Before a first trip to South Africa, the question of money comes up almost every time. Should you change euros before you leave? Can you pay by card everywhere? How much should you budget day to day?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rest assured, South Africa is a modern destination where electronic payments are widespread. A few local habits are still worth knowing before you go. Understanding how the South African rand works and anticipating certain costs will let you travel with peace of mind and make the most of your stay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are still in the planning stage, our article Preparing your trip to South Africa<\/a><\/strong> (Link to parent page<\/strong>) will help you anticipate every practical aspect before departure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The official currency is the South African rand, whose international code is ZAR. On the ground, prices are usually shown with the symbol “R”.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The exchange rate moves regularly. Before you leave, it is better to check an up to date converter rather than rely on a rough equivalent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At South African Travellers, we also advise our travellers not to convert every single expense into euros. After a few days, most people naturally find their bearings and enjoy the experience all the more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To discover the country’s different regions and start picturing your stay, take a look at our page dedicated to travel in South Africa<\/a><\/strong> (Link to destination page<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most everyday spending is now settled by card. It is still handy, however, to keep a little cash on you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you stop at a craft market along the Garden Route, buy a few souvenirs in a village, or want to thank a porter on arrival at a lodge, having a few rand in your pocket is always appreciated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few hundred rand are generally enough for these small expenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Because we live in Southern Africa, we also tailor our recommendations to each itinerary. The needs will not be the same for a stay in Cape Town as for a self-drive tour with several stops in more remote regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations and the vast majority of tourist establishments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Contactless payment has become very common, particularly in Cape Town, Johannesburg and the main tourist regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In practice, it is entirely possible to spend several days without using cash, especially if your stay takes place in the country’s busiest areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At South African Travellers, we nonetheless recommend travelling with two separate means of payment. A main bank card and a backup card let you set off with greater peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ATMs are plentiful and easy to find. You will come across them in airports, shopping centres, petrol stations and most towns across the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A few common sense precautions are still worth taking. It is better to favour ATMs in busy locations and to avoid withdrawing large sums in one go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before each departure, our travellers also receive practical information about their itinerary and local customs. These small tips often help you feel more at ease once you arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tipping is part of the customs in South Africa and represents an important supplement to income in certain professions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is common to thank a waiter after a meal, a ranger at the end of a safari, or a porter on arrival at a hotel or lodge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, after several days on safari in a private reserve, many travellers choose to thank their ranger and tracker for their expertise and the quality of their guiding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before each trip, the South African Travellers teams share practical information about these local customs with their travellers. This means you can fully enjoy your stay without second guessing yourself once you are there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n South Africa lets you enjoy particularly high quality experiences, often on favourable terms for European travellers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lunch at a wine estate in Franschhoek, dinner facing the ocean in Cape Town, or a stay in a charming lodge are all experiences that add to the destination’s unique character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our itinerary The South African Highlights<\/a><\/strong> (Link to itinerary<\/strong>) perfectly illustrates this variety of experiences. Between Cape Town, iconic landscapes and a safari immersion, it helps you picture the rhythm of a first trip to South Africa and the spending to anticipate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At South African Travellers, we place great importance on the coherence of every stay. We help our travellers identify the experiences that truly suit them, so as to build a balanced trip tailored to their wishes and their budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Plan for several means of payment. Check any bank charges applied abroad. Keep a small reserve of cash and anticipate certain extra costs, particularly tips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n These few habits are usually enough to travel with a clear mind and focus on what matters: the landscapes, the encounters and the experiences that make South Africa so memorable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To prepare your departure in the best conditions, remember also to read our article Vaccines and health in South Africa: what to know before you go<\/a><\/strong> (Link to child page 2<\/strong>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Understanding how currency works in South Africa, anticipating your means of payment and knowing a few local habits are all small reflexes that make travel easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Based in Cape Town and specialists in Southern Africa for more than fifteen years, we support our travellers before, during and after their stay with practical, personalised advice. Our aim is simple: to let you make the most of your South African adventure with complete peace of mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat is the currency of South Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The South African rand, the official currency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Do you need cash in South Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When can a few rand come in handy?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Paying by card in South Africa: do you still need cash?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Can you pay by card everywhere?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where can you withdraw money in South Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Are ATMs easy to find?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tipping in South Africa: what are the local customs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A practice rooted in service culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
What budget should you plan for everyday spending in South Africa?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A destination that offers wonderful experiences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Our tips for managing your money with peace of mind during your trip to South Africa<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
A few simple habits before you leave<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Travel in South Africa with complete peace of mind<\/h2>\n\n\n\n