Key takeaways
- The average out-of-network ATM fee is $4.86 per transaction — a combination of your bank’s fee ($1.64 average) and the ATM operator’s surcharge ($3.22 average), according to Bankrate’s 2025 Checking Account and ATM Fee Study.
- Using an out-of-network ATM once a week would cost you about $253 per year in fees alone.
- International ATM withdrawals carry additional charges, often 1%–3% on top of a flat fee.
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The simplest way to avoid ATM fees is to stay within your bank’s network or switch to an online bank that reimburses fees.
ATMs are a convenient way to access cash, but the fees can add up fast. The average out-of-network ATM transaction now costs $4.86, according to Bankrate data — up 9 cents over the prior year and more than double the $1.97 average when Bankrate first began tracking these fees in 1998.
Here’s how ATM fees work, what banks charge and how to keep more of your money.
What are ATM fees?
When you use an ATM outside of your bank’s network, you can get hit with two separate fees at once: one from the ATM’s owner and one from your own bank. Here’s how each works.
ATM operator fee. This is the fee charged by whoever owns the ATM — which could be a bank, a convenience store, an airport kiosk or even a private investor. The average surcharge is $3.22 per transaction. You’ll typically see this fee disclosed on the ATM screen before you complete the withdrawal.
Your bank’s out-of-network fee. On top of the operator surcharge, your own bank may charge you for using an ATM outside its network. The average bank-imposed out-of-network fee is $1.64 per transaction. Some banks waive this fee entirely; others reimburse it up to a monthly limit.
International transaction fee. If you withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, you may face additional charges on top of the domestic fees. These typically include a flat fee (often $2–$5) plus a percentage-based foreign transaction fee (usually 1%–3% of the withdrawal amount). For example, Bank of America charges $5 plus 3 percent, while Ally Bank caps its international fee at 1 percent.
How much do ATMs charge?
ATM fees and network sizes vary widely by institution. Here’s a comparison of several popular banks and credit unions:
| Financial institution | Number of free in-network ATMs | Out-of-network fee | International transaction fee | ATM fee reimbursements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ally Bank | More than 75,000 | None | Up to 1% | Up to $10 per month |
| Axos Bank | About 91,000 | None | Up to 1% | Unlimited domestic reimbursements for Rewards Checking, Cashback Checking, and Essential Checking; up to $8 per month reimbursed for Golden Checking |
| Bank of America | About 15,000 | $2.50 | $5 plus 3% | One out-of-network ATM fee reimbursed for Platinum customers per month; unlimited for higher tiers |
| Capital One | More than 70,000 | $2 or more | $2 plus 3% for non-360 products | None |
| Citibank | Over 65,000 | $2.50 | 3%; waived for Citi Priority, Citigold and Citigold Private Client | None |
| Connexus Credit Union | Over 67,000 | None | Up to 1.5% | Up to $25 per month for the Connexus Xtraordinary Checking account |
| LendingClub Bank | Unknown | None | Up to 1.1% | Unlimited reimbursements for the LevelUp Checking account |
| U.S. Bank | Over 40,000 | $2.50 | 3% | Platinum and Platinum Plus-tier Smart Rewards customers get one domestic ATM fee reimbursement per period |
| Wells Fargo | Over 10,000 | $3 | $5 plus 3% | Prime Checking customers get one domestic and one international ATM fee reimbursement per month; unlimited reimbursements for Premier Checking customers |
Average ATM fees over time
ATM fees have risen steadily for over two decades. When Bankrate first began tracking them in 1998, the average combined fee for an out-of-network withdrawal was $1.97. Today it’s $4.86 — an increase of nearly 150 percent.
The current average breaks down as: $3.22 from the ATM operator and $1.64 from the user’s own bank.
Fees also vary by city. According to Bankrate’s 2025 study, the highest average total ATM fee was $5.37 in Atlanta, while the lowest was $4.37 in Boston.
ATM fees are one of those costs that feel small in the moment but compound quickly. If you’re withdrawing cash once a week from an out-of-network ATM, that’s over $250 a year going straight to fees — money that could be earning 4 percent in a high-yield savings account instead. Switching to a bank with a large fee-free ATM network or ATM reimbursements is one of the easiest financial wins out there.”
— Hanna Horvath, Managing Editor, Deposits at Bankrate
How to avoid ATM fees
Most banks and credit unions offer an ATM finder tool on their website or mobile app. Many also participate in shared networks (like Allpoint or MoneyPass) that give you access to tens of thousands of fee-free ATMs nationwide.
Get cash back at checkout
When you use your debit card at a grocery store, pharmacy or other retailer, you can often request cash back at the register — usually for free or a minimal fee. Most locations cap this at $100 or less per transaction.
Switch to a bank that reimburses ATM fees
Several online banks reimburse all or a portion of ATM fees charged by out-of-network operators. Ally Bank reimburses up to $10 per month, Connexus reimburses up to $25 per month and Axos Bank offers unlimited domestic reimbursements on select accounts.
Use mobile banking instead
For transactions that don’t require cash — like depositing checks, transferring funds or paying bills — mobile banking eliminates the need for an ATM visit entirely.
Plan ahead when traveling internationally
Before traveling, check your bank’s international ATM fees and consider opening an account with a bank that charges lower foreign transaction fees. Withdrawing larger amounts less frequently can also reduce the number of flat fees you’re charged.
Bottom line
ATM convenience comes at a cost — $4.86 per out-of-network transaction on average, and even more when traveling abroad. The fees are a combination of surcharges from the ATM operator and your own bank, and they’ve risen steadily for more than 25 years.
The good news is these fees are entirely avoidable. Stay within your bank’s ATM network, take advantage of cash-back at retailers, or switch to an online bank that reimburses fees. A few small changes can easily save you $250 or more per year.
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