However, some SIM cards can only be activated via SMS, they are not automatically activated. EU commission has forbidden data roaming charges within EU/EEA a year ago (still leaving a loophole; roaming for calls was abolished years ago). Identification is required to purchase a SIM card in Basel, and anywhere else in Switzerland5. Looking for a Switzerland SIM card to use for international travel in Switzerland or other countries in Europe? Where can I buy a SIM card? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-92862445', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');fly to Geneva, then go to visit France and Italy. The online courses limit class sizes and use the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. They have two options with a good amount of data. You can make calls, send messages and even stream music whenever you like even if you leave your smartphone at home. In comparison, Salt has a tariff of 49 cents per call, with the call time limit being 60 minutes. Sunrise offers unlimited data + chat for 24h for 25 CHF57. Free Wi-Fi is available at Basel Airport. Each of these ways has its own advantages and disadvantages. A greater variety of brands is typically available from these shops, such as Lycamobile. Customer service is another important factor to keep in mind. SammyF1oyd, thank you for the link. You can recharge it online as well using any international debit/credit card. Order an eSIM Set up an eSIM Transfer eSIM Problems with eSIM What is an eSIM and how does it work? Would appreciate more info on this if someone has used this card lately.. likewise for Salt prepaid data sim . Once you land at the airport in Zurich, Bern, Geneva, or any other city in Switzerland, locate the physical stores of the most popular cell phone companies in this country: Sunrise and Swisscom. In addition, selected shops in the city are offering a 10% discount. The online courses limit class sizes and use the same high academic standards as on-campus classes. Nomad and Airalo - For travelers Salt prepaid SIM card is the only option where you don't pay an activation fee. . At the moment I use mainly my Sunrise SIM cards when having friends from abroad traveling in Switzerland as well as a backup for internet access when my main internet access is not working. In our opinion, the best option is the Holafly SIM card. There are no shops in Basel airport selling prepaid SIM cards, buses are available to Basel SBB train station. https://landinglastminute.com/calling-while-travelling-guide/, SIM Cards at Zurich Airport: A Guide for Arriving Travellers, Calling Someone Who Is Roaming: Who Pays and How to do it . WhatsApp is the most widely used messaging application in Switzerland. Therefore, your US-based cell phone will work in Switzerland, but youll need to purchase a SIM card in order to take advantage of the local calling and data rates. Switzerland is a magnificent country situated in the heart of Europe. SIM cards are necessary in order to use services by Swiss providers. You can find them starting at 22.67 USD, however, you have to add the data plan. If needing a SIM card just for a short period of time traveling in France, Italy and Switzerland, I would most probably try to get one from a French or Italian service provider with a contract covering also Switzerland. It is possible to share your mobile data with more devices. 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Some people may find it more difficult to get Lycamobile activated and set up on their phones however. Purchasing your SIM card for use in Switzerland before traveling will save you time in organizing your trip. Simple instructions and configuration of the eSIM, through a QR code. The telco may also require additional documentation, such as a copy of your drivers license or ID card. The operator Salt Mobile offers SIM cards that you can buy in supermarkets, vending machines, and some stores. Where is it better to buy your prepaid SIM card for Switzerland? On the other hand, like other operators, their web portal is in English and for technical support also in English. Meanwhile, Salt SIM cards are significantly cheaper at only 10 CHF. Thank you: We will give you a cash reward for every successful referral. International Airports in Switzerland: How Many Are There? On your trip to Switzerland you can connect to the internet in four ways: local prepaid cards, international travel cards, Pocket WIFI and roaming with your usual operator. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-92914542', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Switzerland. Data roaming is not a technical, but a contractual issue. Coop, Migros, Aldi, Lebara, Lycamobile, etc. If visiting less than a month, I find Salt to offer the better value (I can usually live with a small amount of data, and would likely only spend 15-30 CHF with Salt). Mobile virtual network operators (MVNO) are virtual in the sense that they don't own their cell towers. Best choice is to go with national provider Swisscom, who is permanently offering best rates. Prices for unlimited calls, SMS and internet in Switzerland start at CHF 65 per month. You may also be interested in these entries: Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. For extended stays in EU/EEA countries, its often better to buy a SIM card locally. Swisscom is the largest wireless