”Shopping tourism’ remains popular among Swiss consumers; Zurich offers one month of free public transport to residents over 60; and other news in our roundup on Thursday.
Shopping tourism is booming despite reduction in duty-free limit
While retail trade in Switzerland is stagnating, cross-border shopping tourism has recorded strong growth, the Swiss Retail Federation (SRF) reported on Wednesday.
Swiss residents continue to shop in neighbouring areas of France, Italy, and Germany, because food and other consumer goods are cheaper there.
This continues to be the case even though shopping abroad has been less lucrative since the beginning of 2025, when tax-free allowance on articles purchased abroad dropped from 300 to 150 francs.
“The reduction to 150 francs has had hardly any effect on cross-border shopping habits,” said Dagmar Jenni, the SRF’s director.
Zurich offers one month of free public transport to residents over 60
The Zurich Transport Authority (ZVV) is making special ‘Action Passes’ available to local residents aged 60 and over who want to use trams, buses and trains for leisure travel within the canton.
The pass is valid in second class. Monday to Friday from 9 am, and all day on weekends.
It includes free travel for a month throughout the ZVV area, one class upgrade, two special tickets for travel before 9 am, a free day pass for one accompanying person, and about 55 free offers and discounts throughout the canton.
In addition to travel, pass holders also benefit from one free entry each to the Zurich Zoo, the Kunsthaus Zurich, as well as to other attractions in the area.
The Action Pass is now available at all staffed ZVV and SBB ticket counters, as well as in the ZVV ticket shop for 110 francs. The offer is valid for any one month from August 1st to October 31st, 2025.
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SWISS airline resumes flights to Tel Aviv earlier than planned
Starting on September 29th, the national airline plans to resume its flights between Zurich and the Israeli capital.
Originally, given the “unsafe and unpredictable” situation in the region, SWISS suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv until October 25th.
Now, however, “a renewed assessment of the situation” has shown that the resumption of air traffic can occur earlier.
SWISS made this decision even though the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advises citizens not to travel to Israel due to “a high risk of violent acts throughout the country.”
For those who must travel to Israel for urgent reasons, it is recommended to avoid demonstrations and gatherings of any kind.
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