Eswatini operates visa-free entry for most Western passport holders including citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union member states, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. These nationals receive an automatic entry permit valid for thirty days upon arrival. The passport must contain at least six months validity from the date of entry and possess at least two blank pages for stamps. Citizens of other countries should consult the Eswatini Ministry of Home Affairs official website or contact the nearest diplomatic mission before travel. The country maintains high commissions and embassies in South Africa, Mozambique, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Most international visitors enter through South Africa given the absence of commercial airports outside King Mswati III International Airport, which serves limited regional and one international route to Johannesburg.
Eswatini uses two legal tender currencies in parallel: the Swazi lilangeni (SZL) and the South African rand (ZAR). The lilangeni maintains fixed parity with the rand at one-to-one exchange rate. South African rand notes and coins circulate freely throughout Eswatini and are accepted everywhere, but lilangeni notes issued by the Central Bank of Eswatini hold no value outside the country's borders. Travelers should spend or exchange remaining lilangeni before departure. Banks in Mbabane, Manzini, and other urban centers provide currency exchange services during business hours, typically Monday through Friday from 08:30 to 15:30 and Saturday mornings until 11:00. ATMs accepting Visa and Mastercard function in major towns, dispensing either rand or lilangeni depending on the machine. Credit cards see limited acceptance outside hotels, lodges, and established restaurants in Mbabane and Manzini. Rural areas, cultural villages, craft markets, and smaller establishments operate on cash-only basis.
King Mswati III International Airport, located fourteen kilometers from Manzini, replaced Matsapha Airport in 2014. The facility handles domestic charter flights and one scheduled international connection operated by Eswatini Airlink to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport. Most international visitors arrive overland from South Africa through one of eleven official border posts. The Ngwenya-Oshoek border on the western side connects to Mbabane via the MR3 highway and remains the busiest crossing, situated approximately 240 kilometers from Johannesburg. The Lavumisa border in the south provides access from KwaZulu-Natal. The Lomahasha and Mhlumeni crossings link Eswatini to Mozambique on the eastern boundary. Border posts generally operate from 07:00 to 22:00 daily, though hours vary by location. No passenger rail service exists within Eswatini. The country's road network totals approximately 3,800 kilometers, with roughly one-third paved. The MR3 forms the primary north-south artery running from Ngwenya through Mbabane and Manzini to the southern regions.
Rental vehicles are available from agencies in Mbabane, Manzini, and at King Mswati III International Airport, requiring an international driving permit alongside a valid national license. Driving occurs on the left side of the road, following South African convention. Minibus taxis operate between major towns and provide the primary public transport option for local populations, departing when full rather than on fixed schedules. These vehicles travel main routes including Mbabane-Manzini and connect smaller towns, but lack formal timetables or designated stops outside town centers. Private taxi services exist in urban areas without metered fares, requiring price negotiation before departure. No ride-sharing applications operate in Eswatini as of 2024.
Eswatini operates two primary mobile network providers: MTN Eswatini and Eswatini Mobile (a subsidiary of Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation). SIM cards are available for purchase at provider shops, authorized dealers, and some convenience stores in Mbabane, Manzini, and other urban centers, requiring passport presentation for registration. Prepaid data packages and voice credit can be recharged at the same locations and through mobile money platforms. Network coverage reaches most populated areas and main highways, but connectivity diminishes in remote valleys and mountainous sections of Malolotja Nature Reserve and the Lubombo plateau. WiFi is available at hotels, lodges, and some restaurants in Mbabane and Manzini, though connection speeds vary considerably. Internet cafes exist in both capital cities but have declined in number since 2015. The country code for international calls is +268, introduced after the country stopped using South Africa's +27 code in the 1990s.