DESTINATIONS switzerland hours-of-operation-46

TRAVEL TIPS

Hours of Operation

Most businesses still close for lunch in Switzerland, generally from noon or 12:30 to 1:30 or 2, but this is changing, especially in larger cities and in the German-speaking part of the country. All remain closed on Sunday. Banks are open weekdays from 8:30 to 4:30 or 5, and always close during lunch. Post offices generally are open limited hours on Saturday.

Gas station kiosks are usually open daily from 6:30 am until 9 pm. Automatic pumps, which accept major credit cards and Swiss bank notes, are in service 24 hours a day.

Museums generally close on Monday. There is, however, an increasing trend toward staying open late one night a week, usually on Thursday or Friday evening.

Pharmacies generally are open weekdays from 9 to 1 and 2 to 6, and Saturday 9 to 1. In cities, they tend to stay open through the lunch hour. To find out which pharmacy is covering the late-night shift, check listings posted near or on the front window.

Shops are generally open every day except Sunday. They usually close early (4 or 5 pm) on Saturday, except in larger cities where they stay open until 6 on Saturday and often stay open until 8 or 9 at least one day a week. Smaller stores close for an hour or two for lunch. Stores in train stations in larger cities often open daily until 9 pm, even on Sunday; in the Geneva and Zürich airports, shops are open on Sunday.

Holidays

National holidays include New Year's Day, Good Friday (March or April), Easter Sunday and Monday (March or April), Ascension Day (May), Whitsunday and Whitmonday (May), Swiss National Holiday (August 1), and Christmas and Boxing Day (December 25–26). Labor Day (May 1) is also celebrated in some regions.

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