carrier in Switzerland and is considered the best provider of SIM cards across all parameters. So if youre looking to save money, this could be a good option for you. For example, Vodafone offers free roaming in Switzerland. Sunrise doesnt lag behind, with the company merging with another provider (UPC), aiming to increase service quality strategically. If you are entering Switzerland from an EU/EFTA country, you will need a valid passport or ID card. Getting telecommunication services is almost a basic need in modern life. You will receive a universal SIM card (called a Smart SIM). In addition, it is configured using a QR code. It is a state-owned company with 51% of the stakes held by the Swiss government. Sunrise Switzerland is also called Schweiz or simply Sunrise. Consider light monthly plan with mobile internet: Calling (60 min), sms (30 messages), mobile data (500MB). Switzerland has 3 major wireless carriers named Swisscom, Sunrise Mobile, and Salt Mobile. The Sunrise SIM card is a mini, micro and nano SIM all in one. Their advantages and disadvantages, where and how to buy the best SIM card for Switzerland. Lets take a closer look at these providers and how you can get connected in Switzerland. Swisscom is the undisputed biggest provider in Switzerland, owning almost 60% of the market share, which equals over 6 million mobile telephony customers as of 2020. You will receive a universal SIM card (called a Smart SIM). Chat to your friends and family back home by easily connecting to the local Salt or Sunrise network. However, as of 2020, less than 1% of traffic used 2G technology. If you want to buy the best SIM card in Switzerland, I recommend going with Swisscom or Sunrise. You can simply top-up your data, minutes or texts as and when you need to, and theres no commitment so you can cancel at any time. Switzerland has three major telecommunication providers; Swisscom is the largest one, followed by Sunrise and Salt. Lyca charges, for example:if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'landinglastminute_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_6',118,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-landinglastminute_com-large-leaderboard-2-0'); I typically dont use a SIM card to make international calls (unless its included in a prepaid amount that Im going to lose anyway). For example, the Apple iPhone 13 needs a nano SIM, the smallest of all of the SIM cards. Mobile contracts are the go-to choice for the majority of Swiss residents. It is good if you travel with more people. But roaming plans are available even from Swiss GSM service providers. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our cookie and. Economical deals offered by Sunrise and German-based Lidl also received good reviews. Although Switzerland is a European country, it is important to note that it is not a member of the European Union (EU). The same rules stated earlier apply to acquire a French SIM card. Unlimited text messaging throughout Switzerland. Is Majoring In Business Hard? We will show you how to easily get a new SIM card or eSIM. Sunrise has attractive plans with unlimited data. Are the speeds good? ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-92915345', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Europe and to the USA are usually relatively cheap with most service providers. We need mostly data (~2GB) and maybe a few phone calls. Holafly is a virtual store that offers SIM and eSIM cards for many destinations in the world, to be used by frequent travelers like you. AneSIM chip is permanently integrated into your device and receives all the information you need from youreSIM profile. Unlimited texts inside Switzerland. eSIM for Maldives: compare, buy and travel connected. You need the right size SIM card for your device, which is usually a nano SIM. In principle, it is one of the leading telephone operators in the country. France is a particular case. University of Georgia is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Users can buy for instance a 2GB data roaming plan for CHF 29 (valid 3 months after purchase, maximum 1 month after activation) for Italy and France. There are additional options such as paying for roaming or taking a pocket WIFI, however, their costs can be high. Having internet in Switzerland is easy. Before you read this guide, you may wonder if you actually need a SIM card in Switzerland. The costs of activating and sending the SIM card will appear on your next bill.A new SIM card costs CHF 55.. Some examples: Some providers include Switzerland with their European roaming (meaning no additional costs), such as: Swiss SIM cards often charge extra for roaming in European countries, Ive included details of European roaming with a Swiss SIM card at the bottom of this guide.