What are check-in times?

The hotel I am looking to stay at while in Switzerland has a check-in time of 1300 listed as hotel policy. I realize that this means 1 p.m. Still, I will be arriving later than this to the city. Does the check-in time mean that I can check into the hotel from that time onward? Or does it mean that I cannot check into the hotel past 1 p.m.

You can check in from that time onward. However, if you're going to be late find out how long they hold onto a room before renting it to someone else. Also if it's a smaller hotel they might lock up in the late evening leaving no front dest clerk until the next morning. Check on how they handle late arrivals so you can still get in.

check in time is after 1.00 pm.
how ever if the hotel has rooms available, they may let you check in earlier.
you have to check in after 1.00 pm and ensure until what time they will hold the room for you. with a credit card guarantee, the hotel would normally hold room for you until next morning.

Time that your are allowed in the Hotel. This was invented to max Hotel earning and minimize costumer confort...Should not be conpulsory check in times... people like you should be able to check at arrival, but then Who is regulating Hotels......MONEY!!!
I will request an early check in time or drop them!!

Check in time means,they prefer you waited till 1pm. They are cleaning rooms and such ,and they want the room to be ready. You check in after 1pm. If you have a reservation and charged it then it is yours and they cannot rent it out.

Just to keep people moving (and not waiting in line at the desk) hotels stagger check-out and check-in times. If check in is at 1 then they prefer if you arrive at 1 or later. Make sure your reservation is guaranteed for late arrival if you won't get in until late in the night.

Some hotels will accommodate you if you arrive early by giving you an available room, or by storing your luggage until check-in time.

Check out time is not so flexible. If you stay after the time you will be charged for the extra time, usually on a per hour basis.