South Africa CurrencyYour FAQs: South African Money, Banknotes and Coins
The South African Rand is the official South Africa currency since 1961 after the South African pound was abolished. The international Code for the South African curency is: ZAR (dutch for Zuid Afrikaanse Rand). The South African money can be used for payments in Namibia, Lesotho and Swaziland and is at par with these local currencies. On this page you will find my answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding the South African Currency.
South African money: frequently asked questions• How does the South African money look like? South African Banknotes are available in denominations of R10, 20, 50, 100 and 200. The banknotes are quite colorful and depict the South African "Big Five", as you can see in the picture below.
One South African Rand equals 100 South African cents. There are coins with a value of 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, 1R, 2R and the bi-metal 5R coin.
• Can I pay with my bankcard from home? Yes, but inform your bank that you will pay and draw South African money in South Africa from your account at home. Some banks put stop orders to protect your money as fraud with credit cards is getting a bigger issue all around the world. Be also aware that your card could be stolen or blocked at an ATM (Automatic Teller Machine), so do also consider to bring part of your travel funds in traveler cheques or in form of cash. • Do you recommend taking traveller’s cheques when travelling to Cape Town? Traveller cheques always give you the security should your belongings be stolen while travelling or you accomodation been burgled or even in case you only displaced the cheques. You always can report the missing and stolen cheques and will get a replacement as your traveler cheques are insured. Expat Cape Town Advice: Do not rely fully on cheques as in Cape Town you will have to exchange your cheques in the official traveler cheque offices as cheques will not be accepted by any stores here.
So take note of the opening times of the exchange bureaus. And always take your passport with you when exchanging the cheques.
Read more about Banking in South Africa and bank opening times here.
• Where can I find exchange bureaus in Cape Town? To exchange your foreign currency, there is an exchange office in the arrivals hall at the Cape Town International Airport, and many more Cape Town bureaux de exchange offices to exchange your foreign currency in town. American Express, Travelex and Rennies are the biggest chains of Cape Town currency exchange offices in Cape Town. You will find them in all the major shopping centers and in their own exchange bureaus all over the city. All the major South African banks also offer exchange facilities. And most of the bigger hotels offer to exchange your currency, but will charge usually quite a fee for doing so.
Reliable Currency converter anyone?If you are looking for a good currency converter, why not try this one?
South Africa Currency Converter
My special Tip: South African KrugerrandAre you collecting coins or a looking for a special souvenir or gift? Why not buy the prestigious Gold Krugerrand in Cape Town?
The South African Mint offers also other special uncirculated coins at their outlets. More questions about the South Africa currency? Then contact me
here.
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For those of you collecting coins, you can also get the famous and prestigious Krugerrand Gold coins at the various weights and denominations in these shops: SCoin in Canal Walk Shopping Center and at Waterfront Mint, shop 217, at the V& A Waterfront.
