Car Rental in Switzerland
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Cheapest Car Rental Rates
Geneva Airport Car Rental
Mini
Volkswagen Up
or similar
$34.75
per day
Downtown Car Rental
Economy
Citroen C3
or similar
$43.46
per day
Downtown Car Rental
Compact
Seat Leon
or similar
$51.86
per day
Basel Airport Car Rental
Economy Elite
Mini Cooper
or similar
$55.85
per day
Most Popular Car Rental Deals
Basel Airport Car Rental
Compact Elite
Nissan Leaf
or similar
$63.32
/ per day
St. Gallen Downtown Car Rental
Intermediate
Skoda Octavia
or similar
$63.90
/ per day
Downtown Car Rental
Standard
Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse
or similar
$71.72
/ per day
Downtown Car Rental
Standard Elite
Audi A3 Sportback
or similar
$94.72
/ per day
The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 21:04 on 2023-01-27. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Why book with us?
Special offers
We get special offers like contactless pick-ups, great prices, and free upgrades due to being a market leader (see SimilarWeb).
Award-winning
World's Leading Car Rental Booking Website in the World Travel Awards (3 years in a row).
Highly-rated
A combined rating of 4.5 with 90k total reviews on platforms like Trustpilot, Google, and Review Center.
4M users
Have already booked on one of the fastest-growing car rental booking websites.
Awards
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking Website 2022
World Travel Tech Awards - World's Best Car Rental Booking App 2022
Magellan Awards Gold Winner 2022
Travel & Hospitality Awards 2021
FT 1000: Europes Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2021
FT 1000: Europe's Fastest Growing Companies - Top 100 Companies 2020
Uzakrota Travel Awards - World’s Leading Car Rental Website 2022
Inc. 5000 Europe - Top 500 Companies 2019
Travel Information
Language
German,
French
French
Currency
CHF
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Country code
41
Average car rental price
$61.08 / per day
Average car rental length
1 days
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 mi/h
Speed limit out of town
80 km/h
50 mi/h
Acceptable limit of BAC
0.05%
Why rent a car in Switzerland?
Switzerland is a great country to travel around by car. It’s one of the few places on earth where you can enjoy stunning mountains while driving truly world-class roads. Having your own ride will let you explore everything from majestic peaks and winter resorts to beautiful cities like the country’s largest, Zürich, or the capital of the French-speaking region, Geneva.
One-way Car Rentals in Switzerland
Here are the most popular one-way rental options for pickup in Switzerland and drop off in another country:
- From Switzerland to Italy - 550 offers from $147.42 per day
- From Switzerland to France - 191 offers from $85.39 per day
- From Switzerland to Austria - 119 offers from $101.43 per day
- From Switzerland to Germany - 130 offers from $85.39 per day
- From Switzerland to Netherlands - 73 offers from $103.15 per day
Top ways to enter Switzerland
- Zürich Airport: Switzerland’s main international airport.
- Geneva Airport: Large international airport in the southwest of Switzerland
- Basel-Mulhouse Airport: A unique international airport shared by Switzerland, France, and Germany
- By land: It is possible to rent a car in a neighboring country and then drive to Switzerland. Some of the large international airports near Switzerland include Lyon Airport in France, Munich Airport in Germany, and Milan Malpensa Airport in Italy.
Top cities and places to visit
- Zurich. The largest city in Switzerland, Zurich is best-known for its economy and high standard of living, but there’s also plenty of history and culture to explore, too. Some of the most interesting attractions of Zurich include the Kunsthaus (the city’s main art museum), Le Corbusier Pavillion, and Bahnhofstraße, arguably the most famous street in Switzerland.
- Geneva. The main city of the French-speaking part of Switzerland, Geneva is a sophisticated destination with plenty of galleries, museums, and well-preserved architecture. Other attractions include the famous Jet d’Eau water fountain, the UN’s Palace of Nations, and the nearby CERN Nuclear Research Center, best recognizable by its futuristic globe.
