The Best & Insanely Cheap Rand-Friendly Destinations for South Africans
Let me guess.
You want to travel the world, BUT you’re a South African.
Armed with the green mamba passport and a junk status currency, it seems like an expensive dream and a trip to Cape Town once a year will have to satisfy your wanderlust.
Well, the good news is that you’re wrong.
I’ve been travelling on a budget as a South African since 2016, and it’s possible to see a lot without earning a ton of moola. And with some destinations, it’s even cheaper than a 2-week holiday to the Mother City.
That being said, flight prices right now are rough for all destinations. So keep in mind that these places are affordable once you arrive.
So prepare your credit cards (you gotta swipe for those free miles). Get your suitcases out of storage. It’s time to put in some leave and explore the world.
Here are the best cheap rand-friendly destinations for South Africans!
Table of Contents
How To Find Cheap Flights Departing From South Africa
Before you give your credit card some much-needed love, you need to know how to find cheap flights from South Africa.
My favourite website to use is Skyscanner.
It’s one of the few flight comparison websites that lets you set your final destination to “everywhere”, and you can search for the cheapest flights for a particular month.
Skyscanner also has a “cheapest month of the year” search function. It’s perfect if you have your heart set on one destination and want to see which month is the cheapest time to visit.
If you want more flight hacking tips, I’ve written an entire post about my 9 step process.
Cheap Rand-Friendly Destinations in Africa
Kenya
Home to “the greatest wildlife show on Earth”, Kenya is an iconic African destination.
It’s also one of the most affordable rand-friendly destinations for South Africans.
Once you get to Kenya, don’t limit yourself to Nairobi. Head to the country’s beautiful coastal destinations like Diani Beach and Watamu. The local flights are usually between R1000.00 – R2000.00, and you can pick up incredible last-minute deals!
You’ll get Zanzibar-esque beaches, affordable hotels and delicious local cuisine that won’t break the bank!
Visa for South African Passport Holders: No visa required.
Top attractions: Maasai Mara, The Great Rift Valley, White River Rafting in Tana River, Mount Kenya and Mount Kilimanjaro, Mombasa Marine Park.
Read More: How to Travel Kenya on a Budget
Booking.com
Tanzania
Tanzania boasts breathtaking landscape, picturesque beaches and is teething with wildlife.
Known for its exceptional safari lodges, hot air balloon rides and Zanzibar, it’s the perfect destination for adventurous South Africans.
But you don’t need a lot of money to explore Tanzania. Depending on the time of year, you can pick up affordable holiday packages to Zanzibar that include your return flights from South Africa and a half-board or full-board hotel stay.
Visa for South African passport holders: No visa required.
Top attractions: Mount Kilimanjaro, Zanzibar, Misali Island, Kitesurfing, Serengeti National Park, Hot Air Balloon Safari, Ngorongoro crater.
Read More: 10 of the Cheapest African Countries to Visit
Booking.com
Mozambique
Our neighbouring country is one of the most rand-friendly destinations for South Africans. During my trip in 2015, I managed a 10-day trip including activities for just under R 6000!
This attractive price point means adventure enthusiasts don’t have to count pennies to fill their days exploring the thriving coral reefs, scuba diving with whale sharks or sea kayaking to nearby islands.
Flysafair usually has specials on flights to Maputo (sometimes as low as R1,200.00 one-way), but the cheapest way to get there is with a long-distance bus.
A single trip ticket with Intercape from Johannesburg to Maputo will cost you between R500.00 to R670.00!
Visa for South African passport holders: No visa required.
Top attractions: Scuba Diving, Ocean Safari, Island Kayaking, Gorongosa National Park, Archipelago das Quirimbas, Traditional Dhow Cruise, Inhaca Island.
Read More: How To Travel To Mozambique on a Budget from South Africa
Mauritius
What is it about island getaways that captivate our restless feet so much?
There is just something so alluring about relaxing on a gorgeous beach, chasing the sun and your only worry being your tan lines.
Mauritius’ mountainous terrain offers some insane hiking, with Le Morne Brabant reaching an elevation of 500m! Challenging bicycle routes will have your glutes burning in no time while you cycle past waterfalls and groups of Aldabra tortoises.
So how much is a trip to paradise going to set you back?
