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How to get Wifi in Switzerland : Guide for Travelers
17 June 2024
pocket wifi
Joseph Philipson
How to Get WiFi in Switzerland for Your Holidays
From beautiful cities like Zurich, Geneva, and Lucerne to breathtaking spaces of natural beauty like the Alps, Lake Lugano, Switzerland is an understandably popular destination.
Whether you’re a solo traveler exploring one city, a family hopping between several destinations, or a business traveler taking one of the scenic train routes, such as the Glacier Express, Bernina Express, or GoldenPass Line, having internet access is crucial.
An internet connection can be helpful for directions, the language barrier (Switzerland uses four official languages), or browsing the Internet while relaxing at your accommodation.
There are different ways you can stay connected while traveling in and around Switzerland. Here are their costs and pros and cons.
The Best Ways of Getting WiFi in Switzerland
Whether you call it WiFi or an internet connection, staying connected is essential for travelers. While Switzerland is a safe country with a high standard of living, it’s always helpful to have an internet connection simply in case of emergencies.
Having a reliable internet connection can make planning trips, making dinner reservations, or passing the time while waiting for incredibly punctual trains a breeze.
The main ways to access the Internet while traveling in Switzerland are via pocket WiFi, a prepaid SIM card for travelers, eSIM solutions, international data roaming, or free WiFi networks dotted around the country and in local businesses.
Let’s take a closer look at each of these options.
Pocket WiFi
Pocket WiFi or a mobile hotspot is a dedicated device that connects to a mobile network connection (just like your phone) and then creates a WiFi network to which your WiFi-enabled devices can connect.
Think of it like tethering an internet connection to your phone but with a device that’s better at connecting to the Internet, lasts longer, and provides a faster and more stable connection.
Popular pocket WiFi providers in Switzerland include Hippocketwifi, MioWiFi, and RentConnect.
Pros
Pocket WiFi devices, with their superior antennae, are particularly beneficial for solo travelers, families, and business travelers. They excel at providing fast and stable connections, even in more remote areas like the Alps, Switzerland’s many lakes, and scenic mountain railways.
Switzerland borders five different countries and you can stay connected by renting pocket WiFi for all of Europe.
Cons
Pocket WiFi is a dedicated device, which means you’ll have one more thing to carry, which can be problematic if you’re traveling light. However, these devices are usually no bigger than a smartphone. They can be kept in your bag or backpack when traveling.
Cost
Be sure to compare the cost of pocket WiFi first.
Hippocketwifi costs between €4.90 and €7.90 per day for 1GB of daily data or between €6.90 and €9.90 a day for unlimited data. The cost decreases the longer you rent the device, which makes Hippocketwifi the best value for money.
TravelWifi’s portable hotspot rental costs €7.40, €8.33, or €11.12 per day, depending on whether you opt for 1GB, 5GB, or 10GB daily data limits.
MioWifi costs €8 per day for unlimited data. The device only connects up to 5 devices simultaneously, which is lower than the 10 or more devices that can connect to the other providers’ pocket WiFi.
RentConnect costs $6.99 per day for an unlimited 4G connection. There’s also a shipping fee to pay for rental.
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SIM Cards
Another way to enjoy a data connection while in Switzerland is by buying a travel SIM specifically for your trip.
The SIM card allows your phone to make calls, send messages, and connect to the Internet. The one in your phone right now (provided it’s not an eSIM) is provided by your domestic mobile carrier and associated with your everyday phone number.
You can buy and insert a prepaid Swiss SIM card for travelers or data connections and browse the Internet from your phone while in the country.
Pros
Travel SIM cards are a versatile option for travelers. They offer the freedom to choose the best data plan for their specific needs.
Cons
Switzerland is separate from the EU or EEA, so while many roaming options within Europe work from country to country, Switzerland is often excluded. SIM cards and roaming options are usually more expensive here.
Due to the high costs, pricing for Swiss SIM card solutions is also needlessly complicated, with various deals and packages.
Cost
Swisscom’s starter pack for calls, texts, and data costs 19.90 CHF with 20 CHF credit. You can buy these from Swissom shops as well as service stations, SBB ticket machines, Coop and Migros supermarkets, and kiosks.
Lyca Mobile Suisse sells SIM cards, which are among the better-priced options in Switzerland. You can buy data packages of 1GB, 2GB, 5GB, or 300GB for between 5.90 CHF and 39 CHF.
Mucho sells a SIM card for 10 CHF with a 5 CHF balance from post offices, k-kiosks, Naville, and Relay stores.
eSIM
An eSIM is a newer technology that uses an integrated chipset that replaces the older removable SIM card. These chips can be configured and act like SIM cards.
This allows users to buy “virtual” SIM cards, configure them, and enjoy the services of different telecom companies.
This allows travelers to buy and set up an eSIM solution before they go on vacation to Switzerland.
Popular eSIM solutions include GoMoWorld, Airalo, Ubigi, RedteaGo, and Holafly.
Pros
An eSIM is a reassuring solution for compatible phones. It offers a sense of security to travelers who prefer to have everything arranged before they embark on their journey, including their data connection.
Cons
An eSIM will only work on eSIM-compatible devices. Check your phone is compatible first.
If you want to connect devices like a laptop or tablet, tethering to an eSIM connection will make it slower and use up your phone’s battery.
Since an eSIM, like a SIM card, still uses your phone to connect to the mobile network, it is usually slower and less stable than renting a pocket WiFi connection in Switzerland.
Cost
GoMoWorld offers 2GB over 7 days for $4.25, and a 25GB connection across 30 days costs around $21.30.
Airalo’s eSIM options range between $4.50 and $38 for 1GB and 20GB. The 1GB option is valid for 7 days, while the larger data limits are valid for 30 days. The 2GB option, priced at $8, is valid for 15 days.
Ubigi offers several 30-day options. 3GB costs $7, and 50GB costs $49. The year-long 24GB option (with 2GB per month) costs $32.
RedteaGO has a 1GB or 5GB option for 30 days, costing around $3 and $11 each.
Holafly offers unlimited data in Switzerland through their eSIM solutions for $6 daily.
Data Roaming International Plan
You can also contract an international data roaming plan from your domestic mobile network carrier.
In this case, you can contact your provider either over the phone, by messaging them using a particular SMS number, or by using their website or app.
Using partner networks, you’ll have internet access while in Switzerland.
Pros
This solution is the simplest. You don’t need another SIM card or device and can contract it directly from your provider.
Cons
The connections offered over partner networks are usually slower and less reliable.
Typically, roaming services are more expensive than all the other options we’ve seen unless you’re already on a good contract with your local provider.
Cost
The cost will depend on your network provider and, in some cases, can be obnoxiously expensive.
Use Free WiFi
If you find yourself without any internet access in Switzerland, you can always use a WiFi-enabled device to access the Internet using local free WiFi networks in coffee shops, shopping centers, airports, and other public spaces.
Pros
Without another solution, free WiFi can be a useful way to access the Internet.
Cons
These networks are often slow, especially when many others use them.
They can also be quite risky in terms of security. Be careful about sharing sensitive information over these kinds of networks.
You also need to be aware of scammers. In busy public spaces, scammers can set up fake networks in the hope that tourists will connect to them. They then use these networks to steal sensitive information.
Cost
These networks are typically free, though you may have to buy something from local businesses before they give you the key to access them.
How to Choose the Best WiFi Option for Your Switzerland Trip
While pocket WiFi is generally the best option for groups or travelers visiting more remote areas like Switzerland’s many lakes, mountains, and other areas of natural beauty, we understand that no two travelers are alike.
So how can you make up your mind?
When traveling in Switzerland, the best way to choose the right type of internet connection is to consider the rental duration, connectivity, data limits, and the kind of user you are.
Connectivity
Those in Switzerland’s cities and towns mightn’t worry too much about connectivity. However, many of the country’s best places to visit are away from urban areas. You’ll want to choose a solution that offers stable and fast internet connections.
Rental Duration
The cost of each solution will vary depending on how long you need it. Some SIM cards are limited to a number of days, while pocket WiFI tends to get cheaper the longer the rental duration.
Data roaming is usually charged by usage rather than by the number of days. However, some providers will charge you for every day you use some data roaming.
Usage
A family traveling together likely needs different connections and solutions than a business traveler.
For example, a family might need several devices connected at once. In contrast, a business traveler may only have one device for accessing the Internet but require a 5G connection.
4G is usually sufficient for casual internet usage. At the same time, 5G offers a much higher connection speed, which can be essential for high-quality video and larger files.
Data Limit
Many of these options depend on how much data you intend to use. Be sure to consider your typical data usage rather than simply paying for unlimited data, as there’s no reason to pay for data you won’t use.
However, if you believe you’re going to come close to a data limit, it can be a good idea to pay for extra data so that you don’t run out at an inopportune moment.
