Europe
Money, cards and tipping in Switzerland
CHFFranc
Money in Switzerland
Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry some francs for mountain huts, markets and farm stalls. Euros are sometimes accepted, with change in francs. US$1 ≈ CHF0.83 (03 Oct 2026).
Key facts
- Tipping: Service is included by law; rounding up or a few francs for good service is plenty.
- ATMs: Bank ATMs often dispense francs and euros; decline the machine's currency conversion and check your bank's foreign fees.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely accepted; TWINT, the local payment app, needs a Swiss bank account.
- Price level: about 112% of US prices (World Bank PPP).
Cash or card, by place
| Place | Cards | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry a little cash for markets, small kiosks and some mountain huts. |
| Geneva | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry some francs for markets, small kiosks and flea markets. |
| Lucerne | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless almost everywhere; keep some francs for mountain huts, small markets and farm stands. |
| Interlaken | Cards almost everywhere | Cards are accepted almost everywhere; carry francs for huts, small kiosks and some paragliding or activity bookings. |
| Zermatt | Cards almost everywhere | Cards work in the village; carry francs for mountain huts, small cafés and some activity bookings. |
| Bern | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry francs for markets and some small kiosks. |
| Basel | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry francs for markets and small kiosks. |
| Lausanne | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless almost everywhere; carry francs for markets and some small cafés. |
| Lugano | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless widely accepted; carry francs for markets and small cafés. Euros are sometimes accepted at poor rates. |
| Grindelwald | Cards almost everywhere | Cards are accepted in most hotels and restaurants; carry francs for mountain huts and small cafés. |
| St. Moritz | Cards almost everywhere | Cards accepted in hotels and shops; carry francs for mountain huts, small cafés and some taxis. |
| Montreux | Cards almost everywhere | Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry some francs for markets, mountain huts and small cafés. |
Quick answers
Do you tip in Switzerland?
Service is included by law; rounding up or a few francs for good service is plenty.
Is Switzerland cashless?
Cards almost everywhere. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry some francs for mountain huts, markets and farm stalls. Euros are sometimes accepted, with change in francs.
What currency does Switzerland use?
The Franc (CHF). US$1 ≈ CHF0.83 (03 Oct 2026).
Sources
- ExchangeRate-API open rates
- US State Department travel advisory
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
- SBB Swiss Federal Railways
- Swiss e-vignette (Via portal)
- European Commission: Entry/Exit System
- Speedtest Global Index: Switzerland
- World Bank open data
Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.