Using Euros in Switzerland

Hi Barbara. In a border town like Geneva, most tourist oriented places will gladly accept Euros (at an exchange rate of their choosing), and give you any change in Swiss Francs. So whether to get Francs would depend on how many and what size cash transactions you anticipate. Enjoy your trip!

No direct experience using euros in Geneva; wouldn't surprise me if euros are widely accepted since the city is surrounded on three sides by France. Nevertheless, I would advise you to not assume that every establishment takes euros and to ask politely each time. One time I went with an American girl to a cafeteria in Bern- she had just come from France and heard they took euros there. So at checkout she just handed a 20 euro bill to the cashier without saying anything. The cashier frowned at the girl's presumption. The place did in fact accept euros, but it was still kind of an arrogant thing to do to not even ask or apologize.

The Swiss are very peculiar about their own little currency. It's like going into a Casino where they make you exchange your money for their chetons. Even in Basel, which is on the border just like Geneva, they never took anything else but Francs. If they did take Euros it was only for pricey items and they only took Euro bills, no coins. The smalles Euro bill is €5, which is ca. $6.50.

If you think the Swiss are "very peculiar about their own little currency" you should try using Canadian dollars in the U.S.A.

Amen Norma - I rem a trip to the US and we had a mixture of US and Canadian change and were at a fast food joint and gave them a Canadian .25 to make the change right....well...the person wasn't even sure if they should take it...so funny. How often here we find US, British, Bermuda coins in my change...

OK, seriously? Businesses will always be reluctant to accept currency which isn't legal tender where they do business. That isn't because they are peculiar or patriotic or whatever, but because they can't pay their employees, suppliers, rent, debt, utility bills, or taxes with it.
They have to bring it to a bank and exchange it (for a fee, of course) into currency that is legal tender. If a business offers to accept foreign currency at all it will offer it at unfavorable conditions, because they have to cover the work, costs, and exchange rate risks of changing it into local legal tender.

Yes, the Swiss like their Swiss Francs. But, tourist restaurants, hotels and shops often accept Euros. But, at a conversion rate you may not like. If you are just in Lake Geneva, you could survive OK. Or, just walk up to any ATM in Switzerland and withdraw a few Swiss Francs.

Even in Basel, which is on the border just like Geneva, they never took anything else but Francs. I worked in Basel for over 7 years and I can say without a doubt the the Euro is widely accepted! You can use Euros for the telephone, buy tickets at vending machines and so on. Most shops and similar outlets have no problem accepting Euros, so I don't know where this statement about Basel is coming from!

Why is it so much trouble to get Swiss Francs from an ATM while spending the day in Geneva? ATMs are everywhere.

Are you spending the night in Geneva? If so, you could get some Francs and, if you have any left, pay a portion of your hotel bill with them and charge the remainder. I did that last time. They were happy to take even the coins.

@Jim, "I worked in Basel for over 7 years and I can say without a doubt the the Euro is widely accepted! You can use Euros for the telephone, buy tickets at vending machines and so on." One place where they WON'T accept Euros is the McClean washrooms at the Basel station. After arriving from France, I was going to use the facilities prior to boarding my next train, but the Attendant flatly refused to accept Euros. Fortunately, I travel with a variety of currencies but I had to dig my Swiss coins out of my Backpack in a hurry. @Barbara, You may find that some places in Switzerland will accept Euros, but usually they'll charge a dreadful exchange rate, and any change you receive will be in Swiss Francs. They have to go through the trouble of exchanging Euros at their Bank and paying whatever the exchange rate is at the time, so you can be sure they'll charge for that. I'd suggest estimating your expenses for the day and making a small ATM withdrawal OR use credit cards as much as possible and that way you won't have to be concerned with which currency you have. Cheers!

Barbara, I'm enjoying breakfast in Geneva this morning, weather is fantastic. Yes, euro's will work, but not at an efficient exchange. When using an ATM, you may only be able to withdraw a smaller amount of money than you request and you may get the impression your card or pin no. Is not working. Re-try and request a smaller amount. We will be in Chamonix-Mt. Blanc tonite. Getting a rental car this morning on French side of Geneva Airport and will try out my NEW Garmin Nuvi that Ken from Vernon, Canada, helped advise me on. I'm old school, hope this works as I envisioned. Will stop in Annecy as well. Hope to give a good detailed trip report to include Berner Oberland after trip completed.