Switzerland Car Rental Guide
This page provides you with information about car rental in Switzerland and gives a short overview of the car rental and driving restrictions valid in the country.
Rental Traditions
In order to rent a car in Switzerland, you must be at least 20 years old (age may vary by car category) and have held your license for 1 year. Drivers under the age of 25 may incur a young driver surcharge.
Cars rented in Switzerland are not allowed into the following countries: Albania, Belarus, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the countries of the former Yugoslavia.
Driving Restrictions
The minimum age of a driver in Switzerland is 18 years. Seatbelts are compulsory for front seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.8‰.
When passing another vehicle, you should not cross a double white line. If there is enough room, moving trams must be passed on the right; if not, then on the left. Many roads are closed to caravans and trailers.
The use of headlights is required in tunnels. Use the horn only in cases of extreme and immediate danger – otherwise, headlights should be flashed instead.
Trams always have the right to move first. Buses have priority when leaving a bus stop. Blue posts indicate an upcoming intersection with a priority road.
The police are authorised to collect fines on the spot.
Speed Limits:| Area | Limit |
| Expressways | 100 or 120 KM/H |
| Outside the City | 80 KM/H |
| In the City | 50 KM/H |
Emergency Numbers
Police/ambulance/fire - 112
Road Tolls
Switzerland has road tolls for cars.
Some useful expressions for tourists travelling in Switzerland
Car – das Auto
Car rental – Autovermietung
Road – die Autostrasse
About Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the world’s most politically and economically stable countries, but its cultures and linguistic traditions vary greatly. It is a very clean, safe and orderly country with picturesue beauty: spectacular Alpine scenery, dazzling ski runs, tidy cities. Although it is a popular winter sports destination, its lakes and clean air attract tourists all year round.
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is a charming and relaxing city with sandstone arcaded buildings lining the pavements and with the majestic Alps on the horizon. Geneva, one of the major cities, is a truly international city, with a beautiful cobbled Old Town and top-class museums.
Population: 7,450,867
Area: 39,770 sq km
Capital City: Bern
Language: German, French
Time Zone: GMT +1
Monetary unit: Swiss Franc
