With growing tourism demand in Switzerland, online access is increasingly diverse. Each method has its own strengths and weaknesses. In this article, we help you get more information about Mobile Internet in Switzerland and have a perfect trip!

Mobile Internet in Switzerland

I. Mobile Internet Coverage and Speed in Switzerland

1. Switzerland Mobile Internet Coverage

Switzerland Mobile internet coverage
Switzerland Mobile internet coverage. Source: Opensignal

Mobile internet coverage is important for staying connected while traveling through Switzerland. The major carriers in the country each offer service in differing areas of the country.

  • Swisscom: It provides reliable mobile internet coverage nationwide across Switzerland, including in more remote mountainous regions. As the largest telecom company, Swisscom maintains an extensive 4G LTE network that reaches over 99% of the population.
  • Salt: Salt Mobile has nearly nationwide 4G LTE coverage across Switzerland as well, reaching around 98% of the population. However, data speeds may be slightly slower than Swisscom in some rural locations further from major cities.
  • Sunrise: Sunrise provides very good mobile coverage in most populous Swiss cities and towns, with 4G LTE networks covering around 93% of the population. However, coverage in more remote alpine areas may be patchy or unavailable compared to Swisscom.

As a result, Swiss residents and visitors can stay conveniently connected on the go almost anywhere thanks to the high-quality mobile internet access delivered by these leading telecom operators.

2. Switzerland Mobile Internet Speed

Switzerland Mobile Internet Speed
Switzerland Mobile Internet Speed. Source: Speedtest

Switzerland has very fast mobile internet speeds that rank among the best globally. According to the latest data from Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index, Switzerland has an average 4G download speed of 92.67 Mbps. This places Switzerland in the 26th spot worldwide for mobile internet speeds and well above the global average of 33.81 Mbps.

In major Swiss cities such as Zurich, Geneva and Basel all maintain speeds above 150 Mbps. This has helped Switzerland always rank among the top European countries with fast internet speeds. So Swiss visitors can surf the web, download apps and content, stream videos, and more at very high speeds on their mobile devices.

Note: This is an AVERAGE speed and not the fastest speed that can be achieved in Switzerland.

II. Mobile Internet in Switzerland: Connection options for tourists

There are four main options that tourists can use to access the internet when traveling to Switzerland: public wifi, international roaming service, local SIM Card and eSIM. Below is a table comparing the pros and cons of each option:

OptionProsConsPrice Range (USD)
Free WiFiFree of charge, Available in some public placesUnreliable speed and security, limited data usageFree
Pocket WiFiConvenient to share with multiple devices, good speed and reliabilityRequires carrying an extra device, additional rental fees$5 – $15 per day
eSIMEasy setup, keeps your phone number, multiple data plans availableNot universally supported yet, slightly higher cost than SIM cards$10 – $50 (one-time purchase + data plan)
Local SIM CardAffordable, good data options, readily availableRequires switching SIM cards, temporary phone number$10 – $30 (one-time purchase + data plan)
RoamingNo need for additional purchases, convenientExtremely expensive data charges, limited control over costs$5-10 per day in additional charges(varies depending on carrier plan, typically very high)

Overall, For travellers who want to avoid roaming fees or the hassle of visiting a mobile store, eSIM provides a seamless solution to keeping connected while exploring Switzerland. As more devices and rental WiFi hotspots now support eSIM, it is becoming the newest connectivity choice for the digitally-savvy tourist.

As one of the leading eSIM service providers in Switzerland, esimswitzerland.net makes setting up cellular data on your device easier than ever. Their prepaid eSIM plans are specifically tailored for travelers, offering affordable daily, weekly and monthly data packages on the fast 4G LTE networks of Swisscom.

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III. Budgeting for Mobile Data Costs in Switzerland

You can refer to the following information to estimate the amount of data tourists will need to use when coming to Switzerland depending on the length of stay:

Trip LengthEstimated Data NeedsEstimated Costs
1-3 days500MB-1 GB$5-10
4-7 days1-2 GB$10-20
1 week2-4 GB$20-40
2 weeks4-8 GB$40-80
3 weeks+8+ GB$80+

Alternatively, esimswitzerland.net offers affordable prepaid data options starting from $5. It ensures tourists have sufficient mobile connectivity to make the most of their Swiss adventures without unforeseen costs.

Plan NameDurationData AllowancePrice
Switzerland eSIM 5 Days5 daysDaily 1GB$13.50
Switzerland eSIM 10 Days10 days15GB$39
Switzerland eSIM 14 Days (Data & Voice)14 days8GB + FREE calls$21.90
Switzerland eSIM 20 Days20 days20 GB$47.50
Switzerland eSIM 30 Days30 daysDaily 2GB$66.90

IV. Best Mobile Operators in Switzerland

Below is a summary comparison table of mobile carriers in Switzerland, hoping to provide you with the necessary information:

OperatorProsConsCoverageCustomer ServiceAdditional Features
SwisscomLargest 4G/5G networkMore expensive plansNationwide 4G/5G coverage24/7 support via call/chatRoaming in friendly countries
SaltAffordable plans and ratesLimited customer support hoursReliable coverage in major areasOnline support 10am-6pmDaily data plans available
SunriseFast network speedsHigher international call ratesBroad LTE coverage across SwitzerlandStores open Mon-Sat: 10am-6:30pmAttractive bundle offers

Swisscom is likely the best choice for mobile providers for tourists visiting Switzerland. As the largest network operator in the country. This wide coverage is crucial for tourists who will be exploring different parts of the country.

V. FAQs about Internet in Switzerland

Will my mobile data work in Switzerland?

If you have an international data plan with your home network, you may be able to access reduced speeds using roaming in Switzerland. However, roaming rates can be very expensive. It’s best to get a local Swiss SIM to access the mobile networks in Switzerland at reasonable rates.

How can I get internet access in Switzerland?

There are a few convenient options for connecting to the internet while visiting Switzerland. One of the easiest is to purchase a prepaid SIM card from one of the country’s main cellular providers like Swisscom, Salt or Sunrise.

How much is the internet per month in Switzerland?

Prepaid hourly/daily data bundles on Swiss SIMs start from 5 CHF. Short term SIM plans range from 10-50 CHF depending on data required.

Is 5G allowed in Switzerland?

Yes, 5G networks have been available commercially in Switzerland since 2019. All major operators Swisscom, Sunrise and Salt offer 5G coverage. Over 99% of the Swiss population can currently access 5G networks primarily in urban centers. Rollout is still ongoing nationwide.

VI. Conclusions

Staying connected with family and friends via mobile Internet when traveling in Switzerland is extremely important. Using eSIM in Switzerland not only saves costs but also brings certain benefits to tourists in mobile connectivity. eSIM is the solution that helps visitors freely communicate, navigate and share beautiful moments in Switzerland.