5 countries where the rand will take you far in 2026
The rand has strengthened significantly in 2026, and it’s a perfect time for South Africans who like travelling to take advantage.
The stronger rand can take you far in many countries, and some notable destinations include Mauritius, Turkey, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and Hungary.
For travellers planning trips this year, the stronger rand translates into cheaper flights, better-value accommodation, and more spending power once they arrive.
So far in 2026, the rand has strengthened sharply against the US dollar, rising by 15.1% year-on-year.
It is also 1.4% stronger against the euro, 5.2% firmer against the pound, and up 8.8% against the Chinese yuan.
On a broader measure, the currency has gained 2.7% on a trade-weighted basis since the start of the year, and is up an average of 7.8% year-on-year compared to the same period in 2025.
A Bloomberg survey of 14 economists and investors found that the average “fair value” for the currency sits at R15.64 to the dollar, with a wider range of between R13 and R16.
Half of the respondents described the rand as undervalued at current levels, while only four felt it was overvalued.
These views broadly match the findings of a recent Bank of America survey, which showed fund managers expecting the rand to strengthen further to around R15.60 over the next 12 months.
The strength of the rand has been supported by structural reforms, tighter fiscal management, high global metals prices, and relatively low oil costs.
These factors have improved South Africa’s terms of trade and attracted foreign investment into local stocks and bonds.
For travellers, the practical impact of a stronger rand is that foreign currency becomes cheaper to buy.
This reduces the cost of flights, hotels, meals, transport, and activities abroad, allowing South Africans to enjoy higher-value trips or stretch their budgets further.
In countries with particularly favourable exchange rates and lower living costs, the effect is even more pronounced.
Five great destinations
Mauritius remains a firm favourite, and the stronger rand only enhances its appeal. At current levels, R1 buys about 2.87 Mauritian rupees.
An inexpensive restaurant meal costs roughly R104, while a taxi trip averages around R51 per kilometre. Combined with short flight times and familiar comforts, the island offers excellent value for money.
Thailand is another destination. With R1 buying around 1.96 Thai baht, everyday costs are exceptionally low.
A basic restaurant meal can cost just over R50, and a taxi trip averages about R20 per kilometre.
Accommodation, street food, and local transport make Thailand one of the most budget-friendly long-haul options for South Africans.
In Hungary, R1 buys about 4.79 forints, with inexpensive meals costing around R170 and taxi trips averaging R22 per kilometre.
The Czech Republic is slightly pricier, but still good value, with R1 buying 1.28 koruna, meals costing about R156, and taxi fares around R27 per kilometre.
Turkey rounds out the list as a destination where the rand goes a long way. At current exchange rates, R1 buys roughly 2.74 Turkish lira.
A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about R127, while taxi trips average just over R13 per kilometre.
The costs of food and travel in these countries were calculated using data from Numbeo, the world’s largest database of user-contributed data regarding cities and countries worldwide.
Below are the five countries great for South African travellers where the rand will be stronger in 2026.
Note: These comparisons focus more on travel and touring than on general living costs, and conversions were made on 10 February 2026.
Mauritius
- R1 will buy you: 2.87 Mauritian Rupee
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R103.71 (Rs 297)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R51 (Rs 146)
Thailand
- R1 will buy you: 1.96 Thai baht
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R51.11 (฿100)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R20.45 (฿40)
Hungary
- R1 will buy you: 4.79 Hungarian Forint
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R170 (219.36 Ft)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R22.12 (24.96 Ft)
Turkey
- R1 will buy you: 2.74 Turkish lira
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R127 (₺348)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R13.13 (₺36)
Czech Republic
- R1 will buy you: 1.28 Czech Koruna
- Eating out at an inexpensive restaurant for one: R156.39 (200 Kč)
- Average taxi trip (per kilometre): R26.59 (34 Kč)
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