Best places to buy South African Rand in Singapore in 2024
If you have an overseas trip or vacation coming up, planning your travel money in advance can save you time and money. This guide walks through the best available options to buy South African Rand in Singapore, whether you want cash in your wallet before you leave, or prefer to spend with a card.
We’ll look at how to pick the right method for you, what it might cost, and how to get the best available South African Rand exchange rate.
Cheapest ways to get South African Rand
| Providers | Ways to buy South African Rand | Best features | Go to site |
|---|---|---|---|
 Wise card | Order your Wise card for 8.5 SGD*, have it delivered to your door in just 3 business days. Enjoy mid-market rates and low transparent fees for spending in 150+ countries worldwide |
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 Travelex | 50+ currencies stocked at convenient desks at Changi airport, so you can buy travel money as you begin your journey |
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 Thin Margin | Buy currencies online for home delivery - most areas of Singapore are supported |
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We do not compare all available providers in the market. Our results are sorted by default based on the amount of currencies supported by the providers listed on the table. We may receive a referral fee if you choose one of these providers, but that won’t affect the ranking of the provider, the exchange rates or any fees you are charged.
*Please see Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for most up to date information.
Where to exchange SGD to ZAR
You’ve got a few different options if you need to buy ZAR in Singapore. Depending on what’s most convenient for you, you may choose to order online for delivery, or to pick-up in person at a branch. You may be able to buy your travel money from a bank, or from a currency exchange office or at the airport. For convenient travel without needing to carry a lot of cash with you, you could also get your ZAR travel card before you leave, to spend and withdraw when you’re away.
Get a South African Rand travel money card
Buy a travel money card from a provider like Wise, top up in Singapore Dollars, spend and make withdrawals conveniently on your trip. Your Wise card has a one time 8.5 SGD fee, and can be used with mid-market rates and low, transparent fees, in 150+ countries.
- Secure way to manage your money abroad
- Use ATMs to get cash little and often
- Top up and manage your account and card with just your phone
Buy South African Rand at the airport
Buy your travel money at the airport with a service like Travelex for convenience. 50+ currencies are available from Travelex, covering common destinations. There are Travelex desks at arrivals, departures and in the transit area.
- Get your foreign cash as you pass through Changi
- Easy and convenient service
- Have South African Rand in your pocket before your trip
Buy South African Rand for home delivery
Get your travel money delivered to your home with a service like Thin Margin. Order the cash you need online and arrange for home delivery with most areas of Singapore supported. This means there’s no wasting time in queues at a money changer or waiting in a line at the airport.
- Most areas of Singapore are supported for delivery
- Thin Margin has 20+ available currencies
- Avoid delivery fees
How to get South African Rand in Singapore
You’ve got lots of choices if you need to buy South African Rand before leaving Singapore. Shopping around can mean you get the very best available deal for your specific needs and preferences - this guide is here to help.
Use this guide to find the best solution to get ZAR in Singapore:
- Check available methods from different providers on the summary table
- Decide between getting a travel card, ordering online, or buying in person
- Compare the fees, exchange rates and speed
- Choose a provider based on the available options, deals and your foreign currency needs
Safe and convenient way to spend and withdraw money abroad
Get a South African Rand travel money card
You can order a travel money card like Wise or Revolut in Singapore, add money in SGD and use your balance to purchase South African Rand within your multi-currency account.
You’ll then be free to spend your South African Rand when you have enough balance with no extra fees once you arrive at your destination - you can also make ATM withdrawals whenever you need some cash. If you have travel money left after your vacation you can convert back to SGD instantly for use at home - or just leave your balance ready for your next trip.
- Secure, cheap, and easy to use
- Exchange instantly or let your card do it when you pay
- Use a digital card even before your physical card arrives
Travel money cards like the Wise card and Revolut card offer great rates, cheap fees, and flexibility to manage your money with your phone.
