Are you planning a trip to Switzerland and looking for the best eSIM to stay connected? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM when traveling to Switzerland and a comparison of the best Switzerland eSIMs in 2025.
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM for Switzerland on the internet and be online as the plane lands.
Find up to date prices as per January 2025, all eSIM specifications, my recommendation, where and when to order an eSIM for Switzerland, FAQ about eSIMs and much more.
Table of Contents
- My recommendation
- Comparison of the best eSIMs for Switzerland
- What is the cheapest eSIM for Switzerland?
- Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Switzerland
- Where to buy an eSIM for Switzerland?
- When to order/activate an eSIM for Switzerland?
- How to activate an eSIM
- Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland
- Make sure your phone is unlocked
- Which smartphones support eSIMs?
- Can I trust these eSIM providers?
- Can I keep my phone number from home with a Switzerland eSIM?
- Can I make phone calls with a Switzerland eSIM?
- Does a Switzerland eSIM come with a phone number?
- Can I use 5G on an Switzerland eSIM?
- Are there eSIMs for Switzerland with unlimited data?
- Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland?
- eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Some links in this article about the best eSIMs for Switzerland are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Before showing you the two best eSIMs for Switzerland in 2025 read the following carefully:
Make sure your phone is unlocked and eSIM compatible. If not, an eSIM won't work on your phone!
1. Orange Holiday Europe eSIM - 70 GB
- 70 GB data
- 5G ready
- Unlimited calling/texting
- 120 minutes international
- 1,000 sms international
- Valid in 39 countries (all of Europe)
- Valid for 28 days
- $0.8 USD per Gigabyte
You can order this Orange eSIM for Switzerland via SimOptions for $55.90 USD or via Sim Local for $53.50 USD.
Traveltomtom readers get an extra 15% off on all Sim Local eSIMs when using the coupon code: TRAVELTOMTOM at check out.
This is the most complete eSIM when traveling to Switzerland or Europe. Unlimited calls, free EU data roaming, international calls, the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM has it all.
This is also the best value eSIM with only $0.8 USD per Gigabyte.
2. Jetpac eSIM for Switzerland - 20 GB for $20 USD
- 20 GB data
- Valid in all of Europe
- 5G ready
- Valid for 30 days
- $1 USD per Gigabyte
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Switzerland.
Jetpac has amazing eSIM deals for Switzerland starting from $1 USD which makes Jetpac the cheapest eSIM for Switzerland. They have 8 different eSIM plans and all of them have a really low rate per Gigabyte.
Is Switzerland one of your stops on a trip around the world then you can also look into getting an eSIM for world travelers. There are a bunch of eSIMs that cover multiple countries and some are great for traveling to Europe, Asia and America.
Comparison of the best eSIMs for Switzerland
Buying an eSIM on arrival in Switzerland is still NOT possible as of January 2025. None of the mobile internet providers in Switzerland (Salt, Swisscom and Sunrise) offer eSIMs for tourists, only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists are available.
At Zurich, Geneva and Basel Airport there are sim card shops, none of them have eSIMs either.
The only way to get an eSIM for Switzerland is ordering one on the internet.
Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers that sell Switzerland eSIMs for tourists. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM for traveling in Switzerland from one of the well-known eSIM providers that have proven to be reliable operators: Jetpac, Holafly, SimOptions, Nomad, Airalo, GigSky, Airhub, aloSIM, Saily, Roamless, Firsty, Yesim, Sim Local, Ubigi, etc.
The competition in fierce... so before you buy an eSIM for Switzerland first read my tips below.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider and they do not only offer eSIM solutions but also add a couple other benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac. Traveltomtom has tested, reviewed and approved Jetpac eSIMs for Switzerland.
The Traveltomtom Team wrote a full Jetpac review.
Traveltomtom has tried Jetpac eSIMs in a couple different countries without any issues and has had some very good reviews from the Traveltomtom Team and readers who also tried Jetpac eSIMs.
Here are the eSIM plans Jetpac for Switzerland in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $5 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $7 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $13 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $17 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $20 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $39 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM for Switzerland.
All the Jetpac eSIM plans for Switzerland come at a rate of around $1 USD per Gigabyte and therefore Jetpac is ranked as one of the best value eSIMs for Switzerland.
