South Africa has a sophisticated and well-developed banking system. There is no shortage of ATMs near shopping malls and supermarkets or near bank branches.

South African ATMs are easy to use, and they all offer transactions in English. If you are a traveler, chances are excellent you’ll know how to use an ATM. However, if you are having trouble and someone offers to assist you, be cautious. There have been reports of ATM scams in which people offer to assist others in using an ATM before robbing them. If you are having a problem, go inside a bank and ask for help from a teller. (There are bank branches in most of the larger malls.)

Where do I find ATMs in South Africa?

If you are in the cities, ATMs are easy to spot. You can also find them in every mall. Large malls have several ATMs and even bank branches.

You can also find the most convenient ATM wherever you are in South Africa by using one of the ATM locators provided by large national and regional banks:

• Standard Bank ATM locator
• FNB ATM locator
• Barclays ATM locator
• Nedbank ATM locator
• Capitec branch and ATM locator

What are the ATM fees in South Africa?

If your home bank is a member of a regional or global group represented in South Africa, such as the Global ATM Alliance, you may be able to get free or low-cost cash withdrawals if you use ATMs provided by other members of the group.

However, there are a few extra fees (and potential ripoffs) to be aware of if you use your foreign card in a South African ATM.

ATM exchange rate fees in South Africa (DCC)

When using a debit or credit card abroad, keep an eye out for dynamic currency conversion (also known as DCC for short). This can occur in stores, restaurants, or ATMs whenever you are asked to pay in your home currency rather than rand.

Customers typically receive poor value from DCC transactions. The exchange rate used is frequently not the real, mid-market rate that can be found on Google. Most of the time, it’s much worse than you’d expect because the ATM provider raises the rate and keeps the difference as a profit.

Because you only ever see the costs expressed in your home currency, it is not always easy to determine what rate has been applied at the time.

You will get a better deal if you always pay in the local currency.

Fees charged by your primary bank

Aside from DCC, there are other fees to be concerned about. Your own bank may charge you to withdraw cash from an ATM abroad, so check the details in your bank account terms and conditions before you travel.

Bank fees in South Africa

It is possible that the South African bank will charge you a fee for using the ATM. This can range from R25 to R50 for regular banks, but some travelers have reported fees of up to R200 per transaction. Independent ATMs, in particular, can charge exorbitant fees and should be avoided.

If you already bank with a global brand or your home bank has a partner institution in South Africa, you may get cheap or free withdrawals if you stick to their ATMs.

Helpful tips for avoiding ATM fees in South Africa

• Some of South Africa’s large regional banks provide free withdrawals to their global customers and customers who bank with their partner institutions abroad. Barclays Africa, for example, is a member of the Global ATM Alliance, which provides its customers with low-cost or free ATM access.
• If you bank with another member of this alliance, such as Westpac or Bank of America, it’s worth checking your account terms to see if you can avoid paying local ATM fees entirely by using Barclays-operated machines.
• Check to see if your bank is a member of a fee-free (or low-fee) network. Check if your home bank provides low-cost or free ATM access through a South African partner institution. If they do, you may be able to take advantage of free or reduced-fee cash withdrawals.
• Choose your card carefully. If you have several bank accounts to choose from, it’s worth investigating which one offers the best deal for overseas cash withdrawals. Foreign currency cash advances, for example, using a credit card, are usually expensive options that should be avoided.
• Avoid ATMs near airports and hotels. Some tourist attractions, pubs, and nightclubs, for example, have ATMs that are privately run “in association with” a bank. These typically have high fees and may not provide good value. If possible, use ATMs attached to banks, supermarkets, or shopping malls.
• Always opt for the local currency when making a payment. DCC is a completely avoidable expense. Simply choose to pay in local currency at ATMs, shops, and restaurants to avoid DCC’s high fees and poor exchange rates.