Here’s the real situation at South African tollgates in 2025
Paying at South African tollgates can be unexpectedly frustrating. While several payment options are officially supported, including contactless cards, mobile wallets, and chip-and-PIN, the reality is far less reliable. Travellers frequently encounter malfunctioning machines, inconsistent acceptance of debit cards, and failed tap or mobile payments. If you’re planning a road trip, understanding what works (and what doesn’t) can save time, stress, and unnecessary detours.
What Should Work (on Paper):
- Contactless (Tap) cards
- Local Visa and Mastercard, credit and debit cards
- International credit and debit cards: Mastercard and Visa, but not American Express and Diners Club
- Mobile wallets: Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay (if linked to a supported card)
- Chip-and-PIN cards: Standard credit and debit cards
- Cash: Always accepted
- SANRAL e-tags: Mainly used by locals
What Happens (in Practice):
- Some tollgates do not accept debit cards – especially SA-issued ones, even if they’re Visa/Mastercard
- Some machines only work with credit cards, and only via chip-and-PIN (tap often fails)
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay rarely work, even where tap-to-pay is “available”
- Machines are frequently offline due to poor connectivity, load shedding, or outdated terminals
- Booth staff may refuse card payments, defaulting to “cash only,” even if the machine is present
Bottom Line:
- Tap-to-pay? Hit-and-miss
- Mobile wallets (Apple/Google/Samsung Pay)? Unreliable and rarely supported
- SA debit cards? Not reliable
- International cards? Sometimes work, especially credit, but no guarantee
- Cash? Still your safest bet
In summary, card acceptance at tollgates is inconsistent. Some plazas accept Visa/Mastercard credit cards via chip-and-PIN. Tap-to-pay and mobile wallets (like Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay) often fail. Debit cards are also unreliable. We strongly recommend carrying cash.
