Just withdraw money at an ATM at the airport. Depending on your overseas bank, you might be charged a few $ + 1-2% commission, but this is normal.
| Quote: |  | |
| And do I get all the money I want as cash? | |
| | |
I have heard you do not necessarily have the right to all your cash. Say you have 10k in the bank, your Maestro might have a withdrawal limit of 2k or 5k per month. This means you cannot withdraw the whole balance in a month, even though it is yours. What I do not know is whether you can if you go to the counter in person.
| Quote: |  | |
| Looks like opening a bank account in CH is by no means easy..... can't I just walk in and say "I'd like an account" | |
| | |
None are free, unless you have 7500+ CHF in Postfinance.ch or 10000+ CHF at ubs.ch in there every month. You are charged 2chf a month otherwise in both cases if you chose online banking, and to not have statements sent to you by mail. Note you must set this option yourself online! If you don't, you will get charged 7 francs a month!
If you can, pick a bank and a colleague who is with that bank too, and ask the colleague to ring and make an appointment for you. Introductions are apparently a much better way to get an account in CH, even a simple one...

CHF+