The Jetpac Switzerland eSIMs are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Data is valid in all of Europe and the Jetpac eSIMs operate on the Sunrise and Salt Mobile 4G/5G network. Yes, the Jetpac eSIMs support 5G.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM before your trip to Switzerland, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in Switzerland. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
An extra advantage of Jetpac Switzerland eSIMs is that they provide a free VPN as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided.
This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a reputed eSIM provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your tourist eSIM for Switzerland through SimOptions is done fast and easy.
Check out the complete SimOptions review from the Traveltomtom Team.
Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM deals.
Here are the data-only eSIMs for Switzerland from SimOptions:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $5.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $6.90 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $12.90 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $31.90 USD
- 50 GB data for 30 days = $49.90 USD
These eSIMs are only valid in Switzerland and are data-only. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are not supported and these eSIMs do not come with a phone number. All these SimOptions eSIMs are 5G ready.
SimOptions also has 3 international eSIMs from Orange which are valid in all of Europe including Switzerland.
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 30 minutes international for 14 days = $28.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 70 GB data + unlimited calls/text + 120 minutes international for 28 days = $55.90 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Switzerland from SimOptions.
These international eSIMs from Orange are valid in all of Europe (39 countries) and come with a phone number from France that starts with +33. You can make unlimited calls/sms anywhere in Europe and to top it off this Orange eSIM also allows you to call 120 minutes + 1,000 sms to anywhere in the world.
The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM with 70 GB data is 5G ready and is also the best value eSIM for Switzerland with a rate as low as $0.8 USD per Gigabyte.
SimOptions doesn't specify exactly which mobile network operator these eSIMs are using in Switzerland.
The validity of these eSIMs is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM, even if you are not in Switzerland. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using Airalo for ordering an eSIM.
Why using Airalo? Airalo is one of the most recommended eSIM providers. Airalo is the market leader in eSIMs and has eSIMs for pretty much every country in the world.
The Airalo Switzerland eSIMs the Airalo eSIMs are more expensive per Gigabyte compared to the SimOptions eSIMs I showed you above.
Here are the Airalo eSIM plans for Switzerland for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Switzerland from Airalo.
The best value Switzerland eSIM from Airalo gives you 20 GB data for $38 USD, which comes down to $1.9 USD per Gigabyte. Not a bad rate but higher than SimOptions and Jetpac.
The Airalo eSIMs for Switzerland are from Pilatus Mobile and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Salt Mobile. The Airalo eSIMs for Switzerland are not 5G ready, they only support 4G/LTE.
For more info about the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Switzerland check my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.
All the Airalo eSIMs are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Roamless
New kid on the block is Roamless, they are a revolutionary eSIM provider that comes with data packs that never expire and are valid in more than 180 countries and destinations.
This means that if you buy 10 GB data for Switzerland and you only use 7 GB, you can use the other 3 GB data on your next trip to Thailand, or the USA.
Interested to hear more then read our complete review of Roamless including all pros and cons.
Here are all the Roamless eSIM plans for Switzerland in 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $2.85 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $5.70 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $8.55 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14.25 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $28.50 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Switzerland from Roamless.
The Roamless eSIMs are similar to Airalo prices but data of the Roamless eSIMs are valid in more than 180 countries and destinations and never expires!
The Roamless eSIMs are data-only eSIMs and they operate on the 4G/5G network of Sunrise and Salt in Switzerland.
Nomad
Lately Traveltomtom started recommending Nomad eSIMs as they sometimes have cheap tourist eSIMs for a lot of countries. Unfortunately, the Nomad eSIM plans for Switzerland are pretty expensive compared to Airalo, Jetpac and SimOptions.
Here are the Nomad eSIM plans for Switzerland for 2025:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
Click here to order an eSIM for Switzerland from Nomad.
The best value eSIM for Switzerland from Nomad is the one with 20 GB data plan for $33 USD, which comes down to $1.65 USD per Gigabyte.
The Nomad eSIMs are from 1GLOBAL and they are data-only. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported, but they are 5G ready according to the Nomad website, but when you click on the specifications it says 4G/LTE.
