Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Telephone
National telecom provider
Swisscom
( 080 080 08 00, from abroad +41 62 286 12 12;
www.swisscom.ch
)
operates one of the world's densest networks of public phone booths. The
minimum charge for a call is Sfr0.50, with billing in blocks of Sfr0.10, and phones take
coins (Swiss francs or euros) and 'taxcards' (phonecards), sold in values of Sfr5, Sfr10 and
Sfr20 at post offices, newsagencies and so on. Some 4000 booths also accept major credit
cards and can be used to send SMS worldwide.
The Swiss phone book is searchable online at
http://tel.local.ch/en
. Dial 1812 (con-
nection charge Sfr.0.80 plus Sfr0.10 a minute) for an automated service, or the pricier
1811 (connection charge Sfr1.70 for two queries, Sfr1.40 for the first minute and Sfr0.22
per minute thereafter) to speak to a real person; the latter can also find international num-
bers for you. Calls from mobiles for these services cost more.
MOBILE PHONES
Most phones on European GSM networks work perfectly in Switzerland; check with your
provider about costs.
Prepaid local SIM cards are available from the three network operators:
Orange
(
www.orange.ch
;
from Sfr10 with Sfr10 credit)
,
Sunrise
(
www.sunrise.ch
;
from Sfr10 with Sfr10 credit)
Prepaid cards must be officially registered, so bring your passport.
PHONE CODES
» The country code for Switzerland is 41. When calling Switzerland from abroad drop
the initial zero from the number; hence to call Bern, dial
41 31 (preceded by the over-
seas access code of the country you're dialling from).
» The international access code from Switzerland is
00. To call Britain (country code
44), start by dialling 00 44
» Telephone numbers with the code 0800 are toll-free; those with 0848 are charged at the
local rate. Numbers beginning with 156 or 157 are charged at the premium rate.
» Mobile phone numbers start with the code 076, 078 or 079.
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