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Home/Destinations/Switzerland
From €9/day
Explore Switzerland on your own schedule

Car rental in Switzerland

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Rent a car in Switzerland
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Popular cities in Switzerland

Zurich
Zurich
Geneva
Geneva
Basel
Basel
Bern
Bern

Why drive in Switzerland

Switzerland s trains are excellent, but a car opens up quieter valleys and alpine passes at your own rhythm. Drive from Zurich to Interlaken via Luzern and the Bruning Pass, stopping at lakes, cable cars and small farm shops.

Routes over the Furka, Grimsel or Susten Pass reward confident drivers with glaciers and sweeping views. With a rental you can link villages, trailheads and picnic spots without watching timetables, especially in rural regions.

At a glance
Drives onRight
Motorway tollVignette required
CurrencySwiss Franc (CHF)
Min. rental age21 years

Good to know before you drive

The essentials for a smooth, ticket-free trip.

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Speed limits

Town50 km/h
Open road90 km/h
Motorway130 km/h
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Parking

Paid short-stay zones in city centres — buy a ticket and display it.

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Alcohol limit

Typically 0.05% blood-alcohol limit; lower for new drivers.

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Vignette / tolls

Check whether a motorway vignette or tolls apply — many rentals include one.

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Practical Information for Drivers

Fines for violations of road traffic regulations in Zurich

In Switzerland, not only watches but also drivers on the roads are exemplary. It is very likely that the secret of Swiss drivers' strict discipline lies not only in their mindset but also in the level of fines for violations of road traffic regulations set out in the legislation in force.

Driving through a red light 150 Euro
Overtaking on the wrong side 150 Euro
Driving on the hard shoulder 100 Euro
Not wearing a seat belt 150 Euro
Parking with the engine running 70 Euro

The police officer will issue a receipt to the offender. This must be paid within 3 days at any bank branch.

Speed limits in Switzerland

Speeding is one of the most serious road traffic offences in Switzerland. The authorities put every effort into combating fans of fast driving. Police officers, speed cameras and radar guns strictly monitor order on the roads.

  • The maximum speed allowed in built-up areas is 50 km/h
  • The speed must not exceed 80 km/h on main roads
  • You may accelerate to no more than 120 km/h on motorways.

In some cases, the standard speed limit can change. Therefore, carefully follow the road signs.

Parking in Switzerland

Car renters in Switzerland should remember that illegal parking can result not only in a fine, but also in the removal of the car to a pound. At the same time, there are many car parks in Switzerland.

  • White zones

Parking in a white zone is ideal. You can leave your car in this zone for as long as you wish. In addition, it is allowed to park in a white zone completely free of charge.

  • Blue and yellow zones

Cars can be parked in yellow and blue zones for as long as necessary. However, in order to leave your car in these zones, you need to buy special parking vouchers, which are valid for one month.

Cost of fuel in Basel

There are not very many petrol stations in Switzerland. Therefore, always check how much fuel is left in the tank so as not to find yourself in a difficult situation. Most petrol stations in Switzerland are fully automated and therefore more convenient. The average price for fuel in Europe is as follows:

  • One litre of 95 costs 1.44 Euro
  • One litre of 98 costs 1.48 Euro
  • One litre of diesel costs 1.53 Euro.

At petrol stations, you can pay by any method convenient for you.

Toll roads in Switzerland

There are not many toll roads in Switzerland. If you plan to travel around the country, you will not manage without a vignette. There is only one type of vignette in Switzerland: the 1-year vignette. Therefore, you will never go wrong when buying it. The vignette must be fixed in the upper right corner of the windscreen.

In Switzerland, in addition to toll roads, there are also toll tunnels and bridges. When driving through them, the vignette is not valid. You must pay for using them on site. It is better to do this in cash.

What drivers say about Switzerland

★★★★★★4.5
★★★★★ 4

"We travelled as a family with two kids and the car was spotless, with enough boot space for all our luggage and a stroller. Pick-up was smooth and staff friendly, though the child seat fitting instructions could have been clearer."

