Preparing your trip to Switzerland, flying to Geneva Airport and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card at the airport? Switzerland is already expensive enough so don't get stuck with high roaming charges. This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Geneva Airport in 2025.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per January 2025, the latest info about EU data roaming, my recommendation and info about eSIMs for Switzerland.
In the past I always used to buy a prepaid sim card in my destination, nowadays I mostly use eSIMs to stay connected when traveling abroad.
Table of Contents
- Why buying a sim card for Switzerland
- My recommendation
- Arrival at Geneva Airport
- Where to buy a Switzerland sim card in Geneva Airport
- Swiss prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
- Prices Swiss sim card Geneva Airport in 2025
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Switzerland with more info about the 4G/5G network coverage and a comparison of the mobile internet providers in Switzerland.
Some links in this article about the best sim cards for Geneva are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using tan affiliate link I will earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
Why buying a sim card for Switzerland
There are many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Geneva, but the main reason is that we want to avoid high roaming charges and don't end up with a shocking phone bill.
Having a data connection on our phone makes life so much more convenient. Think about ordering an Uber, getting directions from Google Maps or looking for a cool nearby rooftop bar, it is not possible without a data connection on your phone.
Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc. Don't depend on public WiFi. There is no guarantee, it can be slow and keep in mind that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
Traveltomtom is on a journey to visit every country in the world and everywhere I go I write sim card guides. Finding out what is the best way to stay connected is one of the first things I do when planning my next trip.
Since I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides for tourists on Traveltomtom. From Barcelona to Paris and from Dublin to Frankfurt, London, Vienna, etc. but also places like USA, Canada, Mexico, New York, Miami, Asia, Brazil, Bali, Bangkok, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kenya, Singapore, Sydney and many more.
So when planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest eSIM and prepaid sim card advice for your destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money.
Flying to Zurich next time then save my guide for buying a sim card at Zurich Airport or if you are interested in just eSIMs for Switzerland then check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Switzerland in 2025.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Lebara prepaid sim card at Geneva Airport. You can find a tourist sim card from Lebara for around $34 USD that will give you 10 GB data.
Given that fact let's compare this Lebara sim card with an eSIM for Switzerland. A Jetpac eSIM card for Switzerland with 15 GB data is $17 USD. Other recommended eSIMs are Airalo and SimOptions.
No need to explain why Traveltomtom recommends eSIMs for Switzerland over buying a prepaid sim card at Geneva Airport.
For more eSIM offers check out my ultimate guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland.
Prepaid sim cards at Geneva Airport are more expensive than sim cards in phone stores in the city center.
Although Lebara is the best-buy prepaid sim card at Geneva Airport, in general a Swisscom sim card is rated as the best tourist sim card for Switzerland.
Unfortunately you can't buy a Swisscom sim card at Geneva Airport, but there is a Swisscom phone store in Geneva city center. Check out my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025.
If your are on a trip around the world then buying an international sim card with global data could be interesting for your trip. These sim cards are valid in up to 140 countries around the world.
Arrival at Geneva Airport
Welcome to one of the most well organized countries in the world and also one of the most expensive ones. Geneva Airport is pretty small and arriving here is very convenient. There is only one arrivals exit for international and European flights and if you have someone picking you up it is easy to find him or her.
There is free Wifi but you will need an activation code. You can get them for free with your passport at the Information desk.
Where to buy a Switzerland sim card in Geneva Airport
This is really simple as there is only one place at Geneva Airport where you can buy a sim card for Switzerland.
When you walk into the arrival hall head to the left towards the public busses. After like 50 meters you will see a huge Exchange desk on your left hand side.
This is the ONLY place in Geneva Airport that sells Switzerland prepaid sim cards for tourists. There are no unfortunately no other sim card shops at Geneva Airport.
The sim card desk of the Exchange shop is only open from approximately 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Pretty damn inconvenient for flights that arrive late.
Another reason to get yourself an eSIM. Check my Switzerland eSIM guide with the best eSIMs for 2025.
In case you are not able to buy a sim card at Geneva Airport then get yourself an eSIM for Switzerland or check out my guide on how to buy a prepaid sim card in Switzerland.
Swiss prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
Switzerland prepaid sim cards and traveling in Europe are a bad combination: there is NO EU data roaming included on prepaid sim cards you buy in Switzerland.
Reminder that Switzerland is a European country but is NOT PART OF THE EU!
Therefore, if you are going on a trip to Europe I recommend you to check out my article with the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2025.
Free data roaming in the EU means that if you buy a sim card in Amsterdam you can use your data, voice and text allowance all over Europe at NO extra costs, also in Switzerland. But not the other way around!
The data plans on Switzerland prepaid sim cards are only valid in Switzerland and NOT in other countries in Europe.
For more info on EU data roaming check out my complete guide with tips for buying a local prepaid sim card in Europe in 2025. Find out more about these data roaming rules, Brexit, exceptions and limits and find a breakdown of the best prepaid sim card per country in Europe.
Prices Swiss sim card Geneva Airport in 2025
All info and prices are updated as per January 2025. Prices are in Swiss Francs and CHF: $1 USD = 0.92 CHF and 1 CHF = $1.09 USD.
Money Exchange
At the Exchange Shop they sell two prepaid Switzerland sim cards for tourists: Lebara prepaid sim cards and a Yallo prepaid sim cards.
