Mobile data for a semester or long stay in Switzerland
If you’re coming to Switzerland for an exchange semester, an internship or a few months of work, you need data the moment you land: train apps, maps, and messages to whoever’s picking you up. Here’s how I’d handle the first weeks and the months after.
Oct. 4, 2026
The first weeks: a travel eSIM
A Swiss prepaid SIM needs ID registration, and a monthly plan usually wants a Swiss address and sometimes a residence permit. That takes time when you’ve just arrived. A travel eSIM works as soon as you land, with no registration, and you can install it at home before the flight.
Our Switzerland 30-day plans: 3GB for $3.99, 5GB for $4.99, 10GB for $7.99, 20GB for $13.99 and 50GB for $27.99. Most people on university or office Wi-Fi get by on 10GB a month.
Two or three months
Buying a new 30-day plan each month is the simplest option. For two months on 10GB a month, that’s about $16 in total, with nothing to cancel at the end. You keep your home number active for banking texts, and use the eSIM for data.
A full semester
There’s also a 50GB plan valid for 180 days at $34.99. Install it once and it covers a whole semester, about $5.80 a month, as long as you stay under 50GB in total.
Six months or more
Once you have your residence permit and a Swiss address, a local plan from Swisscom, Sunrise or Salt (or one of their budget brands) is worth comparing, especially if you want a Swiss number or unlimited data. Many people use a travel eSIM for the first month and switch once the paperwork is done.
Students get 10% off
Use the code STUDENT10 at checkout for 10% off any plan.
Before you fly
- Check that your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.
- Install the eSIM over Wi-Fi at home, and turn it on when you land.
- Turn off data roaming on your home SIM so you don’t get roaming charges.
See all Switzerland plans. If you’ll travel around Europe on weekends, see Europe plans that cover trips from Switzerland.
No account needed.
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