L
Livia
Switzerland
★★★★★ 4

"Nice, clean car for our weekend trip and easy pick-up. Only small issue was a short wait at the counter when we arrived tired from the flight."

L
Luca
Switzerland
★★★★★★ 3.5

"We booked a car for a road trip with friends. The vehicle was comfortable and handled mountain roads well. Check-in was fine, but we were disappointed by how limited the choice of cars was at pick-up versus what we’d reserved."

S
Seraina
Switzerland
More reviews →

Renting in Switzerland — FAQ

For the best choice and rates in Switzerland, it is wise to book 4–8 weeks before your trip, especially for Zurich, Geneva and ski regions in winter. During Christmas, New Year and school holidays, popular vehicle classes can sell out, so early booking avoids last-minute price spikes and limited availability at airport and major train-station locations.
In Switzerland the deposit is normally released within 3–10 working days after you return the car in good condition, but it can take longer to appear due to your bank. If there are fines, missing fuel or damage, the rental company may keep part of the deposit and send an itemised statement.
The excess is the maximum amount you pay if the car is damaged or stolen, even when basic insurance is included. In Switzerland it typically ranges from about CHF 800 to CHF 2,500, depending on vehicle class. You can often buy extra cover to reduce the excess significantly, or in some cases down to zero, for an additional daily fee.
Most Swiss rental desks require a main driver credit card for the security deposit. However, some local suppliers and special offers allow debit cards or even no-deposit, no-credit-card deals, usually on smaller car groups. These offers are limited and have stricter conditions, so always check the payment and deposit rules before you confirm.
Average prices vary by season and city, but a small car in Switzerland typically costs around CHF 65–120 per day. Winter, weekends and airport pickups tend to be more expensive, especially near major ski resorts. Larger vehicles, automatics and premium brands can be considerably higher, particularly during peak holiday periods.
Bookingcar lets you quickly compare prices from many Swiss and international rental brands in one search. You can see real-time availability at airports, city depots and major train stations, filter by car type, mileage and fuel policy, and choose the deal that offers the best value, without having to visit multiple websites individually.
If you return the car late in Switzerland, rental companies may charge a late fee or an extra rental day once you pass the grace period, which is often 29–59 minutes but varies. Prolonged delays can be billed at the local daily rate, sometimes higher than your original price. Always contact the rental office in advance if you expect to be late.
  • Built-up areas (towns, villages): usually 50 km/h
  • Some residential / special zones: 30 km/h or 20 km/h (clearly signed)
  • Rural roads: generally 80 km/h
  • Expressways (autostrassen): typically 100 km/h
  • Motorways (autobahnen): usually 120 km/h
Always follow local signs, as temporary or local limits override the general rules.
Switzerland imposes high fines for speeding, mobile phone use without hands-free, and other offences. Minor violations may incur on-the-spot or postal fines, while serious speeding can lead to very large penalties, licence suspension, or vehicle confiscation. Rental companies also charge administration fees when they pass on official fines to you.
The general legal limit in Switzerland is 0.5 g/l (0.05% BAC). For new drivers and certain professional drivers, a lower limit of 0.1 g/l (0.01% BAC) often applies. Penalties for drink-driving are strict and may include heavy fines, licence suspension and criminal charges, so the safest approach is not to drive after drinking at all.
Fuel prices change frequently, but as a guide in recent conditions: petrol (95) is often around CHF 1.80–2.10 per litre, and diesel around CHF 1.80–2.05 per litre. Motorway service stations can be slightly more expensive than supermarkets or local stations, so checking prices along your route can save money.
Switzerland uses a motorway vignette system instead of per-use toll booths. Most rental cars already include a valid vignette sticker for Swiss motorways. If you drive on certain tunnels or cross-border routes, you may encounter additional specific tolls. Using motorways without a valid vignette can lead to on-the-spot fines from the police.

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