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Foreign exchange fee calculator

Find out what a purchase in a foreign currency really costs with each way to pay: credit card, debit card, multi-currency account or cash, including markups and fees, and how much you save with the cheapest.

Educational simulation. Not investment advice. Results are estimates based on the data you enter and do not replace advice from a qualified professional.

Reviewed on Nov 1, 2026

Example: €1,000 of purchases on a trip, paid from a U.S. dollar account at a mid-market rate of 1.08.

Purchase and rate

Use the rate shown by a currency converter or your bank; your currency is the symbol in the selector above.

Payment methods

Spreads and fees vary by bank and card; check your card’s terms. Card networks usually add about 0.2% to the mid-market rate.

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—Cheapest method
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What the same purchase costs with each method

Amount at the mid-market rate plus markup, percentage fee and fixed fee.

Tap the chart to see the values.

Method comparison

Effective rate = total cost ÷ foreign amount.

Next step

Take this page’s results to another calculator with the fields already filled in.

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The summary lists your inputs, results, formulas, assumptions and sources. The full report also includes the charts and interpretations, in color. In the print dialog, choose Save as PDF.

Method, assumptions and sources

Formulas

Mid-market amount = foreign amount × mid-market rate
Cost = mid-market amount × (1 + markup) × (1 + fee) + fixed fee
Effective rate = cost ÷ foreign amount; effective cost = cost ÷ mid-market amount − 1

Assumptions and limits

  • Constant mid-market rate; the percentage fee applies to the converted amount. Suggested percentages are examples: check markups and fees with your bank on the purchase date.
  • Rate moves until the card statement closes, annual fees, rewards and fees charged by the local ATM owner are not considered.

Official sources and references

Frequently asked questions

What is an exchange rate markup?

It is the difference between the mid-market rate and the rate your bank, card or exchange booth charges you. At a rate of 1.08 and a 3% markup, you pay 1.1124 per unit. Card networks add about 0.2%; airport booths can add 8% or more.

What is a foreign transaction fee?

A percentage some cards charge on every purchase in a foreign currency, usually 1% to 3%. Many travel cards charge none. Debit card ATM withdrawals may also carry a fixed fee, entered in the last column of the list.

How do I read the example result?

For €1,000 at a rate of 1.08 ($1,080 at mid-market), the no-foreign-fee card costs $1,082.16, just 0.2% more. The card with a 3% fee costs $1,114.62 and the airport booth $1,166.40: $84.24 more than the cheapest option for the same purchase.

How do I find my card’s real rate?

Look at the rate shown on your statement or banking app for a foreign purchase, divide it by that day’s mid-market rate and subtract 1. The result is the markup. The foreign transaction fee is listed in your card’s terms.

Should I pay in my home currency abroad?

Usually not. When a shop or ATM offers dynamic currency conversion, it applies its own rate, often with a 3% to 7% markup. Paying in the local currency and letting your card network convert is normally cheaper.

Is cash a good idea?

Some cash is useful for small purchases and places that do not take cards, but exchange booths, especially at airports, often have the largest markups. Withdrawing larger amounts less often from an ATM reduces fixed fees.

What are the limits of this calculator?

It compares methods using the markups and fees you enter and a single exchange rate. It does not account for rate moves between purchase and settlement, annual fees, rewards or fees charged by the local ATM owner.

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Foreign exchange when traveling: markups, fees and the cheapest way to pay

Paying in a foreign currency costs more than the price tag in three ways: the markup (spread) over the mid-market rate, a foreign transaction fee charged by some cards, and fixed fees such as ATM charges.

The math

Cost = foreign amount × mid-market rate × (1 + markup) × (1 + fee) + fixed fees. At a rate of 1.08, €1,000 on a card with a 3% foreign transaction fee costs $1,114.62, 3.2% above the $1,080 mid-market amount. A no-foreign-fee card brings the same purchase down to $1,082.16, and an airport exchange booth with an 8% markup pushes it to $1,166.40.

Choosing a method

A card without foreign transaction fees, paying in the local currency, is usually the cheapest option. Multi-currency accounts are close behind. Airport booths and hotel exchanges are usually the most expensive; use them only for small amounts.

Watch out for

Dynamic currency conversion: when a shop or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline, because its rate typically carries a 3% to 7% markup. With debit cards, ATM fees may come from both your bank and the local ATM owner.