| Provider | Fees for spending | ATM cash withdrawals | Exchange rates | Delivery | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise card | No fee to spend a currency you hold enough balance | 2 withdrawals to 350 SGD/month free, then 1.5 SGD + 1.75% | Mid-market rate Currency conversion from 0.35% | 3 days Virtual card available instantly | |
 Revolut card | No fee to spend a currency you hold enough balance in | Some no fee withdrawals to plan limits | Some no fee weekday conversion to plan limits Fair usage fees apply after that | Delivery date specified when you order your card Virtual card available instantly |
How to buy South African Rand with a travel money card
- Register an account with a provider like Wise
- Get verified and order your card
- Your physical card will be delivered by mail in 3 business days
- Top up your card online, for free
- Buy ZAR in your account or let your card auto-convert with the mid-market rate
Order foreign currency cash and have it delivered conveniently to your door
Order South African Rand online for home delivery
Some providers allow you to order South African Rand online and have it delivered to your home. This can be a convenient service as long as there’s someone at home to sign for the cash when it arrives. It also removes the risk that you show up at an exchange office only to discover that the currency you need isn’t available. Providers offer a broad range of currencies for delivery, with varying fees and exchange rates.
- No need to visit a physical store to get your travel money
- Providers stock a broad range of currencies
- No delivery fee on higher value payments
| Provider | Fees | Exchange rates | Delivery | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thin Margin | Varying fees depending on the service required | Exchange rates may include a markup | Free delivery to most areas of Singapore |
How to order South African Rand online for delivery
1. Open the website and select the option to buy for delivery
2. Enter the amount or value of South African Rand you want to buy
3. Pay using a card or select and alternative like bank transfer
4. Enter your shipping address to get a delivery quote
5. Someone must be present to sign for the delivery when it arrives
Order South African Rand ahead and collect in branch
Buy South African Rand at the bank
Some banks allow you to exchange money in a branch location. The processes and eligibility rules here do vary quite a lot. In some cases you’ll need to already hold an account or credit card with the bank you pick, for example. Plus you’ll usually need to order your travel money in advance as banks don’t tend to hold a high level of stock of foreign currencies. Some banks support buy back services so you can sell your unused travel money back - but you might get a different exchange rate for this, which means you could get back less than you spent in the first place.
- Where banks offer travel money services they cover most global currencies
- You’ll often be able to order online for branch collection
- Buy back services may be available for leftover travel money
How to buy South African Rand in bank
- Call your bank, order online, or pop into a branch in person
- Tell them the amount of foreign currency you need to buy
- Pay using a credit or debit card issued by your bank
- You’ll be told when your money can be collected
- Go to your preferred branch to collect your South African Rand in person
Pay in cash and collect your South African Rand instantly
Foreign currency exchange offices
Another option is to buy your South African Rand in person at an exchange office. To do this all you’ll need to do is pick the exchange office that’s most convenient to you, and head in with some cash in Singapore Dollars. Some exchange offices also accept card payments. Currency exchange offices set their own exchange rates and fees, so shopping around is essential - but this method does have the advantage that it’s usually instant to get the travel money you need.
- Exchange rates are likely to include a markup - a fee
- Not all currencies are stocked by all exchange services
- You may lose out when you sell back unused travel money
Buy from wide selection of foreign currencies at the airport when you travel
Buy South African Rand at the airport
With a service like Travelex you can buy South African Rand at the airport. This can be a convenient service as long as the currency you need is in stock, and the provider has enough on hand to cover your order. Providers offer a broad range of currencies for sale at various airport locations in arrivals, departures and in transit areas, with varying fees and exchange rates.
- Providers stock a broad range of currencies
- Services like Travelex are large, trusted and well regulated
- Get travel money sorted while you wait for your flight at the airport
| Provider | Fees | Exchange rates | Locations | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travelex | Varied fees depending on the service required | Exchange rates may include a markup | Various branches at Changi airport |
How to buy South African Rand at the airport
Go to the airport exchange desk on arrival
Confirm how much you want to exchange
Pay with your preferred method - usually card or cash
Get your travel money instantly
How to get the best South African Rand exchange rate
There’s no single best provider when it comes to exchange rates. Different services set their own rates which may vary based on the currency, the amount you want to exchange, how you want to pay, and whether you’re exchanging money in a digital account or for physical cash.
To compare your options it helps to understand a bit about the mid-market exchange rate. That’s the rate you’ll see for SGD to ZAR exchange if you use an online currency converter tool or a Google search. The mid-market rate is commonly used as a benchmark as it’s the one quoted on wholesale markets. However, banks and exchange services don’t usually pass this rate on directly. Instead they add an extra fee to the rate offered to retail customers - known as a markup.
This means that looking for a service which has transparent exchange rates which are the same as - or close to - the mid-market exchange rates is a good idea. You can compare a few live exchange rates for popular providers using the Exiap tools, to find the best South African Rand exchange rate based on the specific transaction you want to make.
