Supermarkets in Zurich: what you pay in the city and across the border
Zurich has around 50 Migros, 45 Coop, 30 plus Denner and 15 plus Aldi stores, while Lidl has none in the city centre (updated September 2026). ShopVille at the Hauptbahnhof stays open 365 days until 10 pm. The Jestetten run costs CHF 58.50 in travel from the centre and returns about CHF 60 on a CHF 200 shop, with a duty-free allowance of CHF 150 per person per day since 1 January 2025.
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Supermarkets in Zurich: overview
Zurich has all the major chains: Migros (~50 stores), Coop (~45), Aldi (15+), Lidl (10+), Denner (30+). Key Zurich tips: ShopVille at the Hauptbahnhof has Migros, Coop and Aldi: open 365 days until 10 pm. Lidl has no stores in the city centre: nearest locations in Schlieren, Dietikon, Dübendorf and the Oerlikon industrial zone. Best savings move: Wednesday evening Rappn check before the weekly shop.
Cross-border shopping from Zurich: the honest guide
Zurich is 30 minutes by car from the German border. Thousands of Zurich residents regularly shop in Jestetten and Lottstetten. But since 2025 the rules have changed, and the maths has shifted.
The 2026 rules
- Duty-free allowance: CHF 150 per person per day (halved from CHF 300 since 1 Jan 2025)
- German VAT refund: Purchases over EUR 50 per receipt: request an Ausfuhrschein → 19% VAT refunded at the border
- Quantity limits: butter/cream max 1 kg/person, meat max 1 kg, oil max 5 L, eggs unlimited, yoghurt unlimited
- Warning: If you exceed CHF 150 total, you pay 2.6% Swiss VAT on the ENTIRE cart (not just the excess)
1. Jestetten / Lottstetten: 30 min, most popular
| Store | Comment |
|---|---|
| Edeka Neukauf | Largest and most complete. Excellent butcher, cheese counter, wines. Zurich families' favourite. Big car park. |
| Lidl (Lottstetten) | Basics, fruit/veg, fresh bread. Prices below the Swiss shelf. Famously packed on Saturdays. |
| Aldi Süd | Like Swiss Aldi but at German prices. German meat substantially cheaper. |
| DM (3 locations!) | THE main reason many Zurich residents make the trip. Cosmetics, baby products, cleaning, vitamins: usually much cheaper. No Swiss equivalent. |
| Fristo Drinks Market | Beer, water, juices at German prices. A crate of beer = 1/3 of the Swiss price. |
Live offers from supermarkets in Zurich and the canton, refreshed daily in Rappn. Tap any tab to see how the rest of the app fits a Zurich shopper's week.
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Zurich (ZH)
Offers
The honest maths: Travel costs from Zurich centre (TCS CHF 0.75/km × 78 km): CHF 58.50. Assume the shop is 30% cheaper in Germany: on a CHF 200 purchase that is ~CHF 60, minus travel = CHF 1.50 left. Only worth it if: CHF 300+ purchase (2 people = 2× allowance), groceries + DM combined, or going anyway.
2. Konstanz: 1h, the biggest destination
85,000 residents. IC from Zurich HB: 1h10. Lago Shopping Centre (Edeka, MediaMarkt, H&M), all three German drugstore chains (DM, Rossmann, Müller). Ideal when combining groceries with clothing or electronics.
3. Waldshut-Tiengen: 45 min, quieter
Smaller, less crowded. Kaufland (huge range), Aldi, Lidl, DM. Good alternative when Jestetten is overrun.
What to buy in Germany vs Switzerland
| Buy in GERMANY | Buy in SWITZERLAND (little difference or better) |
|---|---|
| Meat (non-Swiss) | Milk/fresh dairy (M-Budget comparable, transport tricky) |
| DM/Rossmann products | Fresh bread (Swiss quality superior, similar price) |
| Detergent/household | Swiss seasonal veg (freshness, quality) |
| Beer/drinks | Migros/Coop own brands (don't exist in Germany) |
| Cosmetics | Swiss chocolate (same price or pricier in Germany!) |
| Nappies/baby products | Swiss cheese (quality, freshness) |
Updated: .
Current deals for the canton of Zurich: a selection
A selection from the chains’ currently published offers, sorted by discount depth. The region and the start of the promotion week are given in the line below.
Prices for the canton of Zurich, promotion week since 8 Oct 2026.
- Persil Universal Morning Fresh Gel Detergent 4.5lDenner−58%CHF 25.95instead of CHF 62.00· until 14 Oct
- LIVARNO LED Halloween string lightLidl Switzerland−50%CHF 2.49instead of CHF 4.99· until 14 Oct
- Schauma ShampooDenner−50%CHF 3.95instead of CHF 7.90· until 14 Oct
- Whiskas 1+ Classic selection in jelly 60x85gDenner−45%CHF 21.95instead of CHF 39.75· until 14 Oct
- Barilla Spaghetti n.5 5x500gDenner−44%CHF 6.95instead of CHF 12.50· until 14 Oct
- Nivea Creme 150mlCoop−44%CHF 1.96instead of CHF 3.50· until 14 Oct
- Zweifel Salt & Vinegar crisps Big Pack XXL 380gCoop−41%CHF 5.40instead of CHF 9.10· until 14 Oct
- Maggi Liquid Seasoning 800mlDenner−41%CHF 6.95instead of CHF 11.70· until 14 Oct
Why Rappn?
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- 100% free: no subscription, no hidden costs
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- Updated daily, as soon as the chains publish their deals
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- Meal planner in the Kitchen tab: plan the week, send the ingredients to your list
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Frequently Asked Questions
Which supermarket is cheapest in Zurich?
Aldi and Lidl offer the lowest prices (as across Switzerland), followed by Denner. Aldi has 15+ stores in the region; Lidl has no city-centre locations: nearest in Schlieren, Dietikon and Dübendorf.
Where can I shop on Sundays in Zurich?
ShopVille at the Hauptbahnhof: Migros, Coop and Aldi are open 365 days until 10 pm. Coop Pronto and Migros in major train stations also have Sunday hours.
Is cross-border shopping from Zurich worth it?
It depends. For large shops (CHF 300+, 2 people) combining groceries + DM: yes (CHF 50–100 net). For small purchases (CHF 150): travel costs (CHF 58.50) eat almost everything. Since Jan 2025, the allowance is CHF 150 (halved). For DM drugstore products, there is no Swiss alternative, the trip almost always pays off there.
Which store do Zurich residents prefer in Jestetten?
Edeka Neukauf for complete grocery shopping (butcher, cheese, wine). DM for health and beauty. Lidl Lottstetten for cheapest basics. Fristo for drinks.