Car hires in Switzerland

When you’re booking car hire in Switzerland, there aren’t any unusual traffic laws that you need to be aware of. Perhaps the only really notable legal requirement is that all cars need to have a motor vignette. This is an obligatory road tax sticker, without which you won’t be allowed to drive on the country’s national road network, or Nationalstrassennetz. However, you’ll be pleased to know that all rental cars come with a vignette already attached. Just make sure that it’s there before you drive off. Otherwise, the laws are pretty standard, like other European countries. You will be driving on the right, so a good tip is to choose an automatic when you rent a car, as it can be quite disconcerting changing gears with your right hand at first. Swiss law also requires that you have your headlights on during the day. Don't forget to keep an eye out for cyclists, as they have the right of way at many intersections and make sure you always stop at pedestrian crossings.

The first legal requirement to rent a car in Switzerland is that you need to be at least 20 years old. At the same time, one car hire company may have different car rental policies to another. You may only be able to hire more powerful cars if you’re over the age of 25, while others may allow you to do so, but for a surcharge. You’d do well book child seats at the same time as your car hire if you are travelling with children under the age of 8, as they are required by law. Your car rental will include third-party liability insurance, so make sure you get the documentation and keep it in your car as proof in case the police ask to see it. All car rentals require you to present your driver’s licence and your passport.

You’ll encounter the heaviest traffic in Switzerland in the cantons of Zurich and Geneva, which makes sense as these are also the largest and busiest cities in the country. The streets of Zurich are the most congested and rank among the top cities in Europe for traffic. If you have to drive through either of these cities to get to tourist attractions, it’s easier to park rental cars and use the city’s excellent and comprehensive public transport system instead. The busiest road in the country is the A2 motorway, which is the main route from south to north, linking the cities of Chiasso and Basel.

Given the fabled Swiss countryside, there are plenty of very attractive road trips that will vindicate your decision to book a car hire. In the Alps, you can take any number of scenic roads, but the Furka Pass route surpasses them all with its natural beauty and wonderful views. You’ll start at Obergoms and drive to Andermatt, passing the ice grotto at the Rhône Glacier along the way. This is a rather famous road too, as the car chase location for the Bond movie, “Goldfinger". To truly get in touch with traditional Swiss folklore, take the Appenzell to St Moritz road trip. You’ll travel through Switzerland’s iconic patchwork of dairy farms and meadows that we all know from the tales of Heidi. With all this on offer, booking rental cars is the way to go.

Whether you hire or own a car in Switzerland, you are required by law to drive on the right. Keep in mind that if you do not feel comfortable driving on this side of the road, you can always call a taxi or opt for a ride share.

The road network in Switzerland has been scored 5.9 for its quality (1 lowest, 7 highest). This puts it at 9 in the world out of 137 other countries. Roads will vary significantly within the country’s different regions, so use scores as a rough guide or reference for comparison.

The highest Blood Alcohol Concentration you can have in Switzerland while still legally able to operate a vehicle is 2.38 mg/l. However, some regions or cities within Switzerland might have different BAC limits, so it’s important to do your research before you travel. Note that the legal drinking age in Switzerland is 16. Steeper penalties will be given to those driving a vehicle who are under the legal drinking age.

Last week, the price of petrol in Switzerland was £1.63 per litre on average. This is subject to change based the city you visit, time of year, and the country’s current economy. If you change your mind about hiring a car in Switzerland, Kuwait has some of the lowest petrol prices in the world at £0.28 per litre as of last week. Hong Kong, in comparison, has on average the most expensive prices at £2.47 per litre but is still a great option for those looking to rent a car.

Prices for cars in Switzerland are updated daily.

There are 663 operators available for cars in Switzerland as of December 2023.

Among different countries, including Switzerland, the minimum age for drivers varies. In numerous EU countries, drivers must be 18 years old. To hire a car overseas, you'll generally need to be at least 21, and if you're under 25, a young driver surcharge may be imposed. It's recommended that you review the policy of the rental company you're considering before booking.

All drivers must have a valid full driving license when renting a car in Switzerland. If the license is written in a different language from the country of rental, an International Driving Permit may be required to avoid the risk of potential fines. If you're renting a car overseas, you may also need to provide proof of return travel and accommodation information during your stay. It is always advisable to check with the individual rental company you're booking with.

Using momondo to book a car hire in Switzerland could save you time and money. momondo searches thousands of car hire websites and locations to provide you with a wide selection of options and cars to choose from.

momondo makes it easier for you to find great car hire in Switzerland, by allowing you to refine your search with numerous filtering options. You can narrow your selection by looking at price, car type, location and more.

Yes momondo does have a filter to only highlight car hire deals which offer free cancellation. This filter is available for all car hire searches on momondo including those for cars in Switzerland.

Yes, momondo has a filter for fair fuel policies on car hire in Switzerland.

Yes, momondo can show you specific deals which include enhanced cleaning on car hire in Switzerland.

Yes, unlimited mileage options can be found on car hire in Switzerland on momondo.