Swiss ATM's and a couple of other Swiss questions

"Do Swiss ATM's dispense money in $20 Swiss franc increments or another denomination? What is the daily ATM withdrawal limit?" This will all depend on the operator of the ATM.

"Do most Swiss businesses also take Euros if we happened to have some left over from a day trip into Italy?" In the more heavily touristed areas, you may find merchants who will take the euro, but prepared to get murdered on the exchange rate. Switzerland is expensive enough already!

Hey Larry
ATMS are fine in CH - if you pick off numbers like 180 or 260 SFr you wont get stuck with 100s and 50s. So pick amounts that are not even 50/100s. They also have 200-Sfr notes since so many people throw down 500s - they realized the need for 100-200-notes. And dont be afraid of handing a 100 to a shop owner or cafe server - they are used to making change. As for Euros - most places near the boarders or heavy tourist traffic will of course take EUros - but youre better off getting some from the ATM machine unless your just there a day since the rate will be high. As for the wine - yes you can bring your own food and wine/beer onto the trains and picnic. Buy some cheap cups at the shop too - or else buy a drink from the bar and then save the glass for a wine. Makes everyone happy!

I know in Zurich that some of the ATMs closer to the downtown area have a choice of getting francs in mixed notes. I usually just get 100's out and never have had a problem getting them changed. I have seen people buy a pack of gum with a 200 CHF note and the cashier did not even blink. In some of the smaller towns they may prefer some smaller bills since they do not keep as much cash on hand. The only places that I have seen take Euros are in tourist cities or tourist areas that are next to the to the EU borders. I have never really tried to pay with euros so I am not sure if they are widely accepted in places like Lauterbrunnen. Have fun.

I recall using an automated currency exchange machine (similar to an ATM) to change small currency Euros leftover from Italy into Swiss Francs at the train station in Lausanne. I believe the rates were high, but I was in a hurry and needed some cash, so it worked in a pinch. It might be a quick option for you to get rid of a few extra Euros. When I had more time after arriving at my destination later, I used an ATM for more Francs.

We just got back from Switzerland and I can confirm that many of the businesses will take Euros (and US dollars too). But as has been pointed out, you will get ripped off on the exchange rate. Save your Euros for your next trip to a Euro Zone country!

Penn