Holiday start at the airport: What travellers need to know

During the Christmas season, Zurich Airport transforms into a bustling hub for thousands of people visiting family, friends, or heading off on holiday. Amid the glittering Christmas lights, the hustle and bustle can be overwhelming—but with the right planning, departure becomes effortless, and your time at the airport enjoyable. Travelnews answers the most important questions.

How can I save time and reduce stress at the airport?

In order to avoid long waiting times, the airport recommends that passengers use online or early evening check-in. Passengers can also use the «Find flight» function on the website to determine their recommended check-in time. Practical: self-bag drop machines are available for selected airlines, speeding up the check-in process even further.

What is allowed in hand luggage - and what is not?

During the Christmas season, many people travel abroad with presents or Swiss specialities. It is important to take as little hand luggage as possible and to verify in advance what is permitted. Ready-made fondue is allowed in hand and checked baggage. The rechaud is only allowed in checked baggage - and only if it does not contain any fuel paste or fuel liquid and is free of vapours. Remote-controlled cars with batteries are permitted if the battery has a maximum capacity of 100 Wh, the rated energy is clearly visible and the device is secured against unintentional activation.

Winter sports equipment, liquid gifts (excluding dangerous goods) and devices without batteries belong in checked baggage. Special regulations apply to batteries, lighters and similar items, while fuel pastes, fireworks and toxic substances are completely prohibited. A practical search function on the airport website helps with baggage planning.

How can you save time at passport control?

The e-gates at passport control (local entry and entry B) are now available to travelers aged 12 and over, instead of 18 and over as previously. Any additional checks that may still be required in individual cases will continue to be carried out at the secondary control counters. Existing requirements such as a biometric passport, Swiss citizenship or citizenship of an EU/EEA country or a valid Swiss residence permit (C and B) remain a prerequisite for using the e-gates.

What has changed?

From 29 October 2024 to 19 March 2025, Check-in 1 at Zurich Airport will have limited availability due to extensive construction work on the baggage carousels. This will reduce the number of baggage drop-off counters and there will be adjustments to the check-in areas. Travellers with Swiss, Lufthansa, Aegean, Austrian Airlines, Edelweiss Air, Brussels Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Vueling and Easyjet will be affected. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, it is advisable to find out about the new check-in areas in advance.

How Christmassy is the airport?

Zurich Airport becomes an atmospheric backdrop for travellers and visitors at Christmas time. The Christmas village in the Circle, open daily from 11.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. (from 24 to 30 December until 6 p.m.), invites you to linger in its festively decorated huts. Around the sparkling ‘Sparkling Tree’, guests can enjoy Swiss winter specialities such as raclette, Chäshörnli, mulled wine and punch. Anyone still looking for a gift will find what they are looking for in Airport Shopping or the Circle. The shops are also open on Sundays and public holidays - perfect for last-minute shopping.