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Ready to Explore Switzerland? Here’s How to Rent a Car Hassle-Free

Switzerland is a country of extraordinary beauty. It attracts attention with its picturesque fjords, green meadows, ski resorts and small settlements, which are embraced by fantastic nature.

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Traveling in a rental car will allow you to truly appreciate the beauty of Switzerland's landscapes and admire them, as you will not be constrained by the time frame of tourist excursions. By car, you can see much more than such organizations can offer, from densely populated cities to historic castles.

Switzerland is an amazing country, because here, wherever you look, everything can be a new plot for the artist’s canvas, and having a rented car with you, you get the opportunity to enjoy the views and sights of the country to the fullest.

For example, Geneva is one one of the largest cities with an abundance of attractions, including galleries, various museums and sculptures that are scattered throughout the city. The most popular attractions are located in the Palais des Nations - the headquarters of the UN and the jet d'Eau fountain, which is 140 meters high.

But using a rental car, you can visit other places, such as: the Botanical Garden, Chambesy Conservatory, Roman ruins, as well as the Museum of St. Bernards and nurseries in Martigne.

If your main point of stay is Zurich, then by renting a car you will get the opportunity to get to a first-class ski resort - Klosters. You can also drive to the beautiful town of Einsiedeln, which is famous for its Benedictine monastery and beautiful basilica.

And while in Interlaken you can visit the Ballenberg open-air museum located in Brienze with the help of a rented vehicle.

Switzerland is the country to rent a car in, because this way you can explore the country, get acquainted with countryside settlements, see beautiful lakes, historical castles and much more.

Discover Switzerland Like Never Before: Inspiring Road Trip Routes

Switzerland, a land of breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and pristine lakes, is best explored by a rented car. With the freedom to roam at your own pace, you can uncover hidden gems and create unforgettable memories. Here are some inspiring road trip routes to help you discover the best of Switzerland:

The Grand Tour of Switzerland

This iconic route covers over 1,600 kilometers, showcasing the country's most stunning attractions. Start in Zurich and wind your way through picturesque towns, over mountain passes, and alongside crystal-clear lakes. Don't miss these highlights:

The medieval old town of Lucerne
The Jungfraujoch, Europe's highest railway station
The charming lakeside city of Montreux
The iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt

The Romantic Road

Perfect for couples, this route takes you through some of Switzerland's most enchanting landscapes. Begin in Basel and meander through the Swiss Jura, stopping at these romantic spots:

The fairytale-like Château de Chillon on Lake Geneva
The chocolate-box village of Gruyères
The tranquil shores of Lake Neuchâtel

The Alpine Pass Route

For thrill-seekers and nature lovers, this route traverses some of Switzerland's most dramatic mountain passes. Start in St. Gallen and make your way to Montreux, conquering these impressive passes:

The Klausen Pass, with its hairpin turns and stunning views
The Susten Pass, offering panoramic vistas of glaciers
The Grimsel Pass, known for its otherworldly lunar landscape

As you embark on your Swiss adventure in your rental car, remember to take frequent breaks to soak in the scenery and explore charming villages along the way. Be sure to check road conditions, especially when traveling through mountain passes, and always carry chains during winter months.

With these inspiring routes, you're all set to discover the diverse beauty of Switzerland. So buckle up, hit the road, and prepare for an unforgettable journey through one of Europe's most captivating countries.

Pro tip: To make the most of your road trip, consider booking your car rental through Bookingautos for competitive rates and a wide selection of vehicles suitable for Swiss roads.

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Car rental, rental companies, rent without franchise, documents for registration.

To rent a vehicle in Switzerland, you must have the following documents:

Your country's driver's license;
International driver's license;
Credit card.

In Switzerland, there are restrictions on the age and experience of drivers, which vary depending on the model of the rented vehicle.

The minimum allowable age to obtain a car rental permit is 21 years old, and the driving experience is more than 1 year.

If the car class exceeds the standard, then the tourist who wants to rent it must be at least 25 years old. In addition, he also needs to have at least two credit cards so that the organization can freeze certain amounts on them and thus protect itself from losses that a tenant can cause.

You can rent a car in the following companies:

Europcar;

Avis;

Hertz;

Thrifty;

Unirent;

Budget;

Dollar.

All cars provided by rental companies in Switzerland are new, cars older than 3-5 years are rare here. The rental price is 18-20€ per day. And due to the fact that Switzerland has the freshest cars, the prices for the deposit and the franchise are too high (from about 900 to 1,900 €). But in practice, 430-630€ will be blocked on the card.

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As for renting without a deductible, this is rare in Switzerland, but some companies may go for it if you pay for the full car insurance package, which includes all types of possible losses: theft, serious damage, liability to a third party, etc.

Renting an electric car in Switzerland

There are quite a few companies that can offer electric car rental in Switzerland, perhaps as many as the models of electric cars themselves.

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Among the many companies that organize the rental of electric cars is the Green Cars Challenge, which operates in the Lake Geneva region. The company can offer its customers the latest model of the most popular American brand Tesla. The company's assortment includes all Tesla models, so everyone can choose a car to their taste.

