HDFC Bank and ICICI Bank are India's two largest private banks and both offer popular multi-currency forex cards for Indian travellers, students, and professionals going abroad. Choosing between the HDFC ForexPlus card and the ICICI Bank Travel Card can save you thousands of rupees in fees and exchange rate costs over a trip or academic year. This detailed comparison helps you decide which card is better for your specific situation in 2026.
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Try Wise Free →| Feature | HDFC ForexPlus Card | ICICI Bank Travel Card |
|---|---|---|
| Number of currencies | 23 currencies | 15 currencies |
| Network | Visa | Visa |
| Issuance fee | ₹150–500 | ₹199 |
| Reload fee | ₹75–100 per reload | ₹100 per reload |
| ATM withdrawal fee abroad | $2 or equivalent | $1.5 or equivalent |
| Cross-currency charge | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Exchange rate at loading | Competitive | Competitive |
| Travel insurance | Yes — complimentary | Yes — complimentary |
| Online reload | Yes via NetBanking | Yes via iMobile/NetBanking |
| 24/7 customer support | Yes | Yes |
Both HDFC and ICICI set their own exchange rates when you load your forex card, which are typically 1–2% worse than the mid-market rate. Neither bank publishes its exact forex card loading rate publicly — the rate is determined on the day of loading and confirmed at the time of order. For consistently better rates, consider online platforms like BookMyForex which offer live interbank rates for multi-currency card loading.
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Get Best Rate → Use code BIKAJZ3y0mKChoose HDFC ForexPlus if: You travel to multiple countries frequently and need maximum currency coverage (23 currencies vs 15). You are an existing HDFC customer and prefer managing everything through one bank. You want complimentary travel insurance with higher coverage limits.
Choose ICICI Travel Card if: You are an ICICI customer and want seamless integration with iMobile. You prefer lower ATM withdrawal fees. Your travel is primarily to the most common destinations (USA, Europe, UAE, UK, Australia, Canada) which are covered by both cards.
For Indian students and professionals spending a year or more abroad, the Niyo Global Card (zero forex markup) is often a better option than either HDFC or ICICI. For shorter trips of 1–4 weeks, a traditional forex card loaded at a good rate is convenient and cost-effective.
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Start Trading Free →Disclaimer: Exchange rates and financial regulations change frequently. This guide is for educational reference only and is not financial advice. Always verify current rates and rules with your bank or a qualified advisor before making financial decisions.