South Africa is one of the world’s great value travel destinations, particularly for visitors from pound, dollar, and euro countries. The South African Rand is a volatile but generally weak currency against major Western currencies, which means your travel budget goes significantly further here than in comparable destinations in Europe, North America, or Southeast Asia.
Understanding how money works in South Africa — how to access it, what things cost, how tipping works, and how to avoid common pitfalls — will make your trip smoother and more enjoyable.
The South African Rand (ZAR)
The South African Rand is denoted by the symbol R and the ISO code ZAR. Banknotes come in R10, R20, R50, R100, and R200 denominations, featuring portraits of Nelson Mandela on the front and the Big Five animals on the back. Coins come in R5, R2, R1, 50c, 20c, and 10c values.
The Rand is one of the world’s more volatile emerging market currencies — its value against the pound, dollar, and euro can swing significantly based on commodity prices (South Africa’s exports are dominated by gold, platinum group metals, iron ore, and coal), political developments, and global risk appetite. This volatility can work in your favour (when the Rand is weak, South Africa feels extraordinarily affordable) or require budget adjustment (when it strengthens).
Always check live exchange rates at xe.com, Google Finance, or your bank’s app before and during your trip.
Accessing Money
ATMs
ATMs are the most practical and cost-effective way to access Rands. They’re widely available at:
- International airports (available 24/7 — use bank-branded ATMs in the secure area)
- Shopping centres (malls) throughout the country
- Bank branches (ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, Capitec)
- Supermarkets (Checkers, Pick n Pay, Woolworths often have in-store ATMs)
- Petrol stations in major towns
ATM safety tips:
- Use ATMs inside shopping centres or bank branches where possible
- Never use an ATM at night in an unfamiliar or quiet area
- Shield your PIN entry from bystanders and cameras
- Be aware of “card shoulder surfing” — someone watching your PIN
- If your card is swallowed, contact your bank immediately
- Card skimming devices have been used — if the machine looks unusual or has loose parts, use a different ATM
Daily withdrawal limits: Most South African ATMs have a daily limit of R3,000–R5,000 per transaction, though this varies. Your home bank may also impose its own foreign ATM withdrawal limits.
Fees: Your bank will typically charge a foreign transaction fee (usually 2–3%) plus a fixed ATM withdrawal fee. For frequent small withdrawals, consider a travel money card (Wise, Revolut) that minimises these fees.
Currency Exchange
Currency exchange bureaux (Bidvest Bank, Travelex, American Express Forex) operate at airports, large shopping centres, and in tourist areas. Rates are generally inferior to ATM withdrawal rates — use for convenience rather than value. The best exchange rates are typically obtained by withdrawing Rands from a South African bank ATM using your home Visa or Mastercard debit card.
Note: Keep your foreign exchange receipts — you’ll need them if you want to reconvert unused Rands back to your currency on departure.
Cost Guide — What Things Cost in South Africa
Food & Drink
| Item | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cappuccino) | R40–R60 |
| Local beer (500ml) | R30–R60 |
| Craft beer | R60–R90 |
| Bunny chow (Durban) | R60–R120 |
| Cape Malay takeaway | R70–R120 |
| Casual restaurant meal | R150–R300 per person |
| Mid-range restaurant (3 courses) | R400–R800 per person |
| Fine dining | R800–R1,500+ per person |
| Braai meat (supermarket) | R80–R200 per kg |
| Biltong (100g) | R40–R80 |
| Wine (restaurant, good bottle) | R200–R600 |
| Wine (supermarket, good bottle) | R80–R300 |
| Petrol / litre | R23–R27 (fluctuates) |
Activities & Experiences
| Activity | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Table Mountain cable car (return) | R420 per adult |
| Boulders Beach penguins | R220 per adult |
| Kruger conservation fee | R393 per adult per day |
| Shark cage diving | R1,800–R2,500 per person |
| Whale watching boat trip | R900–R1,400 per person |
| Bloukrans bungee jump | R1,650–R1,950 per person |
| Soweto cycling tour | R450–R700 per person |
| Wine tasting (per estate) | R150–R300 per person |
| Franschhoek Wine Tram | R300–R400 per person |
| Cango Caves standard tour | R220 per adult |
| Apartheid Museum | R220 per adult |
Accommodation
| Type | Approximate Cost per Night |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | R250–R500 |
| Budget guesthouse | R500–R1,200 |
| Mid-range B&B / guesthouse | R1,200–R3,000 |
| Boutique hotel | R2,500–R6,000 |
| Luxury hotel | R6,000–R20,000+ |
| Private game lodge (all-in) | R5,000–R30,000+ per person |
| SANParks camping | R200–R350 per site |
| SANParks chalet | R800–R2,500 |
Tipping Culture
Tipping is an important part of South Africa’s service economy and should not be skipped by visitors. Wages in the hospitality sector are low, and tips form a significant part of income.
Restaurant: 10–15% for good service; tip in cash directly to your server wherever possible. A service charge is sometimes added to bills automatically — check before tipping additionally.
Petrol attendants (garages): R5–R10 standard; R15–R20 if they check tyres/oil/water and clean the windscreen. Always tip petrol attendants.
Car guards (parking): These informal parking attendants watch your car at shopping centres and in public areas. Tip R5–R10 on return to your car (give it to them, not in advance).
Hotel porters: R20–R30 per bag.
Housekeeping: R30–R50 per night; leave on the pillow each morning (staff change daily at many hotels).
Safari guides & trackers: A significant tip is expected and very important. Standard guidance is R150–R300 per person per day, split between the ranger and tracker (the ranger typically distributes to the tracker). For a 3-night stay with 4 game drives, budget R500–R900 total per person for the tip envelope (put in an envelope, hand directly to the ranger on your last morning).
Tour guides: R100–R200 per person for a half-day tour; R200–R400 per person for a full day.
Budget Planning
Budget Traveller (R700–R1,500 per person per day)
Staying in hostel dorms or budget guesthouses, eating at local restaurants and markets, using the Baz Bus for transport, doing self-drive Kruger, and selecting free or low-cost activities.
Mid-Range (R2,500–R5,000 per person per day)
Comfortable guesthouses and B&Bs, rental car, mixture of self-cooking and restaurant meals, Kruger self-drive or a mid-range safari add-on, whale watching or a shark dive as a splurge.
Luxury (R8,000–R30,000+ per person per day)
Boutique hotels and private game lodges, guided game drives, fine dining, curated activities, and premium airport transfers. Private lodge costs dominate the budget at this level.
Practical Money Tips
- Always carry some cash — card machines fail during load shedding, and many small businesses and markets are cash-only
- Split your cash — don’t carry your entire budget in one wallet or bag
- Use the safe in your hotel room for passport, spare credit cards, and larger cash amounts
- If your card is lost or stolen, block it immediately using your bank’s app — most South African banks also allow you to freeze and unfreeze cards on the app
- Forex apps like Wise are excellent for sending money internationally and for tracking the Rand rate in real time