The Nomad Switzerland eSIMs have to be installed on your phone within 60 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Switzerland. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Holafly
Holafly sells eSIMs for Switzerland with unlimited data. Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with 'unlimited' data, but more about that later. Here are the Holafly eSIM plans for traveling to Switzerland:
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $9 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $12 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $15 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $19 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $23 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $27 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $32 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $34 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $44 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $57 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $69 USD
The Holafly eSIMs for Switzerland are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Salt Mobile. The Holafly eSIMs for Switzerland are 5G ready.
You can use a hotspot on the Holafly Switzerland eSIMs, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Why 'unlimited'? Because Holafly eSIMs have a so-called 'Fair Use Policy' (FUP) which means that after you used an X amount of GB per day your data speed is reduced to an E signal.
Traveltomtom has had bad experiences in the past with eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
But because of this FUP a Holafly Switzerland eSIM is not Traveltomtom's first pick.
What is the cheapest eSIM for Switzerland?
The truly cheapest eSIM for Switzerland is from Jetpac as they only charge $1 USD for 1 GB data valid for 4 days. No other eSIM provider can beat this Switzerland eSIM deal!
Another cheap eSIM for Switzerland is either an Airalo eSIM for $4.5 USD or a SimOptions eSIM for $4.5 USD. Both eSIMs give you 1 GB data for 7 days, are only valid in Switzerland and do not support calling and texting. The SimOptions one is 5G ready.
Why ordering an eSIM for traveling in Switzerland
eSIMs are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland in 2025 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Switzerland without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Switzerland with an activated eSIM is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Switzerland so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2025.
eSIMs are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
Since 2012 I am already traveling the world full time and throughout the years I turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.
In 2023 I visited for example 34 different countries so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIMs I used throughout the year.
Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.
Traveltomtom also wrote eSIM guides for: Morocco, Mexico, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Asia, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Brazil, Europe, United Kingdom, Italy, USA, international eSIMs and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money when traveling!
Overseas data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you in pretty much all of the amazing tourist destinations in Switzerland there is 4G/LTE available.
And price-wise it should be a no brainer since you have seen how affordable the eSIMs for Switzerland are. Why would you pay $5 to $10 USD per day on an overseas data roaming plan that limits your data speed.
Uncountable times travel friends have asked me: "Tom, can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!". Trust me, invest a couple dollars in an eSIM or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Switzerland if you want a physical prepaid sim card.
Stay connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM for Switzerland?
Online
You can only buy an eSIM for Switzerland through an eSIM provider on the internet. There are multiple eSIM providers for Switzerland. Traveltomtom compared many eSIM providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones: Jetpac, Airalo, Nomad, Holafly and SimOptions are the best and most reliable eSIM providers in 2025.
When buying an eSIM for Switzerland through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.
On arrival in Switzerland
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Switzerland: Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise. Unfortunately as per January 2025 none of the mobile internet operators in Switzerland offer eSIMs for tourists.
That means you can only get a physical prepaid sim card for tourists, a chip that you put in your phone. On arrival in Switzerland you will have to go to a phone store to buy a local prepaid sim card or you can get an overpriced tourist sim card at the airport.
Traveltomtom also wrote specific guides for buying a sim card at Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport.
For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Switzerland in 2025 click on the link to read my complete guide and a comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Switzerland.
For my research about the best Switzerland prepaid sim cards for tourists I also compared all the 4G/5G data networks of the mobile internet operators in Switzerland and I found out that all mobile internet operators have a very extensive 4G/LTE and even a 5G mobile data network in Switzerland.
When to order/activate an eSIM for Switzerland?
You can order an eSIM for Switzerland pretty much any time you want. Most eSIMs have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIMs only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM on the day of departure to Switzerland or a day before. You will need a stable internet connection to instal your eSIM. Pretty much all the international airports in Switzerland have free public WiFi which works ok most of the time, so you could use that to install your eSIM on arrival.
Very important is to make sure you have a stable internet connection or you might run into issues with your eSIM. Therefore just to make sure Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM in your home country.
My personal advice is to instal your tourist eSIM for Switzerland before you get into the plane, because then as soon as the plane lands in Switzerland you will be connected to the internet and you can enjoy data on your phone instantly.
How do I know all this info about eSIMs? Traveltomtom uses on average more than 30 eSIMs per year because of my nomadic lifestyle of constantly traveling the world, 365 days a year, since 2012.
