Africa

Money, cards and tipping in South Africa

Capital: PretoriaZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, EnglishUpdated October 2026

ZARRand

Money in South Africa

Cards almost everywhere Cards and tap-to-pay work almost everywhere, even at many markets; keep small cash for car guards, tips and minibus taxis. US$1 ≈ R16.66 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: 10–15% in restaurants; small change (R5–R20) for car guards and petrol attendants, who fill your tank; tip safari guides and trackers.
ATMs: Use ATMs inside malls or banks in daylight and never accept 'help' from strangers.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay work on most card machines; SnapScan and Zapper QR codes are common.
Price level: about 42% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Cape Town	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay almost everywhere; keep R20–R50 notes for car guards, tips and some markets.
Johannesburg	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay nearly everywhere; keep small notes for car guards, tips and some markets.
Kruger National Park	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards work in camps, lodges and Hazyview shops. Carry small bills for tips, curio sellers, and petrol attendants outside the park.
Durban	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work nearly everywhere; keep small notes for car guards, beach vendors and tips.
Stellenbosch	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay almost everywhere; keep small notes for car guards and tips.
Pretoria	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay almost everywhere; carry small notes for car guards and informal stalls.
Hermanus	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay widely accepted; keep small notes for car guards, tips and craft stalls.
Knysna	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay widely accepted; carry small notes for car guards, tips and craft markets.
Plettenberg Bay	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay widely accepted; carry small notes for car guards, tips and craft stalls.
Port Elizabeth	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay almost everywhere; carry small notes for car guards and tips.
Franschhoek	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay accepted at nearly all restaurants and estates; keep small notes for car guards and tips.
Umhlanga	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay almost everywhere; keep small notes for car guards and tips.
Jeffreys Bay	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and tap-to-pay widely accepted; carry small notes for car guards, tips and some beach vendors.

Quick answers

Do you tip in South Africa?

10–15% in restaurants; small change (R5–R20) for car guards and petrol attendants, who fill your tank; tip safari guides and trackers.

Is South Africa cashless?

Cards almost everywhere. Cards and tap-to-pay work almost everywhere, even at many markets; keep small cash for car guards, tips and minibus taxis.

What currency does South Africa use?

The Rand (ZAR). US$1 ≈ R16.66 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.