Traveling to Switzerland and wondering what is the best way to stay connected? Switzerland is already expensive enough so don't get stuck with high roaming charges or slow overseas data roaming plans. This is the ultimate guide for buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025.

Let me help you find the best sim card for your trip to Switzerland and find out where to buy a sim card, a comparison of the mobile internet providers, the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland, up to date prices as per January 2025, my recommendation, restrictions on EU data roaming and more about eSIMs for Switzerland.

In the past I always used to buy a local prepaid sim card in every country, nowadays I pretty much always use eSIMs to stay connected.

Are you flying to Geneva Airport and want to buy a Swiss sim card on arrival then check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card in Geneva in 2025. Traveltomtom also wrote a similar guide for buying a sim card at Zurich Airport in 2025.

Traveltomtom also wrote a specific guide for the best eSIMs for traveling to Switzerland in 2025.

Table of Contents

Some links in this article about the best ways to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland are affiliate links. If you buy any of the products after using an affiliate link I earn a small commission. This is at absolutely no extra cost to you!

My recommendation

Traveltomtom recommends a Swisscom prepaid sim card for a trip to Switzerland. They have the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland and have a prepaid sim card for around $21 USD that gives you unlimited max speed data for 10 days.

Be aware that this sim card is only valid in Switzerland, not in the rest of Europe. Switzerland is NOT part of the EU, so as soon as you set foot outside of Switzerland, your Swiss prepaid sim card stops working!

If you are traveling onwards in Europe then Traveltomtom recommends buying a sim card for Europe that also works in Switzerland or one of the international travel sim cards with data.

The easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland is actually an eSIM as they already start from just $4.5 USD. Traveltomtom recommends a Jetpac eSIM for Switzerland with 15 GB for just $17 USD.

For a detailed guide check out my comparison of the best eSIMs for Switzerland in 2025.

Make sure your phone is unlocked because if your phone is locked a Switzerland prepaid sim card, an international sim card or an eSIM will NOT work in your phone. If you are unsure about this then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country before your trip.

Why buying a sim card for Switzerland

Most hotels, bars and restaurants have free WiFi, yet Traveltomtom still recommends to get a sim card for Switzerland to stay connected and have a working data connection on your phone. Life is simply so much easier these days when you have internet on your phone. Think about ordering an Uber, get directions on Google Maps, finding a hotel, supermarket, restaurant and so on. Many reasons for you to get a sim card for Switzerland. And what about emergency situations or checking your banking apps?

Buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Switzerland is easy or simply order an eSIM for Switzerland on the internet, even easier. It will make your trip to Switzerland much more fun.

Also simply don't rely on WiFi, some hotel WiFi's are slow, have little reach in your room and above all public WiFi is an UNSECURED network. Your data is not protected. The use of a VPN is recommended.

Being a full time nomadic travel blogger since 2012 I have been looking for the best ways to get connected for more than 10 years now.

Looking for the best way to stay connected is a vital part of my travel planning. Since I like to document all my travel tips and I am also trying to visit every country in the world you can already find more than 200 sim card guides on Traveltomtom from all over the world: Europe, France, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Spain, Sweden, Paris, Rome, London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, but also Hong Kong, Colombia, Brazil, South Africa, USA, Canada, Mexico, Turkey, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and many more.

So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid and eSIM advice for your next destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money when traveling.

Swiss prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming

HEADS UP! Switzerland is a European country however, it is NOT PART OF THE EU!

That means that prepaid sim cards that you buy in Switzerland do NOT include free EU data roaming. Meaning if you buy a sim card in Switzerland, your data allowance is only valid in Switzerland and when you cross the border into Austria, Germany, France or Italy your sim card stops working!

Basically if you want to use your Swiss sim card for traveling in Europe you have to pay an extra daily fee. Totally NOT recommended!

For more info on EU data roaming check out my guide with tips and tricks for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe.

Prepaid sim cards from Switzerland are the worst for traveling in Europe, but good news is that you can easily buy prepaid as well as eSIMs for Europe online and they are even much cheaper than prepaid Switzerland sim cards.

Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best (e)-sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2025. Order online and arrive prepared for your trip to Europe.

Mobile internet operators Switzerland

There are three main mobile internet operators in Switzerland: Sunrise, Swisscom and Salt. All the providers have multiple phone shops in central locations in big cities in Switzerland: Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, Lausanne. Lugano. They all sell prepaid sim cards for tourists.

RELATED: DAVOS SUMMER TRAVEL TIPS FOR 2025!