How to activate an eSIM
Installing and activating an eSIM is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email after you ordered your eSIM.
But wait, forget about the instructions, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code!
When you order an eSIM plan for Switzerland you instantly receive a summary of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Switzerland eSIM. Regardless where you order your eSIM, all eSIM providers send you detailed instructions.
But installing an activating an eSIM is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM on. The QR code contains all the information about your Switzerland eSIM.
Once you scan the QR code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland
Here are some general tips and FAQ for using eSIMs when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Switzerland eSIMs, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIMs only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Switzerland. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Switzerland or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Switzerland and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIMs?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM is if your smartphone supports eSIMs. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIMs.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM for traveling to Switzerland.
However, you can still order a sim card for Switzerland on the internet before your trip. Find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2025.
Can I trust these eSIM providers?
All the eSIM providers for Switzerland recommended in this guide are reputable eSIM providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Switzerland.
Traveltomtom has used Airalo and SimOptions sim cards for more than 5 years and never really faced a major issue.
Check out the pros and cons of SimOptions in our review.
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider, but Traveltomtom has tested and reviewed Jetpac now in more than 15 countries and is very happy with the performance and the extra perks like airport lounge access, etc.
Sim Local has more than 100 sim card shops and kiosks in international airports around the world and has been selling sim cards for tourists for more than 5 years. Read Traveltomtom's honest review about Sim Local eSIM provider.
The Traveltomtom Team has extensively tested and reviewed Nomad and they have proven to be a reliable eSIM provider. However, some mixed reviews have come back from the Traveltomtom Team about connectivity and activation.
Since Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIMs with unlimited data and an FUP I hardly use Holafly, but when I did I was not happy. So now I let the Traveltomtom Team randomly test Holafly and just like myself, mixed reviews have come back. Some positive, some negative.
But there are many more eSIM providers. Traveltomtom has tested and wrote dedicated reviews for the following eSIM providers: GigSky, aloSIM, Ubigi, Airhub, Saily, Yesim, etc.
On top of that there is also Roamless, an eSIM provider with no data expiration. And Firsty, which offers free data in exchange for watching ads. Truly two game changers!
Traveltomtom does NOT sell Switzerland eSIMs, Traveltomtom only compares and recommends you to use eSIMs for traveling to Switzerland.
All eSIM providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems or in case you want to claim a refund.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a Switzerland eSIM?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland. An eSIM can be used next to your physical or eSIM from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM.
So you can have multiple eSIMs installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Switzerland eSIM you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.
Switching between physical and eSIMs is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.
Can I make phone calls with a Switzerland eSIM?
Yes, there are eSIMs for Switzerland that include calling and texting.
With an Orange international eSIMs from SimOptions you can make phone calls to anywhere in the world. Even better is that you get 120 minutes free calling to any phone number in the world and 1,000 sms to any number in the world. On top of that you get unlimited calling/texting to 39 countries in Europe.
So if you are looking for a Switzerland eSIM that includes calling and texting Traveltomtom recommends an Orange eSIM from SimOptions.
All other eSIM operators only offer data-only eSIMs for Switzerland which do not support any outgoing calls or sms.
If you buy a local prepaid sim card for tourists in Switzerland then you get (unlimited) calling and texting included, but these are physical prepaid sim cards, there are no eSIMs for tourists available in Switzerland.
Does a Switzerland eSIM come with a phone number?
Yes, the above mentioned Orange international eSIMs from SimOptions come with a phone number from France that starts with +33. That means you can also receive phone calls and sms.
All the other data-only eSIMs do not come with a phone number and do not support receiving phone calls or sms.
Can I use 5G on an Switzerland eSIM?
Yes, as of 2025 pretty much all the eSIMs for Switzerland are 5G ready.
The 5G network in Switzerland is very extensive and even in most mountain villages there is 5G available.
Are there eSIMs for Switzerland with unlimited data?
Traveltomtom is in general not a fan of data sim cards with unlimited data. Why? There is mostly a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy), which sometimes is already 2 GB data per day. That means that after 2 GB usage your internet will be slowed down. Sometimes eSIMs have an FUP of 30, 50, 80 GB data per month. It depends on the eSIM specifications.
