What you should know before you rent a car
Car hires in Switzerland: practical information
Where to rent a car in Switzerland
Switzerland, with the striking Alps, swooping valleys, rolling hills and uber modern cities, it's no wonder you've chosen this small country as your next holiday destination! Getting around Switzerland by public transportation is easy but very expensive, better to compare car rental companies in Switzerland for your trip and get around on your own terms and really see what you want to see while on your Swiss holidays. You'll find all the major rental agencies in Switzerland like Avis, Budget, Hertz, Advantage, Europcar, among others.
Generally it's very easy to navigate your way around the country. As well, the roads are in very good condition and traffic regulations are the same as in Europe. It's good to note however that highways don't have toll booths as you enter. Rather you will need to purchase a highway ticket, called a vignette from a service station before using it. They cost approximately 40 CHF.
Driving in Switzerland: parking and other tips
Many hotels in Switzerland have parking facilities and many of them offer free parking to guests. If this isn't the case with your accommodations in Switzerland, it is also possible to park on the streets and in the city squares as well, but it can get both complicated and expensive. You can even pay as much as 50 CHF per day!
In any case, the benefits of having a car hire in Switzerland far outweigh the expensive parking and highway tolls. Always be aware of your speed. Switzerland is a bit of a tease because they have amazing roads which are perfect for driving on fast. Switzerland is very strict and shows no mercy when it comes to dealing with speeding, so watch that your odometer doesn't go much higher than 120 km/h.
Road trips in Switzerland: what to do, what to see
The Alps
The Alps to the south are truly wonders of nature and there are endless possibilities for things to do both in summer as well as winter. Hiking, rock climbing, river rafting, lake swimming… and least of all the chance to breathe some truly fresh air! Don't miss a visit to the lakes of Upper Engadine, the highest inhabited valley in the Alps.
Rhine Falls
The Rhine Falls is the largest waterfall in Europe and is definitely considered on of the most impressive natural sights in Switzerland. To really get a feel for their power, take a boat to the rock in the middle of the falls. The closest cities to the falls is Schaffhausen and Neuhausen am Rheinfall where you can also visit the Schloss Wörth castle.
Castles of Bellinzona
Switzerland also boasts some impressive architecture, including some amazing castles. The Bellinzona castles are no exception, located in the southern region of Ticino. The castles have been recognized UNESCO World Heritage Sights since 2000 and include three: Sasso Corbaro Castle (built in only 6 months in 1479), Montebello Castle (the prettiest of the three) and Castelgrande.