Convert AUD to CHF Australian dollar ↔ Swiss franc Free Online Secure
Type an amount in Australian dollar and read it in Swiss franc at once. The page uses the European Central Bank's reference rate, and tells you which day that rate is from.
Nothing uploaded
Common amounts — Convert AUD to CHF (Australian dollar ↔ Swiss franc)
| AUD | CHF |
|---|---|
| 1 | |
| 5 | |
| 10 | |
| 20 | |
| 50 | |
| 100 | |
| 250 | |
| 500 | |
| 1000 | |
| 5000 |
The last thirty days
Where these codes and rates come from
The three letters in EUR, USD or JPY are not an abbreviation someone invented for a website: they are ISO 4217, a standard in which the first two letters are the country's own code and the third is usually the initial of the currency. The figures on this page come from the European Central Bank, which publishes one set of reference rates each working day, around 16:00 Central European time, agreed between the central banks of the Eurosystem. They are a daily snapshot meant for statistics and accounting, not a live trading feed — which is exactly why they are the same number for everyone, rather than whatever one bank happened to quote at one moment.
Where you meet an exchange rate
You meet an exchange rate four or five times a year without thinking about it: booking a trip, paying an invoice issued abroad, buying from a foreign shop, reading a salary offer in another currency, or checking what a card charge really cost. In all of these the reference rate is the honest middle, and the price you actually pay sits a little to one side of it. Knowing the middle is what lets you see how wide that margin is.
Questions people ask
Is this the rate my bank will give me?
No, and no page can promise one. This is the European Central Bank's reference rate: the midpoint published once a day for statistics. A bank, a card scheme or an exchange office adds its own margin on top — usually between half a percent and three percent, sometimes more at an airport counter. Use this figure to judge the offer you are given, not to predict it.
How often does the figure change, and what happens at weekends?
The European Central Bank publishes once each working day, in the afternoon, Central European time. There is no publication on Saturdays, Sundays or TARGET holidays, so on those days the page shows the last working day's rate and says which day it belongs to. The chart alongside is one year of the same daily series.
Is the answer exact?
Where both units are defined in terms of one another by whole numbers, yes — the page says so above the figure, and the only rounding is in how many digits are shown. Where the ratio has no finite decimal, the page shows twelve significant digits and says the relation is approximate rather than pretending otherwise.
Does anything I type leave my device?
No. The arithmetic runs in your browser; nothing is uploaded and there is no server to upload it to. Load the page once and it keeps working with the network switched off.
Adventure capital of Europe: an Australian's guide to Interlaken, Lake Geneva and the cost of a Swiss franc
Australians know a thing or two about adventure sports. They surf, dive, climb and jump out of aeroplanes at home, and they tend to look for the same thrills when they travel. In Switzerland, they find a country that has turned the Alps into a playground with fine engineering: cable cars climb to glaciers, trains run through mountains, paragliders launch from meadows above lakes and rivers have been mapped for white-water rafting and canyoning. The town of Interlaken, between two lakes at the foot of the Jungfrau, is often called the adventure capital of Europe, and it is a popular stop for backpackers from Sydney and Melbourne. What they find less thrilling is the price. Switzerland is one of the dearest countries in the world, and the franc is worth more than an Australian dollar and a half. Use this page to Convert AUD to CHF with the daily reference rates published by the European Central Bank, in which the Australian dollar and the Swiss franc are both quoted against the euro; the page combines them into a dollar-franc figure and prints its date under the result. The amount you type never leaves your browser.
Using the converter
Australian dollars in, francs out
Type your budget, Convert AUD to CHF, and write the date beside the answer, because the figure and its date belong together.
Type an amount in Australian dollars and read the result in Swiss francs and centimes, with the date of the fixing used. A Swiss franc is worth roughly 1.6 to 1.8 Australian dollars, so the answer is about 57 per cent of the number you typed. A fixing is published once on each working day; on weekends and public holidays the page repeats the last one and says so. A table of round sums and a graph of the last thirty days sit below the box. To go the other way, from francs into dollars, open Convert CHF to AUD.
What the figure means
At any counter, Convert AUD to CHF first and divide their offer by the result to see how large the margin is.
The number shown is the wholesale mid-market rate, with no provider's margin included. The service that you use will give you less, and the gap is its real price. To find out how much, divide what you are offered by what this page shows: 0.99 is excellent, 0.97 is common for a good card, and under 0.95 invites a second quote. The sums below use an invented, tidy rate of 1.70 Australian dollars to the franc. It is not a forecast and not today's price, so replace it with the live figure.
Interlaken and the thrills
What to do
Each activity has its own price, so Convert AUD to CHF for the ones you want and add them up.
Interlaken offers an astonishing list of activities in a small area. Tandem paragliding from the Beatenberg slope costs 180 to 200 francs, canyoning in the nearby gorges 120 to 160, white-water rafting on the Lütschine river 100 to 130, a skydive over the lakes around 450 to 500 and bungee jumping from the Stockhorn cable car about 200. At the invented rate, a 190-franc paraglide is 323 Australian dollars. Operators supply the gear and instructors, and most require a medical declaration and a weight limit. Convert AUD to CHF for each activity and decide how many you can afford.
