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How to get Mobile Internet in Switzerland: What is the best option?
Do you want to connect to the internet without paying for roaming? Learn about the available options: alternatives, providers, and prices to compare.
February 13, 2023
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Getting internet in Switzerland, without paying for roaming, is easier than you think. So, keep reading this post to learn about the available options to connect to the internet without paying expensive roaming rates.
It’s important to realize that Switzerland is not part of the European Union. Therefore, you’ll have to pay additional fees in case you decide to use this service during your stay in this country.
To point out, we want to let you in on a sneak peek that the best alternative is the Holafly eSIM. Therefore, keep reading to find out more details.
eSIM for Switzerland
>>Buy an eSIM for Switzerland<< Get 5% OFF. Code: MYESIMNOW5
Options to have internet in Switzerland
In the first place, you should know that roaming is just one of the many options available to get internet in Switzerland or any other destination for that matter.
In other words, eSIM with data, prepaid cards, Pocket WiFi, and free WiFi are some of the alternatives most popular with travelers from all over the world. Some offer better connection quality; others are cheaper, but ultimately, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
It’s important that you be well-informed about them so that you can make the best decision for your trip. Here we go!
Holafly eSIM to have internet in Switzerland
Holafly’s data eSIM for Switzerland is a great ally when making international trips. In addition to providing internet on your cellphone, it allows you to keep your WhatsApp number to stay in touch with your family or friends. Switzerland is definitely on the list, with coverage in over 170 destinations worldwide!
Besides, they provide a stable high-speed connection and good coverage, thanks to their connection to the cellular networks of each country you are going to visit. In this case, eSIM for Switzerland would connect to the cellular networks operated by Sunrise Communications AG.
Also, thanks to the customization feature added to these eSIMs, people can buy one for the amount of days they need. These unlimited data plans start from 1 day to 90 days with prices ranging from $6 to $139 and they allow you to share data up to 500 MB per day.
Advantages of Holafly eSIM to travel to Switzerland
- Buy online with a secure payment platform
- Hotspot and enjoy 500 MB per day to share with others.
- You receive the eSIM very quickly, so you won’t have to wait for a shipment that takes days.
- You receive an email containing a QR code with your eSIM (You just have to scan it)
- Buy online, without signatures or subscriptions
- It’s easy to set up and activate
- You keep your local SIM for calls and messages via WhatsApp (or similar)
- You have unlimited data during the days of use you choose
- You connect to the Sunrise 3G/4G/LTE networks
Disadvantages of Holafly eSIM to travel to Switzerland
- It doesn’t let you send SMS messages
- Only allows VoIP calls, not analog calls
- Your cellphone must be compatible with eSIM technology
- Operation on smartwatches and tablets is not guaranteed
Holafly eSIM plans and rates
How does the Holafly eSIM for Switzerland work?
- Check that your cellphone is compatible with eSIM technology
- After choosing your unlimited data plan, complete your purchase online
- From your cellphone settings, scan the QR Code to install and activate your eSIM
- And, voilà, you can browse!
SIM card to have internet in Switzerland (Purchase in physical stores)
When you arrive in Switzerland, you can get a Switzerland SIM card at the airport or local shops from the following national operators: Salt, Swisscom, and Sunrise.
- Salt: With this provider, you find prepaid plans that include national calls, SMS, and cellular data bundles with fixed rates + extra bundles and additional rates.
- Swisscom: This provider has a wide range of customizable prepaid plans, including calls, SMS, and data packages, from 7 days.
- Sunrise Telecom: They have prepaid rate plans to make calls, send messages, and use data within Switzerland. For other countries the rates are different, so you should pay close attention when buying their services.
Pocket WiFi to have internet in Switzerland (Buy or rent)
Pocket WiFi allows you to connect to the internet at any destination since it’s a portable or pocket device. This can be a slightly more expensive option to get internet because you end up paying additional fees for deposit, rent, and insurance in case of damage or loss.
