Shopping Hours
in Switzerland & Austria
ABOVE: Bicyclists shop for fruit at an outdoor
market in Bern, Switzerland. (Hours of street markets vary. Some are open daily,
while others may be open just once or twice a week.)
By
Durant
Imboden
Europeans aren't likely to be fazed by
Swiss and Austrian shopping hours, but tourists from the U.S. and Canada may be
surprised to learn that 9 a.m.-to-11 p.m. discount stores and 24-hour
supermarkets haven't yet invaded Alpine and Central Europe.
Laws have become more liberal in recent years, especially for shops in
tourist areas. The opening hours in this article are typical of what you'll find
in larger cities, towns, and resorts. In small villages off the beaten track, hours
may be more limited and shopkeepers may close up for lunch.
Swiss shopping hours
| Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday |
9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Shops in smaller towns and villages may close on Monday (either morning
or all day). |
| Thursday |
9 a.m. - 8 or 9 p.m. (mainly in larger cities and towns) |
| Saturday |
9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Sunday and holidays |
Closed (except for bakeries, which may be open in the
morning) |
NOTES:
- In cities, railroads stations usually have shops where you can buy reading
material, food, and other essentials between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- Barber shops and beauty parlors are normally closed on Mondays, and many
pharmacies (chemists) are closed on Tuesdays.
- In larger cities and towns, you'll often find 24-hour automats at railroad
stations and bakeries.
- Regional shopping malls typically stay open later than independent shops
do. For example, the Mythen Center in Schywz
is open until 8 p.m. most weekdays and until 9 p.m. on Fridays.
Shopping in Austria
Next Page > Austrian
shopping hours > Page 1, 2
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