Though many shops and services will be shut on Christmas Day, you may still be able to snag a last-minute gift at some shops and use a few services across the country.
Here’s which shops and services will be running on December 25th in Switzerland.
Convenience stores
Though most of shops will close their doors on Christmas Day, convenience store avec will be open across Switzerland. While opening times may differ slightly, many avec stores will operate between 9am and 6pm.
Petrol stations
Petrol stations and many – but not all - of their shops will also not be affected by the closures on December 25th.
However, note that most petrol station-adjacent shops, such as Coop Pronto, will have varying open times on Christmas Day.
For instance, the chain’s shop at Barfüsserplatz will welcome customers from 6.30am until 10pm on December 25th, while its store at Zurich’s Löwenstrasse will be closed all day..
Hospitals
Not surprisingly, hospitals will of course leave their doors open for patients and visitors alike on Christmas Day. Emergency services such as ambulances will be available if you need them.
However, visitor times will vary from hospital to hospital, so you are best of checking online before setting off to visit a loved one.
You can look up Switzerland’s hospitals here.
Public transport
It is a known fact that Switzerland has one of the world’s best railway systems and as such, trains run every day including national holidays. So, you can expect them to run smoothly on Christmas Day, too.
Trains usually adhere to the same (or at least a similar) timetable during the Christmas season, however, trains are usually busier around this time of year.
Pharmacies
Though pharmacies across Switzerland will be closed on Christmas Day, some will remain open for those in need of urgent medical treatment.
Switzerland’s 'emergency' pharmacies operate 24 hours a day/7 days a week. However, pharmacists may charge an emergency service fee of 2.83 Swiss francs for every purchase made outside of normal opening hours.
Note that in some cases - depending on what your doctor writes/checks on the prescription – the fee may be covered by your health insurance company.
Butcher’s shop
You can also expect most butchers to be shut on Christmas Day, unless you have made a pre-order in which case some butchers will allow you to pick up your order during a specific time slot on December 25th.
Restaurants
While some restaurants will not be serving any food on Christmas Day, others will be open.
Among the restaurants welcoming hungry diners are the Uto Kulm, Saltz, Cantinetta Antinori, Bürgenstock, Rosaly's, Landgasthof Wartegg and Eder’s Eichmühle.
Museums
Museums across Swiss cities will also be closed on Christmas Day.
Christmas markets and activities
Sadly, though Switzerland has an array of beautiful Christmas markets, most of them will have wrapped up by Christmas Day.
READ MORE: The Christmas food that brings comfort and joy to the Swiss
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