Travel Money Card
Travel Money Card – collect in Rochdale
Visit Gale Street Post Office in Syke to apply for your Post Office Travel Money Card. Load multiple currencies, use with Apple Pay or Google Pay, and manage everything in the Post Office Travel app.
Bank holiday hours may vary. Please call 01706 725399 to confirm.
Quick answer
Apply at Gale Street Post Office, 3-5 Gale Street, Syke, Rochdale OL12 0SQ. Open Mon–Sat 09:30–20:00 and Sunday 09:30–16:00. Bring valid original photo ID. No appointment needed.
Fees & limits
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Your local branch in Syke, Rochdale
Pop in to see our team — here’s our branch and counter so you know exactly where to come.
How to get your Travel Money Card
Pick one up instantly at our counter in Syke, Rochdale. Bring valid photo ID. No appointment needed.
Order through the Post Office website and have your card delivered (typically 2–3 working days).
Order and manage your card through the Post Office Travel app.
Need it today? Come into branch — same-day collection is subject to availability.
Before you travel – essential steps
Get the Post Office Travel app before you leave the UK.
View your PIN securely inside the app.
Complete activation with a Chip & PIN purchase before departure.
Welcome to your Travel Money Card – activation guide
Immediately sign the signature strip.
Download and follow the steps (UK only).
Available inside the app at any time.
Required to complete activation before travelling.
Post Office Travel App – control at your fingertips
Add money securely before or during your trip.
View your balance and recent spending.
Move funds between supported currencies.
Temporarily freeze your card in the app.
Travel Money Card vs cash – which is better for your trip?
| Feature | 💳 Travel Money Card | 💷 Cash |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange rate | ✅ Lock the rate at load | ❌ Rate fluctuates |
| Security if lost | ✅ Freeze via app | ❌ Lost cash is gone |
| Tracking & top-ups | ✅ App balance & instant top-up | ❌ No tracking or top-ups |
| Digital wallet | ✅ Apple Pay / Google Pay | ❌ No digital wallet |
| Payment protection | ✅ Chip & PIN protected | ❌ Less secure |
A Travel Money Card offers better security, budget control and convenience for most travellers.
Fees & limits at a glance
The Post Office Travel Money Card is a prepaid Mastercard you can use wherever the Mastercard Acceptance Mark is shown, in over 200 countries. The figures below are a general guide — fees, limits and currencies are set by Post Office and may change, so please confirm the latest details in branch or on the official Post Office website before loading.
| Detail | Typical guide |
|---|---|
| Card to buy | Free to order; pick one up in branch, or order online or in the app |
| Currencies held | 22 currencies on one card |
| Minimum top-up | £50 |
| Maximum top-up | £5,000 |
| Maximum balance | £10,000 |
| Maximum annual load | £30,000 |
| Loading pounds (GBP) commission | 1.5% on GBP loads only (minimum £3, maximum £50) |
| Spending in a loaded currency | No purchase fee when that currency wallet is loaded |
| Spending in a currency not on the card | 3% cross-border fee per transaction |
| ATM cash withdrawal fee | A fixed fee that varies by currency (e.g. £1.50 GBP, €2 EUR, $2.50 USD); the ATM owner may add a surcharge |
| After expiry | Card valid up to 3 years; £2/month maintenance fee if a balance remains 12 months after expiry |
| Eligibility | UK resident, aged 18 or over |
Figures from the official Post Office Travel Money Card welcome documentation. The card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd under licence by Mastercard International. Fees, limits and currencies may change — always confirm the latest terms at postoffice.co.uk/travel-money-card-terms or in branch.
Supported currencies
The card holds up to 22 currencies. Below are some of the most popular — load and manage them in the Post Office Travel app. The full list includes EUR, USD, AUD, CAD, NZD, THB, AED, TRY, ZAR, CHF, PLN, GBP, CNY, CZK, DKK, HKD, HUF, JPY, NOK, SAR, SGD and SEK. Availability, limits and fees may change, so please ask in branch for the latest information.
| Code | Currency | Flag |
|---|---|---|
| EUR | Euro | |
| USD | US Dollar | |
| AED | UAE Dirham | |
| AUD | Australian Dollar | |
| CAD | Canadian Dollar | |
| CHF | Swiss Franc | |
| JPY | Japanese Yen | |
| TRY | Turkish Lira |
Supported currencies, limits, fees and availability may change. Please ask our branch team or check the latest Post Office Travel Money Card terms before loading.
⏰ Counter opening hours
| Day | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Thursday | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Friday | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Saturday | 09:30 – 20:00 |
| Sunday | 09:30 – 16:00 |
☎️ 01706 725399
The live status above shows normal hours. On bank holidays hours may differ – please call to confirm.
