car hire rentals switzerland forest mist

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!

car hire rentals Switzerland city river

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.

car hire rentals Switzerland train
car hire rentals driving tips

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.

car hire rentals airport luggage

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.

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