Switzerland travel details
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Switzerland has a population of 8M with main currency as Swiss Franc. The languages spoken are German. Switzerland travel safety advice is Exercise normal safety precautions. Automatic teller machines are very common in Switzerland. Tipping is usually not expected in Switzerland. Internet speed in Switzerland is on average 16.7 Mbps.In Switzerland you drive on the right side.
Switzerland travel advice
⬤ Exercise normal safety precautions
We've reviewed our advice for Switzerland and continue to advise exercise normal safety precautions. Consular assistance is available from the Australian Embassy in Bern and the Consulate-General in Geneva.
We advise:
Exercise normal safety precautions in Switzerland.
Issue Date : Apr 18, 2024
Switzerland weather
Switzerland essential details
Plugs
Switzerland uses 230V, 50Hz with sockets and plugs Type C and Type J.
Languages
The languages that are typically spoken are German
Money in Switzerland
Currencies
Switzerland uses the Swiss franc (symbol: Fr), code CHF.Banknotes come in denominations of 1000, 200, 100, 50, 20 and 10 francs. Franc is subdivided into 100 cents. Coins come in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 francs and 50, 20, 10 and 5 cents.
Cards
Widely accepted Credit cards are widely accepted within Switzerland (at hotels, shops, and restaurants, travel agencies, car-rental agencies etc.). Visa, MasterCard and Maestro are the most widely accepted. American Express is less common. Diners Club is pretty rare. Discover, JCB, UnionPay and RuPay are unknown.
ATM
Automatic teller machines are very common in Switzerland. You can find them in both large & small cities, tourist areas etc.You do not need a chip & PIN card to use an ATM — your standard magnetic card will work fine.
Tipping
Not expected, but can leave extra tip Tipping is usually not expected in Switzerland. However, if you are satisfied with the service provided you can show your appreciation by leaving a small ‘extra’ tip. Receipts usually include a service charge. If there is a service charge there is no need to tip.
Internet in Switzerland
Internet
Internet speed in Switzerland is on average 16.7 Mbps. WiFi coverage in Switzerland is very high. Most hotels, hostels, cafes, restaurants and bars have it.
Phones
You can buy a SIM card for about 30.26 CHF, which includes 1 GB of data plan. You can choose from 3 telecoms: Salt, Sunrise or Swisscom. Switzerland uses GSM mobile networks GSM 900 and GSM 1800. If you don't want to buy SIM card in Switzerland upon arrival, make sure to check the roaming charges with your telecom provider before your departure so there are no surprises when you return home.
Calling
To call Switzerland, dial +, then 41 (the country code for Switzerland), then the area code (without the initial 0) and the local number. For local calls within Switzerland, start with the area code (with the initial 0). In the case above area code is 21 .
Switzerland travel details
Driving in Switzerland
Road rules
In Switzerland you drive on the right side. Most cars have manual transmission (stick). Unless otherwise posted, the speed limits for cars and motorcycles are as follows: 120 km/h (74 mph) on motorways, 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways, 30 km/h (18 mph) in residential areas, 50 km/h (31 mph) in all built-up areas and 80-100 km/h (49-62 mph) on undivided highways. Right turn on red lights is strictly forbidden unless an additional green semaphore arrow allows it. It is illegal to drive with blood alcohol content higher than 0.05%.
Emergecy
Police
+1 671-475-8498
Switzerland map
Switzerland visa advice
If you're considering exploring Switzerland beyond the usual transit spots, our comprehensive guide on Switzerland transit visa offers deeper insights and broader options for travelers of different nationalities. For those transiting through other countries en route to Switzerland, understanding Switzerland Transit Visa requirements is crucial to ensure a smooth journey.