Prepaid (e)SIM cards I use as an internet-dependent traveler to Switzerland 

Option 1: high-speed budget eSIM (recommended if your phone supports eSIM)

There are usually two of us traveling together, carrying two phones and two laptops. We need reliable high-speed internet all the time. We do not want data limits and we don’t want a separate SIM card for each device.

A mobile WiFi hotspot used to be the perfect solution for us. But eSIM plans have improved. Nowadays, I install an eSIM on my phone, and configure my phone as a hotspot so that all of our devices can access the internet.

eSIMs are electronic, downloadable SIM cards. A physical SIM card is not needed. If your phone supports it, an eSIM is likely your best option for mobile internet in Switzerland, even if you don’t use much data or only have one device.

The eSIM I use: the O2 Travel eSIM

Here’s why I recommend this eSIM to almost everyone:

• It’s only $24 for 30 days. Check the current price on www.esim.net/O2/Travel and apply the voucher code MYSWISSALPS for a 5% discount.
• It includes 50 Gb of data, with no daily limits. I use about 0.5 Gb per day. In case you do run out during your trip, you can easily buy another eSIM online.
• It allows your phone to be configured as a WiFi hotspot. So you only need to buy one eSIM and you can share the data with multiple people.
• It includes high-speed internet (up to 5G) and didn’t fail me a single time. I measured an average download speed of 300 Mbps and an upload speed of 60 Mbps.
• It works in Switzerland but also in the rest of Europe. I used it in Germany as well.
• I rarely call during my trips but it also includes unlimited calls within the country you are in and 500 minutes of calls to other countries.

I compared a lot of eSIMs. Most are either more expensive, don’t allow using the hotspot on your phone, don’t offer 5G, have daily limits, or a combination of issues.

How to use the O2 Travel eSIM

1. Check if your phone supports eSIM. Most phones do. Also, check if your phone is unlocked, which allows installing any SIM from any carrier. This is usually no problem, but it’s worth checking, especially if you recently purchased a phone from a network carrier. Get in touch with them if they have restricted you to using their network only.
2. Buy the eSIM from www.esim.net/O2/Travel (use the voucher code MYSWISSALPS for a 5% discount). A QR code will be e-mailed immediately.
   • The normal price is $27/month. A subscription is $24/month. I recommend taking the subscription and canceling it after purchase. That will get you 30 days, and you won’t be charged again. The voucher code brings the price down even more.
3. Go to your phone settings to add the eSIM. Do this shortly before you travel, because the 30 days starts once the eSIM connects to the internet in one of the included countries. The QR code can be scanned from a different device like a laptop. If you only have your phone at hand, the QR code in the PDF document can also be imported into the phone where the eSIM needs to be installed. You may have to convert it to an image if the phone doesn’t allow opening a PDF for this purpose. Or, you can enter the QR code manually.
4. Try if you can access the internet. If not, check these settings:
   • Select your regular SIM as the default SIM for calls, and the eSIM as the default SIM for data.
   • Allow data roaming.
5. Optionally: go to your phone settings and configure your WiFi hotspot. Set a network name and a password. Give that to anyone you’ll allow accessing the internet via your eSIM. They must stay within your proximity (10 m usually) to connect. If you want everyone to access the internet independently, you can buy an eSIM for each.
6. You can always log into your esim.net account to see how much data you’ve used.

My speed test of the O2 Travel eSIM

I tested the eSIM speed in multiple locations in Switzerland and a few in Germany.

Average download, upload, and ping times. I performed at least 2 measurements in each location. The download speed is most important (higher is better). The ping time is speed-related (lower is better) but not important for the average internet user.

Alternative eSIMs for Switzerland

If my recommended eSIM isn’t the right choice for you, then the below alternatives might be:

• www.airalo.com/switzerland-esim: Airalo Pilatus Mobile eSIM. It’s suitable if you only need a bit of data or if you only stay in Switzerland for a few days.
• www.airalo.com/europe-esim: Airalo Eurolink eSIM. I recommend this if you only need a bit of data and visit other countries too.
• simcorner.com/europe-esim-cards (apply the discount code myswissalpssim for 5% off): if 50 Gb is not enough, then this eSIM offers 200 Gb for a good price. It covers Switzerland and all surrounding countries. It allows data sharing via your phone’s hotspot.

SIM card promotions

As soon as we find discounts, we’ll list them here.

Option 2: budget prepaid SIM card (recommended if you can’t use an eSIM)

If you cannot use an eSIM, I recommend the Europe & UK SIM card by SimCorner. It covers Switzerland and the rest of Europe for 30 days.

Where to buy

• simcorner.com/europe-sim-card-12gb: details of the 12 Gb Europe & UK SIM card
• simcorner.com/europe-sim-cards: more SIM cards for Europe (higher speed, suitable for tablets, etc.)
• simcorner.com/price-guarantee: best price guarantee

Advantages

• It’s affordable: 12 Gb of data for $24.
• Excellent coverage because it works with many network carriers (see simcorner.com/pages/about-us).
• Good speed: 3G or 3.5G (HSPA+) in most countries, 4G in some countries. During my test with this card, I measured a download speed between 2.2 and 11 Mbps and an upload speed between 1.4 and 5.6 Mbps. That’s not superfast but good enough for normal usage.
• You only need one SIM card for multiple devices: you can use your phone as a WiFi hotspot, so other phones, laptops, and tablets of you or your family can get online through your phone. Note that the speed may be reduced if you’re sharing the connection.
• Works in Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Switzerland, and a lot of other countries.
• Unlimited calls and texts to landlines and cell phones.
• Free unlimited incoming calls.
• Always fits in your phone as it comes in standard, micro, and nano formats.

Disadvantages

• The SIM card can only be used in phones, not in other devices. Other devices can use the hotspot of your phone though.
• Your phone needs to be unlocked. This allows changing/adding a SIM for any network.
• You can’t recharge the SIM card when the 30 days have expired or the data is all used up. If you need more, you will need to buy another SIM card.

How to install the SimCorner SIM card

Please read the instructions. For your convenience, I’ve listed the procedure below:

1. Once you have received the SIM card, go to simcorner.com/registersim to pick a start date. The card will automatically be activated on that day.
2. Disable mobile data on your phone while traveling to Switzerland if you don’t have a data plan from your home provider.
3. Enable mobile data on your phone once you are in Europe. Turn off your phone, remove your SIM card, insert the SimCorner SIM card, and turn on your phone.
4. Enable data roaming on your phone.
5. You should now be online.
6. Your phone number will be sent to you via SMS once the SIM card is active. You can also find it in your phone settings. This is the number people can call to reach your phone.

Option 3: mobile WiFi hotspot (recommended for groups who need a lot of data and can’t use an eSIM)

Before I used an eSIM, I rented a Travelers Wifi device for all my trips. It offered unlimited data and was often faster than the hotel’s WiFi. Travelers Wifi is no longer available but there are a lot of mobile hotspots that will do the job just fine if an eSIM is not an option for you.

Advantages of a mobile Wifi hotspot

• It’s fast. Most hotspots use a 4G network.
• You only need one hotspot for the whole family. You can connect multiple devices like phones, tablets, and laptops.
• It’s convenient. You do not need to replace the SIM card on your phone, or make any other changes to your phone. Your phone will continue to work as normal. Also, a hotspot is an excellent solution for locked devices that cannot use any other (e)SIM card. Even phones that don’t work in Europe can get online as long as they can connect to a WiFi network. A hotspot is a lightweight small device that easily fits in any pocket.

Disadvantages

• It is not the cheapest option.
• The battery usually lasts many hours. Nevertheless, I recommend turning it off if you don’t need your devices to be connected for a while. Charge it in your accommodation or on board a train: many trains have outlets. Make sure it’s fully charged when you leave for your day trips. If you expect to use it continuously and can’t recharge daily, I recommend ordering an extra rechargeable battery.

Option 4: use your own SIM card

If you live in the EU, calls and internet usage on your cell phone cost the same whether you’re in your own country or elsewhere in the EU. So you may not need to buy anything if rates, data speed, and data amounts are just fine for your holidays as well. Note that Switzerland is not a member state of the EU. Many providers do count Switzerland as an EU country. Some don’t, so in that case you’ll pay more.

Try to estimate how much you will call and how much data you will need during your stay. Check the rates of your provider for calls and data in Switzerland. It can still be cheaper to buy a SIM card.

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