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'landinglastminute_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_9',121,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-landinglastminute_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[120,600],'landinglastminute_com-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_10',121,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-landinglastminute_com-large-mobile-banner-2-0_1');.large-mobile-banner-2-multi-121{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:600px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}. What is the price of the SIM card for Switzerland? If you are traveling to Switzerland and need connectivity for your stay, you could buy a tourist SIM card or even better a tourist eSIM card with a prepaid data plan. Paynment for invoices can be handled by post or ebanking. Dont hesitate to buy it before leaving for your trip. But Salt also seems to have made significant improvements in its services, with the company getting good reviews for its video experience. Sunrise and its SIM cards for tourists. Swisscom is the largest and most popular choice, offering both 3G and 4G LTE coverage. Swiss SIM card providers often include bundles for roaming. Across the road from the south exit of the train station: Gterstrasse 126, 4053 Basel. This is to help prevent fraud and ensure that you are the rightful owner of the account. Taxis are available at Zurich Airport, but do not include Wi-Fi. To find out which prepaid option is suitable for you, you're best to consult a specialist in one of the . Well There are many questions that may arise at this time, especially if we want to avoid unnecessary expenses. The most popular options are as follows: However, we advise you to buy the SIM card to use in Switzerland before leaving for this European country. To get a Swiss SIM card, you need a valid ID (passport or identity card). The iPhone must be registered with Apple iCloud. Swisscom, Salt. When visiting Switzerland, you should take your time and analyze all your choices to find the best operator/deal that suits your personal economic, and technical needs. 2020 Landing Last Minute. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. I personally did not use this for my 24 hours in Zurich, but as a student studying abroad, it was still worth it to buy the Zurich card. Benefit now! They have different partners abroad, quality of service then depends mainly on those partners infrastructure. Thats right, each one has a different rate and the SIM card alone is priced at 29.95 USD. You can choose from 6 different types of data packages ranging from 250 MB to 5 GB. Responsibilities, Career Paths, and Salaries, Is a Business Degree Worth It? If you need a special tool to extract your SIM card, don't forget it at home. Its eSIMs are available but not to prepaid customers. If arriving in Basel from Germany, German SIM cards (such as Vodafone) likely do not include Switzerland within their Europe roaming zones and therefore charge extra. A prepaid SIM card for Switzerland requires your phone to be SIM-lock free. Once you have these items, you should be able to buy a new SIM card without any problems. You will be able to decide whether to take it with you before you travel or buy it upon arrival. The cheapest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland is an e-sim card as they already start from $4.5 USD for 1 GB data. SimOptions - The Best Prepaid SIM Cards for Switzerland SimOptions is the best marketplace when talking about prepaid SIM cards, especially if you are traveling to Europe. Don't let high roaming charges ruin your Swiss experience. Therefore roaming is not free, you have to pay for it and at high costs, unless you are Vodafone. Swiss Mobile Numbers . The domestic rates for prepaid cards are interestingly quite different, 29 cents per minute for Swisscom 30 cents per minute for Sunrise, which also has a maximum tariff of 60 cents per call. When you are in Switzerland you will no longer have to worry about searching for an internet connection everywhere. So we can safely say that foreigners will have a good experience using telecommunication services in Switzerland. For the equivalent of around 17 euros, a Swiss SIM can give you 5 gigabytes of data - around 100 times as much. In this article, well tell you everything you need to know about Switzerland SIM cards, including where to buy them and how to use them. Verizon plan typically adds up to be more expensive after a few days. They have the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland and have a sim card for $21 USD that gives you unlimited max speed data for 10 days. The best way to do it is through an online store before traveling. The company also has a partnership agreement with Ericsson to improve Switzerlands 5G network. I wrote Landing Last Minute to help the hurried traveler get necessary information about any destination. In a Sunrise store in Switzerland you will find a data SIM card, which is generally characterized by these features: When you arrive at the airport of any major city in Switzerland you will see a physical Swisscom store. The eSIM replaces the physical SIM card and allows you to simply use other phone numbers with the same smartphone (dual SIM mode). It fits into any device and supports Mobile ID. Also, note that since Switzerland uses a GSM network, CDMA phones are not supported. You can download your eSIM profile again on the same device for free.If you have an eSIM Digital voucher, you can display the activation code (QR code) in My Sunrise again and then scan it.If you have an eSIM self-install profile, you can request the eSIM profile once again in My Sunrise. Finding Internships in Switzerland: Tips and Resources. First of all, because of the number of options, you can choose from: pay roaming with your operator, buy a SIM card before traveling, or when you arrive in Switzerland, the pocket WiFi.