Are you planning a trip to Switzerland and looking for the best eSIM card to stay connected and avoid high roaming charges? This is a complete guide with everything you need to know about using an eSIM card when traveling to Switzerland and a comparison of the best Switzerland eSIM cards in 2024.
Don't waste money on high roaming charges, read my recommendations below and order an eSIM card for Switzerland on the internet and get connected in just a couple minutes.
Find up to date prices as per August 2024, all specifications per eSIM, my recommendation, where and when to order an eSIM card for Switzerland, an answer to all FAQ about eSIMs, a comparison with local prepaid sim cards for Switzerland and of course links to directly order your eSIM card for traveling to Switzerland online.
Since 2012 I am already traveling the world full time and throughout the years I turned my passion for traveling into a lifestyle and became a full time nomadic travel blogger. That is why I constantly get to a different country and pretty much every week I need to look for a new sim card to stay connected.
In 2023 I visited for example 34 different countries so imagine how many different prepaid and eSIM cards I used throughout the year.
In the past I used to buy a local prepaid sim card on arrival in every country, but nowadays I mostly use eSIM cards to stay connected when traveling abroad. On my latest trip to Switzerland I tested the below recommended Switzerland eSIM cards for tourists.
Helping other travelers to save money while traveling the world is one of the reasons I started this travel blog. Providing essential travel tips is what made me start writing sim card guides from every country I visited and now on Traveltomtom you can already find more than 200 sim card guides from all over the world.
Traveltomtom also wrote eSIM card guides for: Morocco, Mexico, Vietnam, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, Thailand, Asia, Turkey, Egypt, Dubai, Brazil, Europe, United Kingdom, Italy, USA, international eSIM cards and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Switzerland in 2024.
So next time you are planning your adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest prepaid sim card and eSIM card advice for your holiday destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money when traveling!
Some links in this article about the best eSIM cards for Switzerland are affiliate links. If you buy any product after clicking on an affiliate link I will earn a small commission. Don't worry this is at absolutely no extra cost to you!
My recommendation
Let me start with giving you my eSIM card recommendation for Switzerland. These are my favorite eSIM cards for traveling to Switzerland in 2024.
1. Orange Holiday Europe 100GB eSIM for $59.90 USD
- 100 GB data
- 5G ready
- Unlimited calling/texting
- 120 minutes international
- 1,000 sms international
- Valid in 39 countries (all of Europe)
- Valid for 28 days
- $0.6 USD per Gigabyte
The simple reason why Traveltomtom recommends the Orange Holiday Europe eSIM for traveling to Switzerland is that it is the best value eSIM with the lowest cost per Gigabyte. You can order this Orange eSIM card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
With $0.6 USD per Gigabyte the Orange eSIM card from SimOptions is the cheapest rate available for Switzerland eSIMs.
The Orange Holiday Europe eSIM is 5G ready and valid in all of Europe. On top of that the Orange eSIM comes with a phone number from France that starts with +33 and you can make unlimited calls/sms anywhere in Europe. To top it off this Orange eSIM also allows you to call 120 minutes to anywhere in the world + 1,000 sms to any number in the world.
With all these benefits no wonder why Traveltomtom rated this Orange eSIM card as the best eSIM for traveling to Switzerland.
2. Airalo eSIM card for $24 USD
- 10 GB data-only eSIM
- 4G/LTE
- Operates on the Salt Mobile network
- Valid in Switzerland only
- Valid for 30 days
- $2.4 USD per Gigabyte
The other recommendation is an Airalo eSIM card for Switzerland. Traveltomtom has been using Airalo eSIM cards for nearly 5 years now and never had an issue. Airalo has eSIM cards for Switzerland that start from just $4.5 USD.
The Airalo eSIM cards are much cheaper to start with, but they are also much more limited. It depends on what you are looking for.
The Airalo eSIM cards for Switzerland only support 4G/LTE, are data-only and do not come with a phone number. Which means incoming and outgoing calls and sms are not supported with Airalo eSIMs for Switzerland.
Is Switzerland one of your stops on a trip around the world then you can also look into getting an eSIM card for world travelers. There are a bunch of eSIM cards that cover multiple countries and some are great for traveling to Europe, Asia and America.
There are 2 very important things to check before ordering an eSIM card for Switzerland or in general before using an eSIM card.
Unlocked phones only
Make sure your phone is unlocked. eSIM cards for tourists only work in unlocked phones. If you are not sure if your phone is unlocked then contact your mobile internet provider in your home country.
