Cheap Car Rentals in Lugano

Budget cars - from 7€/day · Choose electric from 26€/day · Convertibles starting at 40€/day

Considering a Car Rental in Lugano? Everything You Need to Know:

Cheap Car Rentals in Lugano

Lugano, a picturesque city in southern Switzerland, offers visitors a perfect blend of Swiss and Italian cultures. If you're planning a trip to this stunning lakeside destination, renting a car can be an excellent way to explore the city and its surrounding areas. Bookingautos is here to help you find the best car rental deals in Lugano, comparing offers from both international and local companies to ensure you get the most value for your money.

Why Rent a Car in Lugano?

Renting a car in Lugano provides you with the freedom to explore the city and its beautiful surroundings at your own pace. While public transportation is available, having your own vehicle allows you to:

  • Visit nearby attractions like Monte San Salvatore and Monte Brè
  • Take day trips to charming villages in the Ticino region
  • Explore the stunning Lake Lugano and its shoreline
  • Travel to neighboring Italian towns with ease

What to Consider When Renting a Car in Lugano

Before booking your rental car, keep these factors in mind:

  • Driving requirements: You must be at least 18 years old and have a valid driver's license. An International Driving Permit is recommended for non-EU licenses.
  • Insurance: Check if your travel insurance covers car rentals or consider purchasing additional coverage.
  • Parking: Lugano has limited parking spaces, so look for accommodations that offer parking facilities.
  • Road conditions: Swiss roads are generally well-maintained, but mountain routes can be challenging for inexperienced drivers.
  • Fuel costs: Gas prices in Switzerland are relatively high, so factor this into your budget.

Navigating Lugano and Beyond

Lugano's city center is compact and easily walkable, but a car becomes invaluable when venturing outside the city limits. Be sure to familiarize yourself with Swiss traffic rules and road signs before setting out. When planning your itinerary, consider visiting the Swiss Miniature Village in Melide or taking a scenic drive along the Olive Trail between Gandria and Castagnola.

With Bookingautos, you can compare car rental options from various providers in Lugano, ensuring you find the perfect vehicle for your Swiss adventure. Whether you're looking for a compact car for city driving or a larger vehicle for family trips, we've got you covered. Book your Lugano car rental with confidence and get ready to explore this beautiful corner of Switzerland on your own terms.

Video Guide to Must-Visit Locations

Where to Park Your Rental Car in Lugano

Lugano, a picturesque Swiss city, offers various parking options for your rental car. Here are some convenient choices:

City Center Parking

  • Autosilo Balestra: Located near the city center, this garage offers 24/7 access.
  • Autosilo Motta: Situated close to the train station, it's ideal for day trips.
  • Piazza Castello: An open-air parking area in the heart of the city.

Lakefront Parking

  • Lido Car Park: Perfect for beach-goers and those exploring the lakeside.
  • Palazzo dei Congressi: Convenient for events and lakeside strolls.

Remember to check parking rates and time limits, as they may vary. Many hotels in Lugano also offer parking for guests, which can be a convenient option if you're staying overnight. Always lock your rental car and avoid leaving valuables visible to ensure a worry-free visit to this beautiful Swiss city.

Good to know

Most Popular Agency

Europcar

Most popular car class

Compact

Average price

25 € / Day

Best price

18 € / Day

Monthly price chart. Approximate prices for 7 days rental

January
€199
February
€128
March
€126
April
€144
May
€177
June
€222
July
€241
August
€244
September
€158
October
€120
November
€117
December
€158

* Prices are based on orders processed over the previous 2 years.

A percentage showing the monthly occupancy of the fleet of available vehicles. During August, there is a maximum demand for car rental, which entails a decrease in the range of cars available for order. You should take care of booking a car in Lugano in advance, this will allow you to get the preferred option on the most favorable financial terms.

The best time to rent a car in Lugano is November. This month, rental prices are minimal, below the annual average by 34%, and start from €19 for a Compact car.

Convertibles are especially popular in summer. It is difficult to find a free car for rent, and you will have to pay more than usual for a trip with a breeze. Renting BMW 2 Series Cabrio during Summer period can costs €145 per day.

