Using your devices in the Alps
Internet access & mobile phone networks
In cities and most towns you’ll find that internet access is widely available. You’ll be able to connect at your hotel, in restaurants and cafés, as well as in museums and other public places.
In more rural areas, you’re still likely to be able to connect at hotels and restaurants, but it’s not guaranteed.
Mobile phone networks are a similar story – you’ll have great coverage in urban areas, but weaker signal in rural areas, especially when exploring valleys and mountains. The main networks serving the Alps are Telekom, Swisscom, Vodafone and O2. They have good speed and aim to cover the majority of the country.
European phone service
Most European mobile phones work in the Alps. Please note that enabling data roaming may incur additional costs to your mobile phone bill. Check with your local provider to see the rates.
North America & other countries
Certain North American mobile networks work in the Alps. Please note that enabling data roaming is likely to incur additional costs to your mobile phone bill. Check with your local provider to see the rates.
Prepaid SIM cards
You may wish to buy a prepaid SIM card to avoid costly international roaming charges. The best way to buy them is from grocery or convenience stores. You’ll need to buy a new one for each country you visit.
For this, your phone must be unlocked and compatible with the GSM 900/1800 MHz frequency. Most European phones work on the GSM network, but some North American phones use a different standard.
Making domestic calls
Phone numbers in the Alps are between 3–12 digits long, and require an area code before the phone number itself.
Making international calls
You can find the country codes of the different Alps destinations listed below:
Germany: +49
Switzerland: +41
Austria: +43
Italy: +39
Liechtenstein: +423
To place an international call, you’ll need to dial 00, then the country code, then the phone number.