In general phones from Europe, Asia and the Middle East tend to be unlocked. Phones from North America are often locked.
If your smartphone is locked that means it does not allow another prepaid sim card or eSIM card to operate in the device. You can easily unlock your phone, but depending on your mobile internet provider you will be charged a fee for unlocking your phone.
eSIM compatible phones only
Second, and equally important: eSIM cards only work if your smartphone supports eSIM cards, also called eSIM compatible. All newer smartphones support eSIM cards. If you are not sure if your phone is eSIM compatible then simply go to Google and type in your mobile phone model in the search bar and ask if it is eSIM compatible. You will get the answer instantly.
If your phone is NOT eSIM compatible then there is no other solution and you can NOT use an eSIM card for traveling to Switzerland.
However, you can still order a sim card for Switzerland on the internet before your trip. Find out everything you need to know about international sim cards for traveling abroad in 2024.
Comparison of the best eSIM cards for Switzerland
Buying an eSIM card on arrival in Switzerland is still NOT possible as of August 2024. None of the mobile internet providers in Switzerland offer eSIM cards for tourists, only physical prepaid sim cards for tourists. At Zurich, Geneva and Basel Airport there are sim card shops on arrival, none of them have eSIM cards either.
The only way to get an eSIM card for Switzerland is ordering one on the internet.
Luckily there are multiple eSIM providers that sell Switzerland eSIM cards for tourists. Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM card for traveling in Switzerland from one of the well-known eSIM card providers like Jetpac, Holafly, SimOptions, Nomad, Airalo, etc. that have proven to be reliable operators.
Traveltomtom has tested and reviewed multiple eSIM providers. Traveltomtom's favorites are SimOptions and Airalo, but are they still the best eSIM providers. The competition in fierce...
So before you buy an eSIM card for Switzerland first read all my tips below.
SimOptions is the only eSIM provider that also offers international prepaid sim cards for Switzerland. These are pre-activated physical prepaid sim cards that will be delivered to your door step before your trip and it is plug and play when you arrive in Switzerland.
Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly and Nomad only sell eSIM cards for Switzerland.
SimOptions
SimOptions is a reputable eSIM card provider that is very much recommended by Traveltomtom. Ordering your tourist eSIM card for Switzerland through SimOptions is done fast and easy.
Traveltomtom has used SimOptions uncountable times for staying connected when traveling abroad. Very reliable, never an issue and often some of the cheapest eSIM card deals.
SimOptions is specialized in international eSIM cards valid in multiple countries, but also has data-only eSIM cards for Switzerland from their own brand.
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 3 GB data for 15 days = $7.90 USD
- 5 GB data for 15 days = $11.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $42.90 USD
These SimOptions eSIM cards for Switzerland are only valid in Switzerland and are data-only. Incoming and outgoing calls/sms are not supported and these eSIM cards do not come with a phone number. All these eSIMs are 5G ready.
These are actually ok eSIM cards for a short trip to Switzerland. 5 GB data for just $11.90 USD is a very competitive price.
Click here to order these SimOptions eSIM cards for traveling in Switzerland.
SimOptions has 3 international eSIM cards from Orange which are valid in multiple countries including Switzerland.
- 12 GB data for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 100 GB data (5G ready) for 28 days = $59.90 USD
These international eSIM cards from Orange are valid in all of Europe (39 countries) and come with a phone number from France that starts with +33. You can make unlimited calls/sms anywhere in Europe and to top it off this Orange eSIM also allows you to call 120 minutes to anywhere in the world + 1,000 sms to any number in the world.
The Orange Holiday Europe 100GB eSIM is 5G ready and is also the best value eSIM card for Switzerland with a rate as low as $0.6 USD per Gigabyte.
Click here for more info or to order an Orange international eSIM card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
Unfortunately SimOptions doesn't specify exactly which mobile network operator these eSIM cards are using in Switzerland.
The validity of these eSIM cards is 1 year and the credit validity starts instantly after installing the eSIM card, even if you are not in Switzerland. For more info check the SimOptions website.
Airalo
Airalo is a very reliable eSIM card provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo uncountable times in more than 50 countries around the world. I can totally recommend using Airalo for ordering an eSIM card.
Why using Airalo? Airalo is one of the most recommended eSIM providers and very reliable. Airalo has eSIM cards for pretty much every country in the world. For Switzerland eSIMs the Airalo eSIM cards are more expensive per Gigabyte compared to the SimOptions eSIMs I showed you above.