Before you visit for a Travel Money Card
Bring these with you to make your branch visit quick and smooth.
| Bring | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Passport or UK photocard driving licence | Needed for identity verification |
| Mobile phone | For Post Office Travel app activation and alerts |
| Initial top-up funds | To load your chosen currencies (cash or debit card) |
| Email address | For card setup and app registration |
Identification and setup requirements may vary depending on provider rules and verification checks.
Apply for your Travel Money Card in branch
ID & initial load
Bring your passport or UK photocard driving licence. Same-day collection is subject to availability.
Add currency to an existing card
Top up via the app, online, or in branch.
Accepted identification
- Valid passport
- UK photocard driving licence
- Other identification may be accepted subject to provider requirements
Identification requirements may vary depending on provider rules and verification checks.
Travel money safety tips
Who uses Travel Money Cards?
| User type | Why it suits them |
|---|---|
| Holidaymakers | Lock in exchange rates, manage spending, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. |
| Business travellers | Track expenses easily, reload on the go, and use contactless payments abroad. |
| Students travelling abroad | Budget-friendly, secure, and can be frozen instantly if lost or stolen. |
| Families managing holiday budgets | Load multiple currencies, set spending limits, and monitor balances via the app. |
| Frequent travellers | Multi-currency access, reloadable, and works across multiple destinations. |
Travel Money Cards offer flexibility, security and budget control for all types of travellers.
Once you’re back home
- Use your card in the UK just like a debit card.
- Any leftover foreign currency is simply moved across to sterling at the rate of the day.
- Spend in shops, withdraw from an ATM, or use it at your local Post Office (fees may apply — see terms & conditions).
Holiday travel checklist
| Item | Done? |
|---|---|
| Travel Money Card activated (Chip & PIN done) | |
| App downloaded and PIN retrieved | |
| Passport / visa valid | |
| Travel insurance & backup payment |
🔧 Common Travel Money Card problems – and how to solve them
If you still have issues, call us on 01706 725399 or contact Travel Money Card support.
Watch our Travel Money Card video guide
From our own Gale Street Post Office channel — a quick guide to the Travel Money Card.
Official Post Office explainer
The official Post Office video is provided by Post Office Ltd for general information.
Find Gale Street Post Office
Visit us in Syke, Rochdale for Travel Money Cards, travel money, banking and everyday Post Office services.
3–5 Gale Street, Syke, Rochdale, OL12 0SQ
Frequently asked questions – Travel Money Card
How do I activate my Travel Money Card?
Can I use Apple Pay or Google Pay?
How do I freeze my card if lost or stolen?
Can I top up my card abroad?
Can I use the Travel Money Card for contactless payments?
Can I withdraw cash from ATMs overseas?
What currencies can be loaded?
How do I check my balance?
Does the Travel Money Card expire?
Are there inactivity fees?
What exchange rate applies when spending?
Can I get a Travel Money Card in Rochdale?
Can I collect a travel card in branch?
Is Gale Street Post Office open weekends for Travel Money Card services?
What should I do if my Travel Money Card stops working abroad?
Should I pay in local currency or pounds sterling abroad?
Is there a minimum age for a Travel Money Card?
Can the Travel Money Card be used for car hire or hotels?
Can I use the Travel Money Card in multiple countries?
What happens to leftover money on the card?
How much does the Travel Money Card cost?
How many currencies can the card hold?
Can family members top up my Travel Money Card?
Can I transfer leftover money back to my UK bank account?
Who do I contact if I have a problem with my card abroad?
Are there fees to withdraw cash from an ATM?
Will the Travel Money Card work everywhere abroad?
You may also be interested in our Travel Money (cash orders), Western Union, Postal Orders, Document Certification and Everyday Banking services.
Why customers choose Gale Street Post Office
Why Rochdale customers trust Gale Street Post Office
Real Google reviews from customers using our Travel Money Card, travel money, banking and everyday Post Office services in Syke, Rochdale.
Reviews shown are from our verified Google Business Profile. Individual experiences may vary.
Serving our local community
Serving customers from Syke, Shawclough, Healey, Norden, Spotland, Lowerfold, Littleborough, Milnrow, Whitworth and the wider Rochdale area. We’re your local Post Office for Travel Money Cards, travel money and everyday banking.
Related services
Useful information
External provider responsibility: The Post Office Travel Money Card is an electronic money product issued by First Rate Exchange Services Ltd (registered in England & Wales, company no. 4287490; Financial Services Register no. 900412) under licence by Mastercard International. Services are subject to provider terms, identity verification checks and approval criteria.
Not financial advice: Information on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute financial, legal or investment advice. Please independently verify details before travelling.
Branch operator: Gale Street Post Office is operated by Bargain Universe Ltd (Company No. 11376774) under agreement with Post Office Limited.
Ready to apply for your Travel Money Card?
Visit Gale Street Post Office – open late & Sundays. No appointment needed.
Last updated: 3 June 2026 by Gale Street Post Office.