How I Use Wise to Manage My Money While Travelling

Have you ever heard of Wise and wondered why so many travellers recommend it, or how you can use Wise while travelling to manage your money?

Trying to manage your money while travelling (back in ‘the before times’ when I was first backpacking) used to be such a headache. Actually, no, upgrade that to a migraine.

I still remember my first solo backpacking trip to Australia. I had a small loan back in the UK that I was still paying off, which meant I needed a way to regularly move money between countries.

At first, I used my bank’s international transfer service.

Big mistake.

Transfers took forever, the fees were painful, and sometimes I’d send one amount only to have a completely different amount arrive after various charges and exchange rates had done their thing.

I kept thinking, there had to be a better way. 

That’s when I discovered Wise (back when it was still called TransferWise), and I’ve never looked back. More than 10 years later, it’s still the account I recommend when people ask me about Wise for travellers.

Years later, after countless backpacking trips, house sits, and long-term travel adventures, it’s still the overseas account I use every week. I use it to move money between countries, hold multiple currencies, and manage my travel funds from one app.

So if you’re wondering how to manage your money using Wise while travelling, this is simply what has worked for me over the years.

Quick Answer: Why I Use Wise While Travelling

Just a heads up: I’ve been using Wise since it was still called TransferWise. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to sign up. And I only recommend tools like this that I actually use myself.

Why I Started Using Wise (Back When It Was Still Called TransferWise)

My relationship with international money transfers wasn’t exactly off to a great start.

When I was planning my second year in Australia on a student visa, I needed to send money overseas to pay my tuition fees. Sounds simple enough, right?

Not quite.

I was working full-time in a call centre in the UK, saving every penny I could so I could get back to Australia. I hated the job, but I had a plan, and I was determined to make it happen.

So I used my bank’s international transfer service to send the money to the college.

Then the bank lost it.

Yep. Lost it. Then I lost it with them.

I still remember being enraged on my commute to work while trying to get answers on the phone. They admitted it was human error and assured me they would get my money back, but meanwhile, my entire visa application was on hold because of these morons.

Eventually, I got my money back. And it was sent correctly on the second attempt, plus I got a full refund of the international money transfer fee as an apology.

But the whole experience left me thinking, I’m not going through this every time I want to send money; there must be a better way than this.

A couple of years later, I was living in New Zealand and still juggling money between countries. I had a small loan back in the UK that I was paying off, so every month I’d transfer money home.

But the fees added up quickly.

Between transfer charges, exchange rates and fees on the receiving end, I’d sometimes send one amount and discover it wasn’t quite enough by the time it landed in my UK account. Then I’d have to make another payment just to cover the difference.

It was frustrating, expensive, and just another unnecessary hassle when you’re trying to enjoy life abroad.

I’d tried banks, wire transfers, Western Union, MoneyGram and pretty much anything else I could find.

Then one day, while scrolling through a backpackers Facebook group in New Zealand, I saw someone mention a company called TransferWise.

I signed up and gave it a try. That was over a decade ago.

These days it’s simply called Wise, and after years of backpacking, house sitting, digital nomad life and long-term travel, it’s still the overseas account I use all the time.

Funny how a random Facebook comment ended up saving me a whole lot of money and stress.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

What Is Wise and How Does It Work?

Back when I first signed up, it was called TransferWise. These days, it’s simply known as Wise, but thankfully, the thing I loved about it back then hasn’t changed – it’s still ridiculously easy to use.

At its core, Wise is a multi-currency account that lets you hold, send, receive and convert different currencies from one app.

That’s the technical explanation.

But in real life? I think of it as my travel money account.

Instead of juggling different bank accounts and paying ridiculous international transfer fees, I can manage everything in one place.

Over the years, I’ve used Wise to:

• Transfer money between countries.
• Hold different currencies while travelling.
• Move money between my UK, New Zealand and Australian accounts.
• Receive freelance writing payments while living overseas.
• Manage my travel funds from my phone.

The best part is that I don’t have to do anything complicated.

I can see the exchange rate before sending money, check any fees upfront, and move money around without having to visit a bank branch or spend half an hour on hold with customer service.

After using it for so many years, I barely think about it anymore.

And that’s probably the biggest compliment I can give it.

It just works.

If you’re looking for Wise for travellers, this is exactly how I’ve been using it for more than 10 years.

Of course, everyone manages their money differently, but for me, Wise has become one of those travel tools I use so often that I can’t imagine travelling without it.

Hold multiple currencies and move money between your Wise accounts easily.

Why I Recommend Wise for Travellers

These days, I don’t really think of Wise as a money transfer service. I think of it as my travel money account.

