Where is the best place to exchange US dollar for Rands?
We will be landing in Johannesburg on a Saturday late afternoon and flying out to Richard's Bay on Sunday morning. We will be needing some Rands although we plan on paying for as much as possible on credit card.

Considering most if not all banks will be closed by Saturday afternoon and Sunday, where will be the best place to get Rands? Here in the States, there in the airport, or someplace else?

As always, THANKS!

wildfowl,
there are a number of exchange services at jo-berg airport. I'd get in touch with your ph and ask him if he could do the exchange as his exchange rate will probably be better than the outfits in the terminal.
Who are you hunting with in the Richard's bay area?

We usually "buy" our Rand before leaving the US, we have it sent to our home and the exchange rate is about the same if not better than at the airport in Joburg. There are several companies that provide this service.

I have been told you can exchange at the Atlanta airport but not sure where or if if the exchange rate is any good. I usually just exchange at the joberg airport since I usually do not exchange more than $100 US.

I have used the currency exchanges in airports and around town in South Africa, [Rennie's , Thomas Cook, American Express].

But now I just go to a bank ATM in the airport and get a few hundred $ worth of Rand to use for small purchases, tips, etc, and use credit cards for everything else.

You might also bring $100 US in $1 and $5 increments for tips before you find the ATM.

Les

Our PH exchanged money for us. He used the published rate from the Daily paper. turned out to be a much better deal than at the exchange kiosks. Check with your PH

quote:

Originally posted by wildfowl:
Where is the best place to exchange US dollar for Rands?
We will be landing in Johannesburg on a Saturday late afternoon and flying out to Richard's Bay on Sunday morning. We will be needing some Rands although we plan on paying for as much as possible on credit card.

Considering most if not all banks will be closed by Saturday afternoon and Sunday, where will be the best place to get Rands? Here in the States, there in the airport, or someplace else?

As always, THANKS!

You might want to alert your credit card company(ies) to where you are going and how long you'll be there. Otherwise it is possible they might put a hold on your card until you call them to approve African charges. Secondarily, if you tell them specifically that you'll only be in South Africa, you might avoid having that set of tires in Nigeria, that you didn't even know you needed being charged to your card. Personally, I try to avoid using credit cards in Africa more than absolutely necessary. Fraud and credit card number theft is quite common in South Africa. YMMV.

Earlier this year, starting in Johannesburg and traveling to Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Namibia I carried a card and US cash. Nobody refused the dollar anywhere.

We found that US singles work well everywhere, and aren't overtipping too much for a foreigner. Locals know lots more about the going rates for tipping in Rand than we do. The best way to change it is with your PH; he can probably do the best for rates, and I'm sure he might appreciate some US currency also.

On the first trip I ordered Rands weeks in advance from my bank and got an absolutely terrible exchange rate and will never do that again.

Next trip got them at the Atlanta airport much better exchange rate than first trip.