If you need only a couple Gigabyte data for your trip to Switzerland then Airalo is a recommended eSIM card and their cheapest eSIMs start from just $4.5 USD.
Here are the Airalo eSIM card plans for Switzerland for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $4.5 USD
- 2 GB data for 15 days = $8 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $10 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14.5 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $24 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $38 USD
Click here to order an eSIM card for Switzerland from Airalo.
The best value Switzerland eSIM card from Airalo gives you 20 GB data for $38 USD, which comes down to $1.9 USD per Gigabyte. Not a bad rate but higher than the Orange eSIMs from SimOptions.
The Airalo eSIM cards for Switzerland are from Pilatus Mobile and they operate on the 4G/LTE network of Salt Mobile. The Airalo eSIM cards for Switzerland are not 5G ready, they only support 4G/LTE network.
For more info about the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Switzerland check my complete guide for the best prepaid sim card for Switzerland in 2024, including network coverage maps of all the mobile internet providers.
All the Airalo eSIM cards are data-only sim cards without a phone number, so any phone/sms service is NOT supported. An Airalo eSIM card has to be installed within 1 month and after activation the credit validity starts when it connects the first time to a supported network. For more info check out the Airalo website.
Nomad
Lately Traveltomtom started recommending Nomad eSIM cards as they sometimes have cheap tourist eSIMs for a lot of countries. Unfortunately, the Nomad eSIM card plans for Switzerland are pretty expensive compared to Airalo and SimOptions.
On top of that the Traveltomtom Team lately reported some issues with the performance of Nomad eSIM cards, so it is not Traveltomtom's first recommended eSIM for traveling to Switzerland in 2024, although they have good eSIM card plans for Switzerland.
Here are the Nomad eSIM card plans for Switzerland for 2024:
- 1 GB data for 7 days = $6 USD
- 3 GB data for 30 days = $12 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $19 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $27 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $33 USD
Click here to order an eSIM card for Switzerland from Nomad.
The Nomad website is a little less user friendly for finding the best eSIM card for your trip to Switzerland. You can't see all eSIM card deals in one overview, you have to click a little here and there depending on the size of your screen.
The best value eSIM card for Switzerland from Nomad is the one with 20 GB data plan for $33 USD, which comes down to $1.65 USD per Gigabyte.
The Nomad eSIM cards are from 1GLOBAL and they are data-only. Incoming and outgoing calls and sms are NOT supported, but they are 5G ready according to the Nomad webiste, but when you click on the specifications it says 4G/LTE.
The only plan that does not support 5G is the 15 GB data plan, this eSIM is from Nomad Black and only supports 4G/LTE max data speed. All plans operate on the Salt Mobile network.
The Nomad Switzerland eSIM cards have to be installed on your phone within 60 days and after installation its validity starts when it connects for the first time to a supported network in Switzerland. Basically when the plane lands. For more info check the Nomad website.
Holafly
Holafly sells eSIM cards for Switzerland with unlimited data. Traveltomtom is not a fan of eSIM cards with 'unlimited' data, but more about that later. Here are the Holafly eSIM plans for traveling to Switzerland:
- 1 day 'unlimited' data = $6 USD
- 2 days 'unlimited' data = $9 USD
- 3 days 'unlimited' data = $12 USD
- 4 days 'unlimited' data = $15 USD
- 5 days 'unlimited' data = $19 USD
- 6 days 'unlimited' data = $23 USD
- 7 days 'unlimited' data = $27 USD
- 8 days 'unlimited' data = $29 USD
- 9 days 'unlimited' data = $32 USD
- 10 days 'unlimited' data = $34 USD
- 11 days 'unlimited' data = $37 USD
- 14 days 'unlimited' data = $44 USD
- 20 days 'unlimited' data = $57 USD
- 30 days 'unlimited' data = $69 USD
The Holafly eSIM cards for Switzerland are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls/sms are NOT supported. These eSIMs do not come with a phone number. The Holafly eSIMs operate on the 4G/LTE/5G network of Salt Mobile. The Holafly eSIMs for Switzerland are 5G ready.
You can use a hotspot on the Holafly Switzerland eSIM cards, but it is capped at 500 MB per day.
Why 'unlimited'? Because Holafly eSIMs have a so-called 'Fair Use Policy' (FUP) which means that after you used an X amount of GB per day your data speed is reduced to an E signal.
