Convert CHF to GBP Swiss franc ↔ Pound sterling Free Online Secure
Type an amount in Swiss franc and read it in Pound sterling at once. The page uses the European Central Bank's reference rate, and tells you which day that rate is from.
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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.
How the British invented Alpine tourism: five firsts, and what a Swiss franc buys across the Channel today
It is a pleasing irony that the most Swiss of activities, going up a mountain for pleasure, was largely invented by the British. In the 1860s, English climbers conquered the Matterhorn, English travel agents sold the first package tours to Lucerne and Interlaken, and English guests persuaded a Swiss hotelier to open his hotel in St Moritz for the winter. Today the traffic runs both ways: Swiss residents visit London, Edinburgh and the Cotswolds, and British visitors still fill Swiss trains and chalets. For anyone moving money between the two countries, the question is a simple one: how many pounds is a franc worth? This page answers it. It takes the European Central Bank's reference rates, in which the franc and the pound are each quoted against the euro, combines them into a franc-to-pound rate, shows the result with the date and keeps your amount in your browser. The text below tells five firsts of British Alpine tourism, and each is a reason to Convert CHF to GBP and to understand what the figure means.
Using the converter
Francs in, pounds out
Whenever you plan a UK trip, Convert CHF to GBP for the budget and keep the date with it, because the pair drifts from month to month.
Type an amount in Swiss francs and the page returns the value in pounds sterling, with the date of the rate shown below. At weekends it uses Friday's figure and says so. A table of round amounts and a thirty-day line complete the page. For pounds into francs, use Convert GBP to CHF.
A benchmark for every quote
The reference rate is published once on each working day and represents the middle of the market, with no profit margin for any bank. The offers you receive in practice are a little worse, and the difference is the cost of the service. Use the page as a benchmark: under one per cent is excellent, two or three per cent is typical for banks, and four or more is a signal to look elsewhere. Every time you Convert CHF to GBP here, you obtain that benchmark.
First one: the Matterhorn, 1865
Whymper and the rope that broke
On 14 July 1865, the English illustrator and mountaineer Edward Whymper reached the summit of the Matterhorn with six companions, after several failed attempts. On the way down, four of the party fell to their deaths when a rope broke, and the accident shocked Victorian Britain. It also fixed the mountain in the public imagination and made Zermatt a place of pilgrimage. Today the Matterhorn is climbed by many people each summer with guides, and a guided ascent costs 1,000 to 1,500 francs per climber.
The cost of a climb
For a guided ascent, Convert CHF to GBP for the guide, the hut and the lift tickets, and add them to the cost of the train.
A Swiss mountain guide charges for the day, the hut and sometimes the training. Equipment can be rented. A budget for a Matterhorn ascent includes two or three acclimatisation days, a night in the Hörnli hut and the guide's fee. A British climber who wants to know what the total is in pounds can Convert CHF to GBP for each line. The cost is high, but it buys a lifetime memory.
Walking instead of climbing
For those who prefer to stay on the paths, the Gornergrat railway from Zermatt, at 3,089 metres, offers a classic view of the mountain for about 100 francs return. Walking trails are free. The Matterhorn Glacier Paradise cable car reaches 3,883 metres, among the highest in Europe, at roughly the same cost as the railway.
First two: Thomas Cook and the package tour, 1863
A pioneer of travel
Thomas Cook, an English Baptist and temperance campaigner who had organised excursions by train in the 1840s, led his first tour group to Switzerland in 1863. Over the following decades his firm grew into the world's best-known travel agency, offering rail tickets, hotel coupons and guided tours. The idea of paying in advance for a package of transport, lodging and sightseeing was new, and it made foreign travel accessible to the middle class.
Package tours today
When two operators quote in different currencies, Convert CHF to GBP for the Swiss one and compare the final totals.
Packages to Switzerland still sell, with prices in pounds or francs depending on the operator. A week's rail-and-hotel tour for two costs 3,000 to 5,000 pounds, depending on the standard. Booking directly can be cheaper, particularly if you use the Swiss Travel Pass. Compare both versions by converting everything to pounds.
First three: winter in St Moritz, 1864
A bet in a hotel
The story goes that in 1864 the hotelier Johannes Badrutt made a wager with some English summer guests: if they came back in winter and did not enjoy the sunshine and clear air, he would pay for their trip, and if they enjoyed it, he would put them up for free as long as they wished. They stayed until Easter, and winter tourism was born. St Moritz became a luxurious resort, host to two Winter Olympics, and the cradle of several winter sports.
What a winter week costs
Before booking a ski week, Convert CHF to GBP for the lodging, the pass and the lessons, then divide by the number of skiers.
In St Moritz, a night in a five-star hotel runs to 700 to 1,500 francs, a day lift pass 90 to 100 francs, a ski lesson 150 to 300 for an hour. More modest options exist in nearby valleys, with apartments from 150 to 300 francs a night. For a British family of four spending a week skiing in Switzerland, the budget can reach 8,000 to 12,000 pounds. Convert CHF to GBP for every price before you decide.