Where to buy a sim card for Switzerland

International Airport on arrival

The most convenient place to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in Switzerland is at the international airport. There are 2 main international airports in Switzerland: Geneva and Zurich.

At Geneva Airport there is a dedicated phone store and you can also buy a Swiss sim card at the currency exchange. At Geneva airport you also find sim cards from Lycamobile, Lebara and Yallo. So called MVNO's that operate on the network of the above mentioned main internet providers. Check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Geneva Airport in 2025 for more info.

Are you arriving at Zurich Airport then there is a small sim card shop in the duty free area opposite the luggage belts. As soon as you walk out in the arrival hall and cross the road you end up in a shopping mall where you can find a Swisscom and a Salt store that sells prepaid sim cards for tourists. For more info check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Zurich International Airport in 2025.

Phone store in the city center

If you missed the chance to buy a Switzerland prepaid sim card at the airport your best bid is to go to any of the official retail stores in the city center. They are in every big city or shopping mall. Just go to Google Maps and type in the by you preferred store and locate the nearest one to your hotel.

Convenience stores and gas stations

They also sell Swiss sim cards at gas stations and convenience stores, but you will have to do the activation and registration process all by yourself and there is of course no service or help from the staff. Therefore Traveltomtom does not recommend this in general for tourists.

Online

There are multiple options of ordering a sim card for Switzerland online.

If your phone is eSIM compatible then the easiest way is ordering a Switzerland eSIM on the internet. Airalo, SimOptions and Jetpac are some of Traveltomtom's most recommended eSIM providers.

Traveltomtom also wrote the ultimate guide for buying an eSIM for Switzerland in 2025 with much more details and an answer to all FAQ about using eSIMs.

If your phone is not eSIM compatible you can order a physical prepaid sim card for Switzerland via SimOptions.

Registration process prepaid sim card in Switzerland

When buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland you will need to bring your passport. A copy of your passport will be taken in the store and your new Switzerland sim card will be registered on your name and passport number. You receive a physical prepaid sim card that comes with a phone number that starts with +41.

If you want to avoid this registration process for some reason then you can order an international prepaid sim card for Switzerland or get yourself an eSIM for Switzerland. If you order a sim card for Switzerland on the internet you only need your email address, there is not ID-verification required.

Best 4G/5G mobile network in Switzerland in 2025

Like most things in Switzerland the mobile data network is also very well organized. Basically everywhere in the country apart from very remote places in the mountains are covered with a 4G/LTE or 5G signal.

Switzerland has a very good 5G network as of 2025. Below we compare the Switzerland network coverage maps of Sunrise, Swisscom and Salt to find the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland in 2025.

Sunrise Switzerland 4G/5G network coverage

Salt Switzerland 4G/5G network coverage

salt 4g 5g network coverage map switzerland 2025

Swisscom 4G/5G network coverage

swisscom 4g 5g network coverage map switzerland 2025

Although the above mobile data network coverage maps are updated for 2025 they are not 100% accurate. However, they are a great reference to compare the 4G/5G networks of the mobile internet providers in Switzerland in 2025.

What we can see from the above 4G/5G network coverage maps from the Swiss mobile internet operators is that every tourist destination in Switzerland is covered with an excellent 4G/LTE and even a 5G signal.

Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that Swisscom has the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland in 2025 with Sunrise being a good runner up and Salt has the smallest 4G/5G network in Switzerland.

Prices prepaid Switzerland sim cards in 2025

All prices and info are updated in January 2025 and prices are in CHF: 1 USD = 0.92 CHF and 1 CHF = $1.09 USD.

Swisscom prepaid sim card

swisscom prepaid sim card

A Swisscom prepaid sim card cost 19.9 CHF ($21 USD) and comes with 20 CHF credit. A data connection cost 2 CHF per day, calling is 29c per minute and sms is 15c per text. Data is only valid in Swiss, not in other countries in the EU!

Data roaming in nearby France cost for example 5 CHF per day. These were the prices in 2020 and they did NOT change in 2025! Very Swiss.

swisscom prepaid sim card plans

Swissom also offers the above prepaid sim card data plan, but they are useless compared to unlimited data for 2 CHF per day.

  • 500 MB data for 30 days = 6.90 CHF ($8 USD)
  • 2 GB data for 30 days = 19.90 CHF ($21 USD)
  • 5 GB data for 30 days = 45 CHF ($50 USD)

Roaming charges outside of Switzerland apply on all prepaid data plans. There is no EU roaming included. For more info see the Swisscom website.