Mauritius is one of the cheapest rand-friendly destinations for South Africans looking for an island holiday – if you keep your eyes peeled for holiday packages that include flights and hotels.
These deals are usually found during Mauritius’ low and shoulder seasons. If you can, plan your trip around September – November, and March-May.
Accommodation in Mauritius won’t hurt your wallet too much, either. On Booking.com, you can reserve an ENTIRE apartment for two people starting at R700.00 per night!
Visa for South African passport holders: No visa required.
Top Attractions: Le Morne Brabant, Seakarting, Ziplining, Kite Surfing, Île aux Cerfs, Ser Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, Sugar Adventure Tour, Seven-Coloured Earth.
Read More: The Complete List of Visa-Free Destinations for South Africans
Cheap Rand-Friendly Destinations in Europe
Portugal
Visiting Europe as a South African doesn’t have to be that expensive.
It might not be the cheapest region in the world for us, but there are a few rand-friendly destinations like Lisbon, where your Rands have a bit more spending power. The capital city of Portugal is famous for its historic Alfama district, the Belem Tower, Castelo de São Jorge and is only a short day trip from the fairytale town of Sintra.
And Portugal has a lot to offer.
From thrill-seeking daredevils to nature lovers, history buffs and social butterflies – the chances of you running out of amazing things to do in this location are slim to none.
It’s also a good idea to look at exploring regions beyond Lisbon, like Seixal, which is only a ferry ride away from the city and much more affordable.
Visa for South African Passport Holders: 3-month Schengen.
Top attractions: Ziplining, paragliding, island hopping, Alentejo, Archipelago of the Azores, Palácio da Pena, Cais da Ribeira riverfront, visitingGuimarães.
Read More: How to Apply for Your Schengen Visa as a South African
Poland
If you’re on a tight budget and Europe is a must-visit, head to the east.
It’s full of cheap rand-friendly destinations that will give you more bang for your buck than the west.
In Poland’s charming capital city, Krakow, you’ll be able to find apartments in its Old Town starting at R800 per night. Dorm rooms in hostels will set you back R340.00 per person per night, giving you more room in your budget to funnel towards other expenses like flights and activities.
It’s also possible to explore Poland with only R220 per day (if you stick to eating in milk bars) and visit sights like Auschwitz and Schindler’s Factory.
Visa for South African Passport Holders: 3-month Schengen.
Top attractions: Auschwitz, Wawel Castle, Bialowieza Forest, Slowinski National Park, Wieliczka Salt Mine, St. Mary’s Basilica.
Read More: How To Travel Europe on a Budget: A Complete Guide
Albania
Never heard of Albania?
You’re not alone.
It’s not at the top of most people’s travel bucket lists, but it’s one of the best budget destinations in Europe for South Africans.
Albania is home to buildings that date back to the 4th and 3rd centuries, beautiful national parks and the unspoiled Albanian Rivera.
Hotel prices in Tirana start at R 320.00, and a stay at a hostel will set you back R130.00 per person per night.
In smaller towns, hotels cost the same price as a dorm bed, and the local street food starts at R40.00, making Albania a cheap rand-friendly destination for South Africans.
Visa for South African Passport Holders: Schengen visa grants you entry.
Top attractions: Rozafa Castle, Ottoman Mesi Bridge, The Blue Eye, Et’hem Bey Mosque, Llogara National Park, Butrint National Park.
Romania
Another lesser-visited European country is Romania. It’s often overshadowed by other popular destinations but is perfect for South Africans travelling on a budget.
Plus, the beer in Romania is cheap. Whether you like it on tap, in a bottle or can, a local brew will cost you far less than a pint in Germany or France.
It also boasts 7 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and it has the fastest internet in Europe, making Romania a firm favourite with digital nomads.
Dorm rooms in Bucharest start at R160.00. Food is also cheap in Romania, with meals costing between R60.00
Visa for South African Passport Holders: 3-month Schengen.
Top attractions: Peles Castle, Bran Castle, Poiana Brașov, Wooden Churches of Maramures, Danube Delta.
Read More: 16 of the Best Rand-Friendly Holiday Destinations in Europe
Turkey
Turkey is an incredible destination for South Africans on the hunt for a bargain. There’s more than enough to see and do that won’t put a dent in your wallet.
