Swiss Currency & Money: Everything You Need to Know

TL;DR: Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (CHF), not the Euro. Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay) are accepted almost everywhere, so you do not need to carry much cash. Withdraw from ATMs if you need cash -- never exchange at hotels or airport counters. Tipping is not expected (service is included by law), but rounding up is appreciated. Budget approximately CHF 150-250 per day for a mid-range trip.

The Swiss Franc: basics

Switzerland is not in the European Union and does not use the Euro. The national currency is the Swiss Franc, abbreviated CHF (from the Latin "Confoederatio Helvetica Franc"). You will also see it written as Fr. on some price tags and menus.

Approximate exchange rates (2026)

Rates are approximate mid-market rates as of early 2026 and fluctuate daily. Check xe.com or your banking app for current rates.

Key point: The Swiss Franc is one of the world's strongest and most stable currencies. It tends to hold value or appreciate against most currencies over time, which is one reason Switzerland is expensive for visitors.

Coins

ch.tours tip: Keep a few 1 CHF and 2 CHF coins handy. You will need them for luggage lockers at train stations (CHF 4-9 per locker, though many now accept cards), public toilet turnstiles (CHF 1-2), and shopping cart deposits at supermarkets.

Banknotes

Swiss banknotes are among the most beautifully designed and secure in the world. The current series (introduced 2016-2019) features vibrant colors and complex security features.

Note: The 1'000 CHF note (approximately USD 870 / EUR 950) is the highest-denomination banknote commonly in circulation in Europe. Some smaller shops may refuse it. ATMs typically dispense 50 and 100 CHF notes.

Where to exchange money (and where not to)

Best options (ranked)

1. ATM withdrawal (best rate): Use your debit card at a Swiss ATM. You get the interbank exchange rate (or close to it) plus your bank's foreign transaction fee (typically 1-3%). This is almost always the cheapest option
2. Your home bank (before travel): Some banks offer competitive CHF exchange if ordered in advance. Useful if you want cash on arrival
3. SBB ticket machines: Swiss rail ticket machines at major stations accept foreign credit/debit cards and dispense change in CHF. Not a currency exchange per se, but a way to get CHF coins if you buy a ticket with a foreign card
4. City center exchange offices: PostFinance offices, major bank branches (UBS, Credit Suisse/UBS), and dedicated exchange offices in city centers offer reasonable rates. Compare before exchanging

Worst options (avoid)

1. Airport exchange counters: The exchange offices at Zurich, Geneva, and Basel airports charge 5-10% above mid-market rates. Avoid unless absolutely desperate
2. Hotel reception desks: Hotels that offer currency exchange typically charge 8-15% above mid-market. Never exchange at your hotel
3. Train station exchange kiosks: While better than airports, these still charge 3-7% premiums
4. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC): When paying by card, if the terminal asks "Pay in your home currency or CHF?" -- always choose CHF. Selecting your home currency triggers DCC, which applies a markup of 3-6% (source: European Consumer Centre)

Card payments: what works where

Visa and Mastercard

Accepted at virtually every business in Switzerland: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, mountain railways, museums, pharmacies, gas stations, and most taxis. Contactless payments (tap-to-pay) are standard. Even small purchases (under CHF 5) are accepted by card at most places.

American Express and Diners Club

Accepted at larger hotels, upscale restaurants, and some tourist-oriented businesses. Not widely accepted at smaller shops, budget restaurants, or rural businesses. Do not rely on Amex as your only card in Switzerland.

Apple Pay, Google Pay, Samsung Pay

Widely accepted wherever contactless card payments work -- which is nearly everywhere. Most Swiss payment terminals support NFC. This is an excellent option and avoids the need to carry a physical card.

Twint (Swiss mobile payment)

Twint is Switzerland's domestic mobile payment app, used by most Swiss residents. As a tourist, it is not practical unless you have a Swiss bank account. You may see Twint QR codes at market stalls, small shops, and restaurants, but these vendors almost always also accept Visa/Mastercard.

Where cards may NOT work

• Mountain huts (SAC Hutten): Many Swiss Alpine Club huts are cash-only, especially remote ones. Bring CHF cash if hiking to huts
• Small alpine restaurants and farms: Alp restaurants and cheese dairies in remote areas may be cash-only
• Market stalls: Some stalls at weekly markets and Christmas markets accept only cash
• Public toilets: Coin-operated turnstiles at some public toilets and train station restrooms (CHF 1-2)
• Very small rural shops: Rare, but some village shops in remote areas have card minimums or are cash-only
• Parking meters: Older parking meters in smaller towns may only accept coins. Newer ones accept cards

ch.tours recommendation: Carry CHF 50-100 in cash as a backup, even if you plan to pay by card for everything. This covers emergencies, small purchases, and the occasional cash-only situation.

