Looking to Rent a Car in Bern? Here’s Your Go-To Information Guide
Bern is located in the heart of Europe in the middle of the Alps, meadows and the Aare River. Bern was founded at the end of the 12th century, its architecture has hardly changed, and the historic center of the city is included in the world heritage UNESCO.
The history of Bern, according to some scholars, begins right before our era, in the Roman Empire. Namely, in the years of the Celts, around the 2nd century BC. BC
Bern was officially founded by King Berthold 5 in 1191. The mention as a city dates back to 1208. This time corresponds to the numerous chronicles of Bern in 1309 and 1430.
In 1218, King Berthold dies and the Holy Roman Empire, led by Frederick 2, becomes the owner of Bern. Imperial status was granted.
But dissatisfied with this, the monks of one monastery forged this charter, including powerful privileges in it, thereby making the city almost independent. It was called the “Golden Charter of Bern”.
In 1272, the new King Rudolf 1 of Habsburg recognized it. With the accession to the "Union of Eight Lands" in 1353, he declared independence, but paid for it with a 35-year war with the empire, which eventually recognized sovereignty in 1389.
In the 18th century, Switzerland was under the occupation of France, and in 1848 the government offices of Switzerland were located in Bern.
Geography and climate.
Bern is located in the very center of Europe in the middle of the Alps and meadows. It is the de facto capital of Switzerland and houses only government offices. Many mistakenly think that this is the main city of the country. It turns out that in fact it is the capital, but not legally. Area - 51.6 km², population - approximately 135 thousand people.
The climate is temperate continental with rainy and warm summers, but cool winters with frequent thaws. July average T +18°C, January average T -1°C.
What to see in Bern?
Like many cities in the Old World, the city itself is one big attraction. You walk around Bern and you can’t tell whether you are in a fairy tale, the Middle Ages or modernity. From its historical center, houses, the Aare River, meadows and the Alps, you get incredible aesthetic pleasure!
TNow let's move on to museums:
1. Historical Museum of Bern. The museum is located, one might say, in a palace built in the 19th century. It presents the history of Switzerland. Its fund contains more than 250,000 exhibits. Among them: works of masters from Venice, a collection of masterpieces of the 15th century and Islamic art. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the great physicist Albert Einstein.
2. Einstein Museum. This is another museum dedicated to Albert Einstein. The apartment where Einstein lived (the museum itself) is quite modest. But it was here that he developed the theory of relativity in 1905. Albert lived here from 1902-1907, and everything in the apartment has been restored to the smallest detail, it permeates the beginning of the 20th century.
3. Kunsthalle. This art center hosts exhibitions of 20th and 21st century European and Swiss art.
4. Alpines Museum. This unique museum is located next to the Historical and Kunsthalle. It tells about the geology, history, ecology, life of the inhabitants of the Swiss Alps. The museum presents climbing equipment and equipment.
Other Bern sights.
As already mentioned, there are a lot of places in Bern that are definitely worth a visit. In addition to museums, there are other places of interest.
1. Zytglogge Belfry. This is a unique building of the 12th century, probably one of the most beautiful in Switzerland. It used to be the western gate of the city, but then the functions changed.
2. Berner Münster. The whole of Bern is unique: this is what UNESCO recognizes. And this is a fact, since Bern is full of sights, its historical center has not changed much. Bernese Cathedral is a Gothic Protestant church. Construction began in 1421 and continued for more than a hundred years.
3. Federal Council Building. This is the Swiss parliament, meeting in a late Renaissance building. It was built in the 19th century. The Federal Council is located close to the river Are. The farmers' fair takes place on Tuesday and Saturday in the square next to Parliament.
4. City Hall. This is a unique historical building built in the 15th century. It houses the city council.
What to see in the suburbs of Bern?
The suburbs of the city are very picturesque. Suitable for photographers, artists and lovers of beautiful life! Its surroundings are unusual landscapes, Alps, rivers and lakes. One of them is Handeck Falls. It is called the most beautiful in the Alps, but the best view is from the 70-meter suspension bridge.
In the Emme Valley, Swiss cheese makers made the famous Emmental cheese. The milk intended for its production is given by local cows grazing in the meadows. The best place to try cheese is Affoltern im Emmental.
What and where to eat deliciously in Bern.
Switzerland, one might say, is “squashed by other larger European powers. Therefore, the cuisine was formed by adopting the traditions of Germany, Italy and France with the addition of local traditions. Depending on the location of the region, Switzerland prefers different cuisines. In regions located near Germany, sausages and sausages are prepared; next to France fondue and raclette; and pasta with Italy. Let's talk about restaurants.
Restaurants here are expensive - cheaper Asian and Italian ones. Below is a list of decent restaurants.
Altes Tramdepot Brauerei und Restaurant. This restaurant is located in a park with a beautiful view of the Aare River. This is a bar with its own brewery. Address: Grosser Muristalden 6, 3006 Bern. Phone: +41 313 68 14 15.
Kornhauskeller. This restaurant attracts tourists with its appearance and interior. It is luxurious and amazing. Address: Kornhauspl. 18, 3011 Bern. Phone: +41 31 327 72 72.
Della Casa. This restaurant is expensive but attractive. It prepares traditional Swiss cuisine, and opened already in 1892. Address: Schauplatzgasse 16, 3011 Bern. Phone: +41 31 311 21 42.
Gourmanderie Moléson. This restaurant is located in the historic center of Bern. The menu is quite varied. All dishes are prepared from organic meat and plants.
Transport
Bern's transport is well developed. It is represented by buses, trams and funiculars. The city has an international Bern Airport. You can move around the city not only by public transport, but also by renting a car. Bookingautos.com will help you rent. The range includes cars from economy to premium class.
