Taking large amounts of cash on holiday is rarely a good idea which is why most people nowadays use their credit or debit cards abroad.

Cards are quick and efficient to use and can easily be replaced if they get lost or stolen.

But it is important to remember there is nearly always a charge for using your credit and debit cards internationally, so before you step foot out of the country it is worth finding out what you will be charged for and where you will incur charges.

If you are prepared to shop around, there are a number of cards on the market which are free to use abroad.

Holders of the Post Office platinum credit card can use their card for free on purchases made overseas in a foreign currency, even if they are shopping from home, online or over the phone.

Halifax Clarity and Lloyds Bank Choice Rewards and Avios Rewards credit cards are also fee-free for use worldwide. The Lloyds Avios card also allows you to upgrade up to Business Class when you spend £7,000 a year.

Nationwide’s Select card offers unlimited commission-free purchases abroad but you will need to be a Nationwide current account customer to apply.

And for the over-50s, Saga’s Over 50s Platinum Visa charges 0% on foreign currency fees for transactions worldwide.

If you decide to use your debit card for purchases in shops or restaurants, be warned that fees for foreign use range from 2-3%. For example, Nationwide charges 2% with its FlexAccount. This is a good account for travelling as it includes a Defaqto 5 Star Rated travel insurance policy if you meet the monthly terms of the account.

However, one exception is the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society’s Gold Light Current Account which allows holders to use their card for debit card transactions overseas with no charges.

Metro Bank customers can use their cards for free in Europe but from 18 March 2014, there will be a charge for transactions made in the rest of the world.

Here are four essentials tips for travellers from Matt Sanders, banking and credit card spokesperson at Gocompare.com:

• Use credit cards rather than debit cards if you must use plastic abroad as there are more available without foreign transaction fees. If you do use a credit card though, stick to purchases and not cash withdrawals as you may often find a higher APR on cash withdrawals on credit cards.

• If you insist on using your debit card, elect to convert the transaction at the point of sale or withdrawal. This will avoid the non-sterling transaction fees which range from 2 – 3% on many high street accounts.

• Inform your bank that you’re travelling and will be using your card abroad to avoid having it blocked and having to waste time, and possibly money, on the phone to get it rectified.

• Exchange cash in the UK as although you may get a slightly better conversion rate abroad, unless you’re exchanging large sums it’s unlikely to outweigh the foreign transaction fees that are applied.