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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.
Car Rental Locations & Options
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.
Car Rental Prices
How to save?
- 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.
Car hire prices in Zurich 2025/2026
Parking and Driving Tips
| 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
- The city centre, especially around Bahnhofstrasse and the Old Town (Altstadt), has very limited street spaces
- Enforcement is strict and fines are issued for violations
- Many hotels in central Zurich have no facilities or charge substantial daily rates
- Weekend spaces are somewhat easier, plus free spots in many blue zones on Sundays
Local Driving Rules
- Zurich has numerous tram lines - trams ALWAYS have right of way
- Many streets in the Old Town are pedestrianised or restricted to public transport
- One-way streets and transit-only lanes can complicate navigation
- Speed limits: 50 km/h in city, 30 km/h in many residential zones
- Electronic traffic signs adjust speed limits based on congestion or weather conditions
Strategy
- For short visits to the city centre, garages are the most practical option
- For longer stays, consider Park & Ride facilities on the outskirts
- The ZVV (Zurich public transport) app can help locate spaces and provide transit connections
- Always check hotel availability before booking if arriving by car
Why rent a car in Zurich
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
FAQs
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.
