Car Rental in Switzerland
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Travel Information
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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
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Car Rental in Geneva from $74.37 per day
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Car Rental in Zurich from $42.07 per day
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Car Rental in Basel from $43.98 per day
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Car Rental in Lucerne from $39.84 per day
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Car Rental in Interlaken from $56.10 per day
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Car Rental in Sion from $78.95 per day
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Car Rental in Chur from $82.01 per day
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Car Rental in Altenrhein from $60.00 per day
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Car Rental in St. Gallen from $55.32 per day
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Car Rental in Bellinzona from $77.55 per day
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Car Rental in Locarno from $61.83 per day
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Car Rental in Baden from $56.56 per day
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Car Rental in Neuchatel from $65.48 per day
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Car Rental in Thun from $74.37 per day
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Car Rental in Schinznach-Bad from $80.74 per day
Top 9 Most Popular Locations in Switzerland
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Car Rental at Geneva Airport from $34.75 per day
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Car Rental at Zurich Airport from $67.17 per day
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Car Rental at Geneva Train Station from $161.19 per day
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Car Rental at Basel Airport from $43.98 per day
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Car Rental in Geneva Acacias from $161.15 per day
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Car Rental at Sion Airport from $78.95 per day
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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?
What’s the average rental length in Switzerland?
What’s the most popular time for renting a car in Switzerland?
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
Rental Supplier | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
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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.
Car Rental Statistics
Top 14 Suppliers in Switzerland in 2023