In general, unlimited data is pretty much never unlimited data at max speed. And trust me the reduced data speed will creep you out as it barely works!
So yes, there are eSIMs for Switzerland with unlimited data but always read the fine print for more details, terms & conditions.
Holafly only offers eSIMs with unlimited data plans per day. However, Holafly but does NOT specify what is the exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP) and therefore it is not Traveltomtom's first recommendation.
On Holafly eSIMs I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. When I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media apps were not even loading!
Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIMs for Switzerland with unlimited data. But if you think you will not use more than 2 GB per day, then this might be your favorite eSIM.
However, if the FUP is 2 GB per day then what is the point of having an eSIM with unlimited data!? Right?
The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM gives you 70 GB data which for most travelers is more than enough for their trip to Switzerland.
Are eSIMs the best way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland?
eSIMs are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Switzerland, but what is the best way?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIMs
Let’s compare eSIMs, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
In general if you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip.
Data plans on local prepaid sim cards in Switzerland are much bigger than on eSIMs. For around $21 USD you can get a local prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 10 days. The downside is that a local prepaid sim card for tourists can only be purchased on arrival in Switzerland in a phone store or at the airport but NOT on the internet.
Another big difference is that local prepaid sim cards have the advantage that they come with a local phone number and mostly with calling minutes and sms bundles. That means incoming and outgoing calls are supported.
However, when buying a local prepaid sim card in Switzerland you get a physical sim card and you need to swap this one with your existing sim card from home.
More info about the best Switzerland sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025 or check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Geneva Airport or Zurich Airport.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Switzerland. These are physical prepaid sim cards you order on the internet and will be delivered to your home address.
Some of these are great for visiting Switzerland and they are valid in up to 141 countries around the world and you can easily order them online.
If after visiting Switzerland you are traveling onwards in America, Asia or in Europe then check Traveltomtom’s list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2025.
As I mentioned before SimOptions is the only sim card provider that also sells physical prepaid sim cards for traveling internationally.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your door step before your trip to Switzerland. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground in Switzerland and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
If you look at the international prepaid sim cards above you see that the physical sim card version of the Orange Holiday World is also a good option for traveling to Switzerland.
A physical prepaid sim card with 10 GB data only costs $24.90 USD, which is only $2.49 USD per Gigabyte or a physical prepaid sim card with 30 GB data only costs $49.90 USD, which is only $1.66 USD per Gigabyte
Click here to order a physical prepaid sim card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
eSIMs
As explained throughout the article there are two different eSIMs for traveling in Switzerland:
- eSIMs that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIMs that you buy in Switzerland in a mobile internet provider store
However, as of January 2025 the mobile internet providers in Switzerland do NOT offer eSIMs for tourists. They only provide physical prepaid sim cards for tourists.
eSIMs vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Switzerland.
You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Switzerland. As soon as the plane lands, you are online!
But what is cheaper? An eSIM or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?
When we compare the prices for Switzerland eSIMs with the prices for local prepaid sim cards in Switzerland, it is an easy conclusion that local prepaid sim cards are more affordable as you get more Gigabytes for the same price.
For around $21 USD you get a local prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 10 days. For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for Switzerland in 2025.
But local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in Switzerland on arrival in a sim card shop or at the airport with your passport and a tourist eSIM for Switzerland can be bought in 2 minutes on the internet at any time of day without any form of identification.
Remember that some of the eSIMs for Switzerland go down to only $0.8 USD per Gigabyte. The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM from SimOptions gives you 70 GB data and is the best buy eSIM for Switzerland in 2025.
After a long flight you just want to get to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a phone store and buy a local prepaid sim card. With an eSIM that you order on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands.
Simply because of this convenience Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIMs for Switzerland.
There are many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM for visiting Switzerland: faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need.
Data speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM is that eSIMs are in general through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO’s operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIMs through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIMs could be less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator you bought in Switzerland.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIMs can be less compared to a local prepaid Switzerland sim card.
In reality you won't really notice the difference much because yes it may occur that your data speed is a little slower for a couple minutes, but it is still fast enough to roam the internet without any problems.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM for your trip to Switzerland were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison and all my tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your preferred eSIM for Switzerland.
If you still have any questions about eSIMs then please leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.
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Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Switzerland!