Car Rental in Switzerland
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The above prices are only approximate and were last updated at 07:17 on 2021-10-20. Prices may vary based on the booking dates, length of rental, and car class.
Travel Information
Language
German,
French
French
Currency
CHF
Country code
41
Traffic direction
Right-hand
Speed limit out of town
80 km/h
50 mi/h
Speed limit within town
50 km/h
31 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 US$ 157.98 per day
- From Switzerland to France - 191 offers from US$ 91.51 per day
- From Switzerland to Austria - 119 offers from US$ 108.69 per day
- From Switzerland to Germany - 130 offers from US$ 91.51 per day
- From Switzerland to Netherlands - 73 offers from US$ 110.54 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 our FAQ section.
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 $91 per day
- Station wagons - from $85 per day
- Large cars - from $73 per day
- Medium cars - from $62 per day
- People Carriers/Vans - from $106 per day
- Premium cars - from $104 per day
- Small cars - from $51 per day
- SUVs - from $88 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 11 Most Popular Cities in Switzerland
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Car Rental in Zurich from $27.93 per day
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Car Rental in Basel from $27.93 per day
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Car Rental in Bern from $57.58 per day
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Car Rental in Altenrhein from $52.40 per day
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Car Rental in Sion from $60.46 per day
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Car Rental in Visp from $57.39 per day
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Car Rental in Lugano from $37.43 per day
Top 16 Most Popular Locations in Switzerland
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Car Rental at Geneva Airport from $29.32 per day
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Car Rental at Zurich Airport from $27.93 per day
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Car Rental at Geneva Train Station from $35.20 per day
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Car Rental at Basel Airport from $27.93 per day
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Car Rental at Bern Airport from $57.58 per day
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Car Rental at St.Gallen–Altenrhein Airport from $52.40 per day
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Car Rental at Sion Airport from $60.46 per day
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Car Rental at Visp Train Station from $57.39 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 $62.12 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 $110.56 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 the number of days until your rental period begins. Just enter your dates in the form at the top of the page to see exact prices and offers.
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?
Discover Cars 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 February, while the least popular is April.
Popularity of Car Rental in Switzerland by Monthly Searches
Most Popular Car Models of Rental Suppliers
| Rental Agency | Model | Doors | Luggage | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo | VW Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| Alamo | VW Golf | 5 | 2 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | VW Polo | 4 | 2 | Small cars |
| SIXT | Renault Captur | 4 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Dollar | Volvo V40 | 4 | 3 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | Fiat 500 | 2 | 2 | Small cars |
| SIXT | Ford Fiesta | 2 | 1 | Small cars |
| Alamo | Mercedes Benz A Class | 4 | 1 | Medium cars |
| Alamo | Mini Cooper | 5 | 2 | Small cars |
| Europcar | VW Polo | 5 | 2 | Medium 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.
SE
United Kingdom
VW Polo
September 10, 2021
French ALPs - beautiful location, lots to do and see. Morzine had lots going on/ special events. Chamonix has Mont Blanc that simply blows you away
MP
United Kingdom
Opel Karl
August 17, 2020
Lauterbrunnen valley.... superb, fabulous
JD
United Kingdom
VW Polo
February 18, 2020
Good place to rent if you arrive early in the day.
MH
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.
MB
United States of America (USA)
Opel Mokka
August 22, 2018
I had a great rental experience in Zurich. The person at the counter, Andrea, was very helpful and proactive. She provided great information regarding navigating around the airport and was efficient, thorough, and super pleasant to deal with.
TY
United States of America (USA)
VW Golf
August 8, 2018
Included GPS very useful
Top 9 Suppliers in Switzerland in 2021
Europcar
+41273238888
Route de l'Aéroport, 1950 Sion
Working hours
Mon:07:30-12:00; 13:30-18:00
Tue:07:30-12:00; 13:30-18:00
Wed:07:30-12:00; 13:30-18:00
Thu:07:30-12:00; 13:30-18:00
Fri:07:30-12:00; 13:30-18:00
Sat:08:00-12:00
SIXT
+41718550823
Flughafenstrasse 11
National
+410581220420
Bimenzältenstrasse 11, 8302 Kloten
Enterprise
410848445522
ERLACHSTRASSE 3,
Alamo
+410581220420
Flughofstrasse 3, 8058 Kloten, Switzerland
Dollar
0917435050
LOCARNO MAGADINO AIRPORT
Avis
+41718553636
Hirn Rent Ag, Altenrhein, 9423
Working hours
Mon:08:30-12:00; 13:30-21:00
Tue:08:30-12:00; 13:30-21:00
Wed:08:30-12:00; 13:30-21:00
Thu:08:30-12:00; 13:30-21:00
Fri:08:30-12:00; 13:30-21:00
Sat:08:30-12:00
Budget
+41448007733
Flughafen Zuerich
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
Alamo
410581220420
Enterprise Rent A Car
Working hours
Mon:06:00-23:30
Tue:06:00-23:30
Wed:06:00-23:30
Thu:06:00-23:30
Fri:06:00-23:30
Sat:06:00-23:30
Sun:06:00-23:30