Do I need cash in Switzerland?
Switzerland has a modern banking economy — it's their primary industry — so you won't need lots of cash on your travels. If your card has a chip you'll be able to make contactless payments.
Cash remains the most widely accepted payment method for customer-facing businesses, such as shops and restaurants, ahead of payment via apps like Google Pay. Around 92% of companies which operate face-to-face businesses in Switzerland accept cash, while just 59% accept payment via apps, the study found.
On average, a budget traveler can expect to spend around $100 to $150 per day, while a mid-range traveler may spend between $200 and $300 per day. By being mindful of your expenses and making smart choices, you can have an unforgettable trip to Switzerland without breaking the bank.
What should I know about using my debit and credit cards in Switzerland? Major credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Switzerland, including Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, and Cirrus. American Express cards aren't as widely accepted, but can be used in many places.
You'll usually find you can use a card to make payments in Switzerland, but carrying some cash in CHF is also reassuring. It's often easier for tipping and making smaller purchases, plus you've got a nice backup if your card is ever out of action for some reason.
It's a smart idea to have both a card and some cash in CHF when you're in Switzerland. Some merchants will prefer cash, but having a card for higher value payments and in busier more tourist places is also convenient. Consider using a travel card from a provider like Wise or Revolut alongside your cash for flexibility.
For budget travelers, you can expect to spend around $70 to $100 per day in Switzerland. This includes staying in budget accommodations, eating at budget restaurants, and using public transportation. For mid-range travelers, you can expect to spend around $200 to $300 per day.
Tipping in Switzerland is not expected. Instead, a service charge will normally be added to your bill. The service charge will usually be declared on the menu if you're in a cafe or restaurant, for example, and is paid directly to the company rather than to an individual member of staff.
Restaurants are infamously expensive in Switzerland, a simple meal of pasta costing CHF 25 or more. And honestly, at most casual restaurants, the food is not amazing. Unless you are going to a very nice restaurant, your meal is rarely worth the high prices.
Do I need cash in Zurich?
Carry both a debit card and a credit card. Ideally one card should use Visa, and the other Mastercard. That way, if one payment method does not work, you can use a different one. Cash is king: Banknotes and coins are the most popular payment method in Switzerland.
You can convert your dollars into Swiss Francs at airports, railway stations, banks and Post Offices. Some shops accept Euros but rarely dollars. Don't convert more than you plan to spend because each change causes your money to lose value.
Around 92 per cent of companies which operate face-to-face businesses in Switzerland accept cash, while just 59 per cent accept payment via apps, the study found. The findings of the Swiss National Bank's survey contrast with the experience of countries like Sweden which have become increasingly cashless.
Across all age groups and all language regions, English was the most commonly used nonnational language in Switzerland in 2019, with 45% of the population reporting that they regularly used it. In contrast, only 39% of the population said they regularly used French, and only 15% Italian.
| Restaurants | Edit |
|---|---|
| Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | 25.00Fr. |
| Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course | 120.00Fr. |
| McMeal at McDonalds (or Equivalent Combo Meal) | 15.00Fr. |
| Domestic Beer (1 pint draught) | 7.00Fr. |
Swiss cuisine is varied and it includes many different dishes, so prices vary accordingly. Set lunchtime menus, at CHF 25 to 30, are less expensive than dinner. In the evening, you'll pay between CHF 20 and 50 for a main dish from an 'à la carte' menu.
Public restrooms can be found at parks, bus stations, railway terminals, and cable-car platforms. If these aren't handy, use the toilets in cafes and shops. Most public toilets are not free, costing around 1CHF to 2CHF.
You can get by with a credit card.
How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to Switzerland cost? A one week trip to Switzerland usually costs around $1,986 (Sfr1,815) for one person and $3,971 (Sfr3,630) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
- Bank Transfers. Bank transfers are one of the top payment methods in Switzerland – especially online. ...
- Credit and Debit Cards. Credit and debit cards are another extremely popular payment method in Switzerland. ...
- TWINT. ...
- Digital Wallets. ...
- Cash. ...
- Buy Now, Pay Later.
What is the best card to use in Switzerland?
Visa and Mastercard are the most widely accepted by Swiss merchants, while American Express and Diners Club International cards are less widely accepted. Many Swiss card issuers offer the same credit cards in both Visa and Mastercard versions, with identical fees and benefits.
Wise card is up to 5x cheaper for spending abroad.
Wise is also on average 5x cheaper to send $250 abroad, and we don't charge fees for ATM withdrawals up to $350. There are no set up fees, monthly fees or minimum balance with the Wise account.
Switzerland is indeed expensive compared to the rest of the world. Many things are significantly more expensive here than in most countries.
Switzerland isn't known for being cheap, and the cities are no different. The main cities of Basel, Bern, Lucerne and Zurich are some of the most expensive places to visit unless you are staying overnight and can take advantage of a city card.
Switzerland – No limits
There is no limit to the amount of cash which you can carry into or out of Switzerland and you are not obligated to declare your money when you enter or leave Switzerland. This applies to Swiss francs and foreign currency, as well as securities, gift cards, checks and other cash equivalents.
