South Africa Currency

Using a converter, to show you the value of South Africa currency it is important for you to know that the amount showed is the stock exchange rate and not the exchange rate.

Add about 5-6% on top of the calculated amount to get the actual amount of the South Africa currency.

South African Rand Converter

Denominations of South African Currency

The South African currency consists of banknotes and coin and is denoted in Rand (R) and Cents (c).

All South African currency bank notes are slightly different sizes and each one is a different colour – which makes it easier for you!

Notes are in denominations of:

R10 It is green and has a rhinoceros on the front side. The languages are Afrikaans and Swati. R20 This note is brown with an elephant on the front side. The languages are Southern Ndebele and Tswana R50 It has a red colour with the head of a lion on the front side. The languages are Venda and Xhosa R100 Is blue with a buffalo on the front side. The languages are Northern Sotho and Tsonga R200 This note is orange with a leopard on front. The languages are Sotho and Zulu

South Africa has 11 official languages. English appears on the front with "South African Reserve Bank" as well as the amount.

The reverse side of the notes have "South African Reserve Bank" in 2 languages which makes it possible to divide the 10 languages equally on each of the 5 notes.

Coins are in denominations of:

R5 R2 R1 1c 2c 5c 10c 20c 50c

1 and 2 cent coins are still in circulation but they are no longer valid and the coins won’t be accepted so look out when you get your change!

When buying goods, all values will be rounded up or down to the nearest 5c or 10c value.

Quick Travel Links

Safety Tips

Tourist Information

Accomodation Guide

Cape Town Maps

Tips When Drawing South African Money

The easiest and cheapest way to exchange money into South African currency is to draw at an ATM:

• Check with you bank how high the cost is for drawing South African money.
  
  
• Most banks charge per draw (irrespective of the amount). Therefore, draw the maximum you can.
  
  
• The safest is to draw money at an ATM inside a bank. These ATM’s usually allow you to draw up to R3000.
  
  Drawing money at an “unsafe” ATM (eg. petrol stations, supermarkets, small remote areas, very busy streets, etc) is restricted to R1000.
  
  
• If possible, don’t exchange money into South Africa currency at an airport as you always get the worst exchange rates, even when drawing from an ATM.
  
  
• Avoid drawing money with your credit card – as this is very expensive!
  

• Follow these safety tips when drawing money from an ATM

VAT Refund (Value Added Tax - 14%)

South African goods include 14% sales tax and if you buy goods in South Africa with a value exceeding R250 then you qualify for a tax refund.

To save time at the airport, you can claim your VAT refund at the Waterfront in the Clock Tower.

But, you still need to go to the VAT counter at the airport and have your goods ready for inspection before checking in.

Plan about an hour for the south africa currency VAT refund procedure at the airport.

Paying With Credit Cards

Most credit cards like Mastercard, Visacard, Dinersclub, American Express, etc. are accepted in South Africa.

Most restaurants, hotels, guesthouses, shops, etc. accept credit cards.

When fueling up your car, make sure you have cash because most petrol stations don’t accept credit cards!

You usually have a better south africa currency exchange rate, depending on the percentage they charge you for using your credit card in foreign countries

Traveller's Cheques

Are accepted at most places as long as they are made out in a valid South African currency and these can be exchanged at South African banks and foreign exchange offices

Quick Links

Safety Tips

Tourist Information

Domestic Flights

Cape Town Maps

How Much To Tip

• A 10% tip — or gratuity — is acceptable in restaurants. But if you feel you have received poor service, then you do not need to tip. For exceptional service you are of course free to tip more.
  
  
• For porters in hotels a tip of R2 – R5 per piece of luggage is fine.
  
  
• In most shopping areas you will find uniformed attendants situated in the parking lots wanting to assist you with parking as well as watching your car. Please note; this is not pestering. Thank him or her at the end of your visit with R1 – R5.
  
  
• Petrol attendants fill up your car with petrol, check oil, water, tire pressure and clean your windscreen. A tip of R2 - R3 is fine.
  
  
• It is also appropriate to tip taxi drivers, tour guides and hairdressers.
  
  
• Tips should be paid in south africa currency.
  
  
  

Like This Page? Did It Help You?