Welcome to Switzerland
Welcome to Switzerland.
This post covers
- Integration
- Local travel – half fare card, travel passes
- Local phone companies
- Paying local bills
Information from Stadt for new residents:
Every Stadt runs a free integration course/event in the evening, once every few months. The invitation usually comes by post once we are registered. Please visit the Stadt sites for information. They cover every aspect of day to day living in Switzerland.
Local travel in Switzerland:
Public transport in Zurich and Switzerland as a whole, is definitely a very efficient way of getting around. Most people get the Swiss Half Fare Card, a card that gives discounts on tickets – both a monthly and a yearly option are available.
Super Saver Tickets and Day Passes are good options to save ticket prices. Day Passes must be booked early and are sometimes also available in Coop or Interdiscount store. More info: click here
Super Saver tickets are valid only for a particular connection/ train and cannot be cancelled. More info: click here
SBB Youth cards for children and adults below 25 years: click here
Each city is divided into various travel zones – for eg. Zone 110 covers the main city area of Zurich, Zone 10 – the city of Luzern. The Zone plans are posted at the tram stations and train stations. Annual and monthly travel cards are available. The ticket machines have 4 language options – German, Italian, French and English. Zone extension cards can be bought, if you are travelling to a different zone. If in doubt, always go to the Ticket counters for information.
The SBB website and SBB mobile app are handy for timetables, ticket booking etc.
Local cell phones:
Salt, Sunrise, Swisscom, UPC are some of the local cell phone and telephone/internet companies.
Local Bills – Einzahlungschein – Payment Slips:
The Orange payment slips/bills that are sent by various services can be paid by debit card via internet banking, through the bank or the local post office. Local post offices do not accept any other bank card except their own ‘Post Card’ (the post office debit card) and cash.
Health Insurance:
Health Insurance is mandatory under the Swiss Law. Some employers may provide health insurance as part of the pay package. Some employers may have preferred Insurance companies. Please contact the HR of your employer for further details. Sanitas, Swica are some of the premium health insurance providers. To read more about health insurance, click here.