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Swiss Francs or Not?
My husband and I are going on this tour in June. Do we need to get Swiss francs or just use Euros and/or credit cards?
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My husband and I are going on this tour in June. Do we need to get Swiss francs or just use Euros and/or credit cards?
Comments
swiss francs, but bring some euros for when you transit through Italy
You don't NEED to get anything ahead of time. There are plenty of ATMs in Switzerland (banking is after all their thing) and credit cards widely used. Your driver from the airport is already included in the tips Tauck takes care of. Same for the porter at the hotel. If you really want to tip they'll take dollars. We only get local currency for small purchases like postcards or ice cream.
Is it recommended to tip the tour director & driver in Swiss francs or is it acceptable to tip in U.S. dollars?
Tauck suggests local or US currency for those tips.
The tour director is most likely not going to be from that country. I would give dollars or even Euros.
I always tip the driver in local currency, since they are local.
Ken- our driver was from Poland. I think we tipped him in Euros, since we had them. The bus drivers and TDs are from all over...our TD was from Wales but lives in Stockholm. We also have had a bunch of ex-pats who don't live in the country they're working in, but know it well and obviously, speak perfect English and are used to Americans.
So...when in doubt, we bring enough US dollars for those tips, and bring home any extra if we decide to use local currency (or a combination).
During the tour, if there is a question as to what/ preferred currency to give tip in, I just ask the TD when there is a quiet moment. The TD are not suppose to solicit; but they can respond to a question.