Guide to Getting Salt SIM Card for Tourists in Switzerland

Staying connected while traveling in Switzerland doesn’t need to be an expensive proposition. Salt offers travelers highly cost-effective SIM card options to enhance every aspect of their Swiss experience. Comparing included features like validity periods, price points and data allowances will help you select the ideal Salt SIM to keep you optimally connected while enjoying all that Switzerland has to offer, follow this guide before your trips.

I. Quick Facts about Salt

Salt is the third largest mobile operator with around 1.3 million customers or 17% market share. It focuses on no-frills offers and aggressive pricing: 

• Established: 1998
• Branding name: salt.
• Services provided: Mobile (voice, data, SMS), fixed broadband, TV
• Number of subscribers: 1.3 million (mobile)
• Number of stores: 33 Salt Shops across Switzerland
• Customer service: Available by phone and online chat in English, French, Italian and German
• Awards: Best network 2018, 2019, 2020 (Connect magazine test)

II. Why Salt When You’re Exploring Switzerland – Coverage and Speed

Salt is considered the best mobile network in Switzerland in terms of coverage and speed. Here’s why it’s a great choice for tourists:

Salt Coverage in Switzerland

Salt has reliable 4G LTE coverage across nearly all of Switzerland, being available in over 98% of the population nationwide both outdoors and indoors within major cities and towns. Their mobile network infrastructure ensures strong voice and data service availability for customers no matter where they are located within the alpine country.

Salt Speed

Salt is able to provide generally fast mobile internet access to customers across Switzerland thanks to its high-speed 4G LTE and emerging 5G networks. Speed tests have shown average 4G download speeds on the Salt network fall between 50-60 Mbps nationwide, with peaks reaching over 100 Mbps attained in dense urban locations.

These speeds allow for seamless use of data-heavy apps and online activities. 

In summary, Salt’s extensive high-speed network makes it a great choice for tourists exploring Switzerland. You can stay conveniently connected across cities, small towns and scenic areas.

III. Salt Connectivity Options for Travelers to Switzerland

Here are the main options travelers have for connectivity in Switzerland along with their pros and cons:

In summary, buying a local Salt SIM card is the most convenient and cost-effective option for staying connected in Switzerland as a tourist. It gives you the flexibility to call, text and access mobile data without incurring huge roaming charges. You get high-speed connectivity on an extensive network.

IV. Best Salt SIM Cards for Tourists & Cost

Salt offers prepaid SIM cards which are convenient for tourists on short trips. Here are some top options with pricing:

While higher plans offer more data, 5GB provides enough headroom for most tourist usage without overpaying. The flexible subscription also offers better peace of mind than pay-as-you-go options.

V. Does Salt Support eSIM in Switzerland?

Yes, Salt launched eSIM support in 2019 for latest iPhone and Android devices. With eSIMs, the SIM profile is digitally downloaded onto your phone.

Some key benefits of using Salt eSIM in Switzerland:

• Easy to activate eSIM remotely, no need to go to a store
• Ability to store multiple eSIM profiles and switch easily
• More secure as eSIM can’t be removed like a physical SIM
• Avoid sim swap scams

VI. Where can You Buy a Salt SIM and eSIM?

Where to Buy Salt SIM card for Switzerland?

• Airports – The larger airports like Zurich and Geneva usually have Salt kiosks or partner stores where travelers can pick up SIMs.

• Salt Stores – Salt has its own branded retail stores located in major cities and towns across Switzerland. Here you can purchase SIM cards and plans directly.

• Multi-Brand Stores – Electronics stores like Digitec, Interdiscount sell all major Swiss providers including Salt prepaid SIM kits

Where to Buy Salt eSIM in Switzerland?

• Directly from Salt website (salt.ch): Salt offers eSIM packages that can be purchased online on their website. Plans start from a few days up to 1 month. eSIM profiles are delivered digitally once payment is made.
• Salt stores: There are Salt branded retail stores located in major cities/towns across Switzerland where you can purchase eSIM plans over the counter. Stores may be found in train stations or shopping areas.

VII. How to Activate Salt SIM/eSIM in Switzerland?

Activating and using a Salt SIM or eSIM is very easy.

How to Use Salt SIM Card in Switzerland

Follow these simple steps:

1. Insert the SIM card into your unlocked phone. Locate the SIM slot, open it and slide in the card with gold contacts facing downwards.
2. Turn on your phone and wait for it to detect the SIM card.
3. The Salt SIM card will automatically activate once inserted and detected. Prepaid SIMs come pre-activated.
4. For data to work, you may need to manually set up the APN settings.
5. You can now start using the SIM card! Make calls, send texts and use mobile data. Check your prepaid balance by dialing *121#

How to Activate Salt eSIM

Here are step-by-step instructions to activate and use a Salt eSIM:

1. Install eSIM Profile: Scan the QR code provided by Salt when you purchase the plan to download the profile. This will install the eSIM on your phone.
2. Activate eSIM: Call Salt customer support or use the online chat to provide your details for activation.

4. Set up eSIM: Follow prompts to select Salt as the cellular plan and enable it. You may need to restart your phone.
5. Use eSIM: Your Salt cellular plan will now be active. You can make calls, use data and send SMS.

VIII. Switzerland Salt Call & SMS Rates

Here are the outbound call and SMS rates while using a Salt Switzerland SIM card:

Incoming calls and texts are free on Salt prepaid. Rates are reasonable for Europe but calling internationally can get expensive.

IX. Useful USSD Codes for Salt SIM card/eSIM

Here are some useful USSD codes to check your account balance and other details on Salt Switzerland:

• *121# – Check prepaid balance
• *140# – Check data balance
• *150# – Check billing date
• *121*REFILL CODE# – Recharge your prepaid account

X. How to Top-up Salt SIM card/eSIM

You can easily top-up your Salt prepaid account in multiple ways:

• Online – Use international credit card on Salt website or app
• Vouchers – Purchase top-up vouchers from Salt stores and enter code
• Point of Sale – Pay at Salt shops, retail stores like Migros, and Swiss Post offices

Top-ups can be done instantly. Denominations range from CHF 10 to CHF 100. Data packs, hourly packs, weekly & monthly packs available.

XI. Alternative to Salt Switzerland

• Swisscom – Switzerland’s other major carrier. Provides prepaid SIM options with plans ranging from a few days to a month. Data allotments are smaller than Salt but coverage is reliable. SIM cards can be purchased online in advance.
• Sunrise – One of the largest network providers in Switzerland. They offer prepaid SIM cards that can be purchased online or at airports/stores. Plans start at around CHF 20 for multi-day packages with data allowances. Network coverage is excellent nationwide.

While the above operators offer viable SIM card options, eSIMSwitzerland.net presents a more convenient solution for travelers. Its eSIM plans are readily available online, provide wider data allowances, and avoid the hassle of switching SIM cards during trips. Their prepaid eSIM data plans run on Swisscom’s high quality network, ensuring reliable connectivity across the country.

XII. FAQs

XIII. Final Words

A Salt SIM card is the best connectivity option for tourists visiting Switzerland thanks to the provider’s excellent nationwide coverage, fast speeds and convenient prepaid plans. Consider to activate your eSIM Switzerland and start enjoying seamless connectivity across Switzerland.