{"id":850366,"date":"2026-02-11T17:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-11T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/?p=850366"},"modified":"2026-02-11T16:44:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-11T14:44:21","slug":"5-countries-where-the-rand-will-take-you-far-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/businesstech.co.za\/news\/lifestyle\/850366\/5-countries-where-the-rand-will-take-you-far-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"5 countries where the rand will take you far in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The rand has strengthened significantly in 2026, and it’s a perfect time for South Africans who like travelling to take advantage.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stronger rand can take you far in many countries, and some notable destinations include Mauritius, Turkey, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For travellers planning trips this year, the stronger rand translates into cheaper flights, better-value accommodation, and more spending power once they arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So far in 2026, the rand has strengthened sharply against the US dollar, rising by 15.1% year-on-year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also 1.4% stronger against the euro, 5.2% firmer against the pound, and up 8.8% against the Chinese yuan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Bloomberg survey of 14 economists and investors found that the average \u201cfair value\u201d for the currency sits at R15.64 to the dollar, with a wider range of between R13 and R16.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Half of the respondents described the rand as undervalued at current levels, while only four felt it was overvalued. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The strength of the rand has been supported by structural reforms, tighter fiscal management, high global metals prices, and relatively low oil costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These factors have improved South Africa\u2019s terms of trade and attracted foreign investment into local stocks and bonds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For travellers, the practical impact of a stronger rand is that foreign currency becomes cheaper to buy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In countries with particularly favourable exchange rates and lower living costs, the effect is even more pronounced.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Five great destinations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Mauritius remains a firm favourite, and the stronger rand only enhances its appeal. At current levels, R1 buys about 2.87 Mauritian rupees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thailand is another destination. With R1 buying around 1.96 Thai baht, everyday costs are exceptionally low. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A basic restaurant meal can cost just over R50, and a taxi trip averages about R20 per kilometre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accommodation, street food, and local transport make Thailand one of the most budget-friendly long-haul options for South Africans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Hungary, R1 buys about 4.79 forints, with inexpensive meals costing around R170 and taxi trips averaging R22 per kilometre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about R127, while taxi trips average just over R13 per kilometre. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The costs of food and travel in these countries were calculated using data from Numbeo, the world\u2019s largest database of user-contributed data regarding cities and countries worldwide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are the five countries great for South African travellers where the rand will be stronger in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Note: These comparisons focus more on travel and touring than on general living costs, and conversions were made on 10 February 2026.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mauritius<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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