Preparing your trip to Switzerland, flying to Geneva Airport and wondering if you can buy a prepaid sim card at Geneva Airport on arrival? Switzerland is already expensive enough so don't get stuck with high roaming charges. This is a complete guide with everything you need to know before buying a sim card at Geneva Airport in 2024.
Find out where to buy a sim card, up to date prices as per April 2024, the latest info about EU data roaming, the best e-sim cards for Switzerland, my recommendation, info about international sim cards and more.
Traveltomtom is on a journey to visit every country in the world and everywhere I go I write sim card guides. Finding out what is the best way to stay connected is one of the first things I do when planning my next trip and since I like to document all my travel tips you can already find more than 200 sim card guides for tourists on Traveltomtom. From Barcelona to Paris and from Dublin to Frankfurt, London, Vienna, etc. but also places like USA, Canada, Mexico, New York, Miami, Asia, Brazil, Bali, Bangkok, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Kenya, Singapore, Sydney and many more.
Traveltomtom also wrote a complete guide for buying a prepaid sim card for Switzerland in 2024 with more info about the 4G/5G network coverage and a comparison of the Swiss prepaid sim cards and mobile internet providers.
Flying to Zurich next time then save my guide for buying a sim card at Zurich Airport or if you are interested in just e-sims for Switzerland then check out my comparison of the best e-sim cards for Switzerland in 2024.
So when planning your next adventure abroad come check out Traveltomtom for the latest e-sim card and prepaid sim card advice for your destination. Bookmark me and let me help you save money.
Why buying a sim card for Switzerland
There are many reasons to stay connected when traveling to Geneva, but the main reason is that it makes life so much more convenient when you have a working data connection on your phone. Ordering an Uber, getting directions from Google Maps or looking for a cool nearby rooftop bar is not possible without a data connection on your phone.
Also think about emergencies, checking your banking apps, etc. Don't depend on public WiFi. There is no guarantee, it can be slow and keep in mind that public WiFi is through an UNSECURED network. The use of a VPN is recommended to protect your data.
My recommendation
Traveltomtom recommends buying a Lebara prepaid sim card at Geneva Airport. You can find a tourist sim card from Lebara for around $34 USD that will give you 10 GB data.
Although Lebara is the best-buy prepaid sim card at Geneva Airport, in general a Swisscom sim card is rated as the best tourist sim card for Switzerland.
Unfortunately you can't buy a Swisscom sim card at Geneva Airport. If you wait till you get to a phone store in Geneva city center you can buy a sim card of Swisscom. For more info check out my complete guide for buying a sim car for Switzerland in 2024.
That said, the most convenient way to get connected when traveling to Geneva is an e-sim card and they already start from just $4.5 USD and you are online as soon as the plane lands.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland via Airalo, Nomad or SimOptions.
For an answer on all your Switzerland e-sim card questions check out my ultimate guide with everything you need to know before ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland.
Another great alternative to stay connected is ordering a travel sim card with global coverage on the internet. Find the e-sim or physical prepaid sim card that suits your trip to Switzerland. Check out my article about buying an international sim card in 2024 and find everything you need to know including some great sim card deals for Europe and Swiss.
Last options would be a portable WiFi device. Very old-school but it still works. Check my article about how to get WiFi when traveling for an HONEST review of these pockets WiFi's.
Best e-sim cards for Switzerland
The easiest way to get data on your phone when traveling to Geneva in 2024 is an e-sim card. No more visiting a phone store anymore and swapping physical sim cards. Within a couple clicks you can set up everything.
You order an e-sim card for Geneva on the internet, you receive a QR code, scan it, follow the simple steps and within less than 2 minutes you have a Switzerland e-sim card installed on your phone.
Upon arrival in Geneva it automatically connects you to an available network and you enjoy data on your phone pretty much when the plane lands.
Make sure your phone is e-sim compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland. Check out Traveltomtom's complete guide with everything you need to know before ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland in 2024 or choose one e-sim from below.
Airalo
Airalo is a reliable e-sim provider and Traveltomtom has used Airalo in more than 50 countries around the world and never faced an issue. Here are the Airalo e-sim 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 a Switzerland e-sim card directly online.
The above data-only e-sim cards for Switzerland are from Pilatus Mobile. Calling and texting is not supported and data is only valid in Switzerland. Pilatus Mobile operates on the 4G/LTE network of Sunrise and Salt.
SimOptions
SimOptions is another reliable e-sim provider that sells e-sim cards from pretty much every country in the world. SimOptions has excellent international e-sim cards valid in multiple countries, including Switzerland.
