Jazmin Li
Zurich Airport is the largest international airport in Switzerland, handling nearly 30 million passengers per year. As an international travel hub, it is convenient to purchase a local Swiss SIM card to stay connected during your time in Switzerland or Europe. There are a few options for purchasing a SIM card once you arrive at Zurich Airport. The two main locations are: After passing through customs and immigration, there are a couple of dedicated cell phone shops located right in the arrivals hall, such as Sunrise and Swisscom, which sell SIM cards from various providers. Mobilezone is a retailer in the airport that provides various mobile services and accessories, including SIM cards, from 9 different providers in Switzerland, such as Salt, Sunrise, and Swisscom.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Places to buy a SIM card in Zurich Airport | Opposite luggage belt 26 in the Zurich Duty-Free area, the Mobile Corner, the Zurich Airport Shopping Mall, Sunrise, Swisscom, Salt, Mobilezone, Arrival Hall 2, Airport Center Level 0 |
| Types of SIM cards available | Prepaid physical SIM cards, eSIMs |
| SIM card providers | Lebara, Yallo, Swisscom, Sunrise, Salt, Mobilezone, Nomad |
| Cost of SIM cards | CHF 10-50 depending on the data amount included; CHF 20 for 3GB of data for a month; CHF 20 for 10 days of unlimited data at high speed |
| Payment methods | All major credit cards |
| Documents required | Passport or valid ID |
| Other requirements | Unlocked device for international SIMs, check SIM card size |
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy a SIM card at Zurich Airport
If you're looking to buy a SIM card at Zurich Airport, you have a few options. There are three shops at the airport that sell SIM cards, and you can also find kiosks and convenience stores that sell prepaid SIM cards. Here's a detailed guide on where to purchase a SIM card at Zurich Airport:
The Mobile Corner
The Mobile Corner, located opposite luggage belt 26 in the Zurich Duty-Free area, offers two different prepaid SIM cards for tourists: Lebara and Yallo. The Mobile Corner is open from 9 am to 6 pm, so if your flight arrives after 6 pm, you'll need to explore other options. They accept all major credit cards, making it a convenient choice.
Swisscom Store
You can find the Swisscom store in the Zurich Airport Shopping Mall, on your left-hand side as you enter. Swisscom offers a prepaid SIM card for tourists, providing 20 CHF credit for 20 CHF ($22 USD). This credit can be used for data, giving you about 10 days of unlimited high-speed internet access. However, this SIM card is only valid within Switzerland and will not work in other European countries.
Salt Store
The Salt store is conveniently located on your right-hand side as you enter the Zurich Airport Shopping Mall. Salt offers free prepaid SIM cards for tourists when you purchase a data plan. Their data plans provide unlimited data, minutes, and SMS within Switzerland for a set period, such as 30 days for 120 CHF ($132 USD). Additionally, they offer international calling minutes at competitive rates, making it a suitable option if you need to make calls outside of Switzerland.
Sunrise
Sunrise is another option for purchasing a SIM card at Zurich Airport, although its specific location within the airport is unclear. They offer a range of plans, including unlimited data, calls, and messages for CHF 2.50 for 24 hours. For longer stays, their 90-day plan provides unlimited calls and data for 120 CHF.
When purchasing a SIM card at Zurich Airport, remember to have your passport and accommodation address ready, as these may be required by the retailers. Additionally, while Zurich Airport provides free Wi-Fi access with a local phone number or boarding pass, having a Swiss SIM card ensures a reliable connection during your stay in Switzerland.
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SIM card costs and plans
There are several options for purchasing a SIM card at Zurich Airport. The Mobile Corner in the Duty-Free area sells Lebara and Yallo prepaid SIM cards. However, some sources claim that Lebara falsely advertises its data plans, as the data is only valid in Switzerland, despite being labelled 'World Max' and 'Europe Max'. At the time of writing, the Mobile Corner does not sell eSIMs.
Swisscom and Salt also have stores at Zurich Airport. Salt offers free prepaid SIM cards for tourists, and you can get a comprehensive package that includes unlimited data, minutes, and SMS for 30 days for 120 CHF ($132 USD). However, this data is only valid within Switzerland. Swisscom offers a prepaid SIM card for tourists that costs 20 CHF ($22 USD) and comes with 20 CHF of credit. This gives you 10 days of unlimited data at high-speed internet for $22 USD, but again, this is only valid in Switzerland.