Traveltomtom has had bad experiences in the past with eSIM cards with unlimited data and an FUP in the past. Suddenly your data speed is slowed down for 24 hours because you apparently used too much data. More info later.
But because of this FUP a Holafly Switzerland eSIM is not Traveltomtom's first pick.
Jetpac
Jetpac is a fairly new eSIM provider and they do not only offer eSIM solutions but also add a couple other benefits for travelers who order an eSIM via Jetpac. Traveltomtom has tested, reviewed and approved Jetpac eSIMs for Switzerland.
Traveltomtom has tried Jetpac eSIMs in a couple different countries without any issues and has had some very good reviews from the Traveltomtom Team and readers who also tried Jetpac eSIMs.
Let's check out the eSIM card plans Jetpac has for Switzerland in 2024:
- 1 GB data for 4 days = $1 USD
- 3 GB data for 7 days = $9 USD
- 5 GB data for 30 days = $14 USD
- 10 GB data for 30 days = $23 USD
- 15 GB data for 30 days = $28 USD
- 20 GB data for 30 days = $37 USD
- 30 GB data for 30 days = $40 USD
- 40 GB data for 30 days = $60 USD
Click here to order a Jetpac eSIM card for Switzerland.
The Jetpac eSIM plan for Switzerland with 30 GB data for $40 USD is the best value Jetpac eSIM card for Switzerland with a rate of only $1.33 USD per Gigabyte.
You can instal your Jetpac eSIM card before your trip to Switzerland, but it only activates from the moment it connects to a supported network in Switzerland. That moment your days also start counting. The Jetpac eSIMs have to be installed within 1 year.
The Jetpac Switzerland eSIM cards are data-only and incoming and outgoing calls are not supported. Data is only valid in Switzerland and the Jetpac eSIMs operate on the Salt Mobile 4G/LTE network, they are not 5G ready.
An extra advantage of Jetpac Switzerland eSIM cards is that they provide a free VPN as well as free lounge access if your flight is delayed. However, you will have to register your flight before you travel and in case of a delayed or canceled flight a LoungeKey voucher will automatically be provided. This is a complimentary service that no other eSIM card provider offers. For more info check the Jetpac website.
What is the cheapest eSIM card for Switzerland?
The truly cheapest eSIM for Switzerland is from Jetpac as they only charge $1 USD for 1 GB data valid for 4 days. No other eSIM provider can beat this Switzerland eSIM deal!
Another cheap eSIM card for Switzerland is either an Airalo eSIM card for $4.5 USD or a SimOptions eSIM card for $4.5 USD. Both eSIMs give you 1 GB data for 7 days, are only valid in Switzerland and do not support calling and texting. The SimOptions one is 5G ready.
Why ordering an eSIM card for traveling in Switzerland
eSIM cards are the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland in 2024 and you can arrange everything online in just a couple clicks. No more visiting a sim card shop and swapping physical sim cards. Order online, scan the QR code, follow the steps and you are connected in less than 2 minutes.
The most important reason to get an eSIM card is because we would like to stay connected on our trip to Switzerland without wasting money on high roaming costs. Our smartphones are pretty useless without a working data connection. Think about ordering a taxi through an app, finding nearby friends, restaurants and bars. Get directions from Google Maps or simply staying in touch with family back home, check your social media apps on long bus rides or your banking apps when paying contactless.
One of the best things about arriving in Switzerland with an activated eSIM card is that you are online as soon as the plane lands. More about when to instal your eSIM card later.
There are so many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland, but the most important reason is that it makes your trip to Switzerland so much more convenient and fun!
At the same time we don't want to waste money on high roaming charges. Many mobile internet operators still charge $3 USD per MB for data roaming, that means just opening the Instagram app will already cost you 20 MB * $3 USD = $60 USD! Not kidding… it still is very common in 2024.
eSIM cards are the easiest way to avoid high roaming charges!
Overseas data roaming plans
So what about overseas data roaming plans? Well, not recommended! Why? Did you read the small letters at what data speed you can use data roaming? Pretty much all mobile internet operators limit the data speed for overseas data roaming plans, which means you end up with 3G data speed. Do you have the patience to handle 3G? It is frustrating when all around you in pretty much all of the amazing tourist destinations in Switzerland there is 4G/LTE available.