ATM tips: which banks, which machines

Recommended ATMs

• PostFinance: Found at post offices throughout Switzerland. Reliable, no-surcharge withdrawals (your bank's fee still applies). Widespread even in small towns
• Raiffeisen: Switzerland's cooperative banking network with ATMs in smaller towns and villages. No local surcharges
• UBS: Major bank with ATMs in all cities and towns. Standard service, no local surcharges
• Kantonalbanken (cantonal banks): ZKB (Zurich), BEKB (Bern), etc. Reliable, no-surcharge machines

ATMs to avoid

• Euronet: These independent ATMs (often found in tourist areas, airports, and train stations) are notorious for poor exchange rates and additional surcharges. They often push DCC aggressively. If you see a Euronet machine, walk past it and find a bank ATM
• Any ATM that offers to convert currency for you: This is DCC. Always decline and withdraw in CHF

ATM withdrawal tips

1. Always withdraw in CHF, not your home currency
2. Withdraw larger amounts less frequently to minimize per-transaction fees from your home bank
3. Check your bank's foreign ATM fee before traveling -- some banks charge CHF 3-5 per withdrawal plus 1-3% currency conversion
4. Notify your bank of your travel dates to prevent the card being blocked for suspicious activity
5. Swiss ATMs typically have a daily withdrawal limit of CHF 500-1'000 (your bank may impose a lower limit)

Tipping culture in Switzerland

The rule: service is included

By Swiss law, a service charge is included in all prices -- restaurant bills, taxi fares, hotel stays, and hairdresser appointments. There is no obligation to tip, and no one will be offended if you do not. This is a fundamental difference from countries like the United States where tipping is expected.

The practice: rounding up

While not expected, it is common (but not universal) for Swiss residents to round up the bill as a gesture of appreciation:

Key point for visitors: Do not feel pressured to tip 15-20% as you might in the US. Swiss service staff earn a living wage (the minimum salary for a restaurant server is approximately CHF 3'800-4'200 per month, higher than most European countries). A CHF 2-5 roundup on a restaurant bill is generous by Swiss standards.

How to tip in practice

• Cash: Simply tell the server the total you want to pay when they bring the card machine or bill. Say "Neunzig" (ninety) if the bill is CHF 87 and you want to pay CHF 90, or "Stimmt so" (keep the change)
• Card: When the payment terminal shows the amount, some machines ask if you want to add a tip. You can add an amount there. Otherwise, round up with cash coins after paying by card

Tax-free shopping (for non-EU/non-Swiss residents)

Who qualifies

Residents of countries outside of Switzerland and the EU/EEA who are visiting Switzerland temporarily (not resident).

How it works

1. Minimum purchase: CHF 300 at a single store on a single receipt
2. Request a Tax Free Form: Ask the retailer for the tax-free form (many larger stores and luxury brands participate -- look for "Tax Free Shopping" signs or ask)
3. Get goods stamped at the border: Present the goods, receipt, and tax-free form at Swiss customs when leaving Switzerland. The goods must be unused and in original packaging
4. Claim your refund: Through the refund operator (typically Global Blue or Planet Tax Free). Refund can be received at the airport refund counter, by credit card, or by check

The refund

Swiss VAT is 8.1% (standard rate, 2026). The actual refund you receive is slightly less due to processing fees -- typically 5-7% of the purchase price.

Practical tips

• Not all stores participate in tax-free shopping. High-end stores (watches, jewelry, fashion) almost always do. Supermarkets and budget shops do not
• The CHF 300 minimum must be reached at a single store, not across multiple stores
• Allow extra time at the airport or border crossing for the customs stamp process
• Keep goods in your hand luggage for inspection at customs
• At Zurich Airport, the customs desk is in the check-in area (before security)

Source: Swiss Federal Customs Administration (bazg.admin.ch).

Euros in Switzerland: when and where

While Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc, Euros are informally accepted in many tourist-facing businesses, especially near borders and in tourist hotspots:

• Most tourist shops, large supermarkets, train stations: Accept EUR cash, but give change in CHF at a poor exchange rate (typically 5-10% below mid-market)
• SBB ticket machines and counters: Accept EUR coins and notes
• Hotels: Most accept EUR at the front desk, at their own exchange rate

ch.tours recommendation: Do not rely on paying in Euros. You will consistently lose money on the exchange rate. Use CHF (via card or ATM withdrawal) for the best value. Euros are a useful emergency backup, not a primary payment method.

Daily budget estimates (2026)

Budget traveler

Mid-range traveler

Luxury traveler

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need Swiss Francs in Switzerland or can you use Euros?

