How to buy South African rand
Discover the most convenient way to receive your travel money through our range of delivery, collection, and online options.
Home Delivery
Enjoy effortless currency exchange with Home Delivery. Place your order online and have your South African rand delivered directly to your doorstep, with Royal Mail Special Delivery. Free for orders totalling £500 or more.
Store Click & Collect
Streamline your currency exchange with our free Click & Collect service. Simply place your order online and pick up your South African rand from our stores. Enjoy a smooth beginning to your travels with our online rates.
Travel Money Card for South African rand
Another great option for spending in South African rand is our Travelex Money Card.
- Safe and secure - card not linked to your bank account
- Choice of 22 currencies, including South African rand
- Seamless spending with Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Manage your South African rand effortlessly via the Travelex Money App
- In case your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, our 24/7 global assistance team is here for you
What to spend your South African rand on
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Soft drink in a restaurant
10 ZAR
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Return trip on a cable car to the top of Table Mountain
225 ZAR
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Postcard and stamp
8 ZAR
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Three-course meal for two in Johannesburg
400 ZAR
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Full-day safari tour at Kruger National Park
1400 ZAR
Key information about South African rand
The rand arrived in 1961, the same year that South Africa became an official Republic.
The South African rand symbol is R and the currency code is ZAR.
Tipping in South Africa
When it comes to tour guides, taxis and meals, it's customary to leave around 10% of your bill as a tip. Give this directly to your waiter, tour guide or taxi driver and if the service was really good, you can round it up to 15%.
South African rand denominations
There are 100 cents to every rand.
Each note includes an image of Nelson Mandela as part of the design, as well as one of the many animals native to South Africa. The notes you'll use in South Africa are:
- 10 (green, rhinoceros)
- 20 (brown, elephant)
- 50 (purple, lion)
- 100 (blue, cape buffalo)
- 200 (orange, leopard)
- 5 cents
- 10 cents
- 20 cents
- 50 cents
- 1 rand
- 2 rand
- 5 rand
The South African rand coins currently in circulation are:
One and two-cent coins have fallen out of use due to inflation.
Common questions about South African rand
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When’s the best time to buy South African rand?
Getting the best rates for South African rand can be tricky. The Rand can waver with mineral resource market shifts and economic developments. Stay informed with our rate tracker tool to get the most value before exploring South Africa's diverse landscapes.
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Where can I spend my South African rand?
The South African rand is widely used in the Republic of South Africa and accepted in some neighbouring countries. The rand is a recognised legal currency in the Common Monetary Area that South Africa shares with Lesotho (alongside the Lesotho loti), Namibia (alongside the Namibian dollar) and Eswatini (alongside the Swazi lilangeni).
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Can I buy South African rand with a credit or debit card?
You can order South African rand from us via credit or debit card. Purchasing South African rand with us means you won't face any credit card handling fees. Always good to confirm with your card provider regarding other possible fees.
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Can I sell my unused South African rand?
Yes! With our Buy Back Promise, we can buy back your unused South African rand notes at any one of our UK retail stores at the original transaction exchange rate up to a maximum value of £250, for just a fee of £4.99. T&Cs apply.
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Can I use my bank card in South Africa?
Credit and debit cards are generally accepted in South Africa. However, using your bank cards in South Africa may incur fees, so check the potential costs for ZAR transactions with your bank. See how the Travelex Money Card can help you spend abroad.
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Can I spend South Africa rand as cash when abroad?
Yes, cash is still frequently used in South Africa. For South Africa, balance your spending with South African rand as cash and the Travelex Money Card for added security on big buys.