- Bern. The capital of Switzerland is not the country’s largest city, but that doesn’t make it any less worthy of a travel destination. Best known for its beautiful Altstadt, or old town, that’s surrounded from three sides by the Aare river, the city is home to a number of beautiful churches, palaces, and bridges.
Most popular rental car
The most popular rental car in Switzerland is the VW Polo, closely followed by the VW Golf and the Opel Corsa.
Driver license requirements
- Switzerland accepts all driver licenses issued in the European Union (EU).
- If your driver’s licence is issued by a non-EU country (except Switzerland), for it to be considered valid, you’ll need a Swiss visa. Another requirement is to have been in the EU for no more than six months at the time of the rental. If you have been in the EU longer, you’ll need a driver’s license issued by an EU country.
- If your driver license is printed in a non-Latin alphabet (Cyrillic, Arabic, etc.), you’ll need an International Driving Permit (IDP/IDL) or an official translation of your license into English or German.
- You must carry your driver’s licence, not its copy, with you at all times. You must have held your driver’s licence by at least 1 or 2 years, depending on the car provider.
- There may be additional requirements depending on the car provider and car category, so make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking.
Crossing Borders
Switzerland is bordered by France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy. Although Switzerland is not a member of the European Union (EU), it is a member of the Schengen Area and so are all of its neighboring countries. If you’re not an EU citizen, you’ll need a Schengen visa to visit Switzerland. With a Schengen visa you can also cross the border to any of Switzerland’s neighbors. Some car rental providers allow you to cross national borders and even drop off your car in a different country, while others don’t. If you’d like to cross a national border during your rental period, make sure to check the terms and conditions before booking a car. Learn more about cross-border rentals in Help Center.
It is worth noting that in 2016, European Union rules were changed regarding Swiss rental cars. Drivers holding a driver’s license issued in a country that is a member of the European Union are no longer allowed to drive a rental car with Swiss license plates in the EU. This means that if you are from the EU and intend to rent a car and travel to both Switzerland and EU countries like France, Germany, Italy, or Austria, you should rent a car in the EU, as it is allowed by most suppliers to also travel to Switzerland. This rule only applies to EU residents; Swiss and non-EU residents can continue to rent a car in Switzerland and travel to the surrounding countries freely.
Most popular types of rental car
The most popular car type in Switzerland is Economy, but travelers also tend to choose Mini and Compact a lot.
Top driving routes
- Ticino. Located in the far southeast of the country, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is not just arguably the most distinct of the country’s regions, it is also one of its most beautiful. Known for its stunning mountain vistas and pure highland lakes, Ticino can seem far away — but its largest city, Lugano, is only a three-hour drive from Zurich, four hours from Basel, and five hours from Geneva.
- Valais. Located to the west of Ticino, Valais is another southern region and another nature lover’s mecca. The small Alpine canton is home to some of the highest mountains and vastest glaciers in all of Europe. Naturally, the region is a hub for skiing, hiking, and climbing. If your rental car provider permits it, you can even pop over the border to Italy and France.
- Swiss National Park. The only official national park in Switzerland and a UNESCO biosphere reserve, this large protected area is located in the far east of the country. The park is categorized as a strict nature reserve and there are a number of rules of what you can and cannot do in it, but the natural beauty of the area is absolutely worth it. Swiss National Park is a three-hour drive from Zurich and only two hours from Innsbruck in Austria and Bolzano in Italy, although in the case of the two latter trips you should ask your rental car provider in advance if they permit it.
Car Rental Prices
- Convertibles - from $85 per day
- Station wagons - from $140 per day
- Large cars - from $113 per day
- Medium cars - from $99 per day
- Vans - from $233 per day
- Premium cars - from $155 per day
- Small cars - from $71 per day
- SUVs - from $147 per day
How can I save money on my rental car?