Over the years, I’ve used it while backpacking, living in New Zealand, travelling around Australia and generally bouncing between countries. It’s become one of those apps I use so often that I barely think about it anymore.

This is what makes Wise so useful for travellers. Rather than opening different bank accounts or relying on expensive international transfers, I can manage everything from one place.

Here’s how I personally use Wise while travelling:

Sending Money Between Countries

One of the main reasons I originally signed up to Wise was that I needed a simple way to move money between countries without relying on expensive bank transfers.

Over the years, I’ve used it to transfer money between my UK, New Zealand and Australian accounts, and I’ve always found it far easier than dealing with traditional banks.

Everything can be done online, and I like being able to see any fees and exchange rates before I send money.

Holding Multiple Currencies

One thing I really love about Wise is that I can hold different currencies in the same account.

Rather than opening separate bank accounts everywhere I go, I can keep balances in different currencies and convert them when I need to.

As someone who’s spent years travelling and living overseas, it’s made managing my money so much easier.

Managing Everything From the App

Honestly, I do almost everything from my phone these days.

I can check balances, move money, convert currencies and keep an eye on transactions from the app, wherever I happen to be.

It’s one less thing to worry about when travelling, which is probably why I’ve stuck with Wise for so long.

Receiving Money While Travelling

Over the years, I’ve also used Wise to receive money while living overseas.

Whether it’s transferring money from one account to another or simply keeping track of my travel funds, I like having everything in one place rather than juggling multiple accounts.

For me, that’s probably the biggest benefit of all.

Travelling comes with enough admin already, and Wise has made managing my money abroad much simpler.

✈️ Thinking of Trying Wise?

I’ve been using Wise since it was still called TransferWise, and it’s still the overseas account I use every week while travelling.

👉 Open a Wise account here and see if it’s a good fit for your travels.

How to Open a Wise Account (Step-by-Step)

One thing I love about Wise is that getting started is surprisingly easy. I know anything involving money can feel a bit intimidating at first, but the whole process is straightforward and only takes a few minutes.

Here’s how to get set up.

Step 1: Create Your Free Account

Head over to Wise and create your account using your email address, Google account or Apple account.

You’ll be asked whether you’re opening a personal account or a business account. Most travellers will simply want a personal account.

Step 2: Verify Your Identity

Like any financial service, Wise needs to verify your identity.

This is completely normal and helps keep accounts secure.

You’ll usually need:

• A passport or driver’s licence.
• A phone number.
• A selfie or photo for verification.

I found the process quick and straightforward, and once it’s done, you’re good to go.

Step 3: Add Your First Currency

Once your account is set up, you can add the currencies you want to use.

For example, you might hold:

• Australian Dollars (AUD)
• British Pounds (GBP)
• New Zealand Dollars (NZD)
• US Dollars (USD)

You can add more currencies later whenever you need them. I also hold currencies in Thai baht and Malaysian ringgit as I travel there often.

Wise for travellers app dashboard: Hold multiple currencies with a Wise account.

Step 4: Send or Receive Money

Now you’re ready to use your account.

You can:

• Transfer money between countries.
• Hold multiple currencies.
• Receive money.
• Convert currencies.
• Manage everything from one place.

Before sending money, you’ll see the exchange rate and any fees upfront, so there are no nasty surprises.

Step 5: Download the Wise App

This is where I do almost everything.

I use the app to:

✔ Check balances.

✔ Transfer money.

✔ Convert currencies.

✔ Keep track of transactions.

✔ Manage everything while travelling.

Whether I’m sitting in a hostel, waiting at an airport or house sitting somewhere new, I can access my account from my phone.

And that’s pretty much it.

It sounds more complicated than it actually is, but once you’ve set everything up, it quickly becomes second nature.

Is Wise Safe?

Whenever I recommend Wise to friends or fellow travellers, this is usually the first question they ask.

And, I get it.

Money is personal, and trusting a new financial app with your hard-earned cash can feel a little scary at first.

I remember feeling exactly the same when I first discovered TransferWise all those years ago. At the time, I’d already had one bad experience with traditional bank transfers, so I was naturally a bit cautious.

But after using Wise for more than 10 years, I don’t think twice about it anymore.

I’ve used it while living in New Zealand, travelling around Australia, backpacking, house sitting and managing money between countries, and it’s become one of those apps I simply rely on.

Personally, I’ve never had any major issues using Wise, and I actually like the fact that they verify your identity when you sign up. It might seem like a bit of a hassle at the time, but I’d rather know there are security checks in place than have no protection at all.

For me, trust comes from experience, and after countless transfers over the years, Wise has earned that trust.

