How to Get and Activate Salt SIM Cards and eSIM: 2024 Guide for Tourists

William Jones
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Published: May 2024

Customers traveling to Switzerland can consider Salt SIM Cards and eSIM as a good choice for staying connected at a reasonable price. Join us to find out more about these major Swiss networks and see what are the most suitable packages for travelers.

salt Switzerland sim card & eSIM

I. Quick Facts about Salt

Salt is a Swiss telecommunications provider focusing on mobile telephony and fiber-optic land-line services

  • Full Name: Salt Mobile SA 
  • Founded Year: June 1999
  • Market Share: 17% market share
  • Subcribers: more than 200,000 broadband customers across Switzerland.
  • Service: Options & Data Packs, Call & SMS, Mobile Security, WiFi-Calling  ….

II. Why Salt When Traveling Switzerland- Coverage and Speed

Salt is one of the few Swiss providers to operate its own mobile network

1. Coverage

Salt's coverage in Switzerland
Salt’s coverage in Switzerland

Salt’s network covers over 98.1% of the Swiss population, according to Opensignal data.

Salt is expanding its 5G network quickly about 17.2 % of Switzerland. 

However, when compared to Swisscom and Sunrise UPC, Salt’s network has some areas that may have weaker coverage. There are areas with limited coverage in Uri, Ticino, Valais, Graubünden, and St. Gallen. 

2. Speed.  

Speeds of Salt can be up to 300 Mbps are achieved under optimum conditions.

Download experience in Switzerland
Download experience in Switzerland
Upload experience in Switzerland
Upload experience in Switzerland

Average Download Speed and Upload Speed are 55.3 Mbps and 16.5 Mbps, respectively. The data is just 17.4 Mbps in Download Speed and 2.8 Mbps in Upload Speed lower than the first place Swisscom. 

Advice: In simpler terms, while Salt's network covers a large portion of Switzerland, there may be some areas where the coverage is not as strong as its competitors. In Mobile Speed Experience, Salt can be up to customers needs

III. What are the Best Connectivity Options of Salt for Travelers to Switzerland?

There are different ways to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland. Let’s see what is the best choice for tourists: 

Salt SIM Card
Salt SIM Card
Connectivity OptionsProsCons
Salt SIM Card– Wide coverage 
– High-speed data 
– Cost – effective option		– Need unlock device
Salt eSIM– Easy to use and activate
– Various packages with affordable costs
– Easily switch to many carriers and packages		– Device compatibility limitations
Free Wi-Fi– Cost-effective 
– Availability in specific locations		– Limited coverage 
– Security concerns
– Inconsistency
Roaming– Various packages to choose – Additional charges  
– Coverage limitations depending on agreements with partner networks

Advice: As you can see, Switzerland SIM Card and eSIM is the most suitable option for travelers. 

IV. Best Salt SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Note: 1 CHF =  1,14 USD

You can easily purchase a Salt Mobile SIM card for approximately 10 USD, which includes 10 USD worth of credit, at Salt Mobile stores. Additionally, you can find Salt Mobile SIM cards available for purchase at Zurich Airport (ZRH). 

Salt Mobile has three data-featured prepaid plans:

  • Salt Max (combo)
  • Salt Digital Plans (combo)
  • Surf (data)

Salt Max (combo)

PricePlanDataEU/EEA DataLocal/EU MinutesLocal/EU SMSValidity
40.95 CHFStart Max5 GBN/AUnlimitedUnlimited1 month
71.95 CHFSwiss MaxUnlimited1 GBUnlimitedUnlimited1 month
82.95 CHFEurope MaxUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited1 month
102.95 CHFTravel MaxUnlimitedUnlimited 1Unlimited 1Unlimited 21 month

Salt Digital Plans (combo)

