Is it possible to purchase Swiss Francs in Italy? We will be traveling from Desenzano to Lauterbrunnen with a 30-minute stop in Milan to change trains. Is there a place to purchase CHF at Milano Centrale? If so, is 30 minutes enough time? We’ll arrive in Lauterbrunnen on a Saturday around 3 p.m. and have no idea if there will be an easy to access ATM at or near the train station. I always like to have a bit of local currency before arriving if at all possible. Thanks for any shared experiences, thoughts, or ideas.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
9070 posts
I don’t think an ATM in Milan would dispense Swiss francs?
Why not just get some at home before your trip, small amount, cost is negligible
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
17623 posts
You can check in Desenzano at a bank (not the ATM, those dispense only euro) or exchange bureau (lousy exchange rates) and ask. There are lots of Swiss tourists and maybe they have francs on hand.
Another option is to purchase Swiss francs once you arrive in CH, at any bank ATM.
Posted by
OP
MS
29 posts
No, I don’t think an ATM in Milan will provide Swiss Francs. I’m asking about currency exchange services. I’ll also be posting on the Switzerland board as I see on the SBB website that Lauterbrunnen station does provide currency exchange, but I’ve not found the hours of operation or if it is via an ATM. Hoping someone who has been there will share that info. Purchasing from home before leaving is also an option, yes.
Posted by
St. Francis, WI
108 posts
Cynthia, There is a currency exchange at Milano Centrale. Located on the Piano Binari, which I would guess is the level of the tracks. Have a look at the website for the train station under "servizi" and then look around for a map of the station.
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
892 posts
Remember that most, if not all, places you will encounter when you arrive in Switzerland will take credit cards. You should be able to get by fine until you have a chance to find an Swiss atm. Most likely you can use one at the Lauterbrunnen station. Additionally, my understanding is that places that deal with tourists often will accept Euros though probably at a poor exchange rate. My point is that it is not critical to have Swiss Francs in hand before you arrive in Lauterbrunnen.