Sunrise is another provider that offers SIM cards at Zurich Airport, and you can also purchase SIM cards from vending machines, although these may only accept card or mobile payments.
Prices for SIM cards at Zurich Airport range from 20 CHF ($22 USD) to 120 CHF ($132 USD), depending on the provider and the amount of data included.
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Phone compatibility and set-up
Before buying a SIM card at Zurich Airport, you should check that your phone is compatible with the SIM cards on offer. Firstly, ensure your device is unlocked for international SIMs. Most phones are unlocked, but it's worth double-checking with your home carrier that there are no restrictions in place. Secondly, confirm the SIM card size that will fit your phone. Some shops at the airport may only sell Mini or Nano-sized SIMs, so knowing your device's SIM card slot size in advance will save you any headaches.
If your phone is eSIM compatible, you may wish to order an eSIM online before you arrive in Zurich. You will receive a QR code, which you scan to install the eSIM. This means you can get connected as soon as you land, without having to find a store and queue up. However, eSIMs usually don't come with a local phone number.
When buying a physical SIM card at Zurich Airport, you can choose from three main operators: Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt Mobile. Their counters are located near each other, with Swisscom and Sunrise on the left, and Salt Mobile on the right. Staff at these stores are experts and can get your SIM card set up for you, but be aware that this could take 20-30 minutes. You will need to show your passport or valid ID for identity verification.
If you want to buy a SIM card from a convenience store, be aware that identity verification and set-up may be more troublesome.
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Identity verification
It is important to note that identity verification may be required not just at the airport but also when purchasing a SIM card from convenience stores or retail stores in the city centre.
If you want to avoid the potential hassle of identity verification and set-up in stores, you can opt for an eSIM instead. eSIMs can be purchased online and installed before you arrive in Zurich, providing you with a seamless connection as soon as you land. However, keep in mind that eSIMs usually do not come with a local phone number, and your device needs to be eSIM compatible.
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eSIM alternatives
As of January 2025, the Mobile Corner and the Swisscom and Salt phone store at Zurich Airport do not sell eSIMs for tourists, only physical prepaid SIM cards. However, there are several eSIM alternatives available, which can be utilised by those travelling to Zurich.
One option is to order an eSIM online before arriving in Switzerland. This will provide you with a QR code, which can be scanned and installed in a couple of minutes. This will allow you to connect to a network as soon as you land. It is important to ensure your phone is eSIM compatible before purchasing. Jetpac offers eSIMs for Switzerland, with low rates and additional services such as free VPN and airport lounge passes.
There are also several alternatives to esims.io, which is another eSIM provider. These include WiFi Map, which enables users to connect to shared Wi-Fi hotspots worldwide and also provides an eSIM data plan with a built-in VPN. Airalo is another option, offering access to over 100 eSIMs at affordable, local rates worldwide. YESIM is another functional eSIM app, providing mobile internet in 126+ countries without roaming fees or the need to change SIM cards. Saily is a similar global eSIM service, offering data plans in 150 countries, with one-click installation and 24/7 support. SIMPACKERS is a data plan comparison service, allowing users to filter eSIM plans based on data amounts and validity periods.
There are also other eSIM providers, such as esim.me and 5ber, which is a more economic alternative. However, there are concerns about the safety and privacy of 5ber, as it requires an app to manipulate the eSIM chip and gate user activity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Zurich Airport has several shops that sell SIM cards from various providers.
There are three main operators in Switzerland with counters available at the airport: Swisscom, Sunrise, and Salt Mobile. The counters are located near each other. After you clear customs and collect your baggage, cross the bridge towards the train station—Swisscom and Sunrise are located on the left, and Salt Mobile is on the right.
You will need to provide proper ID, such as a passport or valid ID, for verification. It is also recommended to check your phone compatibility and confirm the SIM card size before purchasing.
You can purchase a travel eSIM before arriving in Zurich or use public WiFi, which is available in many open and public areas throughout the city, including most hotels, restaurants, cafes, and tourist attractions.
