Best Prepaid Travel Cards For Kids and Under 18
Give young travellers a safer way to spend abroad while parents stay in control. These options let you load money, set limits, and track spend in real time for shops, online and (where supported) ATMs.
We include only brands we have already reviewed and that suit a travel use case.
Who this page is for
Parents who want controlled spending for a child on holiday or school trips
Teens who need a simple travel card with clear rules
Families who prefer to separate travel spend from the main bank card
Some products are e-money with safeguarding, not FSCS
FX and ATM rules differ. Always check the live fee page
Mobile wallets may be age or provider restricted
Quick Picks
Compare Kids Travel Cards (UK)
Only products we have already reviewed are included. Details vary by plan and region. Always check the current fee page before you apply.
Physical card one-off £4.99
Uses scheme rate. No cash access
Daily ATM cap ~£100.
ATM owner may surcharge
No Mobile wallets
How to choose for travel
Cash or no cash
If cash withdrawals are needed, choose Starling Kite. HyperJar does not support ATMs
FX and fee
Both pass on scheme rates for purchases. Watch for any local ATM surcharges
Top-ups
HyperJar funds by bank transfer or Open Banking. Starling Kite pulls from the parent’s Starling account and can receive money via KiteLink
Controls
Both offer strong spend controls and instant freeze. HyperJar adds Jars and merchant rules. Starling adds a child app view and FSCS protection via the parent account
Travel tips for kids’ cards
Pay in the local currency at shops and ATMs to avoid costly DCC
Set a daily spend limit and enable alerts before you travel
Add a small buffer balance for transport tickets or offline terminals
Keep the physical card handy. Some mobile wallets are age or provider restricted
FAQs About Prepaid Cards for Kids and Under 18's
HyperJar is e-money with safeguarding, not FSCS. Starling Kite funds sit in the parent’s bank account and are FSCS protected under bank rules.
Yes, where the network is accepted. Strong Customer Authentication applies.
Card purchases use the network exchange rate without an extra provider fee in typical cases. Local surcharges or ATM owner fees can still apply.
HyperJar is 6+. Starling Kite is 6–15 and requires a parent or guardian with a Starling account.
What You Should Do Now
Found your prepaid card? Not yet? Here are 4 ways ptc. can help you choose and use the right prepaid or travel money card:
Compare All Cards in One Place
Visit our dedicated category page to explore and compare travel money cards – all in one view, updated regularly with the latest fees, limits, and features.
Read Expert Reviews.
Head to our Prepaid Card Reviews section for in-depth reviews of leading prepaid and travel cards, including detailed breakdowns of fees, limits, and benefits to help you find the perfect match.
Explore In-Depth Guides.
Browse our Prepaid Card Guides to understand how prepaid cards work, how to manage top-ups, fees, and security, and how to get the best value across different card types and currencies.