To clarify, here are some Pocket WiFi alternatives to get internet in Switzerland:
- iSpot Connect: Provides internet connection with a four to six-hour battery life. Its size is smaller than the regular size Pocket WiFi, similar to a small laptop mouse.
- Huawei: With a simple design, it gives you a 4G speed connection. This device operates with a micro SIM card and its size is similar to that of a cellphone.
Free WiFi to have internet in Switzerland (Public places)
In general, this free WiFi service in Switzerland are offered at airports, restaurants, bars, and libraries. But they don’t provide you with security or privacy, so we recommend that you only use them as long as you don’t expose sensitive information, such as online banking passwords, and even access to your profiles on social networks or email.
- The free Swisscom hotspots network: It has a network that you can see on a map similar to Google Maps. At each spot, you’ll see the address and name of the premise, institution, or university that offers this service.
- Hotels and establishments: Accommodations, restaurants, and companies offer you this service, likewise at the airports of Zurich and Geneva. In these last options, you can only browse for free for one hour.
How much does roaming cost in Switzerland?
Roaming is the service provided by cellular providers so that you have coverage for calls, messages, and cellular data abroad. Correspondingly, their prices vary according to the provider, rate, and destination. In Europe, member countries of the European Union have access to roaming benefits with preferential rates, but Switzerland is not included in this list of countries.
Keep in mind
- Roaming costs are very high.
- If you use more data than the amount included in your domestic plan, you’ll be billed for additional charges, with very high prices. This also happens when you make calls in another country.
International roaming rates with providers in your country
| Country | Cellular provider | Rate |
| USA | AT&T | $10/day |
| UK | Vodafone (Activated automatically) | £2/day |
| Australia | Telstra | $10/day |
As a matter of fact, Vodafone is one of the operators that informs on their website that the roaming service is active by default on the cellphone. It means that in case you visit a foreign country, and once you turn on your phone, it will immediately connect to a foreign network. If you make or receive calls, send SMS messages, or consume browsing data, you’ll have to pay additional fees on your next bill.
If you have an Unlimited data Xtra Airtime Plan with 4 Xtra benefits or a Limited data Xtra Airtime Plan with 4 Xtra benefits from Vodafone, you will be able to use 25 GB per month in Switzerland without extra charges.
Telstra will allow you unlimited calls, SMS, and 1 GB of data for 10 dollars/day. If you exceed the 1 GB of data, they will ask you to top you up with 1 GB of data for $10 extra.
We recommend checking the terms and conditions of each provider very well.
Comparison of the options to have internet in Switzerland
To explain, here are the advantages and disadvantages of all the alternatives that we have mentioned. This way you can decide which is the best option to stay connected to the internet in Switzerland.
| Features | Data eSIM | Prepaid SIM card | Roaming | Pocket WiFi | Free WiFi |
| Fair price? | Yes | Yes | No | No | N/A |
| Quality connection? | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Unlimited internet? | Yes | Yes / No | Yes / No | No | Yes / No |
| Added costs? | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Can you share the internet with other devices? | Yes | Yes | Yes / No | Yes | No |
| Fee in case of loss? | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| User friendly? | Yes | Yes / No | Yes | No | Yes |
What’s the best option to have internet in Switzerland?
In the previous table, you’ll see that there’s only one alternative to getting internet in Switzerland at an affordable price with the same benefits as other options that cost more, such as quality, security, and a private connection. To emphasize, These are the Holafly data eSIMs.
With the Best eSIM Switzerland, you’ll have internet with 3G/4G/LTE/5G speed, unlimited data, and data sharing at a lower price than Pocket WiFi or international roaming. Also, if you plan to travel to other European countries, you can use Holafly’s eSIM cards for Europe. You will have coverage in more than thirty destinations at no additional cost.
In addition, you can easily get the eSIM through the online store and receive it immediately with a QR code in your email to set it up and activate it whenever you need internet on your cellphone.
