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Compare car rentals from leading suppliers in Zurich with Road Genius. From compact cars to luxury SUVs and minivans, you'll find vehicles at low prices. Pick up your car hire at Zurich Airport (ZRH), Zurich HB or city centre depots for quick access to highways A1 and A3 to Lucerne, Interlaken and the Alps. Book early for summer and ski season and note that Swiss-registered rentals usually include the motorway vignette and winter tyres in winter.
Zurich has several car rental locations, each offering different advantages:
| Location | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich Airport (ZRH) |
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| Zurich Main Station (HB) |
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| City Centre Locations |
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At Zurich Airport, rental desks are in the Car Rental Centre attached to the terminal. You will find major agencies like Hertz, Europcar, Sixt, Enterprise, Alamo, National, Avis, Budget and others. Several rental companies also have offices in or near the Zurich Main Station (Hauptbahnhof), which is convenient for train arrivals. Other agencies have branches throughout the city, but these often have shorter opening hours than airport locations.
To save money, you can take the 15-minute train from the airport into the city and rent there to avoid the airport surcharge. It is often possible to pick up a car in the city and return it to the airport without the extra fee.
On average, car rentals in Zurich cost around CHF 58 per day, with the lowest-priced rentals available from CHF 23 per day.
Skip the airport surcharge: Take the 15-minute train from ZRH to Zurich HB or a city office, pick up there, then return at the airport. You avoid the ~20% airport fee but still get an easy drop-off.
Compare locations, dates and times: Prices swing between airport, HB and city branches. Shift pickup/return by a few hours or a day, and check if a 7-day rate beats 5-6 separate days.
Choose the right car: Smaller classes are cheaper and easier to park in Zurich. Manuals are typically CHF 10-20/day cheaper than automatics.
Skip paid extras: GPS, child seats and ski racks add daily fees. Use your phone for nav and bring your own child seat if possible.
Time your booking smartly: For Zurich summer, ski season and big trade fairs, book a few weeks ahead. Off-peak, keep an eye on prices and rebook if they drop.
Cut parking and fuel costs: Use Park & Ride on the outskirts (CHF 10-15/day incl. transit) instead of central garages (CHF 40-50/day). Fill up before return to avoid refuelling charges.
| Option | What You Get | Cost | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Street Spots (White Zones) | Metred spaces throughout the city | Varies by zone and time | Limited time (often 90 minutes max in centre); strictly enforced |
| Blue Zones | Time-limited using disc | Free within signed time limits using disc | Requires blue disc; mainly in residential areas |
| Garages | Covered secure spaces | Varies by garage and duration | Best option for longer stays; Urania or Hauptbahnhof garages are centrally located |
| Park & Ride (P+R) | Peripheral spots plus public transport | Varies; often combined transport tickets | Good option for multi-day visits; located on city outskirts |
Zurich Parking Challenges:
Local Driving Rules:
Strategy:
Get a rental car to get to:
Lucerne – Chapel Bridge, Lake Lucerne
Interlaken – Lake Thun, Lake Brienz
Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen) – Laufen Castle, boat pier
Rapperswil – Rapperswil Castle, Lake Zurich
Appenzell – Alpstein, Ebenalp
Liechtenstein (Vaduz) – Vaduz Castle, Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
Is it necessary to rent a car in Zurich, given the excellent public transport? If you're just exploring Zurich, you'll probably find public transport more convenient than a car. However, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore places outside the city, especially in the countryside or to make unplanned stops.
What documents do I need to rent a car in Zurich? You'll need a valid driver's licence from your home country, your passport and a major credit card in your name. We also recommend an International Driving Permit if you have a non-EU licence.
Can I pick up a car in Zurich and return it in another Swiss city? Yes, most rental companies let you do one-way hires inside Switzerland, often for little or no extra cost between big cities. You should always check the company's specific rules when you book.
Is it difficult to drive in Zurich city centre? Driving in Zurich's city centre can be tricky because it has a lot of one-way streets, tram lines and pedestrian zones. You might want to park your car outside the centre and use public transport to explore the city.
What's the best strategy for visiting areas around Lake Zurich? A car is the best way to see the pretty villages and viewpoints on the lake's quieter eastern shore. We suggest you drive a loop: go from Zurich to Rapperswil along one side of the lake and come back along the other.
Are there any driving restrictions in Zurich I should be aware of? You need to look out for 30 km/h speed limit zones in residential areas. Also, remember that only authorised vehicles can enter some parts of the Old Town.
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