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Here you will find important tips and useful information for South Africa.
Credit cards are recommended for car rentals. Prepaid cards are generally accepted for payment but not for reservations. Please check the possible payment methods with the car rental company in advance.
Keep exchange and transaction receipts for reconversion.
Cash in euro or US dollar can be exchanged everywhere.
Prior to leaving the country, it is advisable to spend local banknotes or to exchange them back into hard currency. Exchanging ZAR in Switzerland may cause problems and result in considerable exchange loss.
Time difference with Switzerland
+ 1 h; +/- 0 h during our summer time
Capital
Pretoria (Tshwane) and Cape Town
National language
Official language
11 official languages
Language capabilities
English
Voltage
220 volt / adapter recommended
Opening hours
Banks
9.00 - 15.30 h (Mon - Fri)
8.30 - 11.00 h (Sat)
Mostly shorter opening hours outside the city.
Stores
9.00 - 17.00 h (Mon- Fri)
9.00 - 13.00 h (Sat)
Travel documents for Swiss citizens
Passport still valid 1 month or more after end of stay (at least 1 empty page necessary), return or onward travel ticket as well as proof of sufficient funds for stays up to 3 months.
Health situation
Do not drink tap water.
Mosquito protection advised.
Year-round risk of malaria in the northern and eastern flat country areas, in the Krüger National Park as well as in Kwazulu-Natal up to the river Tugela.
Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A, polio and measles recommended.
Driving
Left-hand driving.
Swiss driver's license accepted; international driver's license recommended.
Minimum age for car rentals: 21 - 25 (at least 1 - 3 years' driving experience depending on rental company).
Blood alcohol limit: 0.5 ‰.
Country code for calling Switzerland
009 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)
Swiss Embassy / Consulate
Pretoria, 225 Veale Street, Parc Nouveau, New Muckleneuk 0181
Tel. +27 12 452 06 60 / +27 12 452 06 61 / +27 12 452 06 62 / +27 12 452 06 99
Other information
Security
Relatively high crime rate, especially in the cities.
Walking the streets after nightfall is not advised.
Do not carry valuables (watches, jewelry, expensive cameras, etc.) on you.
Avoid demonstrations and large crowds.
Avoid nighttime driving.
Travel is the secure prepaid card for use away from home – without any annual fees. In the event of loss, the card including the balance will be replaced worldwide.
Find out more about TravelWhile every precaution has been taken to verify the information provided, Swiss Bankers Prepaid Services Ltd does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of Country Information. Swiss Bankers therefore shall not be held liable for any damage or loss sustained in connection with any errors or omissions contained therein.
© Swiss Bankers 2026
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