Can I use my phone in Switzerland?

[NighteyesWolf]

We’re (hopefully) travelling to Switzerland (Interlaken is where we’re staying) 31/08 - 10/09. It’s our first ever holiday together in the 15 years together (excluding our honeymoon to Cornwall but that was in the UK so didn’t need to change anything with me phone).

Do I need to do anything to be able to use my phone there? I want to be able to receive/send texts for emergencies etc (am I right in thinking I’ll be charged extra to send/receive texts?).

I’m also assuming my 4g/data won’t work there? If, in the unlikely event, it works there - how can I avoid coming back to a whopping bill? Would putting the phone in airplane mode when I don’t need it for contact stop roaming Charges etc?

Apologies if someone has asked this or seems a basic question. I’ve not been abroad in forever!

[O2Melissa]

Hi this page will give you all the information you need.

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/pay-monthly/roaming-in-europe

Hope this helps.

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

Hi @NighteyesWolf 

Switzerland is in the Europe Zone so you can use your phone just as you would at home. Everything will come out of your allowances. Use Wifi when you can (to save your allowance)

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/pay-monthly/roaming-in-europe 

The only thing you should do before travel is to contact O2 to ensure you have NO Roaming bars on your account.

Also if you have an iPhone, ask O2 to check that you have the correct bolt on.

Numbers for O2 are in this guide Guide: Coronavirus Community Help and Support 

Best of luck. Enjoy your holiday.

Editeed to change EU to Europe Zone!

[O2Sophie]

Switzerland is not in the EU, so they would need to have the o2 travel bolt on for £4.99 a month

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme · Accepted solution]

@O2Sophie  Correct, they are not in the EU but they are in the Europe Zone and if you check the link I posted, they can roam just as they would at home.

https://www.o2.co.uk/help/pay-monthly/roaming-in-europe 

They do not need O2 travel bolt on...Thesee are the countries covered in the Europe zone

Austria	Azores	Belgium
Bulgaria	Canary Islands	Croatia
Cyprus*	Czech Republic	Denmark
Estonia	Finland	France
French Guiana	Germany	Gibraltar
Greece	Guadeloupe	Guernsey
Hungary	Iceland	Ireland
Isle of Man	Italy	Jersey
Latvia	Liechtenstein	Lithuania
Luxembourg	Madeira	Malta
Martinique	Mayotte	Monaco
Netherlands	Norway	Poland
Portugal	Reunion	Romania
Saint Barthelemy	Saint Martin	San Marino
Slovakia	Slovenia	Spain
Sweden	Switzerland	United Kingdom
Vatican City

[O2Sophie]

Oops! Thanks!

[NighteyesWolf]

Thank you so much. I do already have the bolt on “standard rates in Europe” on my account so hopefully that should cover it? It’s a Sony phone so hopefully should work. My husband went to Spain last year (he has an iphone) and I remembered he had to ring o2 when he was there as his phone wouldn’t work. Thanks so much for replying.

[NighteyesWolf]

Thanks again, I’ve accepted your answer as solution as I think your immense information was more than helpful!! <3

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

@NighteyesWolf 

As long as you don't exceed your normal monthly allowances, you won't pay anything extra at all.

I suggested Wifi where you can, just to save your allowances.

Do phone O2 though to check there are NO Roaming bars on your account.

With the lack of travel during Covid, many people have found a roaming bar has been applied. It's wise to check this before you go.

All numbers in the link I gave but again Guide: Coronavirus Community Help and Support 

Have a great time.

[Cleoriff Level 94: Supreme]

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@NighteyesWolf wrote:
Thanks again, I’ve accepted your answer as solution as I think your immense information was more than helpful!! <3

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You're most welcome @NighteyesWolf