscriptions (Netflix, Spotify)
📅 When to Get Your Student Travel Card
✔ Once your visa is approved
✔ Before booking flights + hotels
✔ At least 3–4 weeks before departure
✔ Reload before leaving India
📌 Tips for Studying Abroad
✔ Keep emergency cash (~$100–$200)
✔ Link your card to a budgeting app
✔ Always pay off reloads early
✔ Avoid ATM withdrawals at non-partner ATMs
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1. Do students need income proof?
✔ Usually no — student ID + visa is enough.
Q2. Can these cards be used for tuition?
✔ Some allow fee payments; check with provider.
Q3. Do they have expiry?
✔ Yes, typically 3–5 years.
Q4. Can the card be reloaded from India?
✔ Yes — through app/net banking.