And price-wise it should be a no brainer since you have seen how affordable the eSIM cards for Switzerland are. Why would you pay $5 to $10 USD per day on an overseas data roaming plan that limits your data speed.
Uncountable times travel friends have asked me: "Tom, can I use your hotspot? My data roaming plan is so slow, it is barely working!". Trust me, invest a couple dollars in an eSIM card or an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Switzerland if you want a physical prepaid sim card.
Stay connected all the time instead of begging for WiFi or a hotspot from friends.
Where to buy an eSIM card for Switzerland?
Online
You can only buy an eSIM card for Switzerland through an eSIM card provider on the internet. There are multiple eSIM card providers for Switzerland. Traveltomtom compared many eSIM card providers and concluded that the above mentioned ones: Jetpac, Airalo, Nomad, Holafly and SimOptions are the best and most reliable eSIM card providers in 2024.
When buying an eSIM card for Switzerland through one of the above recommended eSIM providers you only need your email address and the eSIM card is instantly ready to use after installation. There is no ID registration needed.
On arrival in Switzerland
There are 3 main mobile internet providers in Switzerland: Swisscom, Salt and Sunrise. Unfortunately as per August 2024 none of the mobile internet operators in Switzerland offer eSIM cards for tourists.
That means you can only get a physical prepaid sim card for tourists, a chip that you put in your phone. On arrival in Switzerland you will have to go to a phone store to buy a local prepaid sim card or you can get an overpriced tourist sim card at the airport.
Traveltomtom also wrote specific guides for buying a sim card at Geneva Airport and Zurich Airport.
For more info about buying a prepaid sim card for tourists in Switzerland in 2024 click on the link to read my complete guide and a comparison of all the mobile internet providers in Switzerland.
For my research about the best Switzerland prepaid sim cards for tourists I also compared all the 4G/5G data networks of the mobile internet operators in Switzerland and I found out that all mobile internet operators have a very extensive 4G/LTE and even a 5G mobile data network in Switzerland.
But it also leaves no doubt that Swisscom has the best 4G/5G mobile data network in Switzerland in 2024.
When to order/activate an eSIM card for Switzerland?
You can order an eSIM card for Switzerland pretty much any time you want. Most eSIM cards have to be installed on a phone within 1 month after purchasing, some even within 1 year, so you have time.
More important therefore is when do you instal/activate the eSIM card. The validity of some eSIMs start straight after the installation, other eSIM cards only start their validity when they connect the first time to a supported network.
Traveltomtom advices to instal your eSIM card on the day of departure to Switzerland or a day before. You will need a stable internet connection to instal your eSIM card. Pretty much all the international airports in Switzerland have free public WiFi which works ok most of the time, so you could use that to install your eSIM card on arrival.
Very important is to make sure you have a stable internet connection or you might run into issues with your eSIM. Therefore just to make sure Traveltomtom advices you to install/activate your eSIM card in your home country.
My personal advice is to instal your tourist eSIM card for Switzerland before you get into the plane, because then as soon as the plane lands in Switzerland you will be connected to the internet and you can enjoy data on your phone instantly.
How do I know all this info about eSIMs? Traveltomtom uses on average more than 30 eSIM cards per year because of my nomadic lifestyle of constantly traveling the world, 365 days a year, since 2012.
How to activate an eSIM card
Installing and activating an eSIM card is made as simple as possible. Everyone can activate an eSIM card and the instructions on how to are very detailed and will be send to you instantly by email after you ordered your eSIM.
But wait, forget about the instructions, it gets even easier. Just scan the QR code!
When you order an eSIM card plan for Switzerland you instantly receive a summary of your order including a QR-code after the payment is processed.
You will see a summary of your eSIM card order including a QR code on your screen and at the same time you will also receive an email with the same QR code. The email contains instructions on how to instal and activate your Switzerland eSIM card. Regardless where you order your eSIM card, all eSIM providers send you detailed instructions.
But installing an activating an eSIM card is as easy as scanning the QR code with the same phone where you want to activate the eSIM card on. The QR code contains all the information about your Switzerland eSIM card.
Once you scan the QR code you will be guided through a couple simple steps and within less than 1 minute your eSIM card is successfully installed.
Very important is that you are connected to the internet when installing your eSIM card otherwise you will get an error and issues can occur.
Tip: if you order an eSIM card with the same phone where you want to instal the eSIM card on then ask a friend or someone nearby to take a photo of the QR code and then you scan the QR code from his/her phone and start the installation.
