South Africa Holiday – How much money to take and in what form?
Question by sammkt: South Africa Holiday – How much money to take and in what form?
I’m going on holiday to South Africa at the end of the month, spending a week in Johannesburg and a week in Cape Town. We are going to the mycokefest in both Joburg and Cape Town out there. Our transfers from airport to hotel are not included so we will need taxis, and taxis to and from the festival.
So my question is, how much is advisable to take and in what form – ie cash, travellers cheque.
Best answer:
Answer by 7_of_9
South Africa is modern, even though there is 3rd. world as well. You would be okay with Visa, Travelex, the checks. Stay in the torist areas if you are on holidays. If your touring the poorer areas I suggest you be careful and link up with other people. “Locals”
There are beautiful hotels, and food. You will love.
Don’t miss hikeing Table Mountain. !!!
Good luck
What do you think? Answer below!
Anywhere in the world for the average traveler who are not living at the high end, the equivalent of $100 USD will do it.
Since you asked, I must assume you are a budget traveler or else you would not be concerned but just stuff your money and go. . . .doing anything on the fly and handling the expenses as you go.
Oh you can always take home the excess money you did not spent.
Taxis are pure ripoffs at airports and I hate them, they know you are unfamiliar with rates and procedures so they take advantage.
If I am not mistaken, there is an airport bus going into the city. Upon arrival go to the Information counter and ask to which hotels and areas the bus go, this may shorten the taxi trip.
Use Travelers cheques and have sufficient cash on you to handle the bus or other transportation into the city. At your hotel they will be able to cash the TC. Also remember to cash on a daily basis only what you will need for that day.
Always carry money in a front shirt pocket that can be buttoned.
Not really sure how much money, but limit your cash on hand and it is advisable to take a spare card for your account, and do not carry that with you, rather put it in the save at the hotel. Together with your travel documentation. Make a copy of your traveling documentation and keep that with you.
Honestly, just take your credit card with you. It is cheap, simple, convenient, safe and widely accepted. Amex, Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere, and you can use it to draw cash (Just draw R1000 upon arrival, it should cover all the odds that you can’t use your credit card for).
I’m serious. It’s by far the easiest, and you won’t have loads of cash / travellers cheques that you will have to change back if you don’t use it.
If you have a drivers license, consider hiring a car instead of using transfers and taxis. Taxis/transfers are really a rip-off, and chances are on day’s car rental will be less than a one way transfer. It’s quite easy to drive in SA (even if you’re used to right hand side). Minor thing re: to what I’ve said above, if you do drive, you will need to draw more cash because gas stations (petrol stations as we gall them) don’t accept credit cards since by law they are not allowed to sell fuel on credit. Practically all petrol stations have ATM’s. It will be worthwhile to have a car, as we have practically no public transport, but still quite good roads by any standards.
I don’t agree with the advice “stay in the tourist areas”. Bar very obviously dodgy areas, “Tourist areas” are not at all safer than non-tourist areas.
bring dollors u can exchange it here for local currency , just 2 things you should avoid doing thouhg
dont keep a camera around your neck
and
dont carry a money belt
if u plan to do either of those u safer carrying a sign saying im a tourist please mug me…heheh they might just consider your sign as a joke and leave u alone