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Car Hire Switzerland
From its medieval old towns to its majestic scenery Switzerland is all about once in a lifetime experiences and one of the best ways to get around is by booking rent a car Switzerland for your trip. There is so much to experience in Switzerland that you will want an uncomplicated way to get around. The roads are well made and maintained, so you can use your Switzerland car hire to see everything from beautiful countryside to its busy urban cities. Many visitors may associate the country with its cuckoo clocks and its yodelling, but there is so much more for the traveller to experience, the land of four languages, its lakes to its Alpine pursuits. Whatever your reason to visit Switzerland is, Switzerland rent a car is a handy way to get around this beautiful country.
There are places of interest for the traveller in Switzerland. Car hire Switzerland lets you take in the history and its modern urban aspects that Switzerland has to offer. From the capital of Bern to the Eiger’s chiselled north face. Switzerland is graceful country for the traveller to explore. Rental car Switzerland is popular, and you will need to book well in advance to get the dates and the type of car you desire.
A desire to explore the country you are visiting is really important so rent a car Switzerland lets you take it easy along the roads of the country and also get from place to place in comfort and style. There are many options for car hire Switzerland that you will want to decide early and get the most from your trip. It is easy to make a booking and the cars are modern and well-maintained, so don’t worry about your Switzerland rental car experience – it will be just like driving your own car!
The Country
Switzerland is a diverse and multilingual country with its typical stereotypes – cheese, chocolate and punctuality to time. Many speak English along with the four other languages spoken, it has much more, its breath-taking scenery to its cosmopolitan cities. Switzerland has its Alpine traditions, but it is a hip and trendy place to visit, from its bars and cafes to its numerous museums. There’s so much more to discover
- Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain in Geneva
- Snowboarding in Zermatt
There are other cities and sights, as we will see later in this guide.
The country is home to approximately 8 million people, there are four national languages spoken: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Switzerland is bordered by Italy to the south, France to the west, Germany to the north, and Austria and Liechtenstein to the east. Switzerland is a landlocked country geographically divided between the Alps, the Swiss Plateau and the Jura. Switzerland spans an area of 41,285 km2 (15,940 square miles.)
The summer in Switzerland are June, July and August, while the winter months are December, January and February. The weather in the country is temperate, with four distinct seasons.
There are four national languages spoken in Switzerland, with English also being widely spoken. The country’s main sport obsession is Skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering. Other sports that have produced world ranking players is tennis, namely Roger Federer.
Popular Cities in Switzerland
The capital of Switzerland is Bern and one of the largest cities in Switzerland. It is an exciting and picturesque city to visit. The streets can be explored and navigated by rent a car Bern from the airport to your hotel and beyond. Bern has over 6 km of covered arcades and cellar shops and cafes to explore. With its Unesco World Heritage–listed Old Town, with its provincial, laid-back air, get your Bern car hire and get ready for an adventure!
Zurich
Zurich is located in in north-central Switzerland at the north-western tip of Lake Zürich and is the largest city in the country. Explore with Zurich car hire soon. Zurich is a leading global city, being home to many of the largest global financial and banking institutions. It has is cultural side too, a visit to the Kunsthaus is a must along with the Kunsthalle and Migros galleries. Through the city is relatively a car free city rent a car Zurich will let experience the beauty of the city and beyond.
Geneva
Geneva is the capital of Republic and Canton of Geneva, and the second largest city in Switzerland. Here the language spoken is French. Geneva is the home to many international organizations, including the headquarters of many of the agencies of the United Nations and the Red Cross. Business here uses Geneva rent a car all the time. Situated where the Rhône exits Lake Geneva, Geneva is a most beautiful city. Take in its sites and numerous museums, and visits to lively cafes and bars. So, make most of your trip with Geneva rental car and go explore!
Lucerne
Lucerne stands on the shores of Lake Lucerne, beyond the lake Lucerne is surrounded by snow top covered hills. Lucerne rental car is cheap and convenient. A visit to this beautiful city is a must, especially a visit to Altstadt (Old Town). This Swiss city is packed with history and a walk along the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), which was originally built in 1333, it’s the oldest covered wooden bridge in Europe. So, your car hire Lucerne is an essential way to see the city and surrounding countryside.
Lausanne
Lausanne is situated on the shores of Lake Geneva and is surrounded by vineyards and is the fourth largest city in Switzerland. Lausanne rent a car is popular in the summer months. It is becoming a hip and trendy city to visit, with its many museums, such as the Olympic Museum and its gothic buildings a visit to Lausanne is called for. Get your Lausanne rental car booked early and rent a car Lausanne will help you get from city to city while you explore Switzerland.
Lugano
Lugano lies by Lake Lugano and is surrounded by the mountains of the Lugano Prealps and the twin peaks of Monte Brè and Monte San Salvatore which attracts hikers and mountain bikers alike. And Lugano car hire is a great way to see all of this. Lugano is the Italian speaking part of Switzerland and is the largest in Ticino Canton, it is full of bustling shops and pavements cafes which are surely worth a visit. Rental car Lugano you can visit the beautiful countryside and town at your own pace.
