Buy Currency

Buy South African rand (ZAR)

Mountains, safaris and beautiful beaches are all on offer in South Africa and with some rand in your pocket, you’ll have the time of your life enjoying it all.

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.

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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.

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Interior of a modern currency exchange store with a vibrant digital display promoting travel to Bali, complemented by a sleek black counter and informative screens showing exchange rates. The Travelex logo is prominently displayed above.

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.

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Travel Money Card for South African rand

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
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What to spend your South African rand on

  • *

    Soft drink in a restaurant

    10 ZAR *

  • *

    Return trip on a cable car to the top of Table Mountain

    225 ZAR *

  • *

    Postcard and stamp

    8 ZAR *

  • *

    Three-course meal for two in Johannesburg

    400 ZAR *

  • *

    Full-day safari tour at Kruger National Park

    1400 ZAR *

How much South African rand will I need?*

Please select your budget above.


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* * * * * *

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Total spending money needed:

  • *A budget
  • *for people for
  • * nights


*Recalculate

Must-sees in South Africa

Cape of Good Hope South Africa rocky headland Atlantic coast
  • Cape of Good Hope

  • The Cape of Good Hope is where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet, offering one of the most picturesque and mesmerising views in all of South Africa.
Durban South Africa KwaZulu-Natal province skyline
  • Durban

  • Some of the best beaches of South Africa’s east coast can be found in Durban, as well as the beautiful Botanical Gardens and the uShaka Marine World aquarium.
Johannesburg Joburg South Africa Gauteng province
  • Johannesburg

  • For safari fans Jo’burg is the place to be, with plenty of wildlife to spot outside of the city. For those who want to learn a bit more about South African history, head straight to the Apartheid Museum.

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)
  • The South African rand coins currently in circulation are:

    • 5 cents
    • 10 cents
    • 20 cents
    • 50 cents
    • 1 rand
    • 2 rand
    • 5 rand

    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.

  • 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).

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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. 

Need a different currency?

Whether you’re looking for dollars or dirham, we can deliver to your home or you can pick up from us in store.

*The figures provided are indicative only and are there to provide an idea of the amount of travel money you may need during your trip.