What every traveller needs to know about finding the right travel money product to use in Switzerland.
Which option is right for your next trip?
Compare travel cards for Switzerland
How many francs do I need to bring to Switzerland?
Yes, the rumours are true, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world to visit, and, according to some estimates, the most expensive country in the world to live. Although hardly a budget destination, it is possible to save a penny here and there.
| Zurich | Budget | Midrange | Expensive | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Sleep | Hostel $50 - $100 per night | 2 star hotel $100 - $250 per night | 5 star hotel $300 - $800 per night |
 | Eat | Swiss sausage sandwich plus a pint of beer (street food) $13 | Noodle house (restaurant) $30 per dish | Michelin star restaurant $100 plus per person |
 | Do | Rent a bike and ride around the city Rental is free + $30 deposit | Entry to the Kunsthaus Gallery $35 per person | 50-minute massage for 2 at exclusive day spa $350 |
*Prices are approximate and based on summer seasonality and are subject to change
Exchange rate history
The Swiss Franc is one of the most stable currencies in the world, definitely one of the most valuable. Since the Global Financial Crisis, the value of the Australian dollar has dropped against the Swiss franc. The past few years, 1 Aussie dollar is worth about 0.70CHF. If you think the dollar will continue to fall relative to the franc, traveller’s cheques and prepaid travel money cards let you lock in a rate.
| Year | Average annual exchange Australian Dollar (AUD) to Swiss Franc |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 0.971464 |
| 2013 | 0.897429 |
| 2014 | 0.82526 |
| 2015 | 0.722884 |
| 2016 | 0.718103 |
Which one do I choose: Travel card, debit card or credit card?
Visa and Mastercard branded products are accepted in more places than American Express and Diners cards throughout Switzerland. You will be able to see which cards are accepted in different places by looking for the card scheme logo at the point of sale terminal and ATM machines. Switzerland is a modern economy based around banking — it’s their primary industry — you won’t need to carry a large amount of cash as you can use your card in more places than not. Make sure your card has a chip. This will let you make contactless payments for over the counter purchases and the majority of point of sale terminals use the CHIP rather than the magnetic strip to process the payment.
Travel money options for Switzerland at a glance
| Travel money option | Pros | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Debit cards for travel |
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| Prepaid travel money cards |
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| Credit cards for travel |
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| Traveller's cheques |
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| Cash |
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This table is a general summary of the travel money products in the market. Features and benefits can vary between cards.
Using travel cards, debit cards, credit cards and other options in Switzerland
Travelling with an Australian credit cards
A travel friendly credit card gives you access to a line of credit, and you won’t pay for currency conversion when you transact in francs. There are two providers to compare if you’re in the market for a credit card to use in Switzerland: The GE Money 28 Degrees Mastercard and the Bankwest Platinum credit cards. Both these cards waive the fee for currency conversion and Bankwest also waive the international ATM fee. However, making a withdrawal on credit isn’t advised as cash advance charges apply. Travel extras such as insurance or an increased earn rate on rewards cards for overseas purchases are other points to consider when you’re comparing credit cards to use overseas
- Tip: Some providers waive cash advance charges when you keep a positive balance and make ATM withdrawals. Find out which providers let you do this and which won’t.
Using debit cards
A travel debit card lets you spend and withdraw in Switzerland like you would at home. Find a debit card that waives the international ATM withdrawal fee and you can make free ATM withdrawals when you use an ATM offered by a Swiss bank (banks in Switzerland and Europe do not charge a local ATM operator fee). The Citibank Plus Transaction Account could be a handy product to use in Switzerland. As well as spending and withdrawing without paying to convert dollars to francs, Citi waive the international ATM withdrawal fee too.
Westpac cardholders can avoid the international ATM fee by using Global Alliance ATMs in Switzerland. There are less than a handful of BNP Paribas and Deutsche Bank branches in Switzerland, using the Citibank Plus in Switzerland is the only viable way to avoid paying international ATM fees.
- Tip: Make sure your debit card has a chip to avoid situations where you card won’t be accepted.
Using prepaid travel cards
There are no prepaid travel cards which allow you to hold Swiss francs. Usually, the advantage of these cards is you can hold multiple foreign currencies at a time and save on currency conversion fees. One of the these products may make sense if you’re spending your time in the Eurozone (France, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain etc) and the UK, but if you’re spending the majority of your time in Switzerland, you’ll pay for currency conversion when you spend in francs.
The currency conversion fee can be double the charge applied to most credit cards and debit cards. Products such as the Commonwealth Bank Travel Money Card charge the Visa or Mastercard rate plus 4.5% for currency conversion and charges for international ATM withdrawals. So, regardless of which product you choose, you’re going to pay for currency conversion, international ATM withdrawals, or both when you use a travel card in Switzerland.
Using traveller's cheques
Traveller's cheques are an outdated travel money product, it’s far easier and a much cheaper (using the right product) to get francs by using an ATM. If you do have traveller’s cheques, you can cash your cheques at exchange offices at train stations or at a bank. Exchange offices offer the same rates as banks; however they may charge a commission for the transaction.
