Internet in Switzerland: How to Stay Connected While Traveling, the Best Solution

Network and Operators in Switzerland

Let’s take a look at the network situation in Switzerland. The network quality is generally very good, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

• The 4G LTE network covers most of the country, and 5G is available in some urban areas like Zurich, Geneva, Bern, and in several alpine regions.

• In remote alpine areas or mountain villages, coverage can be less stable or limited, with slower speeds or no signal in some isolated locations.

Main mobile operators in Switzerland:

• Swisscom: the largest operator with the most extensive network and generally the best coverage.

• Sunrise: good urban coverage, second in performance after Swisscom.

• Salt: decent coverage, more affordable, third operator by size.

How to Stay Connected to the Internet in Switzerland While Traveling

There are four main solutions for those who want internet in Switzerland. Let’s see the advantages and disadvantages of each option.

🌍 1. Activate roaming with your operator

Data roaming allows you to use your SIM abroad while keeping your number. It’s one of the most practical and immediate solutions, but probably not the cheapest.

❗️ Important: Switzerland is not part of the European Union, so EU free roaming rules do not apply.

• By activating roaming, extra charges may apply, sometimes including limits on data and connection speed.

• Costs can vary significantly, even reaching €/MB, so it’s always advisable to check your operator’s prices and conditions.

✅ Pros: no action required, immediate activation ❌ Cons: expensive, limited traffic, often reduced speed

📲 2. Buy a local or tourist SIM

One of the most traditional but impractical solutions to get Internet while traveling is to buy a local prepaid SIM card.

• In the early moments of the trip, you’ll be without connection, just when you might need it the most to find your way.

• You need to find a physical point of sale (available in airports, malls, or operator stores in the city), where there might be a language barrier.

• ID registration is required.

In Switzerland, tourist packages from major operators start at around 10–15 CHF for 2–3 GB up to 30–40 CHF for larger packages.

✅ Pros: generally affordable prices, coverage from local operators
❌ Cons: activation not immediate, time-consuming, possible manual APN setup

🧩 3. Use public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is a free and convenient option to access the internet in Switzerland. It is widely available in cafes, restaurants, hotels, airports, train stations, and other public areas. However:

• It is often slow or unstable with many users connected.

• It works in tourist spots, but is hard to find elsewhere.

• The security level of public Wi-Fi networks is not always high, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks.

• In some mountain areas, it does not exist at all.

✅ Pros: free, easy to use
❌ Cons: unstable, limited, privacy risks

💡 4. Use an international eSIM

The eSIM is an innovative technology that is gaining popularity among travelers. It’s a digital SIM integrated directly into your device, allowing you to activate a data plan without needing a physical card.

• You can buy it online, even before departure
• It activates in minutes and is ready to use at your destination
• No physical SIM, no registration
• Plans are prepaid, avoiding hidden or unexpected charges
• It works directly on your device and keeps your personal phone number
• Multi-country plans are often available
• They connect to local operators’ networks

❗️ Warning: eSIMs are only available for compatible phones, usually the most recent mid-to-high-end devices.

✅ Pros: fast activation, transparent pricing, no bureaucracy, excellent coverage
❌ Cons: requires a compatible device

The Best Connectivity Solution: eSIM for Switzerland

After looking at all connectivity options available for Switzerland, let’s compare them quickly: