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Car Rental in Switzerland
Renting
a car to travel around Switzerland is easy and fun! It is recommended
for parties of 4 travelers and for people that wish to be independent!
Through our partnership with AutoEurope/Kemwel we can guarantee you the best rate against any major car rental company. You also have toll free access 24 hours a day for any service issues and they guarantee your rate in US$.
Switzerland has a well maintained network of highways and streets.
It is easy to find your way since both highways and streets are
clearly marked. The
mountainous terrain can make for some circuitous routes and the
compensation of superb - if sometimes hair-raising - mountain scenery.
There are a few points that drivers should take into consideration.
A general rule of thumb is to learn and understand the traffic regulations
as to not violate local laws. Fines are easy to come by in Switzerland
so strict adherence should apply.
If you are familiar with Switzerland and would like to book your
rental car by yourself, we recommend Kemwel
Discount Car Rental Solutions or if you prefer the assistance
of one of our travel agents, please fill out one of our Car
Rental Vacation Planner.
Driving in Switzerland
It is common in Switzerland for traffic lights to flash amber outside
rush hour times. This means 'proceed with caution' and to remember
to lookout for cyclists. On narrow mountain roads, vehicles traveling
uphill assume the right of way, which, incidentally, is also the
rule in the US. Unlike neighboring Germany, the maximum speed allowed
on Switzerland's highways is 120kph (or 74mph), 80kph on main roads
and 50kph within the cities. If you are caught for speeding or for
another traffic offence, fines are normally payable on the spot
for all non-resident drivers. Also, Switzerland is particularly
strict regarding drinking and driving. In order to drive on highways
your car must have a small sticker pass to be displayed on your
windshield. The minimum driving age in Switzerland is 18 years of
age but in order to rent or drive a rental vehicle, most major rental
car companies require you to be at least 25 years of age.
Parking in Switzerland
Parking designations are clearly marked and regulations are strictly
enforced. In the major cities, parking is often an issue unless
you are willing to pay for expensive parking. Most cities have blue
zones that require you to display a parking disc on your dashboard
indicating time of arrival and allowing restricted parking time.
Parking on the sidewalks is illegal in Switzerland. White Zones
(white road markings) permit free unlimited parking. Red zones (red
road markings) allow you to park up to 15 hours for free, but you
must have a red parking disc. If you use a multi-story car park,
remember you must pay before you go to your car at one of the ticket
machines, as generally you can't pay at the exit.
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