All-inclusive car rental in Switzerland
You can rent a car in Switzerland on a fully all-inclusive basis - full insurance, zero excess, unlimited mileage and no booking fees in one price. A car is ideal for the Alps and ski resorts; note that motorways need an annual vignette and winter tyres are strongly advised.
Switzerland is a dream to drive: the peaks and resorts of the Bernese Oberland and Graubünden, the lakes of Geneva, Lucerne and Zurich, and some of Europe’s most spectacular mountain passes. An all-inclusive rental removes the two usual worries - a high insurance excess and surprise desk charges.
With Cardamar the price already includes comprehensive zero-excess cover, reassuring on Alpine roads. Note: Swiss motorways require an annual vignette (there is no short-term option), and while winter tyres are not strictly compulsory they are strongly advised - and expected - in winter.
Good to know before you drive in Switzerland
| Drives on | Right-hand side |
|---|---|
| Motorway vignette | Annual only (no short-term option) |
| Winter tyres | Not compulsory but strongly advised in winter |
| Speed limit (motorway) | 120 km/h |
| Best for | Winter sports, lakes and mountain passes |
Popular places to rent a car in Switzerland
Driving tips for Switzerland
- Motorways require an annual vignette (there is no short-term option); rental cars already carry one, so confirm at pick-up.
- Winter tyres are strongly advised (and effectively expected) in winter - rental cars are normally fitted with them; carry chains for high passes.
- Some high Alpine passes close in winter; car-carrying trains (e.g. through tunnels) and well-cleared valley roads keep the resorts reachable.
Driving to the ski resorts
Switzerland’s valley roads and tunnels keep the big resorts reachable all winter - Grindelwald and Wengen from Interlaken, Davos and Klosters in Graubünden, Verbier in the Valais. A few resorts (notably Zermatt and Wengen) are car-free, so you park in a valley station and continue by train.
Rental cars in winter are normally fitted with winter tyres; carry chains for the highest routes. On snowy, winding roads the included zero-excess cover is reassuring.
The vignette and the passes
To drive Swiss motorways you need the annual vignette - there is no 10-day or monthly option as in Austria. Rental cars already carry it; just confirm at pick-up. Switzerland does not charge per-pass tolls like Italy or France, but a few road tunnels and the car-carrying trains have their own fee.
In summer the high Alpine passes - Furka, Grimsel, Susten, Flüela - are glorious; in winter many close, and the car-trains through the mountains take over.
Cities and lakes
Zurich, Geneva and Lucerne are compact and superbly served by public transport, so a car is best kept for the mountains and lakes rather than the city centres, where parking is pricey. Pick the car up for the Bernese Oberland, Lake Lucerne or a pass tour.
Everything is close in Switzerland, and the roads are immaculate; an all-inclusive booking with zero excess keeps a scrape in a tight mountain village worry-free.
All-inclusive vs. a cheap basic rate plus counter insurance
Two cars on the same lot in Switzerland can advertise very different prices. The gap is almost always insurance: an all-inclusive rate settles it up front, while a "basic" rate leaves you to buy excess cover at the desk. Here is what each really means.
| All-inclusive (Cardamar) | Basic rate + counter insurance | |
|---|---|---|
| Damage & theft excess | €0 – fully covered | High excess (often €800–2,000) blocked on your card |
| When you insure | Before you travel, at a fixed price | At the desk, under time pressure, price varies |
| Tyres, glass & undercarriage | Included | Usually excluded or charged extra |
| Deposit / card hold | None or low at most stations | Large hold blocked for the whole trip |
| Cancellation | Free cancellation | Often non-refundable |
| What you pay in total | Known the moment you book | Can climb sharply at the counter |
A basic rate can look cheaper online, but once you add proper excess cover at the desk it usually costs more than an all-inclusive booking - with none of the certainty.
Switzerland car rental - FAQ
Do I need a vignette in Switzerland?
Yes, to use the motorways - and it is annual only, as there is no short-term option. Rental cars already have a valid vignette; confirm it at pick-up.
Are winter tyres required in Switzerland?
They are not strictly compulsory but are strongly advised and effectively expected in winter; you can be held liable if you cause an obstruction without suitable tyres. Rental cars in winter are normally fitted with them.
Is Switzerland good for a winter car trip?
Superb - the ski resorts of the Bernese Oberland and Graubünden and the winter lakes are all rewarding by car, with zero-excess cover for the Alpine roads. Note some high passes close in winter.