South Africa: Payment methods & tips

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Travel money:

Prepaid Travel credit card

in Swiss francs (CHF)

For ATM cash withdrawals
For cashless payments in shops, restaurants, hotels, and online

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Banknotes

in local currency

For minor expenses on arrival in country of destination

Local currency / ISO Code

Rand ZAR

Further Information

Import local currency
up to ZAR 25'000.00; must be declared

Import foreign currency
unlimited; must be declared

Export local currency
up to ZAR 25'000.00; must be declared

Export foreign currency
limited to amounts imported and declared

Credit cards

Customary credit cards are accepted in most places. For more detailed information, please contact the credit card issuer.
Use credit card with caution. Unauthorized use is widespread.

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Useful tips from our experts:

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.

Practical Information:

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.

Time difference with Switzerland

+ 1 h; +/- 0 h during our summer time

National language

Official language

11 official languages

Language capabilities

English

Capital

Pretoria (Tshwane) and Cape Town

Country code for calling Switzerland

009 41 (disregard '0' preceding Swiss area codes)

Voltage

220 volt / adapter recommended

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.

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

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)

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 ‰.

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.

Travel advice for South Africa.