- Tip: Banks are open during regular business hours Monday to Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm.
Taking a cash with you
It’s cheaper to get your cash exchanged in Switzerland than it is in Australia. Even cheaper still if you make an ATM withdrawal using a card which doesn’t charge for currency conversion or international ATM fees rather than visit an exchange office or bank. If you do have Australia dollars or euros you need to exchange in Switzerland, bureaux de change outlets can be found at airports and train stations. You can also change your money at a bank, which will give you the most competitive rate for changing cash, and shouldn’t charge a commission either.
- Tip: Some large retailers will accept euros (the majority of businesses will not). If you use euros, you will get a worse rate than paying with the local currency.
Bart goes to Switzerland every couple of years to snowboard. He splurges on a 6 day heli-skiing package in Verbier, which is recognised as providing the best off-piste snowboarding in the world. He says he gets to the mountain from Geneva and, when he’s done, takes a little side trip to Berlin and then to Paris before flying home. He spends Swiss francs in Switzerland and euros in Germany and France. He spends about three weeks to a month in Europe each time he visits the continent. What cards did you take with you? Why did you take these cards? ANZ is Bart’s everyday bank in Australia, and he uses his credit card back home to earn Qantas Points for his spending. The ANZ Frequent Flyer Black also gave him access to the Qantas Club at Sydney international airport and to other lounges all around the world through Véloce. Bart pays his credit card account in full every month, which means he can take advantage of up to 55 days interest-free on purchases made during his trip. He also took the ANZ Access Advantage Visa Debit Card to use when he needed to withdraw cash. Given the overall expense of his holiday, Bart wasn’t too concerned with paying the extra international transaction fees that would be charged over the course of his holiday. Where could you use your cards? Bart wanted to use his ANZ Frequent Flyer Black to earn more Qantas Points, so one of the first items he paid for with it was the heli-skiing package. As this is a Visa card, he could also use it over the counter for most purchases when he was in Switzerland. What about making ATM withdrawals? Bank ATMs in Switzerland do not charge an operator fee when you make a withdrawal. Bart says the only charge to withdraw cash in Geneva and Verbier was the international ATM fee charged by ANZ, which was about $5 per withdrawal. He says he didn’t have any troubles using his Visa Debit Card at ATMs and he never had to look far to find a cashpoint. What’s your recommendation about travel money for Switzerland? Bart says if you’re conscious of cutting out the fees for international transactions, it’s hard to go past the Citibank Plus Transaction Account, which was the account one of his snowboarding mates used the last time they went to Verbier. This Citibank account doesn't charge international ATM fees, currency conversion fees or an account keeping fee.Fresh tracks: Bart snowboarding in Verbier, Switzerland
Buying Swiss Francs in Australia
It will be cheaper to wait to exchange your Aussie dollars to Swiss francs in Switzerland, either at a bank or by making an ATM withdrawal, rather than getting cash changed in Australia before you depart. If you do want francs for a taxi or a coffee you can get money changed at any of the providers listed below. There are ATMs at every international airport (Zurich, Geneva, Basel etc), which should eliminate the need to change currency in Australia.
Finding cash and ATMs in Switzerland
Why you’ll need a combination of travel money options
There is no one best travel money product, so you’re better off using a combination of the products or strategies detailed on this page. A line of credit gives you peace of mind to cover any unforeseen circumstances; while using a debit card for cash withdrawals and over the counter purchases in Switzerland. A travel card may be suited if you’re spending time in countries which use the euro; however, you’ll incur fees, which can be avoided if using a different travel money product.
Whether you're heading to Switzerland to hit the slopes or simply to enjoy the culture, there's a bit you need to get in order before you depart. Take the right combination of cards so you can withdraw and spend conveniently and cheaply. If you have questions about travel money for Switzerland, ask us a question using the 'Ask a Question' form below.
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Hi there – we are going to be travelling through France, Switzerland and Italy in June/July and are finding it quite difficult finding a pre-loaded travel card that would include the euro and Swiss Francs.
We will be in Switzerland for about 10 days. We would very much like to avoid ATM fees!
Thanks for your help
Hi Lesley,
Thank you for your inquiry.
If you are travelling overseas you may want to consider this options. Your prepaid travel card will support a number of foreign currencies, though the exact ones will depend on the individual card. Look out for cards that support the local currency of your travel destination, otherwise you’ll have to shell out currency conversion fees each time you spend.
I hope this information has helped.
Cheers,
Harold
Thank you Shirley for your response to my question re. converting Australian notes in Switzerland. Now I can take some cash there. Thank you again for the information. Kind regards. Kim
Could anyone please advice. Would the banks in Zurich accept Australian $ (cash) to be exchanged to Swiss Francs? Thank you.
Hi Kim,
Thanks for your question.
Yes it possible to convert Australian Cash into Swiss Francs at a bank in Zurich. Please note that Swiss banks tend to levy charges on currency conversion.
Cheers,
Shirley