Zermatt
Zermatt is a car free zone all year round, but do not let that put you off from visiting one of Switzerland’s most famous cities. It’s biggest draw, of course, is the Matterhorn and its top-quality skiing. Sit one of the many bars and cafes and gaze upon this majestic site. Car hire Zermatt will allow you to use Zermatt as a base for you to explore the countryside and surrounding towns and villages. It’s a handy way for you to go off and see such sites. You can get rental car Zermatt and see the rest of this fabulous country.
Saint Moritz
Saint Moritz has been drawing in royalty and the rich since 1864. This high-class resort draws in visitors from all around the world who wish to ski the slopes or be seen in ones of its many trendy bars and restaurants accessed perfectly by rental car Saint Moritz all year round. It is surrounded by a snow-capped mountains and emerald, so a stay here whether in the winter months for Alpine pursuits or in the summer to trek along its lake, hills and forests, Saint Moritz rent a car is your way to see all that the city has to offer.
Basel
Basel can be found in the northern west point of the country. Basel rent a car is convenient from the airport or the city. It is the third largest city in Switzerland, it is located where the Swiss, French and German borders meet and stands on the river Rhine. Basel holds an annual ART Basel festival in the city’s wealth of galleries, museums and iconic buildings. Spend time wandering around the beautiful Altstadt in Grossbasel (Greater Basel) on the Rhine’s south bank before crossing the Mittlere Brücke to Kleinbasel (Little Basel). Car hire Basel will help you explore the city and venture across its borders too.
St Gallen
St Gallen is steeped in history, its most famous Abbey district and its Baroque cathedral with the Abbey Library is worth a visit in itself, the Abbey’s renowned library contains books from the 9th century. Car hire St Gallen helps you to see all of this beauty and more. St Gallen’s location to the borders of Switzerland, Germany, Austria and the Principality of Liechtenstein, rental car St Gallen makes it the best starting point for excursions into the Appenzellerland with the Säntis, and Lake Constance.
Driving Tips
As with any new experience, you will need to know what you are letting yourself in for. Check all the rules of the road before you leave for Switzerland to ensure you stay safe. Here are some of the more important ones –
- Some of the higher passes may be closed during the winter months although there are often tunnels that can use instead.
- Some tunnels do impose toll charges.
- When driving on motorways you will require a vignette sticker
- The driver is responsible to make sure all occupants of the car wear seat belts at all times
- You cannot drive while under the influence of alcohol, severe fines will be imposed. The blood alcohol limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. A lower limit of 10mg applies to new drivers who passed their test within 3 years. Visiting motorists may be forbidden from driving in Switzerland for a minimum of one month if caught over the limit.
- You must carry an international drivers licence with you at all times while on the road in Bosnia.
- Children under 12 and shorter than 150cm must use a child restraint system suitable for their size and weight approved to UN ECE regulation (44.03 or 44.04).
- Children under 7 are not permitted to sit in the front seat of the vehicle
- They drive on the right-hand side of the road and overtake on left.
- Pedestrians generally have right of way and will expect vehicles to stop for them.
- The use of a mobile phone while driving is prohibited, with the exception of a hands-free system.
- A warning triangle, reflective vests, first aid kit, and fire extinguisher must be carried in all vehicles and must be easily reached without exiting the vehicle.
- If you’re in an accident, you MUST notify the Police and the car rental supplier and get an accident report for insurance purposes. Failure to do so may result in you footing the whole bill.
- Winter tyres are not compulsory, but your vehicle must be able to travel in snowy conditions without impeding traffic or you may be subjected to a fine. Where signs dictate, snow chains on at least two wheels of your vehicle are compulsory. Vehicles with studded tyres are prohibited on motorways and expressways except for certain parts of the A2 and A13.
- The major cities can be very busy at rush hour so leave plenty of time for your journey
- The speed limit in built up areas is 50 kph / 31 mph.
- On an open road, the speed limit is 80 kph / 50 mph.
- The speed limit on the motorway is 120 kph / 75 mph.
Make sure you know what to do when driving in Switzerland to say safe and on the right side of the law.
Airports in Switzerland
Switzerland has transport links to the rest of the world through trade and other activities. Here are some of the busiest airports in Switzerland –
- Zurich Airport (Zürich–Kloten Airport)
- Bern Airport (Bern-Belp Airport)
- Lausanne Airport (Lausanne–La Blécherette Airport)
- Geneva Airport (Geneva–Cointrin Airport)
- Lugano Airport (Lugano–Agno Airport)
The best way to get the most from your car hire Switzerland is to book from the airport so you know you have the transport you need. Do this in advance to get the best prices available.
When driving on the roads of Switzerland, you want to be safe. You should research the rules of the road, as said before, but also have the following numbers programmed in your phone on case of emergency. For the police it’s 117, ambulance is 144 and fire brigade is 118.