Switzerland car rentals

On average a rental car in Switzerland costs $80 per day.

Compact (Volkswagen Golf or similar) is the most frequently booked rental car type in Switzerland.

In the past 72 hours, the cheapest rental cars were found at Sixt ($28/day), Budget ($32/day) and Hertz ($35/day).

Based on ratings and reviews from real users on KAYAK, the best car rental companies in Switzerland are Europcar (8.6, 50 reviews), Hertz (8.1, 83 reviews), and Sixt (7.7, 160 reviews).

Take a look at our extensive car rental location map to find the best rental cars near you.

Based on car searches on KAYAK, the most popular cities to rent a car in Switzerland are Zurich (49% of total searches of users looking to rent a car in Switzerland), Geneva (37%) and Basel (10%).

On average a rental car in Switzerland costs $450 per week ($64 per day).

On average a rental car in Switzerland costs $1,929 per month ($64 per day).

Driving in Switzerland is generally considered to be a comfortable experience, with well-maintained roads and an abundance of highways. Drivers unused to winter conditions should consider taking it slowly in stormy or icy weather, especially when driving over steep mountain passes. There are few toll roads in the country, but anyone wishing to use the highway network will need to buy a toll sticker for around 40 CHF (40 USD) for a year of access. These are usually provided by rental agencies, but if not, they can be purchased from post offices or other outlets.

To rent a car in Switzerland, drivers need to be at least 18 and have held their license for a minimum of one year. Most domestic driver’s licenses are accepted if printed in English, but otherwise, an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) will be required. Some agencies, such as Enterprise, charge an additional daily fee of around 26 CHF (26 USD) for drivers under 25 years old.

Gas stations are common throughout the country, especially in urban or highway areas, and there are an increasing number of self-service options that accept credit cards or even cash directly at the pump. Most stations are open from 8 am to 10 pm, but some highway locations may offer a 24h service. Gas prices are comparable to the rest of Europe, while diesel is more expensive: a liter of gasoline costs around 1,50 CHF (1.50 USD) and a liter of diesel around 1,70 CHF (1.70 USD). That equals 5.67 USD for a gallon of gasoline and 6.43 USD for a gallon of diesel.

Speed limits in Switzerland might vary depending on the safety and location of the road, so it is important to observe local signs to avoid high speeding fines. Urban areas usually have a limit of 30-50 km/h (18-31 mph), while national rural roads are capped at 80-100 km/h (50-62 mph). Highways have a top speed of 120 km/h (74 mph).