Compare Switzerland car hire

With lush valleys, snow-capped mountains, sparkling lakes and winding Alpine roads, Switzerland is fabulous driving country – and the excellent road network makes it easy to get around. Shop around in advance to find a car hire deal that lets you start exploring as soon as your flight touches down.

Language: German, French, Italian and Romansh | Currency: Swiss franc | Avg. Flight time: 1 hr 34 mins

You can pick up hire cars at all of Switzerland's major airports, including Zurich (ZRH), Geneva (GVA) and Bern (BRN). Road links from the airports are good – at both Geneva and Zurich you can be in the city in 15 minutes. Bern is the nearest airport to the spectacular Bernese Oberland, and is 40 minutes' drive from the mountain gateway city of Interlaken.

Most of the big international car rental brands operate in Switzerland. Avis, Budget, Thrifty, Enterprise, Europcar and Hertz are all here, with sites at major airports and in city centres – Hertz and Europcar are near Zurich station, for instance.

You'll also find some of the big brands at less busy airports such as Lugano (LUG) and Sion (SIR). Search and compare in advance and you’re sure to find a cheap rental car for your Swiss road trip.

Switzerland has excellent, well-maintained roads, including a comprehensive network of A roads and motorways. As in most European destinations, driving is on the right here. In general, tolls aren’t common, but you will have to pay a toll if you drive through the Great Saint Bernard tunnel, which is in the mountains near the border with Italy.

Parking in the major cities can be expensive, but there are some free spaces distributed throughout – unless you're desperate to save some money, it's usually easier to plump for a large multi-storey than to drive around hunting for an on-street space. Beyond the cities, and especially on the twisting roads in the mountains, driving is a real delight, with panoramic views opening up across stunning valleys. But do keep in mind that many mountain roads close in winter, and for those that don’t, you'll need an appropriate vehicle and an insurance policy that covers you.

You’ll find lots of car hire companies in the city centres of Zurich, Geneva and other key destinations. In Zurich, you’ll find great deals for 2024 at Budget, Europcar, Avis, Hertz, and more. In Geneva options include Hertz, Budget, Elite, Europcar, and Thrifty.

Bern

Historic Bern is old-world Europe at its finest – if you've flown into Zurich, you can drive there in one hour 20 minutes, and from Geneva it takes a little under two hours. The beautiful Old City of the Swiss capital is protected by UNESCO and packed with remarkable examples of architecture, some dating back as far as the 12th century. The driving route here from Geneva is especially gorgeous, hugging northern shores of Lake Geneva, and taking in views of Lake Neuchâtel too.

Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France

The skiing resorts of the Alps are iconic, and Chamonix Mont Blanc – perched just over the French border, in the shadow of western Europe's highest mountain – is among the most iconic of all. The drive can be tricky in winter, but there’s plenty to do in the summer months, as climbers and hikers explore the slopes and enjoy the picture-perfect town itself. It's an easy run from Geneva, taking a little over an hour.

Rhine Falls

These are the highest waterfalls in Europe, tumbling over a rocky precipice beside the town of Schaffhausen. Boat trips get you close enough for the spray to tickle you, and hiking trails lead you around the falls and into the surrounding countryside. If you can handle heights (and speeds) the best view probably comes from the 460-metre zipline at nearby Rhine Falls Adventure Park. This is a good trip from Zurich, taking just 40 minutes by car.

1. All cars need a Vignette tax sticker to drive on motorways. Your Swiss hire car should come with one, but check before setting off to avoid unexpected fines.
   
2. The Swiss do not mess around with speeding fines. Breaking the limit could cost you hundreds of francs, so watch that needle.
   
3. Like many European countries, Switzerland requires your lights to be on at all times – though sidelights are fine during the day.

Fair fuel policy

A fair fuel policy (also known as full-to-full or same-to-same) means you’ll only pay for the fuel you use. All car rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket come with a fair fuel policy, so you can book your hire car safe in the knowledge there will be no nasty surprises at drop-off. More information on TravelSupermarket’s commitment to fair fuel policies can be found here.

No hidden fees

All rental deals compared on TravelSupermarket include mandatory fees (for example, one-way and young driver surcharges) in your rental quote at the time of booking, meaning you’ll know the full price of your car hire upfront.