Using 1,000 CHF notes in Switzerland

I would like to complete the other answers. I agree that using 1000 notes in Switzerland is an issue, especially with small shops, restaurants (if the restaurant is not expensive) and filling stations (for them, this is most of time not accepted for security reasons).

But you can use your 1000 notes in supermarket, like Migros or Coop, even to buy something cheap. I worked for a while there and it was OK to get the money back to someone who buy for 50.- with a 1000.- note.

If you are traveling in Switzerland, then you are likely to travel by trains. You can certainly pay with 1000 notes for this too.

In many places, changing 1000 CHF can be an issue. I recommend having some smaller money. 200 CHF notes should not be a problem for example.

If you arrive on a weekday, you can break down the note on any of the many banks. There is at least one in Zurich at the airport (and others). Otherwise, there are also plenty of banks downtown anywhere.

If you arrive on the weekends or after hours, I would recommend you to take some small change of Euros with you, that is accepted in most places already and is good for emergencies.

As in many other European countries you do not really need to have a lot of cash on you when you arrive. A debit or credit card compatible with European ATMs is all you really need. There are plenty of ATMs at the airport, and using a credit card to get local currency usually gives you a better rate than going through a Bureau De Change. Ticket vending machines for public transit accept cards, as do most shops. I often go days without paying anything in Cash.

You thus actually can land at Zürich airport without any Swiss Francs on you without any problem.

Switzerland is the banking capitol of the world: it's the only country I've visited where withdrawing 1000 CHF from an ATM gives you one bill^*; were the smallest denomination available at ATMs is often 50 CHF. There are two sides to this:

1. In a supermarket the catcher won't blink at the sight of a 1000 CHF note. The Swiss are more accustomed to huge bills than just about anyone, so you'll probably be able to change bills easily.

2. ATMs are everywhere, why not use them? Also, you shouldn't show up in a tiny village anywhere and expect them to change a 1000 CHF note, including Switzerland.

So it's a mixed bag. My personal advice is to use the ATMs to avoid carrying so much cash.

^{*ok, it's true that no other country will give you CHF, I'm talking about bills of equivalent value}