Get rolling easily with the top 5 car rentals in Zurich
Zurich is more popular for its trains and trams, but sometimes, it’s better to go on an adventure in your own ride—a rental, that is. There are no transfers, no schedules to follow; just keys in hand and the day’s itinerary.
However, finding a car rental in Zurich can be intimidating due to the uncertainty of where to start looking. Luckily, the city is packed with reliable companies offering a wide range of vehicles, from compact city cars to luxury SUVs and even convertibles.
So, for this article, I share with you the best providers.
| How much does a car rental in Zurich cost? A car rental in Zurich typically costs between CHF 50 and CHF 250 per day, depending on the car model, rental duration, and insurance options. Economy cars usually start at CHF 50 per day, while luxury cars or SUVs can reach at least CHF 150 or more. |
1. Enterprise Rent-A-Car Zurich
Address: Zurich Airport, Flughafen, 8058
Contact: +41 848 445 522
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:30 PM
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is a go-to for both locals and travellers who want something reliable and hassle-free. Their selection covers most needs, including electric vehicles, SUVs, and compact cars.
Prices start at around CHF 65 per day and go up to CHF 150 for premium models, which felt fair compared to other rentals I’ve tried. Their website is easy to navigate, with tools that help me compare vehicles without hassle.
Plus, there are online discounts. Weekend promos offer perks like a complimentary driver, flexible long-term rental options, and extras like child seats and GPS.
One feature I like the most is the Enterprise Plus loyalty programme. This rewards frequent renters with points for every transaction, which can be redeemed for free rental days. Members also enjoy quicker reservations, priority service, and exclusive offers.
The only downside? Longer waiting times during peak seasons—holidays or peak ski season. Some had to wait longer than expected for a car.
The process was much faster than places
“One the nicest experiences i had in quite a while renting cars all around europe, the staff was so nice and helpful, especially Max and Noa, the process was much faster than places elsewhere and especially the caring staff, thank you guys for the great experience 👏🏽🫶🏻”
- Ashnas Babar, Google Review
The process was smooth and efficient from start to finish
“I had a fantastic experience with the rental car company at Zurich Airport. The process was smooth and efficient from start to finish. A special shoutout to Carlos, who was truly exceptional—he went above and beyond to ensure everything was perfect. He was friendly, professional, and genuinely helpful, making sure I was completely set up and comfortable before hitting the road. It’s rare to come across such outstanding service, and Carlos made all the difference. Highly recommend!”
- Ashley Atwood, Google Review
2. Hertz
Address: Zollstrasse 42, 8005
Contact: +41 43 444 70 00
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
I recently tried renting from Hertz, and one of the most impressive features was the wide range of cars they had available. They offered me budget hatchbacks to go around the city, as well as Teslas if I wanted a fancier ride.
Prices start at CHF 58 per day for the basic models and CHF 129 per day for the luxury units. I was able to get a weekend discount, which was a great deal.
However, if you’re a frequent renter, you should sign up for their Gold Plus Rewards program. The program offers counter-priority service, allowing you to skip the long lines—something that both locals and expats commend.
I like that you also earn points each time you book and use them to redeem for free rental days.
But one thing that clients say online is that the company has limited office hours compared to others. They close early on Saturdays and are closed on Sundays.
There were no hidden prices when the car was returned
“I booked a Ford Mondeo from 30th March to 6th of April. Car was paid in advance.
When I arrived Geneva Airport the Car was ready. It was not a Mondeo but a BMW 320X. There were not any hidden prices when the car was returned and everything went smooth.”
- Peter Wendelboe Hansen, Trustpilot Review
The whole process was unbelievably quick and easy
“⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hands down the best car rental experience I’ve ever had! I’ve rented from many companies in the past, but Hertz Automotive truly stands out. From start to finish, the service was exceptional. Everything was smooth, efficient, and completely taken care of. A special shout-out to Miriam, who went above and beyond to help us. She was incredibly friendly and professional, and even helped us change our drop-off location — saving us the hassle and cost of a taxi. The whole process was unbelievably quick and easy. I honestly can’t find a single fault. Highly recommended — I’ll definitely be booking with Hertz again!”
- Amrit S., Google Review
3. Europcar
Address: Lindenstrasse 33, 8008
Contact: +41 44 383 17 47
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sunday: closed
What stood out immediately with Europcar was their online check-in, which made a huge difference. A few days before the pick-up date, they’ll send an email asking for specific details and your licence so that you don’t have to wait in line at all.
Their vehicle selections are tailored to all trips, from city drives to holiday adventures. I chose the VW Tiguan with snow tyres and ski racks—winter add-ons that made the trip easier to manage.
They also offer child seats, GPS navigation, and cross-border rentals (for those planning to extend the adventure to Germany or Austria).
Rates are already great, starting at around CHF 60 per day. However, booking early is even better because it can save you as much as 20% off.
Unfortunately, it takes a while for the staff to inspect the car before you can return it completely. Plus, the drop-off queue is long, and you may have to wait in line again.