Things to know before ordering an eSIM card for Switzerland
Here are some general tips and FAQ for using eSIM cards when traveling abroad. These tips do not only apply for Switzerland eSIM cards, but are things you have to know before buying an eSIM card in general.
Make sure your phone is unlocked
To make sure you didn't miss this, let me say this again: eSIM cards only work in UNLOCKED phones. If your phone is unlocked then you can use any eSIM card without any problems.
If your phone is locked then ask your mobile internet provider from your home country to unlock your phone before your trip to Switzerland. It is likely that your mobile internet provider will charge you a fee for unlocking your smartphone.
If you are unable to unlock your phone you can look into getting a portable WiFi for staying connected when traveling to Switzerland or better… bring a second unlocked phone on your trip to Switzerland and use it as a portable WiFi device.
Which smartphones support eSIM cards?
Another very important thing you have to check before buying an eSIM card is if your smartphone supports eSIM cards. If you have any of the latest smartphones then there is no need to worry, all new smartphones of the well known brands support eSIM cards.
The fastest way to find out if your phone is eSIM compatible is by asking Google the question: is my (your phone model) eSIM compatible? Simple as that!
Can I trust these eSIM card providers?
All the eSIM card providers for Switzerland recommended mentioned in this guide are reputable eSIM card providers reviewed and tested by Traveltomtom. All of them are licensed third party companies and resellers that partner or work directly with the mobile internet providers in Switzerland.
Traveltomtom has successfully used prepaid and eSIM cards from SimOptions and Airalo or more than 5 years. Nomad and Jetpac are fairly new to Traveltomtom, but have so far proven to be reliable eSIM card providers. Traveltomtom does not use Holafly a lot simply because eSIMs with unlimited data and FUP's are not my first choice.
Note that the Traveltomtom Team has lately faced some issues with installing Nomad eSIM card which was a bit disappointing and therefore it is recommended to follow all steps exactly as described and make sure you are connected to a stable internet connection.
All eSIM card providers have their own Helpdesk which you can contact may you encounter any problems with your purchased eSIM or in case you want to claim a refund.
Traveltomtom does NOT sell Switzerland eSIM cards, I only RECOMMEND you to use eSIM cards for your next trip to Switzerland instead of buying a local prepaid sim card.
Can I keep my phone number from home with a Switzerland eSIM card?
Yes, you can and this is for many people a reason to order an eSIM card to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland. An eSIM card can be used next to your physical or eSIM card from your home country at the same time. You do not need a dual-sim phone for using an eSIM card.
So you can have multiple eSIM cards installed on your phone? Yes, no problem at all!
For example: you can turn off the mobile data from your sim card from home but still use it for texting and calling. Your new Switzerland eSIM card you can be used at the same time just for data to ensure you are not wasting money on high roaming costs.
This is also the trick to keep receiving sms for example for OTP (one time password) sms to login to applications.
Switching between physical and eSIM cards is a matter of turning them on/off in the settings. Just always make sure your sim card from home is switched off for data roaming.
Can I make phone calls with a Switzerland eSIM card?
Yes, depending on the eSIM card you order you can make phone calls in Switzerland and beyond.
With an Orange international eSIM cards from SimOptions you can make phone calls to anywhere in the world. Even better is that you get 120 minutes free calling to any phone number in the world and 1,000 sms to any number in the world. On top of that you get unlimited calling/texting to 39 countries in Europe.
So if you are looking for a Switzerland eSIM card that includes calling and texting Traveltomtom recommends an Orange eSIM card from SimOptions.
Unfortunately all the tourist eSIM cards for Switzerland from Airalo, Jetpac, Holafly and Nomad are data-only eSIM cards and any outgoing calls/sms are not supported.
If you buy a local prepaid sim card for tourists on arrival in Switzerland then you get (unlimited) calling and texting included, but these are physical prepaid sim cards, eSIMs for tourists are not available in Switzerland.
Pretty much all hotels, restaurants, guides and tour companies in Switzerland have WhatsApp services, so you can easily give them a call through WhatsApp. There is no direct need for local calling minutes, definitely not for sms. No one uses text messages in Europe.
Does a Switzerland eSIM card come with a phone number?
Yes, the above mentioned Orange international eSIM cards from SimOptions come with a phone number from France that starts with +33. That means you can also receive phone calls.