PricePlanDataEU/EEA DataLocal/EU MinutesLocal/EU SMSValidity
50.95 CHFSwiss 10 GB10 GBN/AUnlimitedUnlimited1 month
61.95 CHFSmartUnlimitedN/AUnlimitedUnlimited1 month
81.95 CHFSwiss XXLUnlimited4 GB“Unlimited”, 100 minutesUnlimited1 month
92.95 CHFEurope DataUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited1 month
102.95 CHFEurope XXLUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited1 month

Surf (data)

There are many Salt packages for customers
There are many Salt packages for customers
PricePlanDataValidity
9.95 CHFSurf 5GB5 GB1 month
24.95 CHFSurf 50GB50 GB1 month
35 CHFSurf UnlimitedUnlimited1 month

V. Does Salt Support eSIM in Switzerland?

Although Salt Mobile does offer eSIMs, they are currently not available for prepaid customers. 

If you’re planning to travel to Switzerland, it’s worth considering a travel eSIM as they can sometimes be more cost-effective than purchasing a SIM card from Salt Mobile. 

This is especially true if you opt for a Europe-wide eSIM or a global eSIM. 

Swiss eSIM is great idea for tourists
Swiss eSIM is great idea for tourists

VI. Where to Buy a Salt SIM card and eSIM?

When it comes to getting a SIM card abroad, you may wonder about the best approach. After stepping off the plane, what’s your next move? Don’t worry, you have three general options to choose from:

  • Get a data SIM card before your trip from an online store.
  • Traditionally, you can purchase a data SIM card upon arrival in cities like Bern or Geneva.
  • New option: buying an unlimited data eSIM online. We’ll explore this option further, like Gigago

 When it comes to reliable provider Switzerland eSIM, Gigago stand out with different packages with affordable price. Added to this, customer services in Gigago is excellent when you can be supported 24/7 or instant delivery. 

Gigago with various Switzerland packages for tourists
Gigago with various Switzerland packages for tourists

For Switzerland, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $5.00 . What is great about Gigago’s Switzerland eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $5.00 – $136.90 . 

VII. How to Use and Activate Salt SIM/eSIM in Switzerland?

Using a Salt SIM/eSIM for Switzerland is not challenging. If this is your first time using it, please check the instructions below.

1. How to Use a Salt SIM Card in Switzerland?

You only need to follow these simple steps and everything will be ready.

  1. Insert the SIM card: Locate the SIM card slot on your device
  2. Power on your device: Turn on your device and wait for it to recognize the SIM card
  3. Activate the SIM card
  4. Set up APN settings if you can not use the eSIM.
  5. Check your services.

2. How to Activate Salt eSIM?

Getting started with an Salt eSIM for Switzerland is quite easy as follows:

  1. Install the eSIM
  2. Activate the eSIM
  3. Set up the eSIM
  4. Start using the eSIM: Once the eSIM is activated and set up, you can start using its services.
Some information on Salt SIM Card
Some information on Salt SIM Card

VIII. How to Recharge Salt SIM/eSIM

Salt SIM Card
Rechargment need some simple steps to complete

To recharge your Salt mobile SIM card, follow these steps:

  • Visit the Salt website or download the Salt mobile app.
  • Look for the “Recharge” section.
  • Select the desired recharge option.
  • Enter your Salt mobile phone number or log in to your Salt account.
  • Choose your preferred payment method.
  • Follow the provided instructions to complete the payment and recharge process.

IX. FAQs about Salt in Switzerland

If I have a problem with Dual SIM adapters?

Some additional adapters for second SIM in mobile phones (Dual SIM adapters) do not support Mobile ID. Mobile ID usually works without problems on phones manufactured for use with two SIM cards.

How do I transfer my number to Salt?

You don’t need to change your number when you switch operator. When you sign your new contract with Salt, you can fill in a power of attorney and Salt will handle everything for you.

 X. Conclusion

Salt is a major Swiss network, so Salt SIM Cards and eSIM are good choices for travelers. Salt network also offers a variety of service packages to meet all customer needs. However, in certain areas, Salt’s phone network may have weak or no coverage. Visitors can consider carefully when buying. Except this, Salt will definitely bring a great experience to visitors