Should I bring cash to Switzerland?

The most commonly accepted payment options are cash, credit cards and debit cards. Credit cards and debit cards are accepted almost everywhere. The most common are Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Maestro. It is advisable to check in advance...



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Cash is king: Banknotes and coins are the most popular payment method in Switzerland. The moneyland.ch Swiss payments survey shows that 67 percent of residents consider cash to be completely indispensable, while 96 percent use cash for payments.

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Use local cash. For example, in Switzerland, which officially uses Swiss francs, some ATMs give euros, prices in touristy areas are listed in both currencies, and travelers can get by with euro cash.

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Public restrooms can be found at parks, bus stations, railway terminals, and cable-car platforms. If these aren't handy, use the toilets in cafes and shops. Most public toilets are not free, costing around 1CHF to 2CHF.

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As a rule of thumb, you should pay in the local currency rather than in Swiss francs (or whichever currency denominates your credit card). If you have a Swiss credit card denominated by Swiss francs, do not choose to pay in Swiss francs when this is offered by merchants.

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In fact, in 2021, consumer prices in Switzerland were 54.4 percent higher in Switzerland than the European Union average. This makes Switzerland the most expensive country in the European room ahead of Iceland (50.4 percent higher), Norway (41.2 percent higher) and Denmark (33.7 percent higher).

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Taxis usually accept fare payment by credit card, but it's better to ask the driver before you get in. If you don't speak German, have your address written down ready to show the driver. It's not common to tip taxi drivers in Switzerland, but you can round up the bill if you're happy with the service.

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If you eat out every meal during your Switzerland trip, I would budget about CHF 25-35 for lunch and CHF 40-50 for dinner per person including drinks. If you picnic, I would budget about CHF 10-15 per person per meal.

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A commonly asked question is 'Do I need to carry cash in Switzerland? ' The simple answer is no however I believe it's always a good idea to have a small amount of cash with you for purchases such as a coffee or ice cream or for luggage storage lockers at train stations.

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Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in most European cities. American Express is too, but perhaps less widely. Paying by card can be easier and more convenient. You don't need to worry about changing money at a foreign exchange counter, or worry about security when carrying cash around with you.

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