You can do a number of things to get a good car rental deal in Switzerland:
- Compare rates
- Book your rental car well in advance
- Plan your route before you go
- Know your fuel and mileage requirements
Top 19 Most Popular Cities in Switzerland
-
Car Rental in Geneva from $74.37 per day
-
Car Rental in Zurich from $42.07 per day
-
Car Rental in Basel from $43.98 per day
-
Car Rental in Lucerne from $39.84 per day
-
Car Rental in Interlaken from $56.10 per day
-
Car Rental in Sion from $78.95 per day
-
Car Rental in Chur from $82.01 per day
-
Car Rental in Altenrhein from $60.00 per day
-
Car Rental in St. Gallen from $55.32 per day
-
Car Rental in Bellinzona from $77.55 per day
-
Car Rental in Locarno from $61.83 per day
-
Car Rental in Baden from $56.56 per day
-
Car Rental in Neuchatel from $65.48 per day
-
Car Rental in Thun from $74.37 per day
-
Car Rental in Schinznach-Bad from $80.74 per day
Top 9 Most Popular Locations in Switzerland
-
Car Rental at Geneva Airport from $34.75 per day
-
Car Rental at Zurich Airport from $67.17 per day
-
Car Rental at Geneva Train Station from $161.19 per day
-
Car Rental at Basel Airport from $43.98 per day
-
Car Rental in Geneva Acacias from $161.15 per day
-
Car Rental at Sion Airport from $78.95 per day
-
Car Rental at St.Gallen–Altenrhein Airport from $60.00 per day
Map of Car Rental Locations
Which is the cheapest month to rent a car in Switzerland?
The cost of renting a car in Switzerland depends on the time of year. This graph compares price changes from month to month in order to find the best offer.
Average Rental Price in Switzerland
The cheapest month of the year to rent a car in Switzerland is April — prices start from $57.97 for an Economy class vehicle. This is 24% cheaper than the yearly average and 44% cheaper than renting a car in the month of August (when prices start at $103.17 for a Compact class). This information can help you identify the low season. But these are only average numbers. The exact price for your trip will depend on the length of your rental and how far in advance you book. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices.
What’s the average rental length in Switzerland?
The average length differs from month to month. The longest rental periods are in November — an average of 18 days. The shortest are in September — an average of 4 days.
Average Rental Length in Switzerland
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in Switzerland?
DiscoverCars.com users search for cars in a lot of locations daily. We gathered this information in order to analyze car rental popularity in Switzerland. The most popular month is January, while the least popular is September.
Popularity of Car Rental in Switzerland by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | Volkswagen Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Volkswagen Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Opel Mokka | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Skoda Octavia STW | 5 | 3 | Station wagons |
| Hertz | Citroen C3 | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Geneva Rental Cars | Volkswagen Up | 3 | 2 | Small cars |
| Geneva Rental Cars | Volkswagen Polo | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Renault Captur | 5 | 2 | SUVs |
| Alamo | Ford Puma | 4 | 2 | SUVs |
| Hertz | Volkswagen Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
Our Customers' Reviews
Because we want to make sure each review listed here is left by a real customer, we don’t have an option to post a review here. Instead, we ask each and every customer to leave a review after they return their rental. This way, you know that all reviews are authentic, verified, and trustworthy.
RY
United States of America (USA)
Volkswagen Polo
January 13, 2023
Drove from Zurich to Tasch where we parked the car to enter car-free Zermatt. It was the most beautiful and scenic drive we've been on with the mountains and green pastures as the backdrop.
VT
Germany
Fiat 500
November 16, 2022
I had driven this car to Germany for a meeting. Was just great
BS
United States of America (USA)
Volkswagen Tiguan
November 9, 2022
Great food
ZA
Malaysia
Opel Mokka
September 22, 2022
The car company will be happy if we rent direct with them rather than thro 3rd party as they seemed not too happy and helpful during picking up & returning the car.
CP
United Kingdom
Opel Karl
August 17, 2020
Lauterbrunnen valley.... superb, fabulous
GD
United Kingdom
VW Polo
February 18, 2020
Good place to rent if you arrive early in the day.
GH
United Kingdom
Volkswagen Up
January 29, 2020
No real opinion
MC
Ireland
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
August 24, 2019
Bus to car rental puts me off.
