South Africa is increasingly friendly to cashless travellers, but should you really leave the cash at home?
There is something wonderfully liberating about travelling without a wallet stuffed with notes. Tap your card. Enter your PIN. Move on.
South Africa is well suited to this style of travel, particularly in major cities and established tourist destinations. Yet a completely cashless trip still has its weaknesses. The smartest approach is probably somewhere between digital convenience and old-fashioned backup.
The advantages are obvious
Cards are widely accepted across South Africa, especially in larger towns and cities. Hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations and attractions commonly have card facilities. Contactless payments can make everyday purchases quick and convenient.
There is also a security advantage. Carrying less physical cash can reduce the consequences of losing your wallet or being pickpocketed.
For international travellers, using a card can also simplify currency conversion. Instead of exchanging large amounts of cash before arrival, you can often pay directly in rand.
Cash still has a role
The problem starts when you leave the main tourist corridors.
South African Tourism specifically warns that some less modernised areas may not accept cards. Some garages may require cash, while smaller towns may have limited ATM access. That matters on a road trip.
Imagine driving through the Karoo with a fuel gauge dropping towards empty, only to discover that the service station's card machine is not working. Suddenly that emergency R500 note looks rather clever.
Connectivity can become part of the equation
Cashless travel also assumes that electronic systems will cooperate.
Card terminals need functioning networks. Your bank may block an unfamiliar transaction. Your phone may lose signal when you need a banking app or digital wallet.
Load shedding is no longer the constant disruption it once was, but power and network interruptions can still occur. A traveller should therefore avoid making technology the only link between them and their money.
The best compromise
Take at least two payment cards, ideally from different banks or financial institutions. Keep one separate from the other. If your main card is lost, stolen or blocked, the second can become your lifeline.
Carry a modest amount of cash rather than large sums. Keep it discreet and divide it between secure locations. You do not need to return to carrying a money belt packed with banknotes. A few notes and coins can simply be your insurance policy.
So, should you go cashless?
For a city break in Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban, you could probably manage most expenses by card. For a self-drive journey through rural areas, smaller towns or remote parts of the country, going completely cashless is unnecessarily risky.
The best travel wallet is therefore neither completely digital nor stuffed with cash. It is flexible. Tap when you can. Pay with cash when you need to. Keep a backup card somewhere safe. That way, your holiday remains about the journey rather than an argument with a malfunctioning card machine.
Liz Thorne
Lynette Spencer
Naomi Roebert
Charlotte Hayes
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