The service was excellent, and they didn’t charge us for overtime
“Choosing a large company was definitely the right call. Initially, I was worried about various upsell services like insurance, based on online reviews. We were very cautious and asked many questions when reviewing the contract during pickup, but there were no hidden charges. All terms were clearly stated in the contract, such as a diesel surcharge of 3.57 euros per liter if the tank is not full upon return (which is very expensive, so make sure to return it full). The service was excellent. They held the car for us for half an hour past our scheduled time without charge and calculated the rental period based on our actual arrival time. We were also a few minutes late returning the car, but they didn’t charge us for overtime (which worried us for a long time, very touching indeed).”
- Abner Thodore, Qeeq Review
They made a very difficult task as easy as possible, with clear help and instructions
“Absolutely delighted with the service I received from the staff here. Trying to rent a large van close to the Christmas period is very difficult. I went into the location and the staff member at the desk was very helpful, and phoned other branches to secure a vehicle for my use. When I arrived to pick up the van, another member of staff helped me to secure an automatic vehicle, which was very helpful as I am unaccustomed to driving left hand drive vehicles, and I had a long journey ahead. At all times staff were very polite and helpful and they made a very difficult task as easy as possible, with clear help and instructions. Thank you!”
- Frank Southee, Google Review
4. Sixt
Address: Parking Garage 3, 8060
Contact: +41 84 888 44 44
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
- Sunday: closed
If there’s anything Sixt is known for, it’s the luxury car lineup.
A friend booked a BMW 4 Series convertible during their stay in Zurich, and the car was equipped with all the latest technology. It includes lane assist, adaptive cruise control, head-up display, and more.
They offer one-way rentals (which is great if you’re headed to the airport), digital key access via their app for contactless pickup, and an express counter for Sixt loyalty members.
Their electric vehicle line comes with convenient charging stations all over the city. It’s honestly a helpful feature, especially for travellers who want to explore Zurich.
Plus, they provide winter equipment kits and ski racks upon request for those who’ll visit the Alps.
However, their Zurich branch requires a high security deposit for premium models, which can tie up a somewhat large amount on your credit card.
The car return process was swift and easy
“I rented a 520d BMW for almost ten days on the 9th of June. I was served by Ayman and he was very helpful and assisted me with car selection. The car was very comfortable and served me well on my Euro Trip. Furthermore, the car return process was swift and easy since I had full coverage. Absolutely recommended.”
- Yazeed, Google Review
A serious company with a very positive attitude towards the customer
“Great service and cars. Rental agent Sybille did a very good job. I have been a SIXT customer for more than 20 years, and my experience at Zürich airport is exactly why I will continue renting cars from SIXT. A serious company with a very positive attitude towards the customer. You can’t help feeling welcome.”
- Torben Jensen, Google Review
5. Alamo
Address: Genferstrasse 36, 8002
Contact: +0041 0 848 445 522
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Alamo in Zurich Airport is located in Parking Garage P3, a short walk from the arrivals area. This makes them one of the perfect companies to rent cars from, making it easier for travellers to access their rides.
I got their Alamo Gold Package, which allowed me to skip the rental counter entirely. After checking in online, I scanned my digital confirmation and retrieved the keys from the kiosk. No more waiting in line, no hassle.
Also, the Gold Package includes priority support and fast returns. Just park in the drop-off zone, leave the keys in the box, and you’re done—no paperwork needed.
Pricing starts at around CHF 55 per day. I rented the VW Golf with snow tyres for about CHF 80 per day, which seemed reasonable given the winter conditions and added safety features.
However, prices quickly increased after discussions of insurance and extras, such as GPS, child seats, or snow racks.
Some clients commended the company for its efficient booking and car pickups, which I also found true throughout the trip.
The vehicle provided was clean and well-maintained
“I recently rented a vehicle through Alamo and Enterprise and wanted to share my experience. Overall, the rental process was smooth and efficient. The booking was straightforward, and I appreciated the transparency in pricing and policies. The staff at the pickup location were professional, courteous, and helpful in explaining the rental agreement and vehicle features. The vehicle provided was clean, well-maintained, and performed reliably throughout my trip. Returning the car was just as easy, with clear signage and a quick inspection process. I especially appreciated the flexibility in return times and the promptness of the final billing. One suggestion for improvement would be [insert if applicable – e.g., better signage at the return area, quicker service during peak times, more clarity in fuel policies, etc.]. However, this did not significantly impact the overall positive experience. I would definitely consider renting from Alamo and Enterprise again in the future and recommend them to others seeking dependable car rental services. Thank you for a seamless rental experience.”
- Ibrahim Alghassab, Google Review
I had no issues during the rental period
“Picking up the car was quick and easy, with no unnecessary waiting time. The staff were friendly, professional, and made the whole process smooth. The car itself was very clean and in great condition. I had no issues during the rental period – everything went exactly as expected. Would definitely rent from them again!”
- Romain Widmer, Google Review