Safety first
Insurance for adventure sports is an extra cost, so Convert AUD to CHF for it and add it to the activities.
Swiss operators are strictly regulated, certified and insured, but the sports are still risky. Check that your travel insurance covers adventure activities, because many policies exclude paragliding, skydiving and canyoning. Weather can cancel a flight at the last minute, and refunds or rebooking depend on the operator. Ask about the policy when you book, and avoid operators who press you to pay in cash without a receipt.
The Jungfrau region
Above Interlaken, the villages of Grindelwald, Wengen and Lauterbrunnen sit under the north face of the Eiger. A cogwheel train to the Jungfraujoch, at 3,454 metres the highest station in Europe, costs about 230 francs return from Interlaken. The trip takes the best part of a day, and the views of the Aletsch glacier are spectacular. Lauterbrunnen has seventy-two waterfalls, and walking trails link the villages with panoramic views.
Lake Geneva and the French-speaking west
Montreux, Lausanne and Geneva
A boat tour and a tasting add up, so Convert AUD to CHF for the whole day and write the total.
On the north shore of Lake Geneva, Montreux has a promenade with palm trees, a medieval castle at Chillon and a jazz festival every July. Lausanne, the Olympic capital, has a cathedral, an Olympic museum and steep streets down to the lakefront. Geneva, at the western end, has the famous jet of water in the harbour, the headquarters of international organisations and the Red Cross museum. A boat tour across the lake costs 30 to 80 francs. Vineyards climb the slopes, and a wine tasting costs 15 to 30 francs.
Cheese, chocolate and fondue
The Swiss eat cheese in many forms: raclette, melted and scraped onto potatoes, and fondue, a pot of melted cheese into which bread is dipped. A fondue for two costs 45 to 70 francs in a restaurant. Chocolate is sold everywhere, from 2 francs a bar in a supermarket to 50 francs a box in a confectioner. The cheese dairies of Gruyères offer tours and tastings, with entry of 8 to 15 francs.
Watches and lakes
Geneva and Neuchâtel are the heart of the watch industry. Shops along the lake sell everything from 50-franc fashion pieces to six-figure masterpieces, and watchmaking museums explain the craft. Swimming in the lakes is a summer pleasure, with public baths at 5 to 10 francs and free beaches.
Money in Switzerland
The franc in practice
The franc is divided into 100 centimes, and the coins range from 5 centimes to 5 francs. Banknotes are in vivid colours and are printed vertically. Switzerland is not in the European Union and does not use the euro, though some shops accept it at a poor rate and give change in francs. Cards are accepted nearly everywhere, and contactless payment is common. Australian cards add a foreign-transaction fee of about 3 per cent, so a travel card may save money.
Prices, tips and tax
For a coffee, a dinner and a bed, Convert AUD to CHF and compare with prices at home.
A coffee costs 4.5 to 6 francs, a restaurant main course 25 to 45, a hostel bed 40 to 60 and a mid-range hotel room 180 to 300. Service is included in menu prices by law, so tipping is optional, though rounding up is appreciated. Value-added tax is included. At the invented rate, a 30-franc dinner costs 51 Australian dollars. Convert AUD to CHF for your list of daily costs, and then decide on your budget.
Trains and passes
A pass is a big purchase, so Convert AUD to CHF for it and for the single tickets and choose the cheaper.
The Swiss Travel Pass gives unlimited travel on trains, buses and boats and free entry to more than five hundred museums, from about 250 francs for three days. The Half Fare Card halves ticket prices for a month for about 120 francs. Compare them with the cost of the tickets you expect to buy before you pay.
Time, units and weather
Planning around the clock
Switzerland is eight to ten hours behind eastern Australia. Convert CET to UTC gives the first step, and then you add ten or eleven hours for Sydney. Distances are in kilometres, and Convert km to mi turns them into miles. Mountain heights are in metres; Convert m to ft converts them to feet. Convert °C to °F helps with the forecast.
Summer in the Alps
Hiking and huts
Switzerland's trails are among the best marked in the world, with yellow signposts showing walking times to the next village or hut. A mountain hut costs 40 to 70 francs for a bed and 90 to 130 with dinner and breakfast. Reserve ahead in July and August and bring a sleeping liner. Classic hikes include the walk from Schynige Platte to First, with views of lakes and peaks, and the Eiger Trail, which runs along the foot of the famous north face. A guide for a day on a glacier costs 300 to 600 francs.
Lakes, swimming and cycling
Lakes are warm enough for swimming in July and August, with public baths and shores open to all. Cycling routes link the country from end to end, with e-bikes available for 40 to 70 francs a day. A boat ride on Lake Thun or Lake Brienz costs 20 to 60 francs and is included in the Travel Pass. Early morning and evening are the best times when the sun is not too hot.
