We will be on a day trip to Lugano in early October from Milano. Will we need to get Swiss Francs for the few hours we will be there? Or can we use Euros? Where is best to get smal amount of Francs in Lugano? Thanks for your help.
Posted by
Chicago
7811 posts
There is ATM and currency exchange at the train station. It is a big station.
https://www.sbb.ch/en/station-services/railway-stations/lugano-station/shops.html
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
5581 posts
You probably can get by without francs depending on your plans. We were in Basel for a couple days (also on the border). We mostly used a credit card. We ended up at a market and wanted to get a small lunch and they took euros. Not sure we got the best of exchange rate but it was a very small purchase anyway. It sounds like there are ATMs very handy in Lugano should you end up needing swiss francs.
Posted by
Basel, Switzerland
8889 posts
I was in Lugano last week. I bought a gelato and the woman in front of me (who didn't speak Italian) paid with an €5 banknote. Here in Basel many places take Euros, but if you pay in Euros you get change in Swiss Franks. I would expect the same in Lugano.
I would expect anywhere dealing with tourists (restaurants, shops) to take Euros.
You will get exchange rate of 1:1 (1 Euro = 1 Frank), which means you are losing ~10%. And they will only take notes. no coins.
Posted by
OP
27 posts
Thank you all for the actionable info on Swiss Francs.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
Most restaurants and retail places will accept Euros. You won't like the exchange rate but it won't be that bad. Use your credit card or try a local ATM machine. Bringing home a few Swiss Francs for the children or grandchildren to collect works also.