A massive inconvenience is that you can only buy a sim card at Geneva Airport with cash (Euros or Swiss Francs), no credit cards or USD are accepted. That said, you are literally buying a sim card at the Currency Exchange. Just their way of making some extra money.
Lebara sim card
Lebara Switzerland offers unlimited high speed internet for 1.5 CHF per day to be used in Switzerland only. Outside of Swiss roaming charges apply.
However, for this offer you first need to buy a Lebara sim card for 10 CHF and then you will have to top up with minimum 20 CHF. Which means a total of 30 CHF ($35 USD).
If you buy a Lebara sim card at the Exchange shop at Geneva Airport it will be activated for you on the spot.
You could also opt for one of the Lebara prepaid sim card plans but don't be fooled by the names of these data packages. It says Europe Max, but data is ONLY valid in Switzerland!
For this reason I am not a fan of Lebara sim cards for travelers, but for traveling in Switzerland it is not bad and since there are not many other sim cards available at Geneva Airport it gets my blessing.
Yallo sim card
The other option when looking to buy a sim card for Switzerland at Geneva Airport is Yallo. This mobile internet company operates on the Sunrise Switzerland network. At Geneva Airport you can buy a Yallo sim card with 10 GB data in Switzerland for 40 CHF ($46 USD), it also includes calling and texting, see above.
Roaming charges apply for traveling in Europe but you can buy the following top ups.
Best mobile data network in Switzerland
Like most other things in this country the mobile network coverage is also very well arranged. All Swiss mobile internet operators guarantee a 4G/5G signal in every tourist destination in Switzerland and even in most remote places.
Swisscom has the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland. For detailed network coverage maps check out my article about buying a tourist sim card in Switzerland in 2025.
Best sim card at Geneva Airport
As there are only two prepaid sim cards for tourists available at Geneva Airport it is easy to make a comparison between Yallo and Lebara.
Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that the Lebara prepaid sim card is the best one for tourists at Geneva Airport in 2025. The best-buy Lebara sim card gives you 10 GB data for 29 CHF ($34 USD).
As a comparison let's look at the best-buy eSIM for Switzerland. A Jetpac eSIM card for Switzerland with 15 GB data is $17 USD.
So now you understand why Traveltomtom rates eSIMs as the best sim cards for traveling to Switzerland in 2025.
For all your questions about Switzerland eSIMs check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Switzerland in 2025.
In Geneva city center you will find better prepaid sim card deals if you go to a phone store of Salt, Swisscom or Sunrise, the mobile internet operators in Switzerland.
Check my guide for finding the best prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025.
Reminder that all the Switzerland prepaid sim cards sold at Geneva Airport do NOT included data roaming in the EU. If you are traveling onwards in Europe then check out Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2025.
Best eSIMs for Switzerland
The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Geneva in 2025 is an eSIM. No more visiting a phone store anymore and swapping physical sim cards. Within a couple clicks you can set up everything.
You order an eSIM for Geneva on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Switzerland eSIM installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Geneva it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland in 2025 or choose one eSIM from below.
Jetpac
Jetpac eSIMs turn out to be the best-buy eSIMs for traveling to Switzerland in 2025.
Jetpac also offers extra services like free VPN and airport lounge passes. For more info read our complete Jetpac review with all pros and cons.
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.
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.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable eSIM provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. 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 a Switzerland eSIM directly online.
The above data-only eSIMs for Switzerland are from Pilatus Mobile. Calling and texting is not supported and data is only valid in Switzerland. Pilatus Mobile operates on the 4G/LTE network of Salt.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable eSIM provider that sells eSIMs from pretty much every country in the world. SimOptions has excellent international eSIMs valid in multiple countries, including Switzerland.
Here is also the complete SimOptions review from the Traveltomtom Team for more info about this eSIM provider.
These international eSIMs also include calling and texting in all of Europe and they come with a phone number.
- 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 for more info or to order an international eSIM for Switzerland including calls via SimOptions.
With an eSIM you keep your phone number from home, but make sure your phone is unlocked and your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland.
There are many more eSIM providers for Switzerland like: GigSky, Roamless, Firsty, Sim Local, etc. Find them all in my detailed comparison of the best eSIMs for Switzerland in 2025.
Order a prepaid sim card for Switzerland online
Is your phone not eSIM compatible then don't worry, check the following.
Arrive prepared in Geneva with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Geneva, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Switzerland:
- 10 GB data in 56 countries + unlimited calls and sms for 30 days = $24.90 USD
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text in all of Europe + 30 minutes international for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text in all of Europe + 120 minutes international for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 10 GB data in 124 countries for 14 days = $49.90 USD
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
Personally Traveltomtom recommends the Orange prepaid sim cards as I have used these sim cards a lot in the past and never had an issue.
But as mentioned many times before nowadays when traveling to Europe or Switzerland I always use an eSIM for Europe. It is just so easy and done fast and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
For much more details and all your answers on FAQ about using eSIMs when traveling to Switzerland check out my complete guide for buying an eSIM for traveling to Switzerland in 2025.
How to get from Geneva Airport to the city
Believe it or not but you can get free public transportation tickets! In a city where everything is crazy expensive this made me smile big time.
In the baggage hall just before you walk out of arrivals there is a machine that gives out free public transportation tickets to get you anywhere within Geneva city. The tickets are valid for 80 minutes.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card in Geneva Airport were helpful for your next trip to Switzerland. Let me know if you have any additional questions and I try to answer them in the comments below.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of January 2025 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Geneva!