Mobile Internet in Switzerland for Travelers: 4 Ways to Get Data & Cost

William Jones

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Published: May 2024

Planning a trip to Switzerland? Discover how you can enjoy affordable Switzerland mobile internet as a tourist with Swiss prepaid SIM cards in this handy guide. Stay connected without breaking the bank during your visit to Switzerland!

I. Mobile Internet in Switzerland – Coverage and Speed

Mobile Internet in Switzerland can be up to travelers’ needs. 

1. Coverage.

We will show you three mobile operators’ coverage in Switzerland:

Swisscom

Coverage: Swisscom boasts the most extensive coverage across Switzerland, ensuring a reliable mobile experience wherever you go. 

Frequencies: 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G NR, VoLTE, VoWiFi

Sunrise

Coverage: Sunrise does not provide coverage in Liechtenstein

Frequencies: 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G NR, VoLTE, VoWiFi

Salt

Coverage: Salt Mobile remains third place in coverage in Switzerland. However, you will have 4G/LTE reception almost anywhere. 

Frequencies: 2G, 3G, 4G/LTE, 5G NR, VoLTE, VoWiFi

2. Speed. 

Swisscom continues to dominate in terms of download speed experience. With an impressive score of 72.7Mbps, Swisscom outperforms Salt and Sunrise, which achieved speeds of 55.3Mbps and 48.5Mbps, respectively. All three operators have shown improvements since the last report, with Swisscom leading the way with a significant increase of 4.4Mbps, followed by Salt with 2.4Mbps, and Sunrise with 1.9Mbps.

Swisscom maintains its impressive streak by winning the gold medal for Upload Speed ​​Experience. With a score of 19.2Mbps, Swisscom outperforms Salt, which takes second place with a score of 16.4Mbps, and Sunrise, which trails behind with a score of 13.8Mbps. Notably, Swisscom users experienced a significant increase of 0.7Mbps in their average upload speeds since the last report, reinforcing their lead in this category.

II. Internet Rates in Switzerland. 

We’ll explore different internet rate options and help you choose the best one for your needs. 

III. What are Connectivity Options for Tourists to Switzerland?

For tourists visiting Switzerland, there are several connectivity options available:

• eSIM: With an eSIM, you can easily download a virtual SIM card onto your device without the need for a physical card. This option offers convenience and flexibility. You can buy Switzerland eSIM from official mobile operators or from reliable retailers namely Gigago

• Prepaid SIM cards: Purchasing a prepaid SIM card from local providers like Swisscom, Salt, or Sunrise  allows you to have a local phone number and access to data, calls, and texts during your stay.

• Roaming: Check with your home mobile service provider to see if they offer international roaming plans. This allows you to use your existing SIM card and data plan while traveling in Switzerland, although roaming charges may apply.

• Pocket Wi-Fi: Some companies offer portable Wi-Fi devices that provide internet access for multiple devices. These devices can be rented and are convenient if you need to connect multiple devices simultaneously.

• Free Wi-Fi hotspots: Many cafes, restaurants, hotels, and public spaces in Switzerland offer free Wi-Fi for customers or visitors. Keep in mind that the connection may not be available everywhere and may have limitations.

IV. Data eSIM for Switzerland – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet for Tourists

You can buy Switzerland eSIM from mobile operators or reliable retailers. 

1. Buy eSIM from Switzerland Operators

There are three big mobile operators you can buy eSIM from: Swiss, Salt and Sunrise. 

You can buy online but still need a passport or ID Card for the registration process. 

Some plans you can take into consider:

The InOne Mobile Prepaid of Swisscom is a data plan with unlimited data :  

Prepaid Budget Plans – Sunrise Switzerland: The Prepaid Budget Plans are combo bundles with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Or, Surf Plans – Salt Mobile Switzerland (formerly Orange): The Surf plans are data bundles (with 5G NR access).

2. Buy Switzerland eSIM from Gigago

Here are some reason why you should choose Gigago as a Switzerland eSIM provider:

• 100% online
• No passport
• No ID card
• No waiting for SIM delivery
• Easy setup ( just scan QR)
• Have internet as soon as arriving in Switzerland

Here are the detailed instructions on how to buy an eSIM from Gigago, a reputable eSIM provider, for Switzerland:

• Visit the Gigago website or app.

• Go to the homepage and use the search function to find Switzerland’s eSIM page. 

• On the Asia’s eSIM page, browse through the available plans and choose the one that suits your needs, budget, and trip duration.

• Click on the selected plan to view its details, including data allowances, validity, and pricing.

• Once you have decided on a plan, proceed to make the payment using the provided payment options.

• After completing the payment, wait for an email from Gigago containing instructions and the necessary QR code or activation code.

• Check your email inbox for the email from Gigago and locate the QR code or activation code provided.

• Activate data roaming on your phone. Wait for a few moments for the eSIM to connect to the carrier network.

For Switzerland, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Switzerland eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.50 – $128.00 . 

V. FAQs

VI. Conclusion

Mobile internet in Switzerland offers travelers with various options . For most travelers, purchasing a Switzerland prepaid SIM card or SIM from local reliable providers like Gigago is an excellent option. This provides a local phone number and access to affordable data, calls, and texts. Hope you can choose the best option for yourself and enjoy the trip to Switzerland!