Important tips for the summer holiday season at Zurich Airport
Security checks are now easier thanks to the use of CT scanners. At passport control, longer waiting times can be expected at peak times due to a new legally required travel process. With good preparation, passengers can contribute significantly to a successful start to their holiday. Those who use automated services for baggage check-in and passport control can reduce their own waiting time.
In the 2026 summer flight schedule, 211 destinations will be served by 68 airlines from Zurich. In addition to the front-runners London, Palma de Mallorca, Istanbul, Barcelona and Lisbon, classic summer holiday destinations around the Mediterranean are also very popular. These include destinations in Greece, Italy and Turkey. Northern European cities such as Oslo, Stockholm or Bergen are also gaining popularity this summer. The summer holidays are one of the busiest times at Zurich Airport. On peak days, more than 110,000 passengers are regularly expected at Zurich Airport.
Good preparation helps to reduce waiting times and ensures a relaxed start to the holidays. Where possible, it is advisable to use automated services to reduce waiting times. The most important tips at a glance:
Pack correctly
Passengers are advised to check the current regulations of their airline before packing. The most important rules for travel from Zurich Airport include:
Batteries (up to 18 pieces with max. 100 watt hours each), power banks (maximum two pieces with max. 100 watt hours each) and e-cigarettes are only allowed in carry-on luggage. Objects such as fuel pastes, sparklers, fireworks, paints, acids and toxic or corrosive substances may not be transported.
A handy search function for items in your luggage:
Check-in online
Many airlines offer online check-in or evening-before check-in. Check-in desks open at 04:00 at the earliest.
All Airlines
Check the check-in time at Zurich Airport
The recommended check-in time for a specific flight can be found on the airport website, as well as the current waiting times for check-in, security and passport control. Flight information can also be subscribed to via the "find your flight" function.
Drop off your baggage independently
Passengers travelling with the Lufthansa Group (Lufthansa, SWISS, Edelweiss, Austrian, Air Dolomiti and Brussels Airlines), Aegean Airlines, Air France, Air Baltic, Chair Airlines, Condor, Etihad Airways, KLM and SAS Scandinavian Airlines can check in their baggage independently at Self Bag Drop units.
Baggage tags can be printed at self-service kiosks in all check-in areas, in Arrivals 1 and in Airport Shopping by scanning the boarding pass. Baggage can then be dropped off at the corresponding check-in counter or, for the airlines listed above, directly at the Self Bag Drop units. The units are located in Check-in 2, Row 5, and in Check-in 3 for Lufthansa Group passengers.
To take advantage of the self bag drop service, passengers must be checked in online and in possession of their boarding pass.
Important: Baggage must never be left unattended at the airport. Unattended baggage may result in parts of the airport infrastructure being closed or even evacuated.
Use Self Bag Drop at Zurich Airport
Passing quickly and efficiently through security check
At Zurich Airport, passengers departing locally will now be allowed to carry liquid containers up to a capacity of 2 litres in their carry-on baggage. For the return journey or for connecting flights, different regulations on the upper liquid limit apply depending on the airport. Passengers are advised to allow enough time for the security check, despite the lifting of the liquid limit.
Important: Double-walled bottles (e.g. thermos) may only be taken empty as they cannot be checked by the devices due to the nature of the housing. It is best to present analogue photographic film separately and have it checked manually, as it can be damaged by CT scanners.
Well prepared for security control
Waiting times at passport control: Follow the directions, use e-gates
With the EU's new Entry/Exit System (EES), the entry requirements at the Schengen external borders are changing. For passengers from countries outside the EU and the Schengen area, biometric data is recorded and registered upon first entry.
For Swiss nationals, citizens of EU and EFTA states and persons with a Swiss or EU residence or settlement permit (e.g. B or C), the border control process does not change in principle.
Nevertheless, there may be longer waiting times due to the new processes and the high number of passengers. The personnel deployments of the Zurich Cantonal Police at the passport control counters are continuously adapted to the number of passengers.
Swiss nationals as well as citizens of EU and EFTA countries are advised to use the automated e-gates when entering and leaving the country if possible. They reduce the waiting time at passport control. The e-gates are available to people aged 18 and over to leave and people aged 12 and over to enter the country.
Other practical services
If you drive to the airport by car, you can reserve your parking space online. When booking, the flight data can be stored and the appropriate entry and exit times are calculated automatically.
Book a parking space
Help via live chat and web call
At central points at the airport, travelers can communicate directly with the Information Services via QR code at 40 digital touchpoints – via web call or live chat.
Experience summer at Zurich Airport
The matches of the Football World Cup will be broadcast live in various restaurants in the Circle and in Airport Shopping. Observation Deck B is decorated in a summery style, offers a varied program and is open until 11:00 p.m. on selected dates.
