How to Get Internet in Switzerland without Roaming

If you want to access the Internet in Switzerland for work, study, or leisure, you’ll need to find an alternate solution to your usual SIM card. Switzerland does not belong to the European Union, and it lies outside the European Economic Area, so even if you presently have a European SIM card, there is no complimentary roaming available in Switzerland. This implies that if you utilize data from your regular SIM card, you may have to pay costly international roaming fees when you return home.

Fortunately, there are ways to bypass this issue, so you can access Swiss wireless internet and data during your trip. The simplest option is obtaining an international SIM card that you can swap for your regular one.

We utilize Holafly cards when traveling, and we absolutely adore them. Holafly offers international eSIMs with unlimited data, allowing us to stay connected throughout our trips. The company even provides a card granting data in Switzerland and several other nations in Europe. If you opt to procure one of these eSIMs, utilize our Holafly discount code below.

If your phone doesn’t support eSIM technology, or you want a physical card, consider SimOptions. Local Swiss SIM cards are also available for purchase once you arrive in Switzerland.

For longer trips or work purposes, I recommend employing a portable Wi-Fi device. We have the Solis router, which is ideal for us when we need to accomplish work on our laptops while traveling.

Do not despair; I will walk you through these various possibilities below so you can pick the best way to access Swiss Internet without spending excessive money on roaming costs.

Are there roaming fees in Switzerland when using a European SIM Card?

Indeed, you must pay for roaming in Switzerland, even if you’re traveling from another European country. Switzerland does not participate in the EU roaming agreement as it isn`t part of the European Union or the European Economic Area. Therefore, any incoming and outgoing calls and data consumption will incur supplementary costs.

The precise amount you will need to pay to access networks while roaming in Switzerland is dependent on your mobile provider. Most charge high fees, though some offer deals or international data packages. It`s best to check with your provider before your trip to understand your options.

Also, remember that many applications consume data in the background, even if you’re not actively employing them. If you don’t have a SIM card for Switzerland or a portable Wi-Fi router, be cautious that you don’t accrue data roaming charges. Either find a way to have travel Internet in Switzerland or put your device in airplane mode.

The best way to get Internet in Switzerland

There are a few ways to access Internet in Switzerland without accumulating a huge bill.

To avoid costs from using your mobile device abroad, a SIM card or portable Wi-Fi device is advisable when traveling to Switzerland. When we journey, we employ the international eSIMs offered by Holafly, which provide limitless data and plans covering Europe, like Switzerland. When we need to accomplish work while traveling, we favor the Solis portable router, which allows us to connect multiple devices simultaneously, involving laptops.

Below, I will share 5 best strategies to access Switzerland’s Internet so you can pick the best fit for your trip duration, budget, and travel purposes.

1. Holafly eSIM, the best way to get Internet in Switzerland

The Holafly eSIM offers the simplest strategy to gain Internet in Switzerland. It’s a digital SIM card with unlimited information and several plan timeframes, so you should find the ideal one for your journey. Before purchasing it, just be sure to examine your device’s compatibility with the eSIM here.

Additionally, since it’s an eSIM, you have the ability to purchase the card during your trip. Upon obtaining it, you’ll get an email containing a QR code. You can either print out the code to scan or have the email forwarded to a travel companion so they can scan it off their device. The setup instructions are extremely straightforward, so you’ll have the eSIM installed within minutes. Best of all, you aren’t required to remove your regular SIM card, so there’s no risk of losing it during your trip.

Holafly`s Swiss digital SIM cards offer amongst the most affordable ways to avoid roaming fees in Switzerland. The service also provides a European digital SIM, allowing access to the Internet across Europe, specifically over 30 countries including Switzerland. Therefore, if visiting Switzerland as part of a wider European trip, I suggest it

One disadvantage of Holafly is that it doesn’t allow data sharing with other devices, so each traveler will need to obtain their own eSIM. I still think it’s worthwhile, especially since Holafly’s eSIMs come with unlimited data and connect to the best Internet providers in Switzerland, so you’ll have a great connection.

