We’ve already spent a few months in South Africa and know the country very well by now. According to emails and messages, the topic of “Currency in South Africa” seems to be of particular interest to our readers, which is why we’ve put all the information on withdrawing money, exchanging money, and credit cards on paper for you today. If you still have questions, you can simply leave a comment below this post.

What else you should know

  • What else you should know
  • Currency in South Africa
  • Withdrawing money in South Africa
  • Fees for withdrawing money
  • Exchanging money locally
  • The best credit card for South Africa
  • Prices in South Africa
  • More tips for you

Currency in South Africa

In beautiful South Africa, you pay with the South African Rand (ZAR) and currently get around 19 Rand for 1 Euro (as of May 2020). You should check the current exchange rate before your departure so that you know roughly how many Rand you will get for how many Euros when withdrawing money. We usually withdraw €100 to €200 when we arrive in a country and need cash. There are 10 rand, 20 rand, 50 rand, 100 rand, and 200 rand banknotes. Coins are available in denominations of 1 rand, 2 rand, or 5 rand, as well as 5 cents, 10 cents, 20 cents, and 50 cents (1 rand consists of 100 cents).

South African Currency, Banknotes, Coins

You’ll need small change from time to time in South Africa, for example, in parking lots. Parking attendants are often on duty to help you park and exit and also keep an eye on your car. When you leave after shopping, dinner, or whatever, you should tip the parking attendant 5-10 Rand. Even if you’re off the beaten track, you should always carry some cash with you. Not every corner store accepts card payments, especially not the very small shops in the South African countryside.

Withdrawing money in South Africa

Withdrawing money in South Africa is a really easy undertaking; you’ll find many options for getting cash in the tourist areas. ATMs are on almost every corner. You can withdraw cash there using your credit card or debit card (with the Maestro symbol). To do so, insert your card into the machine and select the “Withdraw” option. You will then see the available withdrawal amounts and, after entering your PIN, receive the local currency in banknotes.

Always use ATMs in buildings and banks rather than on the next street corner. These machines are usually guarded and, in most cases, serviced frequently. Always keep in mind, however, that depending on the bank, you may have to pay a foreign transaction fee when abroad. It is therefore advisable to look for a fee-free alternative. More detailed information on this can be found below. Even with debit cards, high fees usually apply when withdrawing money abroad.

Fees for Cash Withdrawals

Depending on the type of credit card or debit card you have, fees may apply when withdrawing money abroad. It’s best to call your bank beforehand and inquire about these issues. The ATM operator or retailer may also charge a fee when withdrawing cash. The fees (foreign transaction fee) are usually very high (€5 to €10) if you pay or withdraw money abroad with your regular debit card. So, check with your bank again whether fees apply for card payments abroad.

Exchanging money locally

Not a fan of credit and debit cards? No problem, you can of course exchange money locally. You should do this locally, rather than at home. Exchange offices and banks in Germany usually offer a very poor exchange rate compared to the country you’re traveling to. This is also due to the fact that the currency, the Rand, usually has to be ordered first, which increases the effort involved. Banks and ATMs also charge for this.

In South Africa, you can exchange cash; you can find exchange offices at every airport, in larger cities, and tourist regions. You can exchange money locally for smaller amounts, but for larger amounts, you should really consider getting a credit card. You should never carry a lot of cash with you on your trip through South Africa. This means you’d have to exchange money every few days and pay fees each time. You won’t find an exchange office everywhere in the country, but you’re more likely to find an ATM.

The best credit card for South Africa

We recommend a free credit card for your trip to South Africa. With this, you can easily withdraw cash (mostly) anywhere and even pay abroad. We’ve been using the DKB* credit card for almost 6 years now. As an active customer, we can pay with the card abroad and withdraw money from ATMs free of charge. However, with DKB, you always have to withdraw at least €50; otherwise, fees apply for the mini-cash option.

Retailers or ATM operators may also charge additional fees for use. Unfortunately, DKB has no control over this and does not refund these fees. In addition, we always have the N26 Mastercard* with us. This is also free and has been with us on our travels for years.

Prices in South Africa

South Africa is not exactly a cheap travel destination compared to other countries, but even with significant price fluctuations within the country, depending on the region, you still get a bit more for your money than in Germany. You can get a pitch at a campsite for €3.50, a bed in a hostel for €6, and a bed in a double room for €10. In the supermarket, you can get a whole loaf of bread for €0.40, 6 eggs for €0.50, a jar of jam for around €1, or a bottle of water for €0.40. In the supermarkets, you can really get almost everything you can get in Germany.

A liter of gasoline currently costs around €0.91 (Germany: €1.54), and you can get a rental car for as little as €10 a day. You can also find restaurants in South Africa where you pay as little as €5 for a meal and a drink. Depending on the restaurant, shop, and region, you’ll need around €10 to €25 a day for food and drinks (depending on your taste and requirements). A cappuccino often costs as little as €1.50, and a meal at McDonald’s costs €3 to €4. In general, you can live very well in South Africa for little money.

More tips for you

As already mentioned, you shouldn’t carry large amounts of cash with you. While we don’t want to paint the devil on the wall, thefts and robberies can still happen. In such cases, it would be fatal if you had thousands of euros in your wallet. When withdrawing money from an ATM, make sure you enter your PIN discreetly so no one can see you.

Don’t let strangers help you, and don’t let others distract you (tricks!!!!). Please don’t withdraw money at night and don’t use ATMs in remote locations. If an ATM swallows your card or you lose it, you should notify your bank and have it blocked. More information here: Security Tips for Credit Cards.