The true cost of travel in a weak rand economy

Exchange rate fluctuations can wreak havoc on your holiday budget

- TRACY AFONSO

WE ARE creatures of forward momentum. For some, that means satisfying a natural curiosity for exploration by discovering new places, experiences, and destinations. For others, travel is a necessity for work, family, or opportunity.

Yet the unfortunate reality is that travel has become more of a luxury than a sustainable lifestyle—and for South Africans, this is made all the more complicated by a currency that struggles to hold power against the dollar, pound, and euro.

Travel has always been about the experiences. It’s the first sip of espresso in Rome, the dazzling lights of Times Square, or a quiet picnic in a Parisian park.

However, for South Africans, these moments often come with an added burden: the exchange rate. When the rand weakens, every coffee, taxi ride, and ticket feels more expensive, turning a macaroon into a hole in your pocket rather than a sweet indulgence.

Imagine this: you budget R100 000 for a European trip when the euro trades at R18. By the time you travel, the rand has slipped. One euro now costs R20, and your budget has effectively shrunk. You are suddenly paying thousands more for the same meals and hotel nights.