That’s one of the reasons I still recommend Wise for travellers today. It’s earned my trust through years of real-world use.

Of course, everyone has different needs and comfort levels, but if you’re wondering whether I still use Wise after all these years, the answer is a very easy yes.

Transfer money internationally with Wise quickly and cheaply.

Pros and Cons of Using Wise

After using Wise for over 10 years while travelling, backpacking and living overseas, here’s my honest take.

Overall, the pros have far outweighed the cons for me.

That’s probably why I’ve stuck with Wise for so long. After years of backpacking, house sitting, living overseas and moving money between countries, it’s still the account I use regularly today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wise

Is Wise good for travellers?

In my experience, yes.

I’ve been using Wise for over 10 years while backpacking, living overseas and travelling long-term. What I like most is that I can manage different currencies, transfer money between countries and keep everything in one app.

For me, it’s become one of those travel tools I use so often that I barely think about it anymore.

Can I use Wise overseas?

Yes. In fact, that’s exactly what I use it for.

I’ve used Wise while living in New Zealand, travelling around Australia, living in Thailand and managing money between countries. As long as you have internet access, you can manage your account from almost anywhere.

Can I hold multiple currencies in Wise?

Yes.

One of my favourite features is the ability to hold multiple currencies in the same account. It saves me from juggling multiple bank accounts when travelling or living overseas. Because who needs that stress?

How long do Wise transfers take?

It depends on the currencies involved and the payment method you’re using.

In my experience, many transfers arrive quite quickly, but transfer times can vary. Wise will usually give you an estimated arrival time before you complete the transfer.

Is Wise cheaper than using a bank?

Yes, without a doubt.

One of the main reasons I originally switched to TransferWise was that I was frustrated with traditional bank transfer fees and exchange rates.

Everyone’s situation is different, but I’ve personally found Wise far more convenient and transparent than the international transfers I used to make through my bank.

Can digital nomads use Wise?

Absolutely.

In fact, I think it’s particularly useful for digital nomads, long-term travellers and anyone who regularly deals with more than one currency.

I’ve found it really helpful when receiving payments for my freelance writing work.

Whether you’re receiving payments, transferring money between countries or simply managing your travel funds, having everything in one place makes life much easier.

Is Wise safe to use?

I can only speak from my own experience, but after using Wise for more than a decade, I’ve always felt comfortable using Wise to manage my money while travelling.

I have not yet heard someone say they have had an unsafe experience using Wise. And I’ve completed countless transfers over the years and still use Wise regularly today.

That’s probably the biggest reason I continue recommending it to other travellers.

My Honest Verdict After 10+ Years Using Wise

It’s funny, really.

I discovered TransferWise completely by accident through a random comment in a New Zealand backpackers’ Facebook group.

At the time, I was just trying to find a cheaper and easier way to send money home. I had no idea that more than a decade later I’d still be using the same account.

Since then, I’ve backpacked around Australia, lived in New Zealand, house sat my way around the world and somehow turned travel into my lifestyle. Through all those years and all those different countries, Wise has just quietly come along for the ride.

And I think that’s probably the best compliment I can give it.

It isn’t flashy, and it isn’t something I spend hours thinking about.

It just works.

These days, I use Wise so regularly that I forget it’s even a “travel tool”. It’s just part of my life now, like Google Maps or packing cubes.

No service is perfect, and everyone manages their money differently. But if another traveller asked me over coffee in a hostel kitchen what I personally use to manage my money overseas, I’d genuinely recommend Wise for travellers.

Not because I’m an affiliate, not because I’m writing this blog post.

But because after 10+ years, it’s still the account I trust and the one I continue to use myself.

And I think that says more than any comparison table or list of features ever could.

So if you’re looking for a simple way to manage your money while travelling, I’d definitely recommend giving Wise a try.

Who knows? Maybe ten years from now, you’ll still be using it too.

I’ve found money transfers with Wise are faster and cheaper than traditional banks.

👉 Ready to Get Started?

I’ve been using Wise since it was still called TransferWise, and it’s still the overseas account I use today.

If you’d like to see whether it’s a good fit for your travels, you can open a Wise account here.

And if you do decide to sign up through my link, thank you. It helps support this blog and allows me to keep sharing travel guides and tips from the road.

💙 That’s a wrap for this post on Wise for Travellers: How I Manage my Money Using Wise while Travelling.

I hope this post answered any questions you had about using Wise and you feel more confident about giving it a try.  

Happy and Safe Travels 🙂

Alial

Disclaimer: Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through them, I receive a small commission. This will never cost you any extra and often, you receive a special discount. This support helps me keep my website going, and I appreciate your support!