I am new to Zurich and I have a basic question about money exchange. I would like to exchange some British pound, but I am not sure where to go. I have already exchanged some Euros at Hauptbahnhof, but I am wondering if the exchange rate in Switzerland the same everywhere. In the Post office they told me to go to UBS, but which charge a fee for non-customers.

What is the best place to exchange your money in Zurich?

Who offers the best rates?

I have seen some agencies that send money abroad, are they any good?


Thanks in advance,
Lucas

I once paid in GBP into my UBS CHF account.
That included some Scottish notes which normally causes confusion.
I guess CS probably do the same.

Unless you have 1000s, then the rate will be close enough wherever you go.

UBS allows you to send money abroad using online banking, or at the Bancomat Plus machine.
It costs 5 or 10 CHF - not bad considering to send cash here from the UK costs GBP 20+.

Again, I guess CS and PostFinance are the same.

You don't need to use any special agencies, unless you're a drug dealer or diamond smuggler, or you want to send to the US (coz they're crap banks by all accounts...)

I've found the Migros banks to offer the best rates and from what I can remember there's virtually no commission charged.

For smallish amounts, say CHF2000 or less, I have used a Swii railway station's facility. The exchange rate has been good (usually posted up o0n a board outside the station) and the serviceexcellent. Lower charges than UBS too.

Just a small thing I found recently - if you have an SBB General Abo show it at any train station exchange and they wave the fee...

Excellent titbit. I am always amused at how secretive the Swiss appear to be about matters like this. The station I use know only too well that I have the Abo card (I've used it for 14 years and they have stopped asking to see it!) and yet the very same person behind the counter has never tipped me the wink!!

Thanks for the info.

In case you need the info for argument purposes!: http://mct.sbb.ch/mct/en/reisemarkt/...-abo-bonus.htm

"Currency exchange at no commission. Show your GA travelcard at an SBB Change counter in any of over 200 train stations in Switzerland. They will exchange your currency without charging you commission."


Andrew