Here’s what to do to find the best SGD to ZAR exchange rate:
- Check the comparison table to find a method suitable for your foreign currency needs
- Review the options available, looking at the exchange rates in particular
- Decide between getting a travel card, ordering online, or in person
- Choose a provider based on the available options and deals
Where can you use South African Rand?
You’ll only be able to use your South African Rand for spending in South Africa. Normally, South African Rand won’t be accepted elsewhere, so if you have any left after your trip you might want to convert them back to Singapore Dollars to spend at home.
How much money do I need for South Africa?
Your budget for a trip to South Africa can vary enormously depending on what you’re planning to do, where you’ll stay and how long you’re going to be there. It’s worth setting yourself a budget in South African Rand well in advance so you can plan around that. The most expensive costs of any trip are usually accommodation and activities, but do remember to also take into account costs of currency exchange, food and transport, as well as incidentals like tipping.
Average hotel costs in South Africa do vary a lot but can start from around S$121. On top of that you’ll need to budget for food, at around S$26 per meal. If you’re looking for an easy life you could also choose to take an organized tour which means there’s no need to plan all your activities individually. Or, set your budget to cover about S$22 per day to make sure you can get the most from your trip.
| Spending | Costs in South Africa | Amount in Singapore Dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | R1,639 | S$121 |
| Transportation | R264 | S$20 |
| Meals | R353 | S$26 |
| Entertainment | R300 | S$22 |
Country costs provided by BudgetYourTrip. Correct as of 25 April 2024.
When is the best time to buy South African Rand?
There’s no single best time to buy South African Rand. Exchange rates change all the time, so keeping an eye on rates using a reputable currency converter tool or a site like ours can help you get a feel for the trends.
The exchange rate today is 13.4925. Over the last week, the average exchange rate has been 13.42523.
Ultimately the best time to buy South African Rand depends on a huge range of factors, including changes in the global markets, which can be difficult, or impossible, to predict. If you buy a currency when the rate is on a downward trend it may make sense to see if it falls further before you buy. If rates are going up you might want to buy now before any potential future increases.
Nothing is certain, though. With a travel money card you have the flexibility to either lock in an exchange rate when you spot a good one, or just leave your money in Singapore Dollars and switch over to South African Rand using the live rate when you pay or withdraw. This gives you options and while there’s no guarantee you can save, it could give you the best of both worlds, depending on how you think rates are trending.
Best ways to buy South African Rand FAQs
Is it better to get South African Rand in Singapore or South Africa?
You can buy South African Rand before you travel, or on arrival if you’d prefer. Which works best will come down to the fees and exchange rates you can find both locally and when you get to your destination. One disadvantage of buying South African Rand when you arrive is that you’ll waste time looking for exchange offices - while taking all your cash with you isn’t necessarily a smart choice for safety. As an alternative, getting a travel money card from a service like Wise could be a good bet for flexibility, security and cost.
Can I get South African Rand at a bank?
Whether or not you can get South African Rand from your bank will depend on several factors - including who you bank with. Some banks do allow account holders to purchase South African Rand in person but you might need to order South African Rand online in advance and wait for your order to be prepared before you can collect.
Because South African Rand are a commonly traded currency you might find your bank has them in stock if they offer travel money services. Call in advance to ask if they have South African Rand on hand to avoid a wasted trip.
Can I get South African Rand at the airport?
Many major airports have currency exchange desks from providers like Travelex, which stock major currencies for instant conversion. However, it’s useful to know that a lack of local competition can mean that prices are high at the airport, with exchange rate markups adding to the overall cost significantly.
As South African Rand are commonly needed by travelers, you may find you can get some instantly at the airport. However, it’s worth checking in advance to make sure you don’t end up stuck without travel money.
How long does it take to get South African Rand?
How long it takes to sort out your travel money can depend a lot on the method you choose - here’s a quick summary:
- Travel cards can take 3 days to be delivered, but you may be able to start using a virtual card instantly for mobile payments
- Buying currency online for delivery has variable wait times - you’ll get a quote for when your order will be ready when you arrange your payment
- Bank currency exchange can be instant as long as you go to a branch which offers travel money services - not all banks, and not all branches, offer this
- Foreign currency exchange offices in cities and at the airport can offer instant conversion if they have the currency you need in stock
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