Bern parking lots
They are probably the headache of all European cities: either there is no space, or it is very expensive. In Switzerland they have the following features:
Yellow zones - no parking allowed.
White zones - paid parking. But at night and sometimes on weekends it is free. The price is directly proportional to the area: the closer to the center, the more expensive.
Blue zones - parking is free for one hour with a parking card. It is purchased from the police, in rented cars it is sometimes included in the kit, also at banks and at gas stations.
Red zones - parking is free for 15 hours. The conditions are the same as in the blue zones.
There are covered parking lots throughout Switzerland, but here you pay by parking meter.
Parking addresses will be shown below:
Klösterlistutz 4, 3013 Bern.
Kornhausstrasse 3, 3013 Bern.
Parkterrasse 14, 3012 Bern.
Effingerstrasse 20, 3008 Bern.
Postgasshalde 50, 3011 Bern.
Papiermühlestrasse 85, 3014 Bern.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Europcar
Most popular car class
Compact
Average price
26 € / Day
Best price
19 € / Day
How the price changes depending on the month
January
€193
February
€122
March
€135
April
€144
May
€172
June
€222
July
€241
August
€246
September
€160
October
€117
November
€117
December
€145
* Data calculated based on car bookings for the previous 2 years.
In August rental companies located in Bern rent much more cars than in the rest of the year. This month marks the smallest range of cars on offer and the highest rental prices. In such a high season, when the number of available cars is minimal, you should arrange a rental as early as possible. This will allow you to get the best rental option at the most favorable price.
The best time to rent a car in Bern is November. During this period the cost of renting a car of a compact category starts from €19, which is approximately 32% lower compared to the average price during a year.
The highest demand for car rental occurs in summer. The cost increases, on average, by 30-50% and the choice of available cars is significantly reduced. For example, in July, the average price for a popular car model VW Jetta is €74per day.
Our rental office in Bern can offer you a wide selection of over 40 car models. You can rent exact car model. All cars are new and technically fully functional.
The cost of renting a car depends, first of all, on its class and period of use. The longer the rental, the lower its daily rate. The price for economy class cars in high season starts from €24 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €29-€81, for a business class car - €46 and above. In summer, during the high season, the cost of renting increases significantly, especially convertibles and rare models. For example, the minimum daily rental price for BMW 4 Cabrio, a very popular in Bern, would be around €74 per day.
In recent years in Bern the demand for electric rental cars has been growing steadily. Their popularity is due to the presence of numerous free parking lots and recharging stations. You will be able to rent Tesla Model S in Bern by selecting start and end dates of the rental in the search filter.
Required documents for rental cars
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download desired area of Google maps for offline access
All modern smartphones have a GPS function. You can save on the "Navigator" service and roaming charges for the Internet if you download maps in the Google Maps application in advance. Offline maps also support route building and navigation. To download a map - open the area you need by controlling the scale, and enter "ok maps" in the search.
Book a car 6 weeks in advance
Bern 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 Bern. 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
Choose a car according to the purpose of your trip. You can drive around the city and its surroundings in a compact car Citroen C1 or Ford Focus. These models are the most popular with our customers in Bern.
In the mountains, more powerful transport will be required. Pay attention to the volume of the engine - it must be more than 1.6 liters. An all-wheel drive crossover would be ideal. Fiat Tipo Estate will cost €45 per day. By the way, before leaving, do not forget to refuel with a margin. On the rises, the fuel goes one and a half to two times more. Gas stations in mountain villages are rare.
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 recommendations
Rental companies in Bern may offer different insurance options. They differ in price and set of options. Here are the basic types:
Third Party Liability (TPL)/Third Liability Protection (TLP). 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 Insurance (TI)/Theft Protection (TP)/Theft Waiver (TW). This is car theft protection. Operates with a franchise.
Super Loss Damage Waiver (SLDW)/Theft Protection+Collision Damage Waiver (TP+CDW). Full protection against theft and damage, even if you are the culprit of the accident.
Personal Accident Insurance (PAI). This is medical insurance for the driver and passengers.
If you want to save money and choose the cheapest insurance, carefully inspect the car upon receipt. Make sure the machine is not damaged.
Fuel prepayment terms
When renting a car, you should pay attention to the fuel policy of rental companies. Often, when renting, tourists have to pay the cost of a full tank of fuel. This option is suitable for long-term rentals and long trips. But if you're only renting Bern for a day or two, or if you're only planning short trips, such as to a small island, then you probably won't need a full tank. You can get acquainted with the fuel policy in the "Important information" section of the car you have chosen.
Rent without mileage limit
According to the rental conditions, the mileage can be limited or unlimited. Travel lovers should choose the option without a limit. It will cost more, but in the end it will save. Check the appropriate box to filter offers with unlimited mileage.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Bern, 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
When renting a car in Bern, you should carefully read all the conditions offered by the rental company. Depending on the specific company, they may differ in mileage, insurance coverage, deposit amount, accompanying services and their cost. You should choose proven and reliable companies that offer new cars and stand out due to the well-thought-out organization of work with customers. Additionally, you can study the rating of distributors, which is also available on our website.
If we talk about the best companies in Bern, then it is worth highlighting sixt with a rating 9.8 and budget, the average rating of which is 9.7 points.
Getting a car at a rental office
Before signing a car rental agreement, it should be carefully checked for damage and defects. Do not be shy to point out the identified problems and problems - then you will not have to answer for them. When returning, pay attention to the fuel in the tank. Its volume must correspond to that prescribed in the agreement.
Also, do not ignore the phone number provided by the technical support representative when concluding the contract. After all, even the most experienced driver is not insured against a breakdown, accident or other force majeure event. In such a case, contact a specialist before the arrival of the police.
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Car rental reviews: Bern
Based on 8255 reviews
Rate 4,8/5
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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