Below, you can observe the different plan periods and costs for the Holafly cards:

And here are the primary advantages and disadvantages of the Holafly eSIM service for Switzerland:

2. SimOptions SIM card, an easy way to access Switzerland Internet

If your phone is incompatible with an eSIM, or you prefer a physical SIM card, I recommend getting one from SimOptions.

Activating this international SIM card is quite straightforward: insert the card into your phone’s SIM slot and follow the on-screen directions. If you have any concerns, you can contact the company’s customer service team via phone or email for assistance.

The SimOptions Swiss SIM cards offer varying amounts of data to utilize within designated timeframes. You can also make and receive calls. As we point out on our SimOptions review, these cards allow you to share data with other devices, however, since data is constrained, you’ll exhaust the GB quickly if you share with others. I personally prefer using Holafly for Switzerland Internet since the company offers more plan lengths, all with unlimited data.

Of course, not all phones are compatible with eSIM technology, so the virtual SIM card from SimOptions is a great substitute. You can purchase it on the official website and have it delivered to your home within 3 business days. Just be sure to place the order before your trip!

You can see the different SimOptions plans and prices below:

In summary, SimOptions provides an excellent method to circumvent roaming in Switzerland. Here are the primary advantages and disadvantages to help you determine if this is the best choice for your needs:

3. Local Swiss SIM card, another option for getting Internet in Switzerland

Let’s say you’re already traveling and want to avoid using a cellphone plan with expensive roaming fees in Switzerland. In that case, you can purchase a local SIM card to connect to the Swiss cellular network.

Switzerland offers various SIM cards, though the top providers include Swisscom,Salt, and Coop Mobile. All function similarly: insert the card into your phone`s SIM slot and follow the on-screen activation steps. I advise activating it at the store to request employee assistance if any issues arise during setup.

These cards are available at authorized telecommunications outlets, airport kiosks, train stations, and supermarkets. While they`re not too difficult to find a seller, you’ll have to allocate valuable vacation time searching and selecting one that’s compatible with your phone and suitable for your trip length and budget.

As for pricing, the Swisscom card is €5 for the daily plan and €20 for the 7-day plan. Both packages come with limitless data access. Salt only offers a daily plan (€2 for limitless data), however it could serve as a good pick if you’re only in Switzerland for a single day or two. As for Coop Mobile, it only presents a 30-day plan that demands a €21 activation fee. This plan comes with 100 MB (€16) or 750 MB (€26). Overall, this is quite expensive for simply a restricted amount of data, so I wouldn’t advise it.

You are able to compare these local SIM cards with the plans from SimOptions and Holafly in the chart below:

I strongly suggest Holafly and SimOptions as your primary options, but if you’re already in Switzerland and require a physical card, try Swisscom or Salt. They’re the most commonly used mobile internet providers in Switzerland.

4. Portable Wi-Fi device, a convenient option for Swiss Internet

Having Swiss Wi-Fi is another option that I recommend, particularly for longer trips or if you plan to work or study while traveling. A portable Wi-Fi device will give you a steady connection so you can work from a laptop, tablet, or phone.

These convenient devices are small and discreet, so they’re easy to carry with you, and they usually have a long battery life. Plus, they offer a stable connection to the Internet in Switzerland, even when multiple gadgets are being used simultaneously.

We utilize the Skyroam Solis Mobile Wi-Fi Hotspot when we travel. It works through a virtual SIM with 4G LTE speeds and allows us to connect up to 5 devices simultaneously. This portable router works in over 130 countries, so it’s the perfect companion when we’re traveling around the world and need to connect to the Internet for work.

Bear in mind that having Wi-Fi in Switzerland necessitates compensation for the device as well as the data plan, either through a SIM card or a subscription arrangement with the router. Depending on how long your trip will be and what purposes you need the Internet for, it may be preferable to procure a card from Holafly or SimOptions.

5. Public Wi-Fi network, the only way to get free Internet in Switzerland

Lastly, public Wi-Fi in Switzerland provides a convenient way to bypass roaming fees. Nowadays, free Wi-Fi is widely accessible at most hotels, restaurants, shopping complexes, airports, and transportation hubs across the country.

