How to order South African Rand
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Order your South African Rand online with our currency click & collect service. Choose your collection date and pick up from your local M&S store’s bureau de change.
Click & collect ZAR in as little as 60 seconds.*
*Subject to availability.
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Or visit your local M&S store to buy South African Rand. With stores nationwide - many open seven days a week and late into the evening - you can buy your Travel Money at a time that suits you.
Why buy South African Rand from M&S Travel Money?
Get your South African adventure off to a smooth start with quick and easy currency exchanges. With M&S Travel Money, you can expect:
- Stores open 7 days a week.**
- A choice of collection options.
- Over 50 currencies avaliable in selected stores.
**Store opening hours vary.
What you need to know about the South African Rand currency
The South African Rand is the official currency of South Africa. Its currency code is ZAR and its symbol is R. Each South African Rand is divided into 100 cents.
South African Rands come in both coins and banknotes
Coins include:
10c, 20c, 50 c, 1R, 2R, 5R
Banknotes include:
10R, 20R, 50R, 100R, 200R
You can buy South African Rand online using our click & collect service, or in person at a participating M&S Travel Money location.
Guide to South Africa
Located at the southern tip of the African continent, South Africa has something unique for every type of traveller.
As one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, South Africa has natural beauty in abundance. You'll find wild savannahs, rugged mountains, plenty of beaches and so much more. From safaris in Kruger National Park to the plants in the Cape Floristic Region, you'll find no shortage of natural wonder in South Africa.
If you're more interested in city exploring, centres like Johannesburg and Cape Town have a variety of shopping malls and restaurants, so be sure to bring some Travel Money along!
Frequently asked questions
You'll be able to make card payments in many tourist and urban areas of South Africa. It’s important however to have cash Travel Money with you, as many places are cash-only and card payments usually incur fees, charges and unfavourable exchange rates.
The South African Rand is usually weaker than the British Pound (GBP), which makes South Africa a relatively affordable destination.
Larger cities tend to be more expensive than rural areas, and you can expect to pay more in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Cape Town. If you're going to South Africa on a budget, larger cities will be roughly 10% to 20% cheaper during off-peak seasons.
The only currency accepted in South Africa is the South African Rand.
UK citizens can visit South Africa for up to 90 days without a visa. You'll need to apply for a visa if you want to stay a little longer, and for a work permit if you plan to earn money.
Other passport holders should check the entry requirements with your country's embassy.
You should always research the most up to date visa guidelines before planning a trip.
Waiting staff in South Africa earn a very basic living wage, so you should try to tip whenever you can. When dining out, you should tip between 10% and 20% of the total bill, so if your meal costs ZAR200, you should leave a tip between ZAR20 and ZAR40.
In total, there are 12 official languages in South Africa. English is commonly spoken in urban areas, and it's the main language used in South African media. English and Afrikaans are also part of the same language family, so you’ll likely be able to understand a few words in Afrikaans as you travel.
No destination can be considered completely safe, but you can visit the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) (opens in a new window) for the latest government travel advice for South Africa.
A diverse climate means there's always a good time to visit South Africa. Whether you're looking for safaris, coastal getaways or beach holidays, there’s something for everyone all year-round.
The best time for a safari is from May to October, when you'll be able to view animals in famous reserves like Kruger and Madikwe. This is the South African dry season, when less vegetation makes wildlife easier to spot.
The hot summer months from November to March are great for a Cape Town beach holiday. Most of South Africa's coast enjoys year-round sunshine and warm temperatures, making it a wonderful destination no matter when you go.
Other popular currencies
If you’re planning a future holiday or a trip that takes in multiple destinations, these other currencies may be useful: