Travelling to South Africa? Whether you’re heading to Johannesburg, Cape Town or exploring a national park, make the most of your trip by buying South African Rand through Asda Travel Money.

Click & Collect your South African Rand

Use Asda Travel Money Click & Collect to pick up your South African Rand at a participating Asda Travel Money bureau:

1. Use our currency calculator to enter the amount you want to see today’s GBP to ZAR exchange rate.
2. Select Click & Collect, choose your store and a convenient collection date.
3. FREE collection when you pick up from an Asda Travel Money bureau. *
4. Pay securely online (no commission fees from us).
5. Collect your order from 3pm on your chosen collection date (subject to store opening hours and availability).

Remember to bring your order confirmation and ID when you collect.

Collection costs:

• FREE when you collect from an Asda Travel Money Bureau.
• If you collect from an Asda store without a bureau, a £4.99 delivery fee applies for all orders under £400.

Pound (GBP) to South African Rand (ZAR) Exchange Rate Price Promise

When you purchase South African Rand (ZAR) through Asda Money, you can be confident you’re getting a competitive exchange rate. With our Price Promise, if you find a better rate from any competitor within a 5-mile radius, we’ll not only match it - we’ll beat it!

We keep things simple and transparent, with no hidden charges or surprise fees. Ordering is quick and convenient, whether you choose to buy your travel money online in advance or visit one of our friendly Asda Travel Money bureaux across the UK.

And don’t forget, if you’re an Asda Rewards member, you’ll unlock even better rates!

When should I buy South African Rand?

The British Pound to South African Rand exchange rate fluctuates constantly, making it hard to predict the best time to change money. Many travellers choose to buy their Rand before travelling to South Africa, so they can lock in a known GBP to ZAR exchange rate.

Buying in advance also gives you peace of mind that your currency is already sorted, so you won’t need to search for an ATM upon arrival, and you can avoid potentially poor exchange rates in tourist areas. You can simply start enjoying your holiday the moment you arrive.

Which countries use the South African Rand?

The South African Rand (ZAR) is the official currency of South Africa. You can also use Rand in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Lesotho, and Namibia, as these countries are part of the Common Monetary Area (CMA), a financial union. The Rand is accepted at the same value as the local currencies in these countries, making it easier to use your money across borders.[1]

South African Rand coins and banknotes

Coins

The South African Rand is issued and managed by the South African Reserve Bank. Coins currently in circulation include[2]:

• 10c
• 20c
• 50c
• R1
• R2
• R5
  
  

Banknotes

Although 1c, 2c, and 5c coins are no longer minted, all previously issued coins and banknotes remain legal tender^[3].

The most recent banknotes feature a portrait of Nelson Mandela^[4] on the front. You can exchange Pounds to South African Rand in the following denominations[5]:

• R10
• R20
• R50
• R100
• R200

Can I exchange South African Rand (ZAR) back to Pounds (GBP) after my trip?

If you return from your trip with leftover South African Rand, we’ll buy it back at the current buy-back rate with 0% commission.

For extra peace of mind, you can add our Price Promise for just £2.99 when you purchase your currency. This guarantees that we’ll buy back your unused banknotes (up to £250) at the original transaction exchange rate.

Any amount over £250 will be exchanged at the daily buy-back rate. Full T&Cs here.

Load up a Travel Card with South African Rands if you don’t want to carry cash

The Asda Travel Money Card is a secure and convenient alternative to carrying cash in South Africa. This prepaid card allows you to load multiple currencies, including South African Rand, so you can travel safely without carrying large amounts of cash.

How it works:

1. Order your card online or in-store before you travel.
2. Load your South African Rand onto the card and lock in the exchange rate at the time of loading.
3. Use your card wherever Mastercard is accepted in South Africa, from restaurants and shops to taxis.
4. Top up easily online, in-store, or via the app – even while you’re abroad.

The card is chip-and-PIN protected and helps you avoid the foreign transaction fees often charged when using debit or credit cards overseas. *

Find out more or order your South African Rand travel card today.

Common South African Rand questions 

How much is 1 GBP to 1 ZAR?

Exchange rates are always subject to change. Over the last 180 days, the rate has fallen between 22-24.6 ZAR for every 1 GBP*. 

*Rates taken from Asda foreign exchange calculator. At time of publishing - October 2023.

How expensive might a week in South Africa be?

This is highly dependent on your budget and spending habits. A three-star hotel in South Africa typically costs around £51 per night[4], so you’re looking at £357 for a week’s accommodation. Then you’ll likely need at least another £150-200 for meals[5], plus any activities you want to do.

What else do I need before I leave?

Let’s get the rest of your trip covered. Explore Travel Insurance with Asda for complete peace of mind, covering one trip or several through the year.

How much do things cost in South Africa?

Planning your budget? South Africa offers great value for money, especially for everyday expenses like food, drink, and accommodation.^[6] Here are some typical costs you can expect during your trip^[7]:

[1] https://www.moneyland.ch/en/common-monetary-area-definition

[2] https://www.resbank.co.za/en/home/what-we-do/banknotes-and-coin/Coins#:~:text=There%20are%20six%20denominations%20of,%2C%20R1%2C%20R2%20and%20R5.

[3] https://www.resbank.co.za/en/home/what-we-do/banknotes-and-coin/Banknotes

[4] https://www.resbank.co.za/content/dam/sarb/what-we-do/banknotes-and-coin/2023/SARB%20Currency%20Booklet.pdf

[5] https://www.resbank.co.za/en/home/what-we-do/banknotes-and-coin/Banknotes#:~:text=There%20are%20five%20denominations%20of,colour%2C%20animal%20theme%20and%20size.

[6] https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=South+Africa

[7] https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=South+Africa