Must-knows about shopping in Switzerland

  • Typical opening hours for Swiss shops are 08:00 to 18:00. There are many exceptions though.
  • VAT (Value Added Tax) is included in what you buy.
  • VAT refund for items bought in Switzerland is possible to a certain extent.

Opening hours of Swiss stores

Opening hours of Swiss stores vary. Always check the opening hours of the specific shops and supermarkets you want to visit in advance. Typical opening hours are:

  • In villages, opening hours are from 08:00 or 08:30 to 18:00 or 19:00. Smaller stores may have a (long) lunch break anywhere between 12:00 and 14:00.
  • Supermarkets and stores in larger cities are usually open during similar times, without an afternoon break. On one day of the week, which is Thursday in many cases, shops may be open until 20:00 or 21:00.
  • Most Swiss stores are not open on Sundays and on public holidays.

Where to find souvenirs

Tourist locations versus supermarkets and department stores

In larger cities and typical tourist resorts, such as Zermatt, you’ll run into many souvenir shops. Chocolate, cowbells, stuffed toys, clothes, Swiss army knives, ballpoints: it’s all there. You can even buy souvenirs in shops at certain mountain destinations, such as Jungfraujoch or Pilatus.

Shops at touristy locations can be pretty expensive. You can usually find similar items at lower prices in larger supermarkets and department stores.

Buy from trusted retailers only

You can shop worry-free from any normal shop and supermarket. Don’t buy anything from (street) retailers you don’t fully trust. Although counterfeit sellers aren’t common in Switzerland’s public space, you don’t want to end up exporting illegal products to your home country.

The famous Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich

What is the Bahnhofstrasse?

The Bahnhofstrasse (German for “street of the rail station”) connects the main rail station of Zurich to Lake Zurich. It’s one of the most famous luxury shopping streets in Europe.

What to expect in the Bahnhofstrasse

A visit to Zurich should include a stroll along the Bahnhofstrasse. Regardless of whether you just go window shopping or purchase something, it’s interesting to take a look at this shoppers’ paradise.

If you don’t enter any of the stores and keep walking, it will take just 20 minutes to get from one end of the street to the other. But if you like shopping, you will enjoy yourself in the Bahnhofstrasse much longer than that.

What kind of shops can you expect? About anything actually.

  • There are restaurants, lots of fashion stores and souvenir shops. Of course, you can also find the best Swiss delicacies here, such as chocolate.
  • Also, there are several department stores such as the well-known Swiss store COOP, and the luxury department store Globus.
  • The list goes on with design shops, perfumeries, and lots of jewelers and watch shops: Bucherer, Gübelin, Cartier, Omega, Swarovski and IWC Schaffhausen, just to name a few.

There’s more to do than just shopping

Be sure not the focus on the Bahnhofstrasse only! Some of the side streets are worth it as well. An example is the pretty Augustinergasse, about halfway through the Bahnhofstrasse. The street dates back to medieval times, and the houses have beautiful facades. Our recommended city walk includes both the shopping street and the charming old center.

The Bahnhofstrasse ends on the Bürkliplatz, at the lake promenade. This is where cruises on Lake Zurich depart from. A perfect way to recover from a few hours of shopping!

How to reach the Bahnhofstrasse

Take a train to the main rail station of Zurich and cross the street to reach the Bahnhofstrasse. The first section of the Bahnhofstrasse is only accessible for trams and pedestrians. Some other sections of the street cannot be accessed by car either, or just one way.

We strongly recommend not driving here. Traffic can be hectic if you’re not familiar with Zurich. Public transport is excellent though. If you stay in Zurich, just take a tram to the rail station and start your Bahnhofstrasse visit there!

Opening hours for shops in the Bahnhofstrasse

Opening hours vary by shop. Average opening hours are:

  • Mondays to Fridays: 09h00 to 20h00. Smaller shops may close earlier: around 18h30.
  • Saturdays: 09h00 to 17h00 or 18h00.
  • Sundays and public holidays: most shops are closed.

Find city tours

These trips can well be combined with shopping in Switzerland’s attractive cities.

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Swiss VAT and customs

VAT is mostly included

VAT, or Value Added Tax, is a tax that applies to many products and services in Switzerland. It’s usually included in the price you pay when shopping, dining, traveling, et cetera. Swiss VAT percentages range from 2,6% to 8,1%.

The Swiss tourist tax for overnight guests is something different: this is levied separately.

Exporting souvenirs and goods bought in Switzerland

There are no customs duties for regular souvenirs and goods you’ve bought in Switzerland. So you can safely bring home chocolate, cheese, watches, or other souvenirs.

Exceptions apply to non-common categories, such as plants, animals, medicines, weapons or cultural assets.

VAT refunds and tax-free shopping

To a certain extent, tax-free shopping is possible in Switzerland. The amount spent must be at least CHF 300 per sales transaction. To get your tax refunded, you’ll have to visit a Swiss customs office before leaving Switzerland.

In Samnaun, a municipality in the east of Graubünden, there’s a large duty-free shopping area that consists of over 40 stores. There is a limit on the value of duty-free goods you can export. In addition, there are limits to the quantities of duty-free alcohol, tobacco, and meat.

Importing travel-related items into Switzerland

Personal items that you need for your stay in Switzerland, and that you’ll bring back home after your stay, don’t require customs duties. Examples are clothing, cameras, phones, toiletries, et cetera. Medicines for personal use, in a quantity no larger than you require for 30 days, are allowed too.

Some food can be imported tax- and duty-free as well. There can be limitations for meat, dairy, alcohol and tobacco though. Find the rules here.

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Annika
Page author: AnnikaSince early childhood I've been visiting Switzerland during my holidays and I just fell in love with the country. I spent many summers in the Bernese Oberland, which still feels like my second home, and then started to explore other areas. Traveling, hiking and photographing in the Swiss Alps are my absolute favorite activities.