TY
United States of America (USA)
VW Golf
August 8, 2018
Included GPS very useful
Car Rental Statistics
Highest rated company
City Auto Rent
9.84 / 10
Lowest rated company
Firefly
8.14 / 10
Total number of reviews
38
Total rental companies
14
Average daily price
$61.08
Lowest daily price
$5.01
Total cars available
1847
Top 14 Suppliers in Switzerland in 2023
City Auto Rent
+41227107272
Icc - Route De Pré-Bois 20 - 1215 Genève
$82 - $933
Working hours
Mon:07:00-22:00
Tue:07:00-22:00
Wed:07:00-22:00
Thu:07:00-22:00
Fri:07:00-22:00
Sat:07:00-22:00
Sun:07:00-22:00
Dollar
+41438163255
Airside Center, Flughafen, 8302 Zürich, Switzerland
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:30
Tue:07:00-23:30
Wed:07:00-23:30
Thu:07:00-23:30
Fri:07:00-23:30
Sat:07:00-23:30
Sun:07:00-23:30
SIXT
+41848884444
Parking 3, 8302 Zürich
$52 - $281
Europcar
+41432555656
PARKING 3 G1
$65 - $429
Working hours
Mon:06:30-23:30
Tue:06:30-23:30
Wed:06:30-23:30
Thu:06:30-23:30
Fri:06:30-23:30
Sat:06:30-23:30
Sun:06:30-23:30
Enterprise
410581220420
FLUGHAFEN ZURICH,
$52 - $398
Alamo
410848445522
Flughafen Basel Mulhouse, Postfach 142
$52 - $394
National
+410848445522
Route de l'Aéroport 21, 1215 Le Grand-Saconnex
$53 - $402
Hertz
+410434447000
Zollstrasse 42, 8005 Zürich
$40 - $173
Working hours
Mon:07:00-18:00
Tue:07:00-18:00
Wed:07:00-18:00
Thu:07:00-18:00
Fri:07:00-20:00
Sat:08:00-17:00
Sun:07:00-12:00
Thrifty
0438163255
Zurich Airport
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:30
Tue:07:00-23:30
Wed:07:00-23:30
Thu:07:00-23:30
Fri:07:00-23:30
Sat:07:00-23:30
Sun:07:00-23:30
Avis
+41448007733
Flughafen Parking 3, Zurich, 8060
$53 - $280
Working hours
Mon:06:30-23:30
Tue:06:30-23:30
Wed:06:30-23:30
Thu:06:30-23:30
Fri:06:30-23:30
Sat:06:30-23:30
Sun:06:30-23:30
Budget
+41613252840
Flughafen Basel Muehlhausen
$52 - $207
Working hours
Mon:07:00-23:00
Tue:07:00-23:00
Wed:07:00-23:00
Thu:07:00-23:00
Fri:07:00-23:00
Sat:08:00-23:00
Sun:08:00-23:00
Geneva Rental Cars
+41223412222
171, Route De Meyrin, 1214 Vernier
$35 - $462
Working hours
Mon:08:30-18:00
Tue:08:30-18:00
Wed:08:30-18:00
Thu:08:30-18:00
Fri:08:30-18:00
Sat:08:30-18:00
Explore Vacations AG
+41764959010 / +41763109960 / +41763916463
Wallisellerstrasse 147, D-8152, Glattbrugg, Zürich, Switzerland
$76 - $265
Working hours
Mon:06:00-19:59
Tue:06:00-19:59
Wed:06:00-19:59
Thu:06:00-19:59
Fri:06:00-19:59
Sat:06:00-17:00
Sun:06:00-17:00
Firefly
+41438163215
ZURICH AIRPORT - HERTZ CAR PARK - in Terminal
Working hours
Mon:06:30-23:30
Tue:06:30-23:30
Wed:06:30-23:30
Thu:06:30-23:30
Fri:06:30-23:30
Sat:06:30-23:30
Sun:06:30-23:30