The tourist eSIM cards for Switzerland from Airalo, Nomad, Holafly and Jetpac are data-only eSIM cards and these eSIMs do not come with a phone number and can not receive any phone calls or sms.
In the above Switzerland eSIM card comparison you can find all the specifications per eSIM card.
Local prepaid sim cards that you buy on arrival in Switzerland offer incoming and outgoing calling and texting as well, but as mentioned before there are only physical prepaid sim cards available in stores in Switzerland.
Can I use 5G on an Switzerland eSIM card?
According to the Jetpac website their eSIMs are not 5G ready, but in reality while testing the Jetpac eSIMs in Europe it showed they were using 5G.
Most of the Nomad eSIMs for Switzerland are now also 5G ready, as well as Holafly according to their website. Unfortunately Airalo Switzerland eSIMs are still not 5G ready. Which means the max data speed on all eSIMs is 4G/LTE.
SimOptions has the most 5G ready eSIMs for Switzerland and the best one is the Orange Holiday Europe 100GB eSIM.
The 5G network in Switzerland is very extensive and even in some mountain villages there is often 5G available.
That said, all the best places to visit in Switzerland offer an excellent 4G/LTE signal and the data speed is very good even on 4G/LTE. For more info about the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland have a look at Traveltomtom's guide for the best prepaid sim card in Switzerland in 2024 including detailed network coverage maps.
Are there eSIM cards for Switzerland with unlimited data?
Traveltomtom is in general not a fan of data sim cards with unlimited data. Why? There is mostly a so-called FUP (Fair Use Policy), which sometimes is already 2 GB data per day. That means that after 2 GB usage your internet will be slowed down. Sometimes eSIM cards have an FUP of 30, 50, 80 GB data per month. It depends on the eSIM specifications.
In general, unlimited data is pretty much never unlimited data at max speed. And trust me the reduced data speed will creep you out as it barely works!
So yes, there are eSIM cards for Switzerland with unlimited data but always read the fine print for more details, terms & conditions.
Jetpac, SimOptions and Airalo do NOT offer eSIM cards for Switzerland with unlimited data. No hidden fees, no Fair Use Policy. Clear terms & conditions!
Holafly is different and Holafly only offers eSIM cards with unlimited data plans per day. However, Holafly but does NOT specify what is the exact so-called Fair Use Policy (FUP) and therefore it is not Traveltomtom's first recommendation.
On Holafly eSIM cards I experienced a reduce in data speed after using more than 2 GB per day. When I contacted support they explained me that I had to wait for 24 hours until my data speed was restored to normal.
Those 24 hours were a nightmare as my data speed was barely enough to use WhatsApp. Social media apps were not even loading!
Again, Traveltomtom does NOT recommend eSIM cards for Switzerland with unlimited data. But if you think you will not use more than 2 GB per day, then this might be your favorite eSIM card.
However, if the FUP is 2 GB per day then what is the point of having an eSIM card with unlimited data!? Right?
The Orange Holiday Europe 100GB eSIM gives you 100 GB data which for most travelers is more than enough for their trip to Switzerland. If this is not enough you can also order 2 eSIM cards and after one is done, you instal the second one.
There are a lot of different specifications per eSIM card. Another reason why I advice you to take a close look at my comparison of the best eSIM cards for traveling to Switzerland in 2024 before choosing your favorite.
Are eSIM cards the best way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland?
eSIM cards are the easiest and fastest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Switzerland, but what is the best way?
There are 3 ways to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland:
- Local prepaid sim cards
- International prepaid sim cards
- eSIM cards
Let’s compare eSIM cards, local prepaid sim cards and international prepaid sim cards, for you to find out what is your preferred way of staying connected.
Local prepaid sim cards
In general if you use a lot of data then local prepaid sim cards are a cheaper way to stay connected, depending on the length of your trip.
Data plans on local prepaid sim cards in Switzerland are much bigger than on eSIM cards. For around $21 USD you can get a local prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 10 days. The downside is that a local prepaid sim card for tourists can only be purchased on arrival in Switzerland in a phone store or at the airport but NOT on the internet.
Another big difference is that local prepaid sim cards have the advantage that they come with a local phone number and mostly with calling minutes and sms bundles. That means incoming and outgoing calls are supported.
However, when buying a local prepaid sim card in Switzerland you get a physical sim card and you need to swap this one with your existing sim card from home.
More info about the best Switzerland sim cards for tourists can be found in my complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Switzerland in 2024 or check out Traveltomtom's guide for buying a sim card at Geneva Airport or Zurich Airport.
