TransferWise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card

Sri Lanka is a beautiful island nation known for its stunning beaches, rich culture, and diverse wildlife. If you’re planning a trip to Sri Lanka, managing your travel expenses effectively is crucial. The TransferWise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card (now called the Wise card) is the perfect tool for this. It provides a cost-effective and convenient way to handle your money abroad.

This article explains everything you need to know about the Wise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card, including its features, benefits, fees, supported currencies, and tips for getting the most out of it.

What is the TransferWise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card?

The TransferWise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card is a prepaid debit card linked to a Wise multi-currency account. It allows travelers to hold, convert, and spend multiple currencies, including the Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR). The card provides access to the real exchange rate and eliminates hidden fees, making it an ideal choice for international travelers.

Features of the TransferWise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card

Feature Details
Multi-Currency Account Hold and manage over 50 currencies, including LKR.
Real Exchange Rate Get the mid-market exchange rate without any markups.
Low Fees Pay a small and transparent conversion fee (0.35%–1%).
ATM Withdrawals Withdraw cash for free up to $100–$200/month, with a small fee for excess withdrawals.
Global Acceptance Use the card anywhere Mastercard is accepted, including in Sri Lanka.
Contactless Payments Pay quickly and securely with tap-to-pay functionality.
Spending Alerts Receive instant notifications for every transaction.
Freeze Card Option Instantly lock or unlock your card in case of loss or theft through the Wise app.

Benefits of the Wise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card

1. Save Money on Exchange Rates

Wise provides the mid-market exchange rate, which is the fairest rate you can get. Unlike traditional banks and currency exchangers, Wise doesn’t add a markup, ensuring you save money.

2. Spend in Local Currency

With the card, you can pay directly in Sri Lankan Rupees without additional fees, making your transactions straightforward and cost-effective.

3. Multi-Currency Support

Hold and convert between over 50 currencies, making it ideal for travelers visiting multiple destinations.

4. Transparent Fees

No hidden fees or surprise charges. All costs are clearly displayed upfront.

5. Convenience and Security

Manage your card and funds easily using the Wise app. The card also comes with advanced security features for peace of mind.

6. Travel Light

Avoid carrying large amounts of cash by using the card for both payments and withdrawals.

Supported Currencies

The Wise card supports more than 50 currencies, including:

  • Sri Lankan Rupee (LKR)
  • USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, INR, CAD, JPY, SGD, and many more.

You can hold and convert currencies instantly through the Wise app, ensuring you always have the right currency when needed.

Fees and Charges

Fee Type Amount
Card Issuance Fee A one-time fee (varies by region, typically around $10).
Currency Conversion Fee Between 0.35% and 1% of the converted amount.
ATM Withdrawal Fee Free up to $100–$200/month; 2% fee for amounts exceeding the limit.
Replacement Card Fee Minimal fee for replacing a lost or damaged card.
Monthly Maintenance Fee None.

Currency Conversion at Real Exchange Rates

Wise uses the real, mid-market exchange rate without any markups. Here’s how it works:

  • When you convert your home currency to LKR, Wise charges a small conversion fee ranging from 0.35% to 1%.
  • The real exchange rate ensures you get the most value for your money compared to traditional services.

For example:
If you convert $1,000 USD to Sri Lankan Rupees, you’ll receive the exact amount minus the small conversion fee.

Best Ways to Use the Wise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card

1. Convert Money Before Your Trip

Use the Wise app to convert your home currency to LKR before arriving in Sri Lanka. This ensures you’re prepared for immediate expenses like taxis or meals.

2. Pay for Expenses in LKR

Use the card to pay for hotels, dining, shopping, and other activities. Businesses in Sri Lanka widely accept Mastercard.

3. Withdraw Cash When Necessary

While cards are accepted in many places, small vendors or remote areas may require cash. Withdraw LKR from ATMs, staying within the free withdrawal limit to save fees.

4. Monitor Spending in Real-Time

The Wise app provides instant notifications and spending insights, helping you stay on budget.

5. Avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion

Always pay in Sri Lankan Rupees instead of your home currency to avoid additional conversion fees.

Steps to Get the Wise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card

  1. Sign Up for Wise
    Visit the Wise website or download the app to create an account.

  2. Verify Your Identity
    Complete the verification process by uploading a valid ID like a passport or driver’s license.

  3. Order the Card
    Request the Wise card through the app and pay the one-time issuance fee.

  4. Activate the Card
    Once the card arrives, activate it in the Wise app and set your PIN.

  5. Load Money
    Add funds to your Wise account via bank transfer, debit card, or credit card.

Eligibility

To apply for the Wise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card, you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Reside in a country where Wise operates.

Check Wise’s website for a list of eligible countries.

Do’s and Don’ts of Using the Wise Card

Do’s

  • Convert funds to LKR before traveling.
  • Use the Wise app to track transactions and manage your balance.
  • Stick to the free ATM withdrawal limit to save money.
  • Pay in LKR to avoid unnecessary charges.

Don’ts

  • Don’t use the card for currencies you haven’t converted in the app to avoid dynamic currency conversion fees.
  • Don’t exceed your free ATM withdrawal limit unnecessarily.
  • Don’t share your card or PIN with others.

Why Choose the Wise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card?

  1. Low Fees: Save money with transparent and minimal charges.
  2. Ease of Use: Manage your funds effortlessly via the Wise app.
  3. Security: Advanced features protect your card and funds.
  4. Multi-Currency Support: Perfect for travelers visiting multiple countries.

Top up and spend your holiday money in over 40 currencies

Argentine Peso Egyptian Pound Moroccan Dirham South African Rand
Australian Dollar Euro Nepalese Rupee Sri Lankan Rupee
Bangladeshi Taka Georgian Lari New Zealand Dollar Swedish Krona
British Pound Hong Kong Dollar Nigerian Naira Swiss Franc
Bulgarian Lev Hungarian Forint Norwegian Krone Turkish Lira
Canadian Dollar Indian Rupee Pakistani Rupee UAE Dirham
Chilean Peso Indonesian Rupiah Philippine Peso Ukrainian Hryvnia
Chinese Yuan Israeli Shekel Polish Zloty US Dollar
Croatian Kuna Japanese Yen Romanian Leu Vietnamese Dong
Czech Koruna Kenyan Shilling South Korean Won Singapore Dollar
Danish Krone Mexican Peso Thai Baht Malaysian Ringgit

Which all countries can apply for Wise Travel Card

The Wise card is currently available for personal customers that live in these countries and regions:

  • Australia
  • Brazil
  • Canada
  • EEA + Switzerland*
  • Japan
  • Malaysia
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Singapore
  • UK + European microstates and overseas territories*
  • USA except for residents of Nevada (US cards temporarily unavailable)

Final Thoughts

The TransferWise Sri Lankan Rupee Travel Card is an excellent choice for anyone traveling to Sri Lanka. With its low fees, real exchange rates, and convenient features, the card ensures you can focus on enjoying your trip instead of worrying about finances.

Order your Wise card today and experience stress-free travel in Sri Lanka!