Pick up the Istanbul Museum Pass and explore top attractions like Hagia Sophia and the gorgeous Topkapi Palace. Plus, the card also gives you a massive discount on public transport!
The city also has plenty of FREE attractions. Visit the Blue Mosque, go on a walking tour, get lost in the Grand Bazaar or discover the 6th-century Basilica Cistern.
If you want to explore the other beautiful destinations in Turkey, local flights are super cheap. You can fly to Antalya and Izmir for less than R400.00 (depending on when you book)!
Visa for South African Passport Holders: Free 30-day E-Visa.
Top attractions: The Blue Mosque, Hagia Sofia, Topkapi Palace, Ephesus, Cappadocia, Pamukkale.
Read More: How To Eat, Sleep & Explore Istanbul On The Cheap
Cheap Rand-Friendly Destinations in Asia
Thailand
A cheap rand-friendly destinations list for South Africans would not be complete without Thailand.
Flying into Bangkok is the perfect starting point for whatever type of holiday you want to get out of Thailand.
Head down south to explore the famous islands, full moon parties, and world-class diving spots or go further north and discover the traditional hill tribes, lush rainforests and epic rock climbing routes.
Bangkok is usually the cheapest entry point into Southeast Asia from South Africa. It’s the perfect spot to start a backpacking trip across the region or explore the whole country from north to south.
Plus, you’ll only need about R450.00 per day to pay for your hotel room, street food, public transportation and entrance to top sights!
Visa for South African passport holders: Visa on arrival.
Top attractions: Similan Islands, Koh Tao, Railay Beach, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, Khao Yai National Park, Ko Phi Phi Le, Doi Inthanon National Park.
Read More: The Best of Bangkok: The Perfect 3-day Bangkok Itinerary
Vietnam
I spent two weeks backpacking Vietnam from south to north and couldn’t get enough of its organised chaos and delicious food.
It is an epic destination with a mix of adventure, culture, and history you won’t find anywhere else. History buffs can explore the Cu Chi tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City, foodies will be spoilt for choice and adventure addicts can hike past the rice paddies in Sapa!
The best part is that Vietnam is a dirt-cheap rand-friendly destination for South Africans.
Meals in restaurants are between R21.00- R65.00, dorm rooms cost around R150.00 per night, and you can get a private double room from R450.00 for one person.
Visa for South African passport holders: Yes. Find out how to get your Vietnam visa on arrival over here!
Top attractions: Ha Long Bay, Son Doong Cave, Mekong Delta, Sapa, Con Dao, Hoi An, Cu Chi tunnels, My Son Sanctuary, War Remnants Museum, Pong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
Read More: My Complete 2-Week Backpacking Itinerary for Vietnam
Bali
Bali is one of those glittering bucket list destinations that everyone dreams of visiting. The island’s volcanoes, rice paddies, and gorgeous beaches beckon travellers from all around the world.
I had my first experience of this budget travel paradise back in 2017 when I spent a month in Bali on a digital nomad retreat. I ate my weight in acai bowls, explored sacred temples, and hiked to the top of an active volcano!
The best part?
I spent less than R2000 per week!
Visa for South African passport holders: 30-day visa on arrival.
Top attractions: Ubud, Nusa Penida, Gili Islands, Uluwatu Temple, Mount Batur, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Pura Tanah Lot, Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.
Read More: How to Travel Bali on a Budget as a Frugal South African
Malaysia
Malaysia is a melting pot of Chinese, Indian, and neighbouring Southeast Asian cultures, all coming together in the best way possible – delicious food.
Spend your break lounging about on deserted beaches, hiking for orangutans in ancient rainforests, white river rafting, or exploring its hybrid culture.
While our Rand is not that strong against the local currency, it’s still a cheap rand-friendly destination due to the country’s low cost of living.
You only need to budget around R600.00 per day for a dorm room, local street food, and admission to National Parks.
Visa for South African passport holders: Free 30-day visa on arrival.
Top attractions: Redang beaches, Snake Temple, Batu Caves, Penang, Turtle Cave, Sunway Extreme Park, Cameron Highlands, Tioman Islands, Kuala Kubu Bharu.
Read More: How to Backpack Sepilok, Borneo on a Budget
Cambodia
After teaching in Thailand for six months, I hopped onto a ridiculously cheap flight to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Not only was I hella surprised by how affordable it is (considering they use the dollar), but it’s one of the best vegan-friendly travel destinations!