You need Swiss Francs (CHF). Switzerland is not in the Eurozone. While some tourist businesses accept Euros, the exchange rate they apply is poor (typically 5-10% below mid-market), and change is given in CHF. For the best value, use a Visa or Mastercard for most payments and withdraw CHF from ATMs when you need cash. There is no practical need to exchange Euros in advance -- your debit/credit card handles everything.

How much cash should you carry in Switzerland?

Carry CHF 50-100 as a backup. Cards are accepted at approximately 95% of businesses including restaurants, shops, supermarkets, and mountain railways. Cash is still useful for mountain huts, some market stalls, public toilet turnstiles, and vending machines in rural areas. For multi-day mountain hiking to SAC huts, bring more cash (CHF 80-120 per hut night for food and lodging).

Is Switzerland really that expensive?

Yes, Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries in the world for visitors. A budget traveler can manage on CHF 115-170 per day (hostel, self-catering, public transport). A mid-range trip runs CHF 185-310 per day. Specific examples: a restaurant main course costs CHF 25-45, a beer CHF 6-8, a coffee CHF 4.50-6, a supermarket sandwich CHF 6-9, and a one-way train from Zurich to Lucerne CHF 25 (2026 prices). The Swiss Travel Pass, Supersaver tickets, and self-catering at Migros or Coop are the main ways to control costs.

Should you tip in Switzerland?

Tipping is not expected in Switzerland. A service charge is included by law in all prices. Swiss people sometimes round up the bill by a few francs as a gesture of appreciation, but this is entirely optional. A 5-10% tip for genuinely outstanding restaurant service is generous by Swiss standards. Never feel obligated to tip 15-20% -- Swiss service staff earn a living wage.

What is the best way to exchange money for Switzerland?

Use an ATM in Switzerland to withdraw CHF with your debit card. This gives you the best exchange rate (interbank rate plus your bank's foreign transaction fee, typically 1-3%). Avoid airport exchange counters (5-10% markup) and hotel exchange desks (8-15% markup). If paying by card, always choose to pay in CHF when the terminal offers a currency choice -- selecting your home currency triggers Dynamic Currency Conversion with a 3-6% markup.

Can you use Apple Pay or Google Pay in Switzerland?

Yes, Apple Pay and Google Pay work at virtually all businesses that accept contactless card payments, which is the vast majority of shops, restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, and transport services in Switzerland. NFC payment is standard at Swiss terminals. This is one of the most convenient payment methods for visitors, as it eliminates the need to carry a physical card for most situations.

Are there ATM fees in Switzerland?

Swiss bank ATMs (PostFinance, UBS, Raiffeisen, cantonal banks) do not charge a local surcharge for foreign card withdrawals. However, your home bank will likely charge a foreign ATM fee (typically CHF 3-5 per withdrawal) and a currency conversion fee (1-3%). To minimize fees, withdraw larger amounts less frequently. Avoid Euronet ATMs and independent ATMs in tourist areas, which may add their own surcharges and push Dynamic Currency Conversion.

Does the Swiss Travel Pass save money?

Yes, for most visitors staying 4+ days. A 4-day consecutive Swiss Travel Pass costs CHF 244 (2nd class, 2026) and covers unlimited train, bus, and boat travel plus 50% off most mountain railways and free entry to 500+ museums. A single round-trip from Zurich to Zermatt costs CHF 174 without a pass. Two mountain excursions at 50% off can save CHF 50-100 each. For active travelers visiting multiple regions, the pass typically saves CHF 200-500 over individual tickets. Calculate your specific routes at sbb.ch to verify.

What is Dynamic Currency Conversion and how do you avoid it?

Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) is when a payment terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency instead of CHF. It sounds convenient but applies a markup of 3-6% above the mid-market rate. Always decline DCC. When the terminal displays "Pay in CHF or [your currency]?" -- select CHF. Your card issuer will convert at a much better rate. If the merchant or ATM does not offer a choice and defaults to your home currency, ask them to re-run the transaction in CHF.

Can you pay with credit cards on Swiss trains?

Yes. All SBB train ticket machines, ticket counters, and the SBB Mobile app accept Visa and Mastercard. The SBB Mobile app is the most convenient way to buy tickets -- download it before arrival, add your card, and buy tickets on your phone. Onboard catering (minibar trolley) on long-distance trains also accepts cards. The only exception is very rare cases of old ticket machines on minor regional routes.

Source: ch.tours | Last updated: March 2026 | Data from Swiss National Bank (snb.ch), SBB (sbb.ch), Swiss Federal Customs Administration (bazg.admin.ch), PostFinance (postfinance.ch), European Consumer Centre