Remember, publicly accessible networks aren`t always the most stable or secure, so you shouldn`t perform any important tasks on your device while connected to free Wi-Fi. Additionally, if many people are using the network simultaneously, the speed and connection quality will likely deteriorate.

There is no assurance about the protection and privacy of data on these free Wi-Fi networks, so I only suggest using them for simple activities like checking social media or messaging apps.

How much does roaming in Switzerland cost?

Since Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, it does not have to follow the EU’s free roaming regulations. Therefore, you will need to pay for using your phone as you normally would at home while in Switzerland.

The additional expenses rely on your mobile network service provider. While some companies may offer gratis or low-priced roaming, there is generally an annoying fee for this utility. If you opt to place calls or transmit texts while roaming in Switzerland, you should be prepared for a sizable bill upon your return home.

For those with a U.S. phone, costs can amount to €3 per minute. Some providers offer global data packages, though they feature modest data for the cost. For example, T-Mobile’s International 1 Day Pass costs €5 for 512 MB. AT&T and Verizon have comparable Day Passes priced at €10 apiece for unlimited data usage.

Most UK network providers charge a daily rate for making calls and sending texts while abroad (up to £5/day). Depending on the carrier, data roaming fees can be as high as £6 per MB. Considering WhatsApp uses 15.6 MB per minute, the costs could quickly reach nearly £100 after just 2 minutes of use!

Other European travelers can expect to pay around €2 per minute and €2 per MB of roaming data. The only exception is Vodafone, which offers free roaming in Switzerland for customers with a permanent Vodafone contract.

How to avoid roaming in Switzerland

I do not believe it worthwhile spending a large amount of money on roaming services in Switzerland, particularly when affordable and convenient alternatives exist.

For brief trips, I suggest purchasing a SIM card so you can connect to the Internet in Switzerland without additional expenses. This way, you can access all your favorite apps and social media to keep in touch with loved ones back home.

It`s important to remember that certain apps continue using data even when not in active use. If you don`t have a Swiss SIM card, ensure you turn off roaming on your phone. You could also power down the device or switch to airplane mode.

How to use the Internet in Switzerland to make calls

Not all SIM cards permit making calls from Switzerland. For instance, data-only cards can’t make or receive phone calls, but you can employ messaging apps like Skype or WhatsApp to stay in contact with friends and family back home.

For example, we employ Holafly, and both the Swiss eSIM and the European eSIM are data-solely playing cards, so you cannot make calls. That stated, the playing cards provide unlimited data, so if you wish to contact the U.S. from Switzerland, you may use an app like Skype. Alternatively, the SimOptions SIM card includes incoming and outgoing calls from Switzerland. Simply bear in mind that the plan durations are restricted to 14 and 30 days, and information is restricted.

I opt for limitless data so I can utilize any program without constraints. I inform friends and family members to contact me through WhatsApp to avoid paying for incoming calls.

What is the best way to access the Internet in Switzerland?

To summarize, the best approach togain Internet access in Switzerland is by using a Swiss SIM card like the one from Holafly. This allows you to have unrestricted mobile Internet in Switzerland, and you can purchase the eSIM even if you’re already traveling. If you decide to obtain from Holafly, use our discount code to save money.

If your device isn’t compatible with an eSIM, or you prefer a physical SIM, I propose obtaining one from SimOptions. Ordering it ahead of your journey ensures it arrives at your home, allowing you to access the Internet immediately upon arrival in Switzerland.

If you’re already traveling and want physical cellular connectivity, consider obtaining a local SIM card. For example, Salt offers SIM cards with unlimited data starting at €2 daily. I definitely don’t advocate utilizing roaming services within Switzerland, especially since several cost-beneficial solutions exist. We appreciate employing Holafly, and it’s the medium we suggest to clients who participate in our photography excursions.

FAQs – Internet in Switzerland

You now have all the information necessary regarding how to gain Internet access in Switzerland and avoid roaming fees. Here are some commonly asked questions (with answers) to resolve any remaining uncertainties:

That wraps up this guide on using the Internet in Switzerland. You should now have all the information needed to connect online during your visit. Of course, feel free to leave a comment below if you still have any other questions.

Remain safe, and enjoy your trip to Switzerland!