Yes, you usually can pay with euros in Switzerland, but with some caveats:
Official currency: Switzerland’s currency is the Swiss franc (CHF). Prices are listed in francs, and that’s what you’ll always get as the official payment option.
Euros accepted in some places: Many hotels, larger shops, train stations, and tourist areas do accept euros in cash. However:
The exchange rate is usually poor (worse than at a bank).
If you pay in cash with euros, you’ll almost always receive change back in francs.
Cards are safer: Debit and credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, sometimes American Express) are widely accepted and usually give you a better exchange rate than paying with euro notes.
Small towns & rural areas: In smaller shops, local restaurants, or mountain huts, only francs may be accepted.
👉 Practical tip: If you’re visiting briefly, bring a card and maybe withdraw a small amount of francs from an ATM. If you’re staying longer, definitely plan to use CHF for most transactions.
