Get your
South African Rand Fast!
- Free home delivery over £750
- with Royal Mail Special Delivery 1pm
- Better rates than the banks
Travelling to South Africa?
Get the best exchange rate for South African rand online
Get ready for your South African adventure with travel money from Manor FX.
Order South African rand today and arrive with local cash ready for taxis, tips, snacks, markets and your first few days away.
Our competitive South African rand exchange rate helps your pounds go further when you convert British pounds to South African rand before you travel.
You can buy South African rand online for secure home delivery, office delivery or collection from the Manor FX bureau near Heathrow.
Manor FX makes it easy to order online, avoid airport exchange rates and get great value on your currency exchange.
“Easy process from start to finish. Competitive prices and excellent customer support. Would highly recommend and will use again.”
Emma Thompson
South Africa travel money
Here are some helpful facts about cash, cards and rand currency in South Africa.
What is the currency of South Africa?
The currency of South Africa is the South African rand.
The currency code is ZAR, and the currency symbol is R.
The South African rand is the official currency of South Africa and legal tender across the country.
What is South African money called?
South African money is called rand.
You may see it written as South African rand, rand currency, South African rand ZAR, or simply rand. They all refer to the same currency used in South Africa.
Where is the best place to buy South African rand?
Manor FX is the best place to buy South African rand for competitive online rates, clear pricing and secure UK delivery.
You can purchase South African rand online and have your currency delivered to your home or office. You can also collect your rand from our bureau near Heathrow.
Buying South African rand before you travel is a good idea because airport desks and last-minute currency exchange services can offer weaker rates or hidden fees.
Where can I buy South African rand in the UK?
You can buy South African rand online from Manor FX for secure home delivery or collection near Heathrow.
Can I buy South African rand online?
Yes, you can buy South African rand online with Manor FX.
Choose how much you want to spend in pounds, check the GBP to South African rand rate, then order South African rand online for delivery or collection.
Ordering South African rand online gives you peace of mind before you travel and helps you avoid relying on airport rates or overseas ATMs as soon as you land.
Should I exchange money before I travel to South Africa?
Yes. Taking some rand with you before your trip is sensible.
Cards are widely accepted in many hotels, restaurants, shopping centres and tourist areas, but cash is still useful for tips, markets, parking attendants, local shops, small cafés, taxis and rural areas.
Having some local currency ready means you can pay for small expenses straight away.
What is the best currency to use in South Africa?
The best currency to use in South Africa is the South African rand.
Pounds, euros and US dollars are not normally accepted for everyday payments. You may be able to exchange foreign currency once you arrive, but for daily spending, rand is the practical choice.
Can I use pounds in South Africa?
No, pounds are not widely accepted in South Africa.
If you’re travelling from the UK, it’s better to convert pounds to South African rand before you go. Paying in local currency usually gives you more control over costs.
Can I use my bank card in South Africa?
Yes, you can use major debit and credit cards in many parts of South Africa.
Cards are commonly accepted in cities, tourist areas, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and larger shops.
However, you should still carry some cash for smaller payments and places where card machines are unavailable.
Check your bank’s overseas fees before you travel. Foreign transaction charges and poor card exchange rates can add up.
Should I use cash in South Africa?
Yes. Cash is still useful in South Africa, especially for smaller everyday expenses.
You may need rand for tips, markets, local taxis, parking attendants, small shops, informal vendors and rural areas.
Do not carry more cash than you need for the day. Split your money and keep some in a safe place.
Is it better to use cash or card in South Africa?
A mix of cash and card is best.
Use cards for larger purchases, hotels, and restaurants that accept card payments. Use cash for tips, smaller purchases, and as a backup.
When paying by card, choose to pay in South African rand rather than pounds. Paying in pounds can trigger dynamic currency conversion, which may give you a poor exchange rate.
Buy your rand now
How much cash should I take to South Africa?
The amount of South African rand you need depends on your travel style.
- Budget travellers: around £30–£50 per day.
- Mid-range travellers: around £50–£100 per day.
- Luxury travellers: £100+ per day.
You do not need to carry your full travel budget in cash. Take enough rand for your first few days and small expenses, then use a card where it makes sense.
How can I avoid ATM fees in South Africa?
Take some South African rand before you travel to reduce the number of ATM withdrawals you need to make.
