Market overview
The global travel card market is worth USD 6.0 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 13.5 bn by 2036, growing at a 8.5% CAGR. United States is the largest country market and Multi-currency debit cards is the largest by card type segment.
| Scope | Prepaid and multi-currency payment cards for travellers, loaded with foreign currency or linked to a travel account, measured by card fees, exchange margins and interchange income. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Travel and Tourism |
| Value 2025 | USD 5.5 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 6.0 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 13.5 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 8.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 81.4 million cards |
| Volume 2036 | 184 million cards |
| Average price 2026 | USD 73.3 per card |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Travel Card market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 6.0 bn |
| 2027 | USD 6.5 bn |
| 2028 | USD 7.0 bn |
| 2029 | USD 7.6 bn |
| 2030 | USD 8.3 bn |
| 2031 | USD 9.0 bn |
| 2032 | USD 9.7 bn |
| 2033 | USD 10.6 bn |
| 2034 | USD 11.5 bn |
| 2035 | USD 12.4 bn |
| 2036 | USD 13.5 bn |
Travel Card market segmentation
By card type
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prepaid travel cards | 34.0% | 23.3% | USD 2.0 bn | 4.5% |
| Multi-currency debit cards | 46.0% | 60.1% | USD 2.7 bn | 11.4% |
| Travel credit cards | 20.0% | 16.6% | USD 1.2 bn | 6.5% |
By issuer
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital banks and fintechs | 46.0% | 62.1% | USD 2.7 bn | 11.8% |
| Banks | 34.0% | 23.0% | USD 2.0 bn | 4.3% |
| Exchange and travel companies | 20.0% | 14.9% | USD 1.2 bn | 5.3% |
By traveller
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leisure | 66.0% | 65.5% | USD 3.9 bn | 8.4% |
| Business | 22.0% | 20.8% | USD 1.3 bn | 7.9% |
| Students and expatriates | 12.0% | 13.7% | USD 716 mn | 9.9% |
By currency coverage
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single currency | 24.0% | 16.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 4.2% |
| 2 to 5 currencies | 28.0% | 24.0% | USD 1.7 bn | 6.8% |
| 6 to 20 currencies | 30.0% | 34.0% | USD 1.8 bn | 9.9% |
| More than 20 currencies | 18.0% | 26.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 12.6% |
By spend use
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATM withdrawals | 24.0% | 18.0% | USD 1.4 bn | 5.4% |
| Retail spend abroad | 42.0% | 42.0% | USD 2.5 bn | 8.5% |
| Online and in-app spend | 22.0% | 28.0% | USD 1.3 bn | 11.2% |
| Transport and accommodation | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 716 mn | 8.5% |
Top 25 countries for travel card by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 80.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 94.2%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | USD 1.4 bn | 24.0% | USD 2.9 bn | 7.5% |
| 2 | United Kingdom | USD 835 mn | 14.0% | USD 1.9 bn | 8.4% |
| 3 | Germany | USD 477 mn | 8.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 8.5% |
| 4 | France | USD 358 mn | 6.0% | USD 810 mn | 8.5% |
| 5 | Australia | USD 358 mn | 6.0% | USD 850 mn | 9.0% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 298 mn | 5.0% | USD 607 mn | 7.4% |
| 7 | Canada | USD 298 mn | 5.0% | USD 675 mn | 8.5% |
| 8 | China | USD 298 mn | 5.0% | USD 850 mn | 11.0% |
| 9 | Singapore | USD 239 mn | 4.0% | USD 594 mn | 9.5% |
| 10 | Spain | USD 209 mn | 3.5% | USD 486 mn | 8.8% |
| 11 | Netherlands | USD 141 mn | 2.4% | USD 310 mn | 8.2% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 118 mn | 2.0% | USD 260 mn | 8.2% |
| 13 | Brazil | USD 99 mn | 1.7% | USD 235 mn | 9.0% |
| 14 | India | USD 84 mn | 1.4% | USD 212 mn | 9.8% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 70 mn | 1.2% | USD 178 mn | 9.8% |
| 16 | Hong Kong | USD 59 mn | 1.0% | USD 139 mn | 8.9% |
| 17 | United Arab Emirates | USD 50 mn | 0.8% | USD 125 mn | 9.7% |
| 18 | Sweden | USD 42 mn | 0.7% | USD 92 mn | 8.2% |
| 19 | Switzerland | USD 35 mn | 0.6% | USD 77 mn | 8.3% |
| 20 | Ireland | USD 29 mn | 0.5% | USD 69 mn | 8.9% |
| 21 | Turkey | USD 24 mn | 0.4% | USD 62 mn | 9.8% |
| 22 | South Korea | USD 21 mn | 0.3% | USD 49 mn | 8.8% |
| 23 | Thailand | USD 17 mn | 0.3% | USD 45 mn | 9.9% |
| 24 | Malaysia | USD 14 mn | 0.2% | USD 36 mn | 9.8% |
| 25 | New Zealand | USD 13 mn | 0.2% | USD 30 mn | 9.0% |
| Rest of world | USD 348 mn | 5.8% | USD 807 mn | 8.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Visa
- Mastercard
- Wise
- Revolut
- American Express
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Travelex
- Fexco
- Monzo
- Caxton FX
- Post Office Travel Money
- Thomas Cook India
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Starling Bank
- Currensea
- Curve
- bunq
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the travel card market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 8.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by card type, by issuer, by traveller, by currency coverage, by spend use. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the travel card market?
The global travel card market is estimated at USD 5.5 bn in 2025 and USD 6.0 bn in 2026.
How fast will the travel card market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 13.5 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 8.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 7.5 bn.
Which country is the largest market for travel card?
United States is the largest market by revenue at USD 1.4 bn in 2026, 24.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 46.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, China is growing fastest at 11.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which travel card segment is largest?
In the by card type split, Multi-currency debit cards is the largest segment with 46.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading travel card companies?
Global leaders include Visa, Mastercard, Wise, Revolut.
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