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  • πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ South Africa: bunq Community Travel Tips

✈️ Heading to South Africa? We've gathered some tips from the bunq community to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be. 😎

Check them out below! 🌈 πŸ‘‡


Using your card

πŸ’³ Do I need cash in South Africa, or can I use my card everywhere?

Most touristy places take cards, however smaller shops may require cash. Make sure you always carry some on you.

πŸ’° What currency do they use here?

The currency here is South African Rand. The symbol is R or ZAR.

🏧 Which ATM’s can I use for free?

The bunq community has reported free withdrawals at these ATMs.

  • Capitec

πŸ’΅ If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?

800 ZAR should be enough for a few days, since you can use your card for nearly everything.

πŸ’³ Should I choose local currency or Euros when paying?

If you're asked to choose between local currency and Euros, always choose local currency.

That way bunq does the conversion for you, and you get to take advantage of the best rates with bunq ZeroFX.


Staying connected

πŸ“± Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?

Most EU mobile plans will charge you for roaming.

Wifi is readily available, especially in coffee shops.

If you want to get a local SIM card, you can learn about your options here.


Useful things to know

πŸ’β€β™€οΈ How does tipping work?

It is common to leave a 10-15% tip.

🍺 How much does a 0.5L beer cost?

€1,50

🍽 How much does an average meal cost?

€7,00

🚨 What’s the emergency number?

There are different numbers for the different services here.

  • πŸš“ Police: 10 111
  • πŸš‘ Ambulance: 10 177
  • πŸš’ Fire: 10 177

πŸ”Œ What type of plug do they use?

This one! It’s the standard two pin plug.

πŸš— What side of the road do they drive on?

They drive on the left side of the road here.

πŸ—Ί How do I navigate my way around?

Google and Apple Maps both work well here.

Otherwise, we recommend Rome2Rio as the best way to find out how to get anywhere. It even tells you the cost of each option. πŸ™Œ

πŸ‘€ Any other good tips?

If you are an adventure lover, you should definitely go shark cage diving.

Travel Perks

Travel hands-free with a 20% discount on Stasher

Our partnership with Stasher will allow you to enjoy your destination to the fullest without having to worry about your luggage. You’ll be able to drop off your bags at trusted shops and hotels in South Africa with a 20% discount through this link πŸ‘ŒπŸ».


If you've been to South Africa πŸ‡ΏπŸ‡¦ share your experience! The following would be really useful for other bunqers to know:

  • Which ATMs are free to use?
  • What card should I use and where?
  • Any other info you think may be useful.

Share your experience with us in the comments below! 🌈 πŸ‘‡

    3 months later

    Net bij capitec gepind, moest 50 ZAR (3-4 euro) per transactie betalen. Helaas niet meer gratis.

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