My biggest expense was a full-day tour to Angkor Wat. I hired a tuk-tuk driver for $12 USD, and my entrance to the park was $20 USD.
I spent R70.00 per night on a dorm room that had no one else in it (score!), and food cost me anywhere between R30.00 to R80.00 per meal.
Visa for South African passport holders: $30 USD 30-day visa on arrival.
Top attractions: Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, Phnom Penh, Sihanoukville, Prasat Preah Vihear, Koh Rong Samloem, Kampot, 11 Sambor Prei Kuk
Read More: How To Eat, Sleep & Explore Siem Reap On A Budget
India
India is one of those destinations that people either love or hate. After my trip in February, I found myself leaning closer toward hate until I started to realise how much I missed the things I loved.
I craved my ritual morning Chai tea, the delicious traditional dishes, and even the craziness that seemed to surround every single tuk-tuk driver.
As one of my favourite bloggers, Brooke Saward, said:
“Few countries in the world carve such a deep, lasting impression on a traveller as India does.”
It is by far one of the cheapest rand-friendly destinations to travel to from South Africa, not only with flights but also for food, accommodation, and activities.
Depending on the time of year you book your trip, you can find cheap flights to India. Expect to budget around R500.00 per day for a mid-range hotel room, food, public transportation, and entrance fees.
Visa for South African Passport Holders: 6-month tourist visa.
Top attractions: The Golden Triangle, Backwaters, Mysore Palace, Taj Mahal, the Ganges, City Palace in Jaipur, Abbey Falls.
Read More: A Quick & Easy Guide to Train Travel in South India
Sri Lanka
Adventure. Wildlife. History. Unbeatable scenery.
It’s not hard to imagine why Sri Lanka has seduced travellers for centuries. The love affair it sparked in Arab traders led to the island being given the name Serendib which gave rise to the English word “serendipity”.
Escape the Johannesburg rat race and hit that recharge button by discovering Sri Lanka’s legendary natural beauty, its wildlife-rich low-land jungles, or some of its two thousand years of recorded history.
You eat a delicious local meal for less than R30.00 and pay around R20.00 for a local beer!
I’d recommend budgeting between R600.00 – R800.00 per day, depending on your travelling style.
Visa for South African passport holders: 30-day E-Visa.
Top attractions: Yala National Park, Dambulla Buddha Caves, Ella Rock, Arugam Bay, Sigiriya Rock Fortress, Sinharaja rainforest, Adam’s Peak.
Read More: The Cheapest Visa-Free Destinations for South Africans
Which of these cheap rand-friendly destinations from South Africa are you going to explore? Hit ya gurl up in the comments!
Psst…Want more travel inspiration for South Africans? Check out my other posts:
- The Complete List of Visa-Free Destinations for South Africans
- The Cheapest Visa-Free Destinations for South Africans
- How To Travel Rome on a Budget as a South African
- How to Travel Bali on a Budget as a Frugal South African
- 12 Best Visa-Free Countries for South Africans to Visit
- How to Apply for Your Schengen Visa as a South African
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These are great Lauren! Mozambique is definitely in the pipeline for me, planning my trip as I write this! 😀 Would recommend https://flightfactory.co.za for any flight bookings, got a cheap flight to Bangkok from them during black friday 🙂
Thanks for that link! I haven’t heard of that site before.
Where in Moz are you planning on going?
You have finally met someone who doesn’t want to go to Kenya. Also, I just checked prices to Lisbon and they start at R19 000 … just saying
Hey Morne! This post is from 2016 and the prices have changed since then. There were some cheap summer flights for these destinations back then. I did mention that those were prices I had found that week.
Ugh is there anywhere that is actually cheap for us South Africans? Flight ticket prices are insane these days. I found decently priced flights on Flight Finder Does anyone know them? The prices almost seem too good to be true.
Not much help that you have changed flightfinder to Flight Finder….. How is anyone going to know the website i am talking about?
I really don’t think the article should say updated in Jan 2023 when prices are still from 2016. Very misleading!
Hey Colleen! So this article hasn’t been “updated” since 2016. That updated date refers to any changes that are made on the front end or back end of the page. For example, if I remove a piece of code or change a photo, it will mark those edits with a date. It’s just how the plugin that came with my site build works.