If you are going to South Africa despite having no experience of the country, you are definitely prepared for the many surprises you may encounter as an inexperienced traveler. You might look for information on necessary vaccinations, find maps, and research the security situation in the area where you will be staying. However, they may not think to look into how to secure the money to get there. That is, the local currency, the South African rand. Unless you plan to rely solely on credit cards, which is often not the case, you will definitely need some funds. Because as the saying goes, don\’t go to Africa without money.

You see no difficulty in exchanging money? That\’s because we are used to being able to exchange convertible currency quickly and easily at any exchange office. In South Africa, however, the situation is completely different. That is why it is best to exchange money upon arrival at the international airport. Because in other countries, the exchange rate at such places is never favorable, so it is rather an unwise choice, but not in South Africa. In South Africa, it is the fastest and perhaps most cost-effective way to exchange money upon arrival at the airport.

If you do not exchange money at the airport, you will most likely exchange money in Johannesburg or Cape Town, but be prepared to find a bank that is authorized to exchange foreign currency in your place of residence to begin with. Be prepared to find a bank that is authorized to exchange foreign currency in your area of residence. Not all banks will be able to exchange foreign currency. And even if you are lucky enough to find such a bank (perhaps ABSA Bank or Standard Bank), do not be optimistic that there is only a short line at the exchange counter. It takes time to exchange money. You have to copy your passport, fill out a form, enter lots of details into a computer, print out lots of documents, and sign and stamp them. So if you can do it in under an hour, congratulations.

Needless to say, commercial banks charge much more than airport money changers.

If you are going to South Africa despite having no experience of the country, you are definitely prepared for the many surprises you may encounter as an inexperienced traveler. You might look for information on necessary vaccinations, find maps, and research the security situation in the area where you will be staying. However, they may not think to look into how to secure the money to get there. That is, the local currency, the South African rand. Unless you plan to rely solely on credit cards, which is often not the case, you will definitely need some funds. Because as the saying goes, don\’t go to Africa without money.

You see no difficulty in exchanging money? That\’s because we are used to being able to exchange convertible currency quickly and easily at any exchange office. In South Africa, however, the situation is completely different. That is why it is best to exchange money upon arrival at the international airport. Because in other countries, the exchange rate at such places is never favorable, so it is rather an unwise choice, but not in South Africa. In South Africa, it is the fastest and perhaps most cost-effective way to exchange money upon arrival at the airport.

If you do not exchange money at the airport, you will most likely exchange money in Johannesburg or Cape Town, but be prepared to find a bank that is authorized to exchange foreign currency in your place of residence to begin with. Be prepared to find a bank that is authorized to exchange foreign currency in your area of residence. Not all banks will be able to exchange foreign currency. And even if you are lucky enough to find such a bank (perhaps ABSA Bank or Standard Bank), do not be optimistic that there is only a short line at the exchange counter. It takes time to exchange money. You have to copy your passport, fill out a form, enter lots of details into a computer, print out lots of documents, and sign and stamp them. So if you can do it in under an hour, congratulations.

Needless to say, commercial banks charge much more than airport money changers.