Good to know

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January

€299

February

€261

March

€246

April

€300

May

€299

June

€472

July

€562

August

€413

September

€270

October

€209

November

€217

December

€402

The most popular cars in Switzerland

Fiat 500

€13 / Day

Citroen C1

€14 / Day

Ford Fiesta

€18 / Day

Ford Focus

€23 / Day

Opel Astra Estate

€28 / Day

Audi A4

€32 / Day

BMW X1

€33 / Day

Ford Foxus Estate

€33 / Day

Mercedes C Class

€43 / Day

BMW 5 series

€45 / Day

Ford Tourneo

€55 / Day

BMW 4 Cabrio

€65 / Day

Audi A6

€70 / Day

Audi A5 Cabrio

€75 / Day

Mercedes Vito

€80 / Day

Popular car rental places in Switzerland

Geneva airport Switzerland

Zurich airport

Basel Airport

Lugano Airport

Saint Moritz Airport

Lausanne

Rue De Lausanne

Lugano

Bern

Interlaken

Geneva

Lausanne Avenue De La Gare

Gartenhofstrasse Zurich

Zurich

Basel

Neuchatel

Lucerne

Locarno

Saint Moritz

List of required documents

Driving license

Credit card

Voucher

Passport

A valid international driver's license is required!

Expert Car Rental Tips: 10 Things to Keep in Mind

Download Google maps for offline access

The presence of an offline navigator allows you to save on roaming. It is enough just to download the necessary maps from Google Maps and get directions even without a network connection. To do this, enter the phrase "OK MAPS" in the application, select the desired area and download offline maps to your smartphone.

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Book a car 6 weeks in advance

Switzerland is a popular holiday destination and the car rental service is in great demand here. Therefore, it is recommended to book a car in advance. When booking online, you know exactly which car, for what price and under what conditions you will get in Switzerland. The main advantage of early booking is the cost savings. The less time left before the start of the rental, the higher the cost of the rental becomes. The optimal period for booking in rental companies is 6 weeks before receiving the car. If you book early, two days before receiving the car, you can cancel the order without any penalties.

Which car to choose for rent

The compact model is relevant for city trips in Switzerland. It can be Citroen C1 or Opel Corsa. Mountain routes require a more powerful four-wheel drive vehicle - Renault Megane Estate or similar model. You can order an SUV for just €32 per day;

What you need to pay attention to at the time of receiving a car

Before picking up, you are required to carefully inspect the car and point out to the rental company manager for scratches, damage and defects, such as dirty seat upholstery. You should check the ignition and the fuel level in the tank. You need to know the conditions for returning the car - where exactly, with what amount of fuel to return the car.

The rental agreement must include a telephone number to contact the rental company. It is designed so that customers can get help in emergency situations, such as when a car breaks down or in the event of an accident. A call to the rental company should be done first, even before the arrival of the police.

Insurance advice

When you pick up your rental car, you need to take it seriously. This is especially true if you do not intend to purchase additional insurance. You should carefully inspect the received car and fix all scratches, dents, and other defects in the contract. It is also recommended to take a picture of the existing damage to the car, its number, write down the name of the rental company employee.

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What types of insurance are available for car rental?

Third Party Liability (TPL). This is a third party liability protection. If you are the culprit of an accident, the insurance will compensate for the costs of the victims for you.
Collision Damage Waiver (CDW). This is to protect your vehicle from any damage. She works with a franchise. This is the amount that you will have to pay in case of damage in any case. The company will cover anything over the limit. The insurance does not cover theft.
Theft Waiver (T.W.). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.

Check out the fuel policy

For trips over long distances, it is better to choose the option with the already included payment for a full tank. If you have a short trip, then this service is inappropriate. Be sure to read the fuel policy before making a booking:

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If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.

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Mileage without limits

The rental company may set a daily mileage limit. You will have to pay extra for exceeding the limit. Please check this condition before booking. It is possible that a more expensive rental option will turn out to be more profitable in the end: it will not require any additional expenses. To filter cars with unlimited mileage - use the "Mileage" filter in the search results.

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Compare conditions of different rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Switzerland, you should carefully read all the terms of the rental. This is due to the fact that different companies may differ not only in rental prices, but also in conditions for limiting mileage, the cost of additional services, and the amount of the deposit. To compare rental conditions, it is convenient to use the search and booking system on our website.

Which rental company to choose

It is recommended to rent a car in trusted companies, that is, in those whose services you have already used. You can also focus on the rating of our site, which is displayed next to the name of the company in the search results.

Ceteris paribus, preference should be given to larger companies that have a high level of service and a large selection of cars. The best rental companies in Switzerland are EUROPCAR with an average rating of 9.9 points and SIXT (rating - 9).

Car pick-up procedure

Getting a rented car in Switzerland is as follows: You show the manager a voucher, as well as the necessary documents - a passport and an international driver's license. The manager draws up a lease agreement, after which the agreed amount of the security deposit will be blocked on your bank card. Before receiving the car, it is necessary to inspect it, fix the existing damage and inform the manager about them.

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Based on 8255 reviews

Tony

4,8

Without a doubt, I will continue to use Bookingautos on a regular basis. Thank you very much for your assistance!

Michael

4,7

Excellent value for money. The pick-up process was a little confusing, but I would use it again!

Luna

4,5

The search was very simple to use, the price was really low, and there were no problems with the rental car company.

Jody

4,9

Everything proceeded as expected. The complete coverage compensation really worked.

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