First four: the Cresta Run and bobsleigh
Ice, speed and gentlemen
The Cresta Run, a natural-ice toboggan track in St Moritz, was built in 1884 by British visitors who wanted speed and thrills. Riders lie head-first on a skeleton sled, hurtling down a twisting channel of ice at up to 130 kilometres an hour. The St Moritz Tobogganing Club, which runs it, has strict rules and a long waiting list for membership. Visitors can buy a short course of rides for a few hundred francs.
The bobsleigh follows
A ride is an indulgence you will remember, so Convert CHF to GBP for it and decide whether it belongs in the holiday fund.
Bobsleigh, too, grew out of the same milieu, and the Olympic track at St Moritz remains the only natural-ice bobsleigh run in the world. Taxi rides, with a professional pilot, are available to visitors for 250 to 300 francs. It is a thrill that costs as much as a nice dinner for two.
First five: slalom skiing, 1920s
Arnold Lunn and the rules of the game
In the 1920s the British skier Arnold Lunn, whose father had run package tours, organised the first slalom races at Mürren and wrote the rules for downhill and slalom, which led to the sport's inclusion in the Olympics. The Inferno Race at Mürren, begun in 1928, is still run every January over a 15-kilometre course. Mürren, above Lauterbrunnen, is reached by cable car and is famous for its views of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau.
Racing for ordinary skiers
Ski-school prices are quoted in francs, so Convert CHF to GBP for a week of lessons and compare with a week in a UK dry-slope course.
Ordinary skiers can ski part of the Inferno course any time. A day pass in the Jungfrau region costs about 90 francs. The Swiss ski schools teach in English, and group lessons cost 70 to 100 francs for a morning. Equipment hire runs at 50 to 70 francs a day. Altitudes in Switzerland are given in metres, and Convert m to ft turns the figures into feet for British and American readers.
Britons who live in Switzerland: a money checklist
Residence and the cost of arrival
At the start, Convert CHF to GBP for each fee and deposit, so that nothing in the first month comes as a shock.
Since Brexit, British citizens moving to Switzerland need a residence permit linked to employment, study or independent means, and are no longer covered by the free-movement agreements with the European Union. The employer usually arranges the permit, and fees are modest, a few hundred francs. Arrival costs are high: a rental deposit of up to three months, health insurance premiums, furniture and a first month's food. A newcomer should Convert CHF to GBP for the savings they hold in pounds and see how many months of costs they cover.
Health insurance
Premiums are quoted in francs, and a quick Convert CHF to GBP shows what the monthly cost means in pounds for a family.
Every resident must buy basic health insurance within three months of arrival, from a private insurer, with monthly premiums of 300 to 600 francs per adult depending on the canton and the deductible. Children cost less. The deductible, between 300 and 2,500 francs, is the amount you pay before the insurer contributes. A higher deductible lowers the premium. Dental care and eyeglasses are not covered by basic insurance. Compare offers on official comparison sites.
Banking and the post-Brexit changes
British residents can open Swiss bank accounts easily, and the franc account is the centre of their financial lives. Some UK banks have reduced services for customers who live abroad, so many keep a pound account with an online bank that allows non-resident customers. Moving money between the two accounts is a regular chore. A specialist transfer service usually beats the high-street bank on both rate and fee.
Schooling and childcare
State schools in Switzerland teach in the local language, German, French or Italian, which can be a challenge for English-speaking children. International schools offer English-language education, with fees of 20,000 to 40,000 francs a year per child. Childcare is expensive, 100 to 150 francs a day, and subsidies depend on income and canton. These are among the largest costs for a family and should be calculated carefully. Convert CHF to GBP for the total and compare it with the cost of a similar education in Britain.
Taxes for Britons in Switzerland
Withholding or ordinary assessment
Foreign workers without a settlement permit pay income tax withheld at source. The rate depends on the canton, marital status and number of children. Those with higher incomes may have to file a return. Residents with a settlement permit file annual returns and are taxed on income and wealth, with rules that vary from canton to canton. Taxes in Zug and Schwyz are low; those in Geneva and Vaud are higher.
The British side
A pension paid in pounds and rent paid in francs mean a standing conversion: Convert CHF to GBP to see the real income left.
Britons leaving the United Kingdom must tell the tax office, and their residency status for tax purposes depends on the statutory residence test. A British pension, rental income or dividends remain taxable in the UK in many cases, with relief under the double-taxation treaty. Keep records of your days in each country and consult a tax adviser who knows both systems. The cost of advice is small compared with the sums at stake.
Pensions across the border
A retiree should Convert CHF to GBP at least once a quarter and write down the date and rate for the tax file.
The British state pension can be paid to residents of Switzerland, but without annual increases in some cases. A frozen pension loses value over time, especially when the franc strengthens against the pound. The Swiss system adds two further pillars, state and occupational. A retiree should plan the conversion of the pension into francs, perhaps by choosing a fixed day each month.
