Buying a SIM card at Zurich Airport : Travelers Guide

Planning a trip to Switzerland and flying into Zurich? Wondering if you can purchase a prepaid SIM card upon arrival at Zurich Airport? No worries! I’m here to help you avoid costly roaming charges and suitable overseas data plans. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about buying a SIM card at Zurich Airport. 

I. How to Get a SIM Card at Zurich Airport ( Kloten International Airport – ZRH)?

There are three ways to purchase a SIM card at Zurich airport: at Zuriich airport, before trip and in Zurich city center.

Option	Pros	Cons
Purchase at Zurich Airport	– Convenient, instant Internet access upon arrival.	– Limited plan options.  – Potentially more expensive than online or city center purchases.
Purchase online before departure	– Wider selection of plans, competitive deals.  – Instant activation (for eSIMs).	– Potential delivery delays.  – Waiting for delivery.  – Possible additional delivery fees (for physical SIM cards).
Purchase in Zurich city center	– The widest variety of options, diverse data packages.  – Generally cheaper rates.	– Requires extra travel time to reach Zurich city center.

► Recommendations:

• For immediate internet access: Purchase a prepaid SIM card at Zurich Airport.
• For the best deals: Buy your New Zealand SIM card in Zurich city center or online before your flight.

II. Where to Buy a SIM Card at Zurich Airport?

There are two places to buy a prepaid sim card for Switzerland on arrival at Zurich Airport. 

1. Swisscom

Location: Swisscom is located just below the “AAS Arrival 2 (Public Area)” sign. Follow the red arrow to the shop icon with the word “Swisscom” underneath.

Opening hours: from 8:00 am to 09:00 pm only.

Phone: +41 44 651 10 92

2. Salt

• Location: To get to Salt, follow the red arrow from the “B – Arrivals 2” sign. Salt is located just below the unnamed shop icon near the arrow’s end.
• Opening hours: from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.
• Phone: +41 800 700 700

III. Do SIM card shops at ZRH airport open after midnight?

No, SIM card shops at ZRH airport do not open after midnight. Looking at the information provided for both Swisscom and Salt, the two SIM card providers at the airport, both close by 9:00 pm. Therefore, if you arrive after midnight, you won’t be able to buy a SIM card at the airport and will need to explore other options like purchasing one online or finding a shop in the city center.

IV. Best Tourist Zurich Airport SIM Cards Options and Price

There are some options you can take into consider: 

1. Swisscom

At the Swisscom store in Zurich Airport, you can purchase a prepaid SIM card specifically designed for tourists. It costs 20 CHF (equivalent to $23 USD) and comes with 20 CHF credit. This credit can be used to access data on your phone, and Swisscom keeps things straightforward:

1 day of unlimited data costs 2 CHF. This means you can enjoy 10 days of unlimited, high-speed internet for just $23 USD.

2. Salt

Salt offers free prepaid SIM cards for tourists, which means you can get a Swiss number and register without any additional charges. The Salt store at Zurich Airport provides the following data plans:

• Unlimited data for 10 days: 40 CHF ($46 USD)
• Unlimited data for 20 days: 50 CHF ($58 USD)
• Unlimited data for 30 days: 60 CHF ($70 USD)

Please note that calling minutes and texting are not included in these plans.

If you’re looking for a comprehensive package that includes unlimited data, minutes, and SMS for 30 days, it costs 120 CHF ($139 USD). However, it’s important to remember that this data is only valid within Switzerland and not in the rest of the European Union.

If you need data while traveling in the EU, you have the option to add a 3 GB EU-data roaming plan for an additional cost of 40 CHF ($46 USD).

V. What to Prepare for Getting a SIM Card at Zurich Airport – Registration Process. 

When preparing to get a SIM card at Zurich Airport, there are a few things you should bring along with regarding the registration process:

• Identification
• Passport
• Address Information
• Payment Method

VI. Switzerland eSIM for Zurich – an Alternative to Prepaid SIM Card at Zurich Airport

If your phone supports eSIM, you should choose this option. Switzerland eSIM have many advantages: 

• Flexibility: eSIM allows you to switch between different mobile carriers without needing to physically change the SIM card in your device.
• Easy activation: Activating an eSIM is typically a streamlined process that can be done digitally.
• Dual SIM capability: With eSIM, you can have multiple mobile numbers or data plans on a single device.

You should buy Switzerland eSIM online before departure. to ensure a smooth arrival in Zurich. And Gigago is the exclusive provider that offers Switzerland eSIM online. 

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 . 

VII. FAQs

If you’re arriving at Zurich Airport and need a SIM card, purchasing one there can be a convenient option. The airport offers several reliable mobile service providers where you can buy a SIM card. This allows you to quickly get connected upon arrival without the need to search for a store elsewhere. Just remember to compare the available plans and prices to find the best fit for your needs and budget. Enjoy your stay in Switzerland with your SIM card at Zurich Airport!