International prepaid sim cards
If your smartphone is not eSIM compatible you can order an international prepaid sim card for traveling to Switzerland. These are physical prepaid sim cards you order on the internet and will be delivered to your home address.
Some of these are great for visiting Switzerland and they are valid in up to 141 countries around the world and you can easily order them online.
If after visiting Switzerland you are traveling onwards in America, Asia or in Europe then check Traveltomtom’s list of the best sim cards for traveling internationally in 2024.
As I mentioned before SimOptions is the only sim card provider that also sells physical prepaid sim cards for traveling internationally.
A pre-activated physical sim card will be delivered to your door step before your trip to Switzerland. You put this physical sim card in your phone and as soon as the plane touches the ground in Switzerland and the sim card connects to a supported network you are online. Plug and play!
If you look at the international prepaid sim cards above you see that the physical sim card version of the Orange Holiday World is also a good option for traveling to Switzerland.
A physical prepaid sim card with 10 GB data only costs $24.90 USD, which is only $2.49 USD per Gigabyte or a physical prepaid sim card with 30 GB data only costs $49.90 USD, which is only $1.66 USD per Gigabyte
Click here to order a physical prepaid sim card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
eSIM cards
As explained throughout the article there are two different eSIM cards for traveling in Switzerland:
- eSIM cards that you buy on the internet through a third party
- eSIM cards that you buy in Switzerland in a mobile internet provider store
However, as of August 2024 the mobile internet providers in Switzerland do NOT offer eSIM cards for tourists. They only provide physical prepaid sim cards for tourists.
eSIM cards vs. local prepaid sim cards
Getting an eSIM card on the internet is the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland, no doubt! You arrange everything online within just a couple clicks. Right here, right now and you are all set for your trip to Switzerland.
You arrive prepared and there is no need to visit a sim card shop on arrival in Switzerland. As soon as the plane lands, you are online!
But what is cheaper? An eSIM card or a local prepaid sim card for tourists?
When we compare the prices for Switzerland eSIM cards with the prices for local prepaid sim cards in Switzerland, it is an easy conclusion that local prepaid sim cards are more affordable as you get more Gigabytes for the same price.
For around $21 USD you get a local prepaid sim card with unlimited data for 10 days. For more info check out my article about the best prepaid sim cards for Switzerland in 2024.
But local prepaid sim cards can only be bought in Switzerland on arrival in a sim card shop or at the airport with your passport and a tourist eSIM card for Switzerland can be bought in 2 minutes on the internet at any time of day without any form of identification.
Remember that some of the eSIM cards for Switzerland also go down to only $1.2 USD per Gigabyte. The Orange Holiday Europe 100GB eSIM from SimOptions gives you 100 GB data and is the best buy eSIM card for Switzerland in 2024.
After a long flight you just want to get to your hotel and it is often a big task to go to a phone store and buy a local prepaid sim card. With an eSIM card that you order on the internet you are connected as soon as the plane lands.
Simply because of this convenience Traveltomtom recommends ordering an eSIM cards for Switzerland.
There are many reasons why a lot of travelers simply get an eSIM card for visiting Switzerland: faster, easier, less stress and even cheaper depending on how much data you need.
Data speed
Another difference between a local prepaid sim card and an eSIM card is that eSIM cards are in general through a third party, a so called MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator). These MVNO’s operate on the network of one of the main mobile internet operators and basically buy bandwidth.
This may sound a little bit too technical, but what it means is that eSIM cards through an MVNO are the last ones in line when the line is busy. Especially during peak times, the performance of an eSIM cards could be less compared to a local prepaid sim card from a mobile internet operator you bought in Switzerland.
Bottomline: the data speed of eSIM cards can be less compared to a local prepaid Switzerland sim card.
In reality you won't really notice the difference much because yes it may occur that your data speed is a little slower for a couple minutes, but it is still fast enough to roam the internet without any problems.
I am sure some of the above tips for finding the best eSIM card for your trip to Switzerland were helpful. I hope that after reading through my comparison and all my tips and tricks it was easier to make a decision and order your preferred eSIM card for Switzerland.
If you still have any questions about eSIM cards then please leave me a comment below and I am more than happy to help you out.
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Traveltomtom is on the road to 197, meaning I would like to travel to every country in the world. As of August 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, still about 40 to go, but no rush.
Enjoy your trip to Switzerland!