Everyday costs for Britons in Swiss shops
Shopping and eating
Groceries in Switzerland cost 40 to 60 per cent more than in Britain. A litre of milk is about 1.70 francs, a loaf of bread 3 to 4, a kilo of chicken 15 to 20, a coffee in a café 4.50 to 6. A restaurant main course is 25 to 45. Many Britons shop across the border in Germany or France, using the customs rules to their advantage, up to 300 francs per person per day.
Transport
Swiss public transport is excellent and expensive. A half-fare card, costing about 185 francs a year, halves most ticket prices and pays for itself after a few long journeys. The General Abonnement, allowing unlimited travel, costs about 3,860 francs a year for second class. Cars are costly to buy, insure and park. Many city dwellers do without.
Mobile and internet
Mobile plans cost 30 to 70 francs a month, internet at home about 40 to 70. Cheaper providers offer discounts. Roaming from British plans can be pricey, so a local SIM is wise.
Staying connected to home
Flights and holidays
Direct flights connect Zurich, Geneva and Basel with London, Manchester, Edinburgh and other British cities. Fares range from 80 to 300 pounds return, depending on date and airline. Many Britons use Christmas and summer holidays to visit family. Booking early reduces the cost. A weekend in Britain, with transport, accommodation and meals, costs about the same as a weekend at home.
Sending money to family
For a regular transfer, Convert CHF to GBP on the day you send and compare the result with what the recipient sees.
Some Britons in Switzerland support parents or children in the United Kingdom. Regular transfers are best made through a service that shows the rate and fee in advance. Compare it with the reference rate on this page, and note the effective rate. Over a year, a saving of one per cent on a monthly transfer of 1,000 francs is 120 francs.
Time and clocks
Switzerland is one hour ahead of Britain throughout the year, except for the brief weeks when the clocks change on different dates. A phone call is simple to schedule. Use the time-zone page to confirm the difference when you have to plan a meeting across the Channel.
Swiss visitors to Britain today
London, Edinburgh and the countryside
Swiss tourists love London for its theatres, museums and markets, and Scotland for its landscapes. A weekend in London for two costs about 800 to 1,500 pounds, including a mid-range hotel, meals and entertainment. Museums such as the British Museum, the National Gallery and the Tate are free, a feature that delights Swiss visitors used to paying for entry. A visit to the Lake District or the Cotswolds suits those who prefer countryside.
Prices in pounds
At a London pub, it helps to Convert CHF to GBP for the price of the round and compare it with the Swiss bar bill.
A coffee costs 3 to 4 pounds, a pint of beer 5 to 7, a pub lunch 12 to 18, a theatre ticket 30 to 120. Public transport in London is costly but efficient, with daily caps on contactless payments. Fuel is sold by the litre and priced in pence; for American visitors, Convert L to gal helps. For many Swiss visitors, London is cheaper than home in food and drink but dearer in hotels.
Shopping and tax
Prices in British shops include value-added tax of 20 per cent. Tax-free shopping for visitors was withdrawn for most travellers in 2021, so there is no refund. Sales in January and July offer reductions. Switzerland's own VAT is much lower, 8.1 per cent, which affects comparisons.
The franc and the pound over time
A strong currency meets a weaker one
Over the decades, the Swiss franc has risen against the pound, which has made Britain gradually cheaper for Swiss visitors and Switzerland dearer for British ones. The pair swings with the pound-euro rate, with the franc's safe-haven demand in crises and with decisions by the Swiss National Bank and the Bank of England. Large moves happened around the 2016 referendum and during the 2008 financial crisis.
Use the chart sensibly
The thirty-day line on this page shows recent calm or restlessness. If the line is flat, nothing is lost by converting on any day. If it zigzags, consider splitting a large transfer into two or three parts. The chart does not predict what comes next.
Related conversions
Other currencies for the trip
For the euro, Convert CHF to EUR. For the dollar, Convert CHF to USD. For Sweden, Poland and the Czech Republic, Convert CHF to SEK, Convert CHF to PLN and Convert CHF to CZK. Britain is on Greenwich Mean Time; Convert CET to GMT shows the hour difference from Switzerland.
Mistakes to avoid
Paying in francs in Britain
If a shop or a card machine offers to charge you in francs, say no. Pay in pounds and let your bank convert.
Forgetting the tip
Restaurants in Britain often add a service charge of 12.5 per cent. If it is not included, leave 10 to 12 per cent. Check the bill.
An old rate
A rate noted last month may be a percentage point or more away from today's. The date beside the result protects you.
Summit and valley
The page downloads only the table of daily reference rates. The amount you type never leaves your device, and no account is needed. From the summit of the Matterhorn to the pavement of Piccadilly, the habit is the same: Convert CHF to GBP, read the date, compare any offer against the figure and keep a note.