Car rentals in nearest cities

Nearest airports

Lugano Airport
3.1 km / 1.9 miles
Saint Moritz Airport
92.7 km / 57.6 miles
Zurich airport
163 km / 101.3 miles
Basel Airport
207.3 km / 128.8 miles
Geneva airport Switzerland
220 km / 136.7 miles

Nearest cities

Locarno
21.4 km / 13.3 miles
Saint Moritz
87.5 km / 54.4 miles
Interlaken
112.7 km / 70 miles
Lucerne
125.9 km / 78.2 miles
Gartenhofstrasse Zurich
155 km / 96.3 miles
Zurich
155.1 km / 96.4 miles
Bern
155.5 km / 96.6 miles
Lausanne Avenue De La Gare
186.8 km / 116.1 miles
Lausanne
187.3 km / 116.4 miles

Average prices for 1 day rental for different car classes:

4x
2x
A/C
3x
Citroen C1
Citroen C1
€14 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
4x
Ford Fiesta
Ford Fiesta
€18 / Day
5x
3x
A/C
4x
Audi A4
Audi A4
€32 / Day
5x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Foxus Estate
Ford Foxus Estate
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
5x
BMW X1
BMW X1
€33 / Day
4x
3x
A/C
4x
BMW 5 series
BMW 5 series
€45 / Day
8x
4x
A/C
5x
Ford Tourneo
Ford Tourneo
€55 / Day
4x
2x
A/C
2x
BMW 4 Cabrio
BMW 4 Cabrio
€65 / Day

Bookingautos offers a wide range of cars of any class. In Lugano you can rent a convertible, SUV, sedan, minivan, as well as a business class car. Our rental fleet consists of new cars manufactured in 2024 year.

What affects the cost of renting a car in Lugano? These are three indicators: car class, time of year and rental period. The highest prices are in summer, and the lowest are in autumn and winter. The tariff is reduced if you order the service for a long time. Some specific examples: a compact model Opel Astra in March-April costs about €19 per day. But book a car right away for a week - and the price will drop to €15 per day. These are standard prices for budget cars. The middle class will cost an average of €44-€33 per 24 hours. This can be Mercedes CLA, Fiat Tipo Estate or BMW X1. In Lugano convertibles can be rented for a minimum of €74. Luxury models raise the bar to €145 per day. Some exclusive cars are valued at more than 400€ per day.

In recent years in Lugano 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 BMW i3 in Lugano 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!

10 Smart Tips to Make the Most of Your Car Rental

Download Google maps for offline access

Download the map in the Google Maps mobile app in advance. Select the desired area, type "OK MAPS" in the search box and start the search. Then wait for the map to save. Ready! Navigation will work even without an internet connection - thanks to the GPS function. It is present in all modern smartphones. You can not only find the desired address, but also build a route. And all this is free.

Lugano 1

Book a car in advance

Lugano is now in ever-increasing demand, which affects the high demand for car rental. By booking online, you can avoid any unpleasant surprises after you arrive at your destination. Both with the car itself and with its rent.

It is better to book a car at least one and a half months before the trip. As the required date approaches, the number of available offers is reduced, and the cost of the remaining models increases. If plans change and the trip is postponed, then you can cancel the rental without any sanctions 2 days before it starts.

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 Fiat Panda or Opel Astra. These models are the most popular with our customers in Lugano.

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 €43 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

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.

Lugano 2

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.
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 Lugano 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.

Lugano 3

Mileage without limits

Before renting a car, you should check with the rental company if there is a limit on the daily mileage for a car. Typically, tourists use a rental car to travel not only around the city, but also to travel to neighboring cities and even countries. If such a restriction exists, it is recommended to choose a rental option where there is no limit. In this case, the total cost of mileage will be lower, since you will not have to pay extra for exceeding the mileage. On our site, in the search results, check the filter "Unlimited mileage" to see the offers you need.

Lugano 4

Compare prices and conditions from different car rental companies

When choosing a rental car in Lugano, 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

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.Lugano 5

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 Lugano are sixt with an average rating of 9.8 points and budget (rating - 9.7).

Car pick-up procedure

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.

Our main advantages

24/7 support in all popular languages
Change or cancel within 48 hours for free!
No additional fees

Car rental reviews: Lugano

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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