Car hire in Zurich

Zurich is usually billed as a city of banks and watches, but anyone who wanders the old town, swims in the lake in the height of August or climbs the Uetliberg at sunset discovers something else: a compact, spotless and surprisingly liveable city that can be covered on foot in a couple of days. And therein lies the key: Zurich is quickly enjoyed, and the best part begins precisely where the city tarmac ends.

Because less than an hour's drive away await Lucerne and its wooden bridge, the Rhine Falls — the mightiest in Europe — and the first foothills of the Alps. With a hire car, Zurich stops being a destination and becomes the perfect base camp: a well-connected international airport, immaculate roads and scenery that changes postcard every twenty minutes of driving.

Driving in Switzerland is, moreover, a pleasure in itself: tunnels boring through mountains, signposted viewpoints, Alpine passes that seem drawn for the steering wheel. If you've ever dreamt of a road of perfect curves between meadows and snow-capped peaks, this is the place. Collect the car, point it south and let Switzerland do the rest.

Day trips from Zurich

• Lucerne and Lake Lucerne — Around 45 minutes by motorway: the Kapellbrücke bridge, the medieval old town and one of Switzerland's most photogenic lakes. Ideal for half a day, perfect for a full one.
• Rhine Falls (Schaffhausen) — Around 40 minutes to the north, Europe's mightiest waterfall. Boats take you right up to the central rock; combine it with the medieval town of Stein am Rhein.
• Interlaken and the Jungfrau region — Around 1 h 45 min away: two turquoise lakes, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen and its 72 waterfalls. The star excursion from Zurich — start early and make the most of it.
• The Klausen Pass — Around 1 h to the start of the pass: 48 km of Alpine curves between Uri and Glarus, meadows, waterfalls and viewpoints. Pure driving, summer season only.
• Appenzell and the Alpstein massif — Around 1 h 15 min away: painted houses, artisan cheeses and the cable car to the Ebenalp with its famous guesthouse clinging to the cliff. Rural Switzerland at its purest.
• Zug and Mount Rigi — Around 30 minutes away: a peaceful lake, a tiny old town and, across the water, the Rigi — the 'Queen of the Mountains' — with panoramas over half the country.

A perfect day behind the wheel

Getting around

• Within Zurich, forget the car: much of the centre is pedestrianised and the tram reaches everywhere. Leave it in a covered car park (they're signposted throughout the centre, with a guidance system showing free spaces) and get around on foot.
• The car shines outside the city: day trips to Lucerne, Interlaken, the Rhine Falls or the Alpine passes, where the train forces slow, expensive connections. For day excursions, it's by far the most flexible option.
• If your hotel is in the centre, ask about parking beforehand: many have no spaces of their own. A convenient alternative is to collect the car at the airport only for excursion days and return it when you're back.

When to go

From June to September the Alpine passes are open, the days are long and the lake is at its best; it's also high season, so book your car early. May and October offer fewer crowds and spectacular colours, though the odd mountain pass may still be closed. In winter, Zurich makes an ideal base for snow escapes, with main roads always well cleared.

Your pick-up

Zurich, Geneva and Basel airports, plus Swiss cities. Prices shown in euros.

Final prices in euros · book without paying · free cancellation up to 72 h before.

Frequently asked questions

← Back to home · More destinations : Madrid · Barcelona · Valencia · Malaga · Palma de Mallorca