Ana Maria's Travel Blueprints

Going to Switzerland and feeling a bit confused because it’s not part of the European Union? Well, been there, done that.

This past summer I traveled around Switzerland and learned everything I wish someone had told me before I went, so let me be the one to tell you now.

Whether you’re planning a quick stop in Zurich or a full Alpine adventure, here’s your go-to Switzerland starter pack: eSIMs, currency tips, what to eat without going broke, and which power adapter actually works.

Index

📶 eSIMs in Switzerland

Planning to stay connected while in Switzerland? Here’s the good news: most Europe-wide eSIMs include Switzerland, even though it’s not in the EU.

Still, always double-check before you buy!

🚫 Check your current plan first

If you live in the EU, you’re probably used to free roaming across Europe, but Switzerland is the exception. Before you buy anything:

✅ Check if your carrier includes Switzerland (many don’t).
❌ 5€/day for 500 MB isn’t a deal, it’s daylight robbery.
📱 Example: Vodafone Spain includes Switzerland roaming with some of their plans.

If your plan doesn’t cover it, don’t worry, I compared all the main options so you can skip the research and go straight to buying what fits your trip.

💡 How to choose your eSIM (without overthinking it)

There are four solid eSIM providers that work great in Switzerland: Airalo, Holafly, Yesim, and Ubigi.

They all offer similar coverage and speed: what really matters is how long you’ll stay and how much data you’ll use.

That’s why I created tables for each trip length, so you can pick what actually fits your travel style instead of scrolling through endless plans.

⚠️ Note: These eSIMs are data-only, so you won’t get a phone number, but you can still call and message through WhatsApp, FaceTime, or any app that works over data, just like you normally would.

📲 Unlimited data plans

Perfect for:

• Heavy users (maps, stories, tiktok, reels, calls — all day)
• Remote workers or digital nomads
• Anyone who hates running out of data

Here’s a quick price summary for Unlimited Plans for different lengths of time 👇

💰 Budget-friendly plans

If you’ll mostly use Wi-Fi, then a smaller data plan will do.

Here’s a breakdown of best-value plans by trip length, perfect for regular travelers using maps, messages, and a few Instagram stories:

💡 Pro tip: Download offline Google Maps before you go. It saves so much data!

Short trips (1-7 days):

Longer stays (10-30 days):

✨ I included two options for 15 and 30 days, depending on how online you usually are (be honest).

🔗 Where to buy your eSIM (official sites)

These are the official sites to buy your eSIM directly:

• Airalo
• Holafly
• Ubigi
• Yesim. Use code FALLY20 for 20% off your first eSIM!

🩷 Affiliate disclaimer: These are affiliate links at no extra cost to you. If you use them, I’ll earn a small commission that helps me keep sharing detailed travel guides like this one. Thank you for supporting the blog, it truly means a lot! 💕

💸 Bonus: the Ubigi referral hack

I used Ubigi during my trip: super easy to install, great coverage, and no weird dropouts. They also have a referral program that’s actually worth using:

• Invite a friend → they get 20% off
• You get 50% off your next plan (valid for 6 months)

Here’s how we did it:

1. One person buys first.
2. Shares their referral link.
3. Everyone gets the discount
4. We added the difference to our Tricount so no one had to take one for the team.

📑 Quick details:

• Only via the Ubigi app.
• Works on weekly plans (not monthly).
• Valid on the first purchase.
• Up to 20 people allowed.
• Full terms here.

If you’re the type who loves digging into details (same here), I’ve included the full price breakdown tables (as of 2025) below. Otherwise, feel free to skip ahead to the next section.

💰 Money & Payments in Switzerland

Now that your Internet connection is sorted, let’s talk about money, because Switzerland does things a little differently here too.

The official currency is the Swiss franc (CHF), not the euro.

💡 Pro tip: Always choose to pay in local currency (CHF) when asked at card terminals. Paying in euros usually means your bank converts it at a worse rate.

💳 Cards vs cash

Switzerland is incredibly card-friendly, even small cafés, kiosks, and train machines accept contactless payments, so there is no need to exchange cash. I didn’t, and never had any trouble!

🌍 How to avoid exchange fees

If you’re using a regular debit or credit card from abroad, you’ll likely pay extra in conversion fees.

To avoid that, I recommend using Revolut (or a similar app like Wise).

With Revolut, you can:

• Hold multiple currencies, including CHF.
• Get the real exchange rate.
• Spend abroad without commission.

I swear they’re not paying me to see this (I wish), it’s just that I’ve been using Revolut for all my international trips, including Switzerland, and it’s a game-changer! It works perfectly with Apple Pay and Google Pay for quick tap payments.

🔌 Power Adapters

If you’re traveling with European chargers, here’s the good news: your two-pin EU plugs (Type C) will work just fine in Switzerland.

You’ll only need an adapter if you have three-pin plugs or bulky chargers, since Switzerland officially uses Type J sockets. In that case, you can grab a Type J adapter online: they’re small, cheap, and worth packing.

So, in short:

✅ Two-pin EU plug → Works fine.
⚠️ Three-pin plug → Get a Type J adapter.

If you don’t know what it is I’m talking about, this is it. Make sure to check out the page I got this from with the full table of sockets compatibility in Europe! 

🥐 Food in Switzerland: How Not to Go Broke

Let’s be honest: food in Switzerland is expensive. I’m talking 14 CHF sandwiches and 7 CHF coffees expensive.

But don’t worry, I survived on good food without stepping into a single restaurant. Here’s how 👇

🍳 My budget food strategy

• Stay somewhere with a kitchen.
  Hostels, Airbnbs, and apartment-style homes make it easy to cook your own meals.
• Shop smart.
  You’ll see Coop and Migros everywhere, but they’re pricey.
  Instead, go to Lidl or Aldi: same quality, way cheaper.
• Go picnic-style.
  Grab the picnic food of your choice, and eat with a mountain view. It’s cheaper and more fun.

When these are the views, you don't even think about what you're eating!

🌄 Final Thoughts

Switzerland might feel a bit different from the rest of Europe: new plugs, new currency, new prices, and new data rules. But once you know what to expect, it’s one of the easiest and most stunning countries to travel through.

With your eSIM sorted, your Revolut card ready, and your groceries planned, you can focus on what really matters: mountains, lakes, and chocolate.

Happy planning, and happy travels 💕

❓ Quick FAQs

Q: Does EU roaming work in Switzerland?

A: Not always! Some carriers include it (like Vodafone Spain), but many don’t. Always double-check before traveling.

Q: Which eSIM is best for Switzerland?

A: For short trips and budget travelers, Ubigi and Yesim are great. For longer stays or unlimited data, Holafly and Yesim are top picks.

Q: Do EU plugs work in Switzerland?

A: Yes, two-pin plugs work perfectly. Three-pin or bulky sockets need a Type J adapter.