Salt Switzerland prepaid sim card

salt switzerland prepaid sim card plans

You can get a FREE Salt Mobile sim card, but you can only start using it when you top up with one of their many prepaid data/voice plans.

Salt offers free EU data roaming on some of their prepaid sim card plans, which are all valid for 1 month.

  • unlimited data on 4G network + unlimited calls/sms - only valid in Switzerland = 59.95 CHF ($67 USD)
  • unlimited data on 4G network in all of Europe + unlimited calls/sms in Switzerland = 89.95 CHF ($100 USD)
  • unlimited data in Switzerland on 4G = 35 CHF ($39 USD)
  • 5 GB data in Switzerland on 5G + unlimited calls/sms in Switzerland = 39.95 CHF ($45 USD)

You are allowed to use a hotspot regarding the fair-use policy. For more detailed info see the Salt Mobile website.

Sunrise Switzerland prepaid sim card

sunrise switzerland prepaid sim card plans

Just like Swisscom a Sunrise prepaid sim card for Switzerland also cost 19.90 CHF ($21 USD) and comes with 20 CHF credit.

Sunrise offers unlimited data + chat per day in Switzerland for 2.5 CHF per 24 hours. There is no limit, but data is only available in Switzerland.

EU data roaming charges are expensive! These are the set fares as per January 2025. More info on the Sunrise website.

Best sim card for Switzerland in 2025

Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world. However, prepaid sim card plans are not too bad and for 20 CHF ($21 USD) you basically get 10 days unlimited high speed data in Switzerland.

Reminder that a Jetpac eSIM for Switzerland with 15 GB is only $17 USD. So if your phone is eSIM compatible I would go for it.

eSIMs in general are very much recommended as you arrange everything online and you don't need to go to a phone store in Switzerland to buy a prepaid sim card.

Check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best eSIMs for traveling to Switzerland in 2025.

The main issue with Switzerland prepaid sim cards is that they are only valid in Switzerland and NOT in the rest of Europe. If you only visit Switzerland on your trip to Europe then perfect. Otherwise it is worth checking the my comparison of the best Europe travel (e)-sim cards with data in 2025.

From my comparison of the prepaid Switzerland sim cards I came to the following conclusions:

  • Swisscom has the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland in 2025
  • all tourist destinations in Switzerland are covered with a good 4G/5G signal by all mobile internet providers
  • Salt and Swisscom offer unlimited high speed data per day
  • All data allowance is ONLY valid in Switzerland, EU data roaming with Swiss prepaid sim cards is at extra costs

Swisscom offers unlimited data for 2 CHF per day at the fastest mobile network in Switzerland and is therefore the best prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2025.

Best eSIMs for Switzerland

The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Switzerland 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 Switzerland 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 Switzerland it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.

Make sure your phone is eSIM compatible before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland. For more details and an answer to all your FAQ about using eSIMs check out Traveltomtom's guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland in 2025.

Here are some recommendations.

Jetpac

Very much recommended are the Jetpac eSIMs for Switzerland. Very low rates at around $1 USD per Gigabyte and these eSIMs are valid in all of Europe.

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.

jetpac esims for switzerland

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.

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.

simoptions esim cards for switzerland

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. For more details check out Traveltomtom's detailed Switzerland eSIM guide.

Order a prepaid sim card for Switzerland online

Is your phone not eSIM compatible or does buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland sounds like too much hassle then don't worry, we got you covered!

There are also international sim cards for Switzerland that you can order online. These pre-activated physical sim cards will be shipped to your home address before your trip to Switzerland and it is plug and play on arrival.

international prepaid sim cards for switzerland

SimOptions is the only sim card provider that offers physical 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 as I have used these sim cards a lot in the past and never had an issue.

But nowadays when traveling to Europe or Switzerland I always use an eSIM. It is just so easy and done fast and as soon as the plane lands you are online.

For an answer on all FAQ about using eSIMs and all eSIM specifications check out my guide with everything you need to know before ordering an eSIM for Switzerland.

Vlog about buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland

Last but not least here is my vlog about buying a prepaid sim card in Switzerland with all my tips. Check out my YouTube video above.

I am sure some of the tips for buying a prepaid sim card or eSIM for Switzerland were helpful. If you have any questions please leave me a comment below. I am more than happy to help you out with questions related to sim cards as well as other travel tips for Switzerland.

Curious what the life of a full time nomadic traveler looks like? Go check out my 680K Instagram account or 1.4 Million TikTok account both called @traveltomtom. Follow along with daily updates from around the world about the good, the bad and the ugly about traveling.

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!