These international e-sim cards also include calling and texting in all of Europe and they come with a phone number.
- 12 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $29.90 USD
- 30 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 14 days = $49.90 USD
- 50 GB data + unlimited calls/text for 28 days = $59.90 USD
Click here to order an international e-sim card for Switzerland including calls.
Nomad
Another trusted and reviewed e-sim provider is Nomad and Traveltomtom has used Nomad now in more than 10 countries. Nomad sometimes has amazing competitive e-sim card plans with cheap prices.
Here are the Nomad e-sim card plans for Switzerland in 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 for more info or to order an e-sim card for Switzerland via Nomad.
With an e-sim card you keep your phone number from home, but make sure your phone is unlocked and your phone is e-sim card compatible before ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland.
If your phone is not e-sim compatible you can order a physical prepaid sim card for traveling in Switzerland on the internet. These pre-activated international sim cards with coverage in Switzerland will be delivered to your home address. For example a sim card with 30 GB data for $44.90 USD. Click here to order a physical sim card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
Swiss prepaid sim cards and EU data roaming
Switzerland prepaid sim cards and traveling in Europe are a bad combination! There is NO EU data roaming included on prepaid sim cards you buy in Switzerland. Reminder, Switzerland is a European country but is NOT PART OF THE EU! Therefore, if you are going on a trip to Europe I recommend you to check out my article with the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Free data roaming in the EU means that if you buy a sim card in Amsterdam you can use your data, voice and text allowance all over Europe at NO extra costs, also in Switzerland. But not the other way around! For more info on EU data roaming check out my complete guide with tips for buying a local prepaid sim card on arrival in Europe in 2024. Find out more about these data roaming rules, Brexit, exceptions and limits and find a breakdown of the best prepaid sim card per country in Europe.
Arrival at Geneva Airport
Welcome to one of the most well organized countries in the world and also one of the most expensive ones. Geneva Airport is pretty small and arriving here is very convenient. There is only one arrivals exit for international and European flights and if you have someone picking you up it is easy to find him or her.
There is free Wifi but you will need an activation code. You can get them for free with your passport at the Information desk.
Where to buy a Switzerland sim card in Geneva Airport
This is really simple as there is only one place in Geneva Airport where you can buy a sim card for Switzerland. When you walk out of arrivals head to the left towards the public busses and after like 50 meters you will see a huge Exchange desk on your left side. This is the ONLY place in Geneva Airport that sells Switzerland prepaid sim cards for tourists. There are no Swiss mobile shops unfortunately.
The sim card desk of the Exchange shop is only open from approximately 8:30 am to 8:30 pm. Pretty damn inconvenient for flights that arrive late. In case you are not able to buy a sim card for Switzerland at Geneva Airport then get yourself an e-sim card for Switzerland or check out my guide for the best way to get connected in Switzerland in 2024.
Prices Swiss sim card Geneva Airport in 2024
All info and prices are up dated as per April 2024. Prices for Swiss sim cards shown below are in Swiss Francs - CHF: $1 USD = 0.90 CHF and 1 CHF = $1.11 USD.
Money Exchange
At the Exchange Shop they sell two prepaid Switzerland sim cards for tourists: Lebara prepaid sim cards and a Yallo prepaid sim cards.
A massive inconvenience is that you can only buy a sim card at Geneva Airport with cash (Euros or Swiss Francs), no credit cards or USD are accepted. That said, you are literally buying a sim card at the Currency Exchange. So this is their way of making some extra money.
Lebara sim card
Lebara Switzerland offers unlimited high speed internet for 1.5 CHF per day to be used in Switzerland only. Outside of Swiss roaming charges apply.
However, for this offer you first need to buy a Lebara sim card for 10 CHF and then you will have to top up with minimum 20 CHF. Which means a total of 30 CHF ($35 USD).
If you buy a Lebara sim card at the Exchange shop at Geneva Airport it will be activated for you on the spot.
You could also opt for one of the Lebara prepaid sim card plans but don't be fooled by the names of these data packages. It says Europe Max, but data is ONLY valid in Switzerland!
For this reason I am not a fan of Lebara sim cards for travelers, but for traveling in Switzerland only it is not bad and since there are not many other sim cards available at Geneva Airport it gets my blessing.
Yallo sim card
The other option when looking to buy a sim card for Switzerland at Geneva Airport is Yallo. This mobile internet company operates on the Sunrise Switzerland network. At Geneva Airport you can buy a Yallo sim card with 10 GB data in Switzerland for 40 CHF ($46 USD), it also includes calling and texting, see above.
