Postcard postage rates for UK and beyond

We often get asked for the price of postcard stamps to and from popular destinations such as the UK, Canada, Australia and the USA. So here is a guide for rates for mailing cards.

Where to buy postcards
You can buy stamps at the Post Office or major super markets, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda. But the pricing generally stays the same.

The standard postcard rate
Sending a postcard within the UK is surprisingly good value using the UK’s Royal Mail. A standard 6 x 4 (148mm x 105mm) postcard is treated as a smaller letter and costs just 64p for the 1st class service or 55p if you choose 2nd class.*

The standard postcard design is classed as a smaller letter because they weigh less than 4 grams. Ours weigh closer to 7 grams because we use thicker card, with our large postcards weighing 13 grams – but with no extra postage charge.

However, if you are sending postcards abroad from the UK, the postage rates increase substantially. It can set you back around £1.05 to send a postcard internationally. That’s expensive for postcard mailing, let alone the cost of the card.

Australia charges $1 (£0.62) for domestic postcards, and $2.75 (£1.71) for postcards sent beyond New Zealand or Asia.

USA charges $0.38 (£0.28) for postcards sent domestically, but $1.15 (£0.95) for everywhere else.

Using your phone to send a postcard
Being part of Generation Y, sending handwritten post is not something I am completely familiar with. I remember having to send my first postcard (without mum’s guidance) not that long ago.

The dumb-founded look on the Post Office clerk’s face as I waved a postcard in front of her, asking ‘what do I need to do to get this to New Zealand?’ was a tad embarrassing.

Having postage included on the card or postcard would certainly take the hassle (and embarrassment) out of posting. Therefore, creating and posting greeting cards and postcards online is becoming the best way to avoid standing in a Post Office line for half your lunch break.

Thankfully, using apps to send postcards is an easy solution for us Millennials and Gen-Ys. It’s much cheaper and doesn’t involve setting a foot in the local Post Office.

Postsnap for example enables you to make and send your postcard all in one go – without leaving the sofa or sun bed. With printers in England, West Coast of USA and in Australia’s New South Wales, no matter where your recipient is they will receive their cards quickly.

With so many families and friends living overseas, keeping in touch isn’t always easy. But sending postcards with your own photos is a gesture that goes a long way without the fuss or stress.

I know my non-Facebook-using family in New Zealand enjoy seeing what I’m up to in the UK, and even keep my postcards to frame and display on the mantle piece.

*all prices as of March 8, 2017.