 Poster: A snowHead
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hi, im off to switzerland (wengen) in jan for the first time and was wondering whether taking swiss francs is the best way forward or have heard that using debit card to withdraw francs in resort is a better option. anyone in the know? all advice much appreciated.
Last edited by Poster: A snowHead on Wed 31-12-14 19:45; edited 1 time in total
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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When I saw this I thought you were some crazy millionaire (you could still be I suppose) looking for ways to blow their money!
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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I usually take a small amount of local currency to see me through the first day and then use an ATM with my debit card. Doesn't seem to cost too much extra. However, OH loads up a pre-paid card in advance and uses it in the ATM as normal. I think there is no additional charge for this.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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If you check the money comparison sites, the Halifax Clarity Credit Card comes out tops at the moment. I pay off any thing I spend on it with in 24 hours, so easy with the inter webby thingy. 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Turn up
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Heli hire ?
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@rizzotherock, Generally for Wengen at least I'd use the local banks, their exchange rates are sometimes better especially for cash where the fees are often lower than the UK, but using a card to withdraw funds is not too painful
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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@rizzotherock, The original title of this threa was way better!
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ha, thought after i posted it i should of worded it better! thanks for the sound advice above everyone.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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"what's the best way to spend swiss francs" or something along these lines
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If you're flying into Geneva airport there is a bank of UBS ATMs to the left (as you exit Arrivals) towards the station, and a single PostBank ATM about 100m along towards the car hire desks on the right. The latter isn't that obvious. Personally, I get my spending money from the UBS ATMs using my UK debit card, while someone else goes to the car rental.
Personally, I think it's swings and roundabouts as far as daily spending is concerned. Your biggest bill will probably be the skipasses, unless these have been pre-paid. So if your'e comparing UK-Bought/Swiss ATM/Credit Card surcharges include these in your comparison.
Be aware that if the first time you use a credit card in CH is for a massive Skipass bill for the family, it's likely to get queried by your card issuer, unless (and sometimes even if) you give them advance notice.
Oh, and if you go to a supermarket, then you may need a CHF 2 piece for the chariot. And some train station toilets need a CHF 1/2 coin.
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You know it makes sense.
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And in terms of spending, try out some of the Swiss wines. The Rhone Valley gets more days of warm and sunny weather than the Loire, but the production costs are relatively high, because of the slopes, so not a lot is exported. Some Swiss varieties are found nowhere else and are thought to be remnants of imports in Roman times (Humagne Rouge, Cornalin, Diolinoir ...) - not necessarily better than French, but different. White Fendant was a favourite of James Joyce but my favourites are red Humagne Rouge, white Petite Arvine and rosé Oeil de Perdrix.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Locally to Wengen the Speizer (white wine I think reisling grape ) is often very agreeable
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Poster: A snowHead
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Yes, the Swiss have the highest vines in Europe - the Heida's Visperterminen grapes are grown up to 1150 metres (http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/europe-s-highest-vineyards.html). The photo below is from a summer walk that we took above Saillion in the Valais, where these vines are growing at 850 metres. It's all down to the micro-climate in the Rhône valley.
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