If you withdraw cash in South Africa, use reputable bank ATMs, avoid small repeated withdrawals, and check your UK bank’s fees.
Always choose to be charged in local currency rather than pounds.
Is South Africa cheap to visit?
South Africa can offer good value for UK travellers, although costs vary by location and travel style.
Cape Town, safari lodges and popular tourist areas can be more expensive.
Local restaurants, self-catering, markets and domestic travel can be more affordable.
Your money will usually go further if you budget in rand and understand the South African rand exchange rate before you travel.
Buy your rand now
South African currency
South African rand banknotes
The South African Reserve Bank issues South African rand banknotes.
Current banknotes include R10, R20, R50, R100 and R200.
The upgraded Mandela banknotes include enhanced security features and designs that reflect South Africa’s culture, wildlife and national identity.
South African rand coins
South African coins are useful for smaller payments.
Coins include lower-value denominations and rand coins. They are handy for tips, parking, small purchases and local transactions.
How much cash can I take to South Africa from the UK?
When entering South Africa, you must declare cash if you bring more than 25,000 rand per person.
You must also declare foreign currency if the total exceeds 10,000 US dollars.
Rules can change, so check official travel advice before you fly.
Order South African rand online
Order South African rand online with Manor FX and get secure delivery to your home or office.
You can also collect your currency from our travel money bureau near Heathrow.
We make buying South African rand and other exotic or popular currencies simple, secure and convenient.
Can I sell South African rand when I get home?
Yes. If you return with leftover rand, you can sell South African rand back to Manor FX.
To convert South African rand to pounds sterling, choose “sell currency” and select ZAR South African rand.
We offer competitive rates for South African rand to GBP, helping you get value from your leftover travel money.
FAQs
British passport holders can usually visit South Africa for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a visa.
Your passport should be valid for at least 30 days after the date you leave South Africa and have at least two blank pages for entry stamps.
Always check the latest entry requirements before you travel, as rules can change.
No specific vaccinations are required for most UK travellers visiting South Africa, but routine UK vaccines should be up to date.
Depending on where you’re going, what you’ll be doing and how long you’re staying, travel health advice may include hepatitis A, tetanus, typhoid or malaria precautions for some areas.
Check NHS or TravelHealthPro advice, and speak to a travel clinic before your trip.
The correct currency code for South African rand is ZAR.
Some people search for GBP to XAR, but XAR is not the official currency code. When checking rates, search for GBP to South African rand, GBP to ZAR, or ZAR to GBP.
The rand is also used in the Common Monetary Area, but travellers should use the local rules for each destination. For South Africa, rand is the legal tender you need for everyday spending.
The South African rand exchange rate can move regularly.
Currency markets respond to inflation, interest rates, commodity prices, political news, economic data and demand for foreign currency.
Checking rates over 30 days or 90 days can help you understand recent movement, but the rate can still change quickly. If the rate works for your trip, ordering ahead can give you certainty.
South African rand to GBP
The South African rand to GBP rate tells you how much your rand is worth in pounds.
This matters when you return home with leftover travel money and want to convert South African rand to pounds sterling.
The ZAR to GBP rate may differ from the rate you received when buying rand because providers use different buy and sell rates.
No. Manor FX provides travel money and currency exchange services, not international money transfer or sending money services.
When sending money abroad, check whether the provider is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and compare fees, exchange rates and delivery times carefully.
Feel the Trustpilot love
Been using Manor FX for quite some time for my foreign currencies and the best prices anywhere on the internet to buy. And customer service is really good if needed.
You had exactly the currency I needed, where most exchanges don’t carry it. Easy to navigate website to boot. Thank you.
Manor FX always deliver when they say they are. I’ve never had any problems and have bought a few times from them. It’s a seamless experience that I would recommend.
Ordered on a Monday midday and the currency arrived by Special Delivery the following day. No hassle whatsoever. Perfect
Great service! The follow-up call to decide on the best date for scheduling delivery was appreciated. A lot easier than going to the Post Office or Tesco. Will use again in future.
Fantastic company! They stock even hard to source currencies and kept me informed of when they would have it in stock for me to order which was very quickly!
Get your
South African Rand Fast!
- Free home delivery over £750
- with Royal Mail Special Delivery 1pm
- Better rates than the banks