Why Wise (Formerly TransferWise) Is the Best Travel Money App in 2025
- Budget Nomad
- Jun 12
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 20
By Budget Nomad – Travel Smarter, Spend Less
When you’re on the road, whether you're in Thailand, Peru, or Serbia, managing your money across borders can be a major pain. High transfer fees, poor exchange rates, and frozen cards can ruin your plans fast. I’ve been traveling to over 15 countries and tried just about every financial tool out there. But today, I want to tell you why Wise (formerly TransferWise) is still my number one travel money app—and why I recommend it to every traveler I meet.
hat Is Wise?
Wise is a fintech company that helps people send, receive, and hold money in multiple currencies at a fraction of the cost of traditional banks. It’s not a bank, but it works like one—and better in many ways.
Unlike Western Union or traditional banks, Wise offers a seamless, low-cost, and transparent way to send money abroad. If you’ve ever tried wiring money internationally, you know it can be expensive. A $1,000 transfer used to cost anywhere between $30 and $100. Wise can do it for under $10.
How Much Does It Cost?
Let’s break it down:
To send $1,000 to a European bank account with Wise: ~$9.50
With a traditional bank: $30–$50+
Savings: Up to 66%
And that’s not even the best part. Wise gives you real exchange rates, not the inflated ones http://wise.com banks use to make a hidden profit. You can compare it directly with XE.com to see how close it is to the mid-market rate.
How to Use Wise
It’s incredibly simple:
Download the app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Create an account (takes just a few minutes).
Send money, hold funds, or get a debit card for global spending.
You can also use wise.com if you prefer the desktop version.
Why I Recommend Wise Over Other Options
Sure, other services like XE or Revolut offer similar features. But I trust Wise for one simple reason: reliability.
While XE might be marginally cheaper, I’ve always found Wise more consistent and transparent. And as for Revolut? I’ve personally had terrible experiences—and I’m not alone. Many users report frozen accounts and unhelpful customer support.
With Wise, my money has always been safe, and the app just works.
What Is the Wise Borderless Account?
This is a game-changer for travelers and digital nomads.
The Wise Borderless Account lets you:
Hold 30+ currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, etc.)
Receive bank details in multiple countries (UK, US, Australia, Europe, etc.)
Get a MasterCard debit card for global ATM access
Create virtual cards for online payments (extra security!)
Set up saving jars to manage your travel budget in different currencies
You can even freeze your card with one tap, or set up direct debits and salary payments if you're working remotely.
My Experience After 15 Countries
I’ve used Wise while living and working across Asia, Europe, and South America. Occasionally, I’ve had a card not work with a local ATM, but Wise usually warns me ahead of time if fees are unusually high or if a bank might reject the card.
Overall, it’s been a travel essential.
Who Can Use Wise?
If you're from:
UK
US
Canada
Australia
New Zealand
Most European countries
...you can open a Wise account and get a debit card.
Final Thoughts
If you're a budget traveler, digital nomad, or just someone who wants more control and less stress over international finances, Wise is 100% worth using.
🔒 Safe💸 Low fees🌍 Multi-currency convenience📱 Easy to use
Forget hidden fees and poor rates—this is the future of travel money.
📲 Ready to Travel Smarter?
💬 Have you used Wise while traveling? Share your experience in the comments below!
Don’t forget to subscribe to Budget Nomad for more money-saving travel tips.📩
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