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I have a question. I realize I won’t need very much cash during my trip, not in these modern times. 😄 But I do have a question about denominations when withdrawing cash from machines. Once I get to my hotel, I plan to withdraw some cash as Francs, just in case. I need some cash, say for the honesty shop in Lauterbrunnen. But what if I need coins, say for a public toilet, or for a vending machine, etc? Any ATM will be dispensing paper money, I imagine. So outside of asking a shopkeeper to change my paper money to coins, how do I get coins? I won’t need a lot, I’m sure. But I might want/need a few.
Thoughts?
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Hi Turgon,
my sad experience is that shopkeepers do not really like to change money. What I do is, I buy some smaller, cheaper items and pay in cash and I ask them to give me back in coins if possible.
Regards,
Ildiko
Learn more about the Swiss Francs: http://www.myswissalps.com/swissfranc
Money saving tips – banking fees: http://www.myswissalps.com/forum/topic/avoid-banking-fees-when-paying-in-swiss-francs
There must be a bank branch in the airport? If I get cash out of an ATM at the airport, can I go into the bank branch and ask them to change say 20 CHF with 1 and 2 CHF coins?
I am not sure of a bank at an airport but the bank in Lauterbrunnen is always happy to give me coins to do laundry. Same with banks in Zermatt.
Hi Turgon,
In some places (usually at airports and big train stations), you might find changing machines that will exchange your banknotes for coins. There are also vending machines that accept payment in banknotes and will return your changes in coins.
Anna
Thanks. “Might” also means “might not”, which is what I am afraid of. And I don’t want to buy something from a vending machine that I don’t want or need, in the hope that it gives coins back. 😄 I found a list of ATMs and bank branches on the Zurich airport website, so I guess that’s what I will do.
Thanks. Yeah, I imagine any bank will do. It’s just that I want to try and get it on our way out to Murren, and not have have to go back to Lauterbrunnen or wherever afterwards. I just prefer to be a bit prepared, you know. I’m an old man, she’s an older woman, sometimes you need to be able to use a toilet at short notice, and if I don’t have change ready, that’s makes for an uncomfortable aspect of the trip. LOL
As a much older woman here, I total understand. My routine is after “hitting” the ATM I make my way to the grocery to pick up something for the train. I always end up with coins here. Have a great trip. You are headed to one of my favorite places.
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