Coming from the U.S. My U.S. mobile won't work. Only need to make calls within Switzerland. Do you recommend phone card or purchasing mobile phone in switzerland. pros/cons of each, where to purchase and $. Thanks so much
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32353 posts
Nancy, Purchasing a phone in Switzerland is certainly one option. I don't use that method as I can't be bothered looking for a phone shop and taking the time to deal with it (I prefer to get on with my holiday straight away). You could also have a look at some of the "travel phone" firms such as Cellular Abroad, Roam Simple, Call In Europe, Telestial or Mobal. They offer both phones and SIM cards (for those that already have an unlocked quad-band GSM phone). While the rates are slightly higher than using a phone purchased in-country, for a few calls and texting, I don't find that to be a problem. Most of the calling plans with these firms are "post paid", with calls charged to a credit card (so no need to "top up"). I suggested a travel phone, as that's the method I've used for the past two trips (I just needed to buy the SIM card). Happy travels!
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17435 posts
We don't bother with a mobile phone in Switzerland. It is one country where there are still plenty of phone booths, and they are easy and inexpensive to use. http://www.swisscom.ch/res/festnetz/dienstleistungen/telefonkabinen/index.htm#taxcard You can buy a phonecard at the post office, or simply use your credit card (the payphones accept VISA and Mastercard, and maybe others.) There are no outrageous extra fees charged by 3rd parties. The charges are clear on the Swisscom website: Basic fee is 0.5 CHF; after that domestic calls (within Switzerland) are .04 offpeak or .08 peak per minute. Calls to the US are 0.12 per minute. On one trip I was making lots of calls to my fiance who was back home in the US. I would watch the meter add up and I never went over 2.40 CHF. I checked the charges on my VISA bill when I got home and that was totally accurate. For domestic calls you would be paying a lot less than that. Unless you are making a lot of call, I can't imagine that purchasine a phone there, or a SIM card, would be cheaper.
Posted by
Northamptonshire, England
33845 posts
Where you are going do they have free wifi? Are you taking a device like a laptop, netbook, iphone, ipad, tablet which have wifi? Use Skype. Nearly free.