Roaming charges apply for traveling in Europe but you can buy the following top ups.
Best mobile data network in Switzerland
Like most other things in this country the mobile network coverage is also very well arranged. All Swiss mobile internet operators guarantee a 4G/5G signal in every tourist destination in Switzerland and even in most remote places.
For the best 5G network in Switzerland in 2024 and detailed network coverage maps check out my article about buying a tourist sim card in Switzerland in 2024. But let me tell you that Swisscom has the best 4G/5G network in Switzerland.
Best sim card at Geneva Airport
Unfortunately there are only two different prepaid sim cards available at Geneva Airport. After comparing the Yallo and the Lebara prepaid sim cards Traveltomtom comes to the conclusion that the Lebara prepaid sim card is the best one for tourists at Geneva Airport in 2024.
The most recommended Lebara prepaid sim card plan gives you 10 GB data for 29 CHF ($34 USD)
In Geneva city center you will find better prepaid sim card deals if you go to a store of Salt, Swisscom or Sunrise, the mobile internet operators in Switzerland. For more info read all about it in Traveltomtom's guide for finding the best prepaid sim card for Switzerland in 2024.
However, when looking for the cheapest and also the easiest way to stay connected when traveling to Switzerland than Traveltomtom recommends an e-sim card. Arrange everything online in just a couple clicks and no need to buy a prepaid sim card on arrival in Geneva Airport.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland via Airalo, Nomad or SimOptions.
For all your questions about Switzerland e-sim cards check out Traveltomtom's comparison of the best e-sim cards for traveling to Switzerland in 2024.
Reminder that all the Switzerland prepaid sim cards sold at Geneva Airport do NOT included data roaming in the EU. If you are traveling onwards in Europe then check out Traveltomtom's list of the best sim cards for traveling in Europe in 2024.
Order a prepaid sim card for Switzerland online
Does buying a sim card on arrival in Switzerland sounds like too much hassle or to expensive and is your phone not e-sim card compatible then don't worry, I got you covered!
Arrive prepared in Geneva with an international prepaid sim card. You order them online and a physical prepaid sim card will be delivered to your home address. You put this sim card in your phone and it automatically connects to an available network upon arrival in Geneva, basically when the plane lands you are instantly online.
SimOptions is the only sim card provider that sells physical prepaid sim cards for Switzerland:
Three Data Pack 10GB - $24.90
- 10 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Valid in 56 countries, including USA, Canada, Australia, etc.
- 4G/LTE
- Unlimited calls/sms in 56 countries
- Valid 30 days
Orange Holiday ZEN - $29.90
- 12 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- Valid in 34 countries in Europe
- 4G/LTE
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- Valid 14 days
Orange Holiday Europe - $49.90
- 30 GB data in all of Europe and UK
- 4G/LTE
- Unlimited calls/sms in Europe and UK
- 120 minutes worldwide
- 1,000 sms worldwide
- Valid 14 days
Orange Holiday World - $49.90
- 10 GB data
- Valid in 124 countries
- 4G/LTE
- No calls/sms
- Valid 14 days
Click here for more info or to order an international prepaid sim card for Switzerland via SimOptions.
Personally Traveltomtom recommends the Orange prepaid sim card with 30 GB data. I have used these sim cards a lot in the past and never had an issue.
But as mentioned many times before nowadays when traveling to Europe or Switzerland I always use an e-sim card for Europe. It is just so easy and done fast and as soon as the plane lands you are online.
Traveltomtom recommends ordering an e-sim card for Switzerland via Airalo, Nomad or SimOptions.
For much more details and all your answers on FAQ about using e-sim cards when traveling to Switzerland check out Traveltomtom's complete guide for buying an e-sim card for traveling to Switzerland in 2024.
How to get from Geneva Airport to the city
Believe it or not but you can get free public transportation tickets! In a city where everything is crazy expensive this made me smile big time.
In the baggage hall just before you walk out of arrivals there is a machine that gives out free public transportation tickets to get you anywhere within Geneva city. The tickets are valid for 80 minutes.
I am sure some of the above tips for buying a sim card in Geneva Airport were helpful for your next trip to Switzerland. Let me know if you have any additional questions and I try to answer them in the comments below.
Curious what it looks like trying to visit every country in the world? Go check out my Instagram account @traveltomtom and follow along. As of April 2024 I have visited more than 155 countries, so still a long way to go.
Enjoy your trip to Geneva!
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