Buy Swiss Francs

You’ll be able to make card payments in most tourist and urban areas of Switzerland. Bear in mind however that much of the country is remote, making card connectivity less reliable, and many businesses will only accept cash. By travelling with cash Travel Money, you’ll always have a way to pay, and can avoid the fees, charges and unfavourable rates often incurred by overseas card payments.

Switzerland is not cheap, and you can expect to pay more than you would in the UK for accommodation, meals and drinks. For example, you might pay around:

• 5 CHF (£4.47) for a coffee.
• 7 CHF (£6.26) for a beer.
• 60 CHF (£53.62) for a mid-range, two-course meal.
• 350 CHF (£312.75) for a room in a 4-star hotel.

The Swiss Franc is the only recognised currency in Switzerland.

Though in the heart of Europe, Switzerland isn’t part of the EU or the EEA (European Economic Area), so you shouldn’t expect to be able to spend Euros 

If you’re a UK citizen, you won’t need a visa to travel to Switzerland. Other passport holders should check the entry requirements with your embassy, ideally in plenty of time before you travel.

You should always research the most up to date visa guidelines before planning a trip.

There are no hard and fast rules about tipping in Switzerland. Most restaurants will include a service charge on the bill, but it’s very common to also leave a tip, especially if you’re happy with the service. 

Switzerland is unusual in that it has four official languages – German, French, Italian and Romansch.

Switzerland is generally considered a safe place to visit, but you should always check the latest UK government travel advice before travelling.

If you’re visiting Switzerland for a skiing holiday, the season runs from November to March. Some high altitude resorts in the Swiss Alps like Saas Fee or Zermatt even stay open year-round.

There are plenty of things to do in Switzerland in the spring, summer and autumn too. From hiking mountain trails and paddle boarding on the lakes, to cultural and culinary festivals, or just soaking up the atmosphere in the vibrant cafes and city bars, Switzerland is a great destination all year-round.

Yes, you could get a better exchange rate by buying Swiss Francs before your trip to Switzerland. Exchanging travel money at the airport may result in poor exchange rates.

In addition to being used in Switzerland, Swiss Francs are also legal tender in Liechtenstein and Campione d'Italia.

CHF is a strong currency, largely because Switzerland's status is seen as a financial safe haven and means many other countries use Swiss Francs as a buffer against financial instability.