Renting a car in Lausanne can be an excellent way to explore the beautiful Swiss city and its surrounding areas. Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals from both international and local companies. Here's your guide to renting a car in Lausanne:
Choosing the Right Vehicle
When selecting a car, consider the following factors:
Size: Lausanne's streets can be narrow, so a compact or mid-size car is often ideal.
Transmission: Most rentals in Switzerland are manual, but automatic options are available.
Fuel efficiency: Petrol prices can be high, so consider a fuel-efficient model.
Season: If visiting in winter, opt for a car with winter tires or all-wheel drive.
Rental Requirements
To rent a car in Lausanne, you'll need:
A valid driver's license (held for at least one year)
Passport or ID card
Credit card for the deposit
Minimum age of 21 (some companies require 25 for certain vehicle categories)
Driving in Lausanne
Keep these tips in mind when driving in and around Lausanne:
Drive on the right side of the road
Wear seatbelts at all times
Observe speed limits (50 km/h in urban areas, 120 km/h on highways)
Be prepared for mountain driving and potential snow in winter
Parking in Lausanne
Parking in Lausanne can be challenging. Look for public parking garages or "P+R" (Park and Ride) facilities on the outskirts of the city. When parking on the street, pay attention to signs indicating time limits and fees.
Exploring the Region
With your rental car, you can easily explore the beautiful Lavaux vineyards, a UNESCO World Heritage site, or take a scenic drive along Lake Geneva. For a longer excursion, consider visiting the charming town of Gruyères, famous for its medieval castle and delicious cheese.
By choosing Bookingautos for your car rental needs in Lausanne, you'll have access to a wide range of vehicles at competitive prices. Our comparison service ensures you get the best deal, allowing you to focus on enjoying your Swiss adventure to the fullest.
Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations
Where to Park Your Rental Car in Lausanne
Lausanne offers various parking options for your rental car, ensuring convenience during your visit. Here are some recommended places to park:
City Center Parking
Parking de la Riponne: A centrally located underground parking garage with easy access to the old town.
Parking du Centre: Situated near the main shopping area, perfect for exploring the city center.
Parking de Montbenon: Offers stunning views of Lake Geneva and is close to cultural attractions.
Park and Ride Options
For longer stays or day trips, consider these Park and Ride facilities:
Vennes P+R: Located north of the city with direct metro access to the center.
Ouchy P+R: Situated by the lakeside, ideal for combining city and lake activities.
Remember to check parking rates and time limits, as they may vary depending on the location and duration of your stay.
Good to know
Most Popular Agency
Europcar
Most popular car class
Standard
Average price
28 € / Day
Best price
20 € / Day
Average cost per week of rental in Lausanne
January
€186
February
€121
March
€126
April
€141
May
€182
June
€224
July
€231
August
€256
September
€154
October
€123
November
€117
December
€145
* Data is calculated based on car bookings for the previous 365 days.
In August rental companies located in Lausanne 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 Lausanne 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.
During the summer months in Lausanne there is a significant increase in demand for convertible rentals. This causes an increase in prices and the limited choice of such cars. A day of rental Audi A5 Cabrio will cost you €336.
We have a large selection of different car models in our fleet in Lausanne. You can rent convertibles, sedans, SUVs or minivans. You can easily select a car to your budget through a convenient online booking system.
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 €14 per day, for a medium class car you will have to pay €35-€48, for a business class car - €45 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 Audi A5 Cabrio, a very popular in Lausanne, would be around €82 per day.
Recently, in Lausanne has seen a rise in demand for electric car rentals. They do not pollute nature and save money. The city has free parking and cheap charging stations. To rent an electric car in Lausanne, select the appropriate filter in the car search and fill in the dates you need. The best option could be Hyundai Ioniq.
List of required documents
Driving license
Credit card
Voucher
Passport
Attention!
A valid international driver's license is required!
Top 10 Tips You Should Know
Download Google maps offline
Before the trip, we recommend that you download the necessary maps to the Google Maps application on your smartphone. This will allow you to build travel routes and use offline navigation on the ground. Thus, you can significantly save on Internet roaming charges, as well as on the "Navigator" service. Downloading the map is easy. You should select the required area, set the desired scale and enter "ok maps" in the search field.
Book a car in advance
Lausanne 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 Lausanne. 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
Tourists who expect to drive only around the city and its immediate surroundings prefer to rent compact cars, VW Up or Opel Corsa. For trips to the mountains, you need a car with increased power. You should go on such a trip with a full tank, as fuel consumption in the mountains increases one and a half to two times. An all-wheel drive crossover would be the ideal car for this. Renting Fiat Tipo Estate in Lausanne will cost €45 per day.
What you need to pay attention to when 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 Lausanne 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.
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:
If necessary, use the special filter to select the most convenient option for you.
Rent without mileage limit
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.
Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies
When choosing a rental car in Lausanne, 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.
How to choose a rental company
When renting a car in Lausanne, 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 Lausanne, 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
Getting a rented car in Lausanne 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.
Our main advantages
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Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
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Car rental reviews: Lausanne
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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