Cows and cowbells
On high pastures, cows graze with bells around their necks, and herds should be left in peace. Walk around them, keep dogs on a lead and close gates. In late September, some villages celebrate the return of the cattle to the valley with a parade, flowers on the cows' heads and a market.
Winter sports, seen from Australia
Skiing in the Alps
Australians who ski at Thredbo or Perisher find Swiss slopes bigger, higher and more reliable. Zermatt has year-round glacier skiing under the Matterhorn, Verbier a vast network of runs, and St. Moritz a sunny climate and celebrity hotels. A day lift ticket costs 70 to 100 francs, equipment hire 40 to 70 and a lesson 100 to 150 an hour. At the invented rate, a 90-franc ticket is 153 Australian dollars, about the same as at an Australian resort but with much more terrain.
Après-ski and other pleasures
After skiing come the cabins, the cheese, the fondue and the hot chocolate. A thermal spa in Leukerbad or Bad Ragaz costs 20 to 40 francs for a visit. Sledding runs, snowshoeing and ice skating suit non-skiers. Christmas markets in Basel, Zurich and Montreux open in late November.
Insurance and rescue
Mountain rescue in Switzerland is not free, and a helicopter evacuation can cost several thousand francs. A travel policy with rescue cover is essential. The Swiss Alpine Club and local guides provide current information on avalanche risk, which is posted at every lift station.
Daily life and manners
Rules and rhythm
Switzerland values order, punctuality and quiet. Trains leave on the minute, and shops close early and on Sundays. Noise is restricted at night and on Sundays in residential areas, rubbish must be sorted and put out on the right day, and queues are respected. Greet people with a handshake and a clear greeting: grüezi in German-speaking areas, bonjour in French-speaking ones.
Languages
German, French, Italian and Romansh are the national languages. In the German-speaking region, Swiss German is spoken in daily life, but standard German is used in writing. English is widely understood in tourist areas, hotels and on trains. A few words in the local language are always appreciated.
Public holidays
Public holidays differ by canton. National Day, on 1 August, is celebrated with fireworks, bonfires and paper lanterns. Christmas and Easter are quiet family times, with most shops closed. Trains run reduced timetables on holidays.
A week, with figures
An example
Suppose two travellers spend a week in Switzerland: three nights in Interlaken, two in Lausanne and two in Zurich. Seven nights at 190 francs are 1,330. A regional travel pass for two costs 500, meals at 100 francs a day for two make 700, a paraglide and a rafting trip together 310, a mountain railway ticket 460, museums 80 and small extras 120. The total is 3,500 francs, which at the invented rate is 5,950 Australian dollars, not including the flights. Convert AUD to CHF for each line and see which cut hurts least.
Ways to save
Self-catering apartments and youth hostels halve lodging costs. Supermarkets such as Coop and Migros sell sandwiches, salads and hot meals at a fraction of restaurant prices, and a picnic in the mountains is a Swiss tradition. Free regional guest cards in many resorts give discounts on lifts and local transport. Walking trails cost nothing. Shops close early at weekends, so buy food in advance.
Flights from Australia
There are no direct flights from Australia to Switzerland. Travellers connect through Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha or Bangkok to Zurich or Geneva. The journey takes 22 to 28 hours, and a return ticket costs 1,900 to 3,400 Australian dollars. Prices are lower in the shoulder seasons, April to May and September to October.
Staying healthy and connected
Health and insurance
Swiss healthcare is excellent and expensive. A visit to a doctor costs 150 to 300 francs, an emergency room visit more, and a hospital stay thousands. Australian Medicare does not cover Switzerland, so take out travel insurance with high medical cover. Pharmacies are plentiful and staff speak English.
Phone and wireless
Roaming from an Australian plan costs 5 to 10 dollars a day. A Swiss prepaid SIM with data costs 20 to 40 francs, available at airports and in shops with a passport. Trains and many cafes offer wireless networks. Coverage in the mountains is good in the main valleys and patchy on the high trails.
Power and plugs
Switzerland has its own plug with three round pins, so a special adapter is required for devices; the common European two-pin plug usually works for devices without a ground. Voltage is 230 volts, as in Australia, so most Australian chargers work with only a change of plug.
Other conversions
If the trip goes on
Travellers who continue to the euro area can use Convert AUD to EUR, those who cross to Britain Convert AUD to GBP, and those who head to Poland Convert AUD to PLN.
A small routine
Write down the rate and date each time you change money, and compare the note with the statement later.
Mistakes to avoid
Booking a thrill without insurance
A cancelled flight or an accident costs more than a policy, so Convert AUD to CHF for both and compare.
Check that your policy covers adventure sports before you book. Convert AUD to CHF for the activity and the insurance together.
Paying in dollars
A terminal that offers to charge you in Australian dollars uses its own rate. Pay in francs.
Using an old rate
The franc can move quickly in turbulent times. The date beside the result protects you whenever you Convert AUD to CHF.
In short
The only thing fetched from the network is the table of daily rates; your amount stays in the browser and no account is needed. From a paraglide above Interlaken to a fondue in Lausanne, one habit pays: Convert AUD to CHF, read the date and weigh every offer against the figure on this page.