The price is in francs
Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss franc, abbreviated CHF. You may also see Fr. on a price label. Some businesses accept euros, but that does not make euros the local currency; change may be returned in francs. It is easier to plan your spending in CHF.
Cards are widely accepted, though it is sensible to check with a particular business if your preferred payment method matters. Keep a backup payment option separate from your main card. A little cash can be useful; you do not need to carry your whole week’s budget in your coat pocket.
What does that cost back home?
Use the converter below to get your bearings before a meal, a journey or a booking. It shows the date of the reference rates, so you can tell how recent the comparison is. The amount your bank actually charges can differ because of its rate and fees.
If a card terminal offers to convert the purchase into your home currency, take a moment to read the offered rate and charges. Compare them with your own card’s terms rather than treating the familiar currency as an automatic saving.
A feel for Swiss francs
Try a price in francs to see roughly what it means in your currency.
A planning estimate; your bank or exchange desk may use a different rate and add fees. European Central Bank rates ↗
Leave room for the everyday bits
A useful trip budget includes the things between the big bookings: coffee, lunch, short journeys and the occasional quiet place to sit. Keeping a little room for those makes it easier to enjoy the week without recalculating every choice.
Tipping is optional in Switzerland. If you enjoyed the service, rounding up or leaving something extra is a straightforward way to say thank you. There is no need to turn the end of a relaxed lunch into a complicated calculation.