Plug adapter for Switzerland from the United States
What travellers from the United States need to charge and power their devices in Switzerland: plugs, voltage and frequency, with the rest of the trip basics below.
Plug adapter
Needed
Bring a Type J adapter.
Voltage
Higher: 230 V
The United States 120 V → Switzerland 230 V. Devices made for 110–120 V only need a step-down converter.
Frequency
Different
60 Hz → 50 Hz. Chargers don't mind; mains-timed clocks and some motors may run fast or slow.
Your plug, their socket
In Switzerland: Swiss Type J sockets accept Europlugs (Type C), but not the thicker round pins of French or German Type E/F plugs.
Your devices in Switzerland
Look for the “INPUT” line on the charger or label. A range such as 100–240V ~ 50/60Hz means the device adapts by itself and needs only a plug adapter.
| Device | Usually | In Switzerland |
|---|---|---|
| Phone, tablet and laptop chargers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Camera and power-bank chargers, e-readers | 100–240 V | Plug adapter only |
| Electric shavers, toothbrushes | often 100–240 V; check | Check the label: single-voltage ones need a converter |
| Hair dryers, straighteners, curling irons | single voltage | Will burn out on 230 V: buy a dual-voltage model or use the hotel's |
| Kettles, irons, travel cookers | single voltage, high power | Leave at home: converters for these are heavy and costly |
| Plug-in clocks, timers, some fans | 60 Hz | May run fast or slow on 50 Hz |
A plug adapter does not change voltage. Plugging a 120 V-only appliance into 230 V through an adapter will destroy it within seconds and can start a fire.
The rest of the trip basics
- Time
- Switzerland is 6 h ahead of the United States right now (UTC+1 vs UTC−5, capitals).
- Money
- The Swiss Franc (CHF): 1 USD = 0.8230 CHF (ECB reference rates, 2026-10-30). Everyday prices are about 128% of the United States'.
- Driving
- On the right, as at home.
- Advisories
- US: Level 1 Exercise normal precautions. UK: no FCDO warnings. Details
- Next holidays
- 25 Dec Christmas Day · 